Abstract:
An uninterruptible power supply comprises an input to receive input power from a power source, an output to provide power to a load from at least one of the input power and the battery, a battery having a plurality of terminals, an upper housing portion having a plurality of receptacle plugs, the receptacle plugs having battery connectors positioned therein, and a lower housing portion constructed and arranged to hold the battery in one of two positions. The first position is an activated position wherein the terminals on the battery match with the battery connectors of the upper housing. The second position is an inactive position wherein the terminals on the battery do not match with the battery connectors of the upper housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Embodiments of the present invention are related to uninterruptible power supply systems having batteries, and more particularly to a battery exchange device and method for rapid exchange of a battery in an uninterruptible power supply system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Uninterruptible power supplies are used in many electrical and electronic systems to protect against loss or degradation of operation in the event of a utility power outage. Typical UPS systems include back-up batteries, standalone generators or other alternate power sources that may be brought on-line should an AC utility source fail to meet predetermined voltage or other performance criteria, e.g., under “brownout” and “blackout” conditions. In addition, UPS systems commonly include power conditioning circuits that are designed to reduce spikes, frequency variations, voltage excursions and other irregularities that are often present on AC utility lines. The back-up batteries provide power for computers and other electronic equipment when the main power is shut off so that the equipment is not damaged and so that data is not lost due to lack of continuous power to the equipment.  
         [0003]     Typically, UPS systems are shipped with the battery disconnected to avoid unwanted use of the battery&#39;s power, and further to avoid injuries that can occur when current is being supplied to the electronic device. Thus, one shipping a UPS must take precautions to insure that the battery is disconnected, and the user of the system, upon receiving the UPS, must manually connect the battery to the UPS for use.  
         [0004]     Batteries used in UPS systems are generally lead acid batteries manually connected to the UPS system. For example, the connections may involve manipulation of the leads or terminals of the battery during disconnection and reconnection of the battery in the UPS. To avoid injury to the user and damage to the system from a faulty battery, great care must be taken in connecting or replacing a battery in a UPS. This often requires that the system be powered down for a substantial amount of time so that the battery leads are appropriately connected.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention relates to an improved connection between a battery and the load to which it supplies power when the utility power is not available. More specifically, the invention is directed to an uninterruptible power supply battery exchanging system whereby manual manipulation of the battery leads is not necessary to connect the battery. The invention further provides improved means of storing a battery as it is shipped to avoid accidental connection of the battery to the UPS system.  
         [0006]     Embodiments of the invention include an uninterruptible power supply. The uninterruptible power supply includes an input to receive AC input power from a power source, a housing having a battery compartment, wherein the battery compartment includes at least one battery connector, a battery positionable in a first position in the battery compartment, the battery including terminals positioned in a plug receptacle, and an output to provide power to a load from at least one of the input power and the battery. The battery terminals correspond to a position of the at least one battery connector to self-align, by insertion of the at least one battery connector into the plug receptacle, when the battery is in the first position in the battery compartment.  
         [0007]     Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following features. The uninterruptible power supply can include a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, wherein the connectors are mounted on the printed circuit board. The connectors can include curved portions to contact the battery terminals. The terminals can include curved portions that correspond with the curved connectors to complete connection. The housing can further defines a cavity to receive the battery terminals. The battery can be disposed in a second position in the housing, and the connectors can be disposed remotely from the terminals when the battery is in the second position. The second position of the battery in the housing can be a 180-degree rotation from the first position of the battery. The cavity can be positioned on an internal surface of a door that attaches to the bottom of the housing, and the door can be configured to enclose the battery in the housing.  
         [0008]     Other embodiments of the invention can include an uninterruptible power supply comprising a battery having a plurality of terminals. The UPS includes an upper housing portion having a plurality of receptacle plugs, the receptacle plugs having battery connectors positioned therein and a lower housing portion to hold the battery in one of two positions. The first position is an activated position wherein the terminals on the battery match with the battery connectors of the upper housing. The second position is an inactive position wherein the terminals on the battery do not match with the battery connectors of the upper housing. The UPS further includes an input to receive input power from a power source, and an output to provide power to a load from at least one of the input power and the battery.  
         [0009]     Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following features. The uninterruptible power supply can include a printed circuit board disposed in the battery housing, wherein the means for providing contact is mounted on the printed circuit board. The means for providing contact can include j-shaped members mounted to the battery housing. The means for providing contact also include j-shaped members mounted to the battery. The j-shaped members mounted to the battery housing can slide into contact with the j-shaped members mounted to the battery. The j-shaped members mounted to the battery can be angled in the direction of motion of the battery when the battery is inserted into the housing.  
         [0010]     Further implementations of the invention can include cavity means defined by the housing for receiving the j-shaped members mounted to the battery. The cavity means for receiving the j-shaped members mounted to the battery can be positioned to receive the j-shaped members when the battery is inserted in a second position, and in the second position, the j-shaped members mounted to the battery housing can be disposed remotely from the j-shaped members mounted to the battery. The second position of the battery can include rotating the battery 180 degrees from the first position of the battery. The cavity means can be defined in a bottom surface of the housing and can receive the j-shaped members mounted to the battery when the battery is inverted prior to insertion into the housing. The system can further include means for indicating an operating status of the battery when the battery is connected to the uninterruptible power supply.  
         [0011]     Other embodiments of the invention can include an uninterruptible power supply having an upper housing portion having plugs and a lower housing portion that couples to the upper housing portion. The UPS can also include a printed circuit board positioned below the upper housing portion and above the lower housing portion, the printed circuit board having connectors extending below the planar surface of the printed circuit board, and a battery, removably secured in the lower housing portion, the battery having contacts to mate with the connectors on the printed circuit board to self align in a first position of contact.  
         [0012]     Embodiments of the invention can include one or more of the following advantages. The battery of uninterruptible power supply of the invention contains features that increase the efficiency and safety of exchanging a battery. The battery connectors self-align with the battery terminals for complete connection without necessitating manual intervention. The housing of the uninterruptible power supply further allows the battery to be rotated when inserted to avoid unwanted battery connection, which increases safety. Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent and the invention will be more fully understood after a review of the following figures, detailed description and claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0013]     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the figures which are incorporated herein by reference and in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an uninterruptible power supply;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an uninterruptible power supply system in one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an assembly view of the uninterruptible power supply system with a battery in one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the battery assembly in one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the battery before installation in an uninterruptible power supply system in one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the battery connectors before contact in one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the battery installed in an uninterruptible power supply system in one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the battery connectors in contact in one embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the uninterruptible power supply system with the top enclosure removed in one embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     Embodiments of the invention provide an uninterruptible power supply having a backup battery. Embodiments of the invention further provide a battery exchange system whereby the battery is replaceable merely by sliding the battery into position within a battery compartment with the connection of battery leads to the UPS contacts occurring automatically as the battery is slid into place. Embodiments of the invention can be used in computer systems, telecommunications applications and to satisfy other electronic system needs. Embodiments of the present invention can be used with systems other than computer systems and in systems other than uninterruptible power supplies.  
         [0024]     An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides surge protection and backup battery power for electronic systems. Backup battery power prevents loss of data that can occur during a blackout, a brownout (low voltage), or a spike or a surge of electricity through the system. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of a typical uninterruptible power supply  100  includes an input power source  102 , a transfer switch  104 , an output  106 , a battery  108 , a controller  112 , and an inverter  114 . The UPS  100  can include a battery charger  110 , but need not. The input couples to an AC power source and the output  106  couples to a load. The input  102  provides power to the transfer switch  104  and the battery charger  110 . The transfer switch receives AC power from the input and from the inverter  114 . The inverter receives DC power from the battery and converts the DC power to AC power and provides AC power to the transfer switch. The controller  112  determines whether power is to be provided from the AC input or from the inverter, depending on allowable tolerances of the system. Depending on the capacity of the battery and the power requirements of the load, the UPS  100  can provide power to the load during brief AC power source “dropouts” or for extended power outages. The UPS  100  described herein is provided as an example of a typical off-line system, although other UPS systems can be used with embodiments of the invention.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a UPS housing  10  used in embodiments of the invention is illustrated. The UPS housing  10  includes an upper enclosure  12 , a lower enclosure  14 , outlets  16  and  18 , and a visual status indicator  20 . The upper enclosure  12  and the lower enclosure  14  fit together to form the housing  10  of the UPS. Outlets  16  and  18  provide connection to the battery that can power equipment in the event of a power outage. In one embodiment, some of the outlets  16  and  18  can provide power surge protection only, while other outlets also provide a connection to the back-up battery. Outlets  16  are spaced sufficiently distant from one another that the outlets  16  can accept two transformer block plugs without interference. The visual status indicator  20  indicates when the unit is on, when the unit is operating on battery power, or when available battery power is almost exhausted. Other indicators, such as audible indicators can also be included in the UPS to notify the user of the status of the battery. Operating status information can be communicated remotely to appear on a monitor, for example, rather than appearing locally via the visual status indicator  20 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows an assembly view of the UPS of  FIG. 2 . With like numbers referring to like embodiments, the UPS of  FIG. 3  includes a battery  40  having two terminals  41  and  42 , a battery door  34 , a printed circuit board  30 , and battery connectors  31  and  32 , which may be mounted on the printed circuit board  30 . The printed circuit board is positioned below the upper enclosure  12  and above the lower enclosure  14 . The battery connectors  31  and  32  are mounted on an end of the printed circuit board  30  and face downward to mate with terminals  41  and  42 . The terminals  41  and  42  are curved, or slightly hook-shaped or j-shaped to allow adequate contact with the connectors  31  and  32 . Polarity indicators, such as red and black color blocks, may appear on the body of the battery  40  under or adjacent to the terminals  41  and  42  to indicate which terminal is a positive battery terminal and which terminal is a negative battery terminal.  
         [0027]     The battery  40  is inserted into the lower enclosure  14  of the UPS housing  10  through the battery door  34 , located on the bottom side of the lower enclosure  14 . The battery door  34  can be removably connected to the lower enclosure, or it can be attached to the lower enclosure with hinges or other known methods of attachment.  
         [0028]     The printed circuit board  30  may include electronic circuitry to provide some or all of the functions of the UPS described above. The battery connectors  31  and  32  may be made of bronze and may be soldered to the printed circuit board  30 . The connectors  31  and  32  are preferably attached to one end of the circuit board  30 . The connectors  31  and  32  are hook-shaped, or curved, and extend below the planar surface of the circuit board  30  in anticipation of contact with the battery terminals.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 4-8  illustrate the battery in various stages of insertion into the housing  10  of the UPS system. In  FIGS. 4-8 , like numbers continue to refer to like embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 4 , to achieve connectivity, the battery  40  is inserted with the battery terminals  41  and  42  aligned below the connectors  31  and  32 . The battery  40  is moved in the direction of arrow  36  into the housing when the battery door  34  is removed to allow access.  
         [0030]     In  FIG. 5 , the battery is vertically in position within the lower enclosure  14 . The terminals  41  and  42 , however, are not yet in contact with the connectors  31  and  32 , highlighted in detail in  FIG. 6 . Contact is made when the battery  40  slides horizontally, or orthogonal to the direction of the insertion of the battery, in the direction of arrow  33 , and abuts the sidewall  44  of the battery compartment. To ensure contact is made between the battery terminals and connectors, ribs  60  aid in positioning the battery horizontally within the compartment. Ribs  60  contact a side of the battery  62  and push the battery into contacting position. When the battery  40  and the side wall  44  are in contact, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the battery terminals  41  and  42  are in contact with the connectors  31  and  32 .  
         [0031]     The curved shape of the connectors  31  and  32  in conjunction with the curved shape of the terminals  41  and  42  ensures a consistent connection between the connectors and terminals, and, thus, a secure battery connection for a steady supply of power. The curved shape of the connectors  31  and  32  accounts for some variability of the dimensions and alignment of the battery terminals and ensures that the battery connectors  31  and  32  make proper contact with the battery terminals  41  and  42 . The connectors  31  and  32  slide over the surface of the terminals  41  and  42  until a contacting position of  FIG. 8  is achieved. The connectors  31  and  32  flex slightly in reaction to the contact from the terminals, but are substantially stiff members so that pressure persists between the terminals and the connectors to keep constant contact, as shown in  FIG. 8 . In addition, the sliding motion of the terminals  41  and  42  over the connectors  31  and  32  wipes or scrapes any oxide that forms on the surface of the battery terminals.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , additional features of the UPS housing  10  are shown. In  FIG. 9 , the internal components of the lower enclosure are shown, with the printed circuit board removed so that the internal design of the enclosure can be more clearly inspected. An issue often arising in UPS systems having batteries is the danger of a constant or an accidental connection of the battery, particularly when the UPS is shipped or otherwise transported. The ability to ship the UPS and battery while the battery is disconnected avoids the danger of injury associated with a live connection, and of wasting battery power. To ship the battery while the battery is disconnected and for efficient shipping, a panel  60  within the lower enclosure  14  includes cavities  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56 . The panel  60  is made of, for example, plastic, and is sized to form a battery compartment that receives the battery  40  when the battery  40  is placed in the UPS housing  10 . Alternatively, the cavities  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  can be included as part of the housing body itself.  
         [0033]     Cavities  50  and  52  are enclosed housings in which the battery terminals  41  and  42  can be disposed when the battery is not connected to provide power to the UPS, such as, for example, when the UPS is being transported. Cavity  50  is shown in a cutaway view for the purpose of illustrating the placement of the battery terminal  41  in position in the cavity. Cavities  50  and  52  are positioned at one end of the panel  60 . When the battery is rotated 180 degrees from a position of connectivity, i.e., when the battery is in a disconnected position in which the terminals and the connectors are not aligned, the terminals insert into cavities  50  and  52 . The cavities  50  and  52  can be positioned to receive the battery when the battery is rotated at other angles, such as 30 degrees of rotation or 90 degrees of rotation. The cavities  50  and  52  protect the terminals and prevent accidental or inadvertent connection of the terminals and the connectors. The panel  60  having the cavities  50  and  52  saves space by allowing the battery to be shipped or stored in the compartment of the lower enclosure while the battery is not providing back-up power. When the user activates the UPS, he/she merely needs to open the hatch, flip the battery 180 degrees, and close the hatch again. In addition, injury to a user or damage to the UPS is avoided when the battery is rotated and placed in the lower enclosure.  
         [0034]     Additional cavities  54  and  56  are positioned on the panel  60  on the opposite end from cavities  50  and  52 . Cavities  54  and  56  are open to allow connection between the battery terminals and the connectors. To achieve connection, the battery is inserted into the lower enclosure  14  with the battery terminals  41  and  42  aligned below the connectors  31  and  32 . The connectors  31  and  32  extend below the printed circuit board (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and into cavities  54  and  56 . The cavities  54  and  56  are, thus, open to accept the connectors  31  and  32  from the top, and to accept the terminals  41  and  42  from the bottom. The cavities  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  can be positioned in a variety of ways on the panel to correspond to the position of the connectors  31 ,  32  and the terminals  41 ,  42 .  
         [0035]     Embodiments of the invention comprise cavities in the panel of the lower enclosure to receive the battery terminals and connectors, and the cavities are positioned on the ends of the panel. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the cavities can be positioned in other locations on the panel, such as in the center of the panel, so long as the cavities correspond to the position of the battery terminals and battery connectors. The cavities are used to protect the terminals during use of the battery or during storage of the battery. As is apparent, protectors, for example plastic enclosures, can be attached to the battery to surround the terminals, rather than or in addition to the cavities. The cavities can be designed to receive the plastic protectors encasing the terminals.  
         [0036]     In embodiments of the invention, the cavities that protect the battery terminals are in the panel that is positioned between the printed circuit board and the battery. As can be envisioned by one skilled in the art, the cavities can be in the battery door that is attached to the lower enclosure below the battery. The cavities in the battery door can be positioned to accommodate the battery terminals. The battery can be turned upside down for storage and shipping purposes and the terminals can insert into cavities in the door.  
         [0037]     In embodiments of the invention, the battery terminals and the battery connectors are curved, or hook-shaped. Other embodiments of the invention can include alternative shapes of the terminals and connectors. Either the terminals, or the connectors, or both, can be flat, for example.  
         [0038]     In embodiments of the invention, the battery is placed in an uninterruptible power supply system for back-up power for the UPS. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the battery system including curved terminals to connect with curved connectors can be used as a primary source of power in portable electronic devices, as well as other electronic devices.  
         [0039]     In embodiments of the invention as shown in  FIG. 1 , an off-line UPS configuration is depicted. As is apparent to one skilled in the art, other embodiments can be used in on-line UPS configurations, or any other type of UPS configuration accepting a battery as an alternate power source.  
         [0040]     Having thus described at least one illustrative embodiment of the invention, various alterations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended as limiting. The invention&#39;s limit is defined only in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.