Patent Publication Number: US-2012034506-A1

Title: Reverse use battery pack design

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject application relates to a battery pack, and more particularly, to a battery pack capable of being reversely used for being installed in battery slots of two handheld devices. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Conventional handheld devices are commonly equipped with replaceable rechargeable batteries. Since each handheld device has a unique battery slot design for its battery, the battery slot of one handheld device needs to be matched with the battery in its shape and corresponding structures. In other words, a conventional battery pack can only be applied for one corresponding battery slot of a handheld device, which accordingly, causes immense increase of cost of design and manufacturing of the batteries. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject application provides a battery pack, for being installed in a first battery slot of a first handheld device or for being rotated along a first direction to be installed in a second battery slot of a second handheld device and for providing power for the first handheld device or the second handheld device. The first battery slot has a first coupling section and a second coupling section and the second battery slot has a fifth coupling section and a sixth coupling section. Each of the first coupling section and the sixth coupling section has a first contour, and each of the second coupling section and the fifth coupling section has a second contour. The battery pack includes a side surface. A third coupling section is disposed on the side surface and has a third contour corresponding to the first contour and is utilized for engaging with the first coupling section or the sixth coupling section along the first direction so as to restrain movement of the battery pack along a second direction in the first battery slot or in the second battery slot. The battery pack also include a fourth coupling section disposed on the side surface and having a fourth contour corresponding to the second contour and utilized for engaging with the second coupling section or the fifth coupling section along the first direction so as to restrain movement of the battery pack along the second direction in the first battery slot or in the second battery slot. The third contour is different from the second contour such that the third coupling section is blocked by the second coupling section along the first direction and can not engage with the second coupling section. The first battery slot has a mirror mapping contour corresponding to the second battery slot with regard to the first direction. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a battery pack and a battery slot of a handheld device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are partial diagrams in another view of the battery slot of the battery pack according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a battery pack and a battery slot of a handheld device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are partial diagrams in another view of the battery slot of the battery pack according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a battery pack and a battery slot of a handheld device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  are partial diagrams in another view of the battery slot of the battery pack according to the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a battery pack  10  and a battery slot  20  of a handheld device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a partial diagram in another view of the battery slot  20  of the battery pack  10  according to the first embodiment. The handheld device can be, but not limited to, a foldable type, a clamshell type, a bar type, a slide type, a tablet type, or other types of cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, navigator device, notebook computer, tablet computer, mobile processing device, mobile communications device, and so on. For simplicity, the drawings of the subject application only show the partial diagrams related to the battery slot  20  and the battery pack  10  of the handheld device, and the other parts of the handheld device will be omitted herein. 
     The battery pack  10  is installed in the battery slot  20  of the handheld device in a detachable and replaceable manner for providing power for the handheld device. The battery pack  10  can be, but not limited to, a chargeable battery such as a Ni-MH, a Li-ion battery, and so on. The battery pack  10  is installed in the battery slot  20  along a direction of z-axis as shown in  FIG. 1 . The battery pack  10  has a side surface  11 , where a plurality of electrical contacts  12  are disposed, along an installing direction of the battery pack  10 , and a plurality of pogo pins  23  are disposed on the battery slot  20  at a corresponding position. When the battery pack  10  is installed in the battery slot  20  along the direction of z-axis, the electrical contacts  12  couple to the pogo pins  23  respectively so as to be electrically connected and provide power. 
     Since the battery pack  10  varies depending on different handheld devices some engaging structure between the battery pack  10  and the battery slot  20  allows the battery pack  10  to be installed in the handheld device only in a specific manner. Furthermore, the engaging structure also prevents the battery pack  10  from dropping out along a direction of y-axis when the battery pack  10  is installed in the battery slot  20 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 2 . The battery slot  20  includes a first coupling section  21  and a second coupling section  22  located respectively on both sides of a surface that is contacted by the side surface  11  of the battery pack  10 . The battery pack  10  includes a corresponding third coupling section  13  and a corresponding fourth coupling section  14 , located on the side surface  11  of the battery pack  10  respectively. In the first embodiment, the first coupling section  21  includes a protrusion  211  having a first contour (a rectangular contour, but not limited to, is illustrated in the first embodiment, the contour can also be polygon-shaped or arc-shaped), and the corresponding third coupling section  13  of the battery pack  10  includes a first arm  131 , a second arm  132 , and a recess  133 . The recess  133  has a third contour corresponding to the first contour, and the first arm  131 , the recess  133 , and the second arm  132  are arranged in sequence along the direction of y-axis. In other words, the recess  133  is formed between the first arm  131  and the second arm  132 . Due to the third contour of the third coupling section  13 , when the battery pack  10  is installed in the battery slot  20  along the direction of z-axis, the protrusion  211  of the first coupling section  21  reaches into the recess  133  such that the first coupling section  21  engages with the third coupling section  13 . Meanwhile, the first arm  131  and the second arm  132  of the third coupling section  13  abut against both sides of the protrusion  211  of the first coupling section  21  along the direction of y-axis so as to restrain the movement of the battery pack  10  along the direction of y-axis with regard to the battery slot  20 . In other words, the battery pack  10  will not drop out of the battery slot  20  along the direction of y-axis. 
     Similarly, in the first embodiment, the second coupling section  22  includes a protrusion  221 , which has a second contour (a T-shaped contour, but not limited to, is illustrated in the first embodiment, the contour can also be polygon-shaped or arc-shaped), and the corresponding fourth coupling section  14  of the battery pack  10  includes a first arm  141 , a second arm  142 , and a recess  143 . The recess  143  has a fourth contour corresponding to the second contour, and the first arm  141 , the recess  143 , and the second arm  142  are arranged in sequence along the direction of y-axis. In other words, the recess  143  is formed between the first arm  141  and the second arm  142 . Due to the fourth contour of the fourth coupling section  14 , when the battery pack  10  is installed in the battery slot  20  along the direction of z-axis, the protrusion  221  of the second coupling section  22  reaches into the recess  143  such that the second coupling section  22  engages with the fourth coupling section  14 . Meanwhile, the first arm  141  and the second arm  142  of the fourth coupling section  14  abut against both sides of the protrusion  221  of the second coupling section  22  along the direction of y-axis so as to restrain the movement of the battery pack  10  along the direction of y-axis with regard to the battery slot  20 . In other words, the battery pack  10  will not drop out of the battery slot  20  along the direction of y-axis. 
     In the aforesaid embodiment, in order to avoid that the battery pack  10  is falsely installed in the battery slot  20  with reverse side (that is the battery pack  10  is rotated relative to the z-axis) such that the electrical contacts  12  of the battery pack  10  cannot correctly couple to the pogo pins  23  of the battery slot  20 , in this embodiment of the present invention, at least one coupling section of the coupling section  13 ,  14  of the battery pack  10  can engage with the corresponding coupling section of the battery slot  20  only, and it cannot engage with the other coupling section of the battery slot  20 . Accordingly, when the battery pack  10  is assembled without obeying the aforesaid corresponding manner, the assembly will fail whereby it can avoid mis-plugging of the battery pack  10 . To achieve such purpose, the first contour of the first coupling section  21  (as well as the corresponding third contour of the third coupling section  13 ) and the second contour of the second coupling section  22  (as well as the corresponding fourth contour of the fourth coupling section  14 ) are different in shapes, such that the third contour of the third coupling section  13 , for example, the rectangular-shaped contour of the recess  133  in this embodiment, is different from the second contour of the second coupling section  22 , for example, the T-shaped contour of the protrusion  221  in this embodiment. By doing so, if the battery pack  10  is to be installed with reverse side, with the third coupling section  13  aiming at the second coupling section  22  and the fourth coupling section  14  aiming at the first coupling section  21 , the protrusion  221  is not allowed to reach into the recess  133  and the battery pack  10  will not be installed therein properly. It should be also noticed that the aforesaid recess  133  and recess  143  are two recesses arranged oppositely at the sides of the battery pack  10  and having asymmetric contours. 
     Since the electrical contacts  12  of the battery pack  10  are located at the right portion of the side surface  11  in the first embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , a handheld device having the battery slot  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 , whose pogo pins  23  are located at the left portion, is ready for the battery pack  10  to be installed in a manner as shown in  FIG. 1 . For another battery slot with the pogo pins being located at the right portion, such as the battery slot  20 ′ of another handheld device as shown in  FIG. 3 , the battery pack  10  of the present invention of the first embodiment can be installed in the battery slot  20 ′ in a reverse manner by rotating along the direction of z-axis, wherein the coupling sections of the battery pack  10  also correspond to the coupling sections of the battery slots  20 ′, too. The reversed battery pack  10  can be securely installed in the battery slot  20 ′ and will not drop out along the direction of y-axis in the battery slot  20 ′. The battery pack  10  described in the first embodiment of the present invention effectively solves the problem that a conventional battery pack can only be applied for one handheld device. The battery pack  10  can be installed in a second handheld device after rotation. Not only the types of the battery packs and cost for manufacturing the battery packs can be reduced but also the development of new devices is enhanced. 
     Additionally, in the first embodiment, the third coupling section  13  (as well as the corresponding first coupling section  21  of the battery slot  20 ) and the fourth coupling section  14  (as well as the corresponding second coupling section  22  of the battery slot  20 ) preferably have symmetric structures with regard to a central axis L 1 L 2  located on the side surface  11  of the battery pack  10 . In this embodiment, the direction of the central axis L 1 L 2  is the same direction as the x-axis, and the x-axis, the aforesaid y-axis and z-axis are perpendicular to one another. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a battery pack  30  and a battery slot  40  of a handheld device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a partial diagram in another view of the battery slot  40  of the battery pack  30  according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a third coupling section  33  of the battery pack  30  includes a protrusion  331 . A fourth coupling section  34 , similar to the fourth coupling section  14  in the first embodiment, includes a first arm  341 , a recess  343 , and a second arm  342  arranged along a direction of y-axis. A first coupling section  41  of the battery slot  40  includes a third arm  411 , a recess  413 , and a fourth arm  412  arranged along the direction of y-axis. A second coupling section  42  includes a protrusion  421  utilized for engaging with the recess  343  of the fourth coupling section  34 . Since the third coupling section and the fourth coupling section  34  of the battery pack  30  respectively engage with the first coupling section  41  and the second coupling section  42  of the battery slot  40  in the second embodiment, the battery pack  30  can be installed in the battery slot  40  and will not drop off. Furthermore, the third coupling section  33  and the fourth coupling section  34  are not allowed to engage with the second coupling section  42  and the first coupling section  41  of the battery slot  40  respectively after rotation. Accordingly, it can prevent the possibility that the battery pack  30  is falsely installed in the battery slot  40 . Installation and engaging relation between the battery pack  30  and the battery slot  40  in the second embodiment are similar to those mentioned in the first embodiment. Additionally, the battery pack  30  can be reversely used to be installed in a battery slot of a second handheld device after rotation. Accordingly, it can enhance convenience of the battery pack  30  in practical application. For another battery slot with the pogo pins being located at the right portion, such as a battery slot  40 ′ of another handheld device as shown in  FIG. 6 , the battery pack  30  in the second embodiment can be installed in the battery slot  40 ′ in a reverse manner after rotating along the direction of z-axis, wherein the coupling sections of the battery pack  30  also correspond to the coupling sections of the battery slots  40 ′, too. The reversed battery pack  30  can be securely installed in the battery slot  40 ′ and will not drop out along the direction of y-axis in the battery slot  40 ′. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a battery pack  50  and a battery slot  60  of a handheld device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a partial diagram in another view of the battery slot  60  of the battery pack  50  according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment of the present invention, a third coupling section  53  of the battery pack  50  includes a protrusion  531  and a fourth coupling section  54  includes a protrusion  541 . A first coupling section  61  of the battery slot  60  includes a third arm  611 , a recess  613 , and a fourth arm  612  arranged along a direction of y-axis. A second coupling section  62  includes a third arm  621 , a recess  623 , and a fourth arm  622  arranged along the direction of y-axis. The first coupling section  61  of the battery slot  60  engages with the third coupling section  53  of the battery pack  50 , and the second coupling section  62  engages with the fourth coupling section  54 . Accordingly, the battery pack  50  can be installed in the battery slot  60  and will not drop off. Additionally, due to the difference of contours between the third coupling section  53  and the fourth coupling section  54 , the battery pack  50  cannot engage with the second coupling section  62  and the first coupling section  61  of the battery slot  60  after rotation. Accordingly, it can prevent the possibility that the battery pack  50  is falsely installed in the battery slot  60 . Installation and engaging relation between the battery pack  50  and the battery slot  60  in the third embodiment are similar to those mentioned in the first and second embodiment. Additionally, the battery pack  50  can be reversely used to be installed in the battery slot of second handheld device after rotation. Accordingly, it can enhance convenience of the battery pack  50  in practical application. For another battery slot with the pogo pins being located at the right portion, such as a battery slot  60 ′ of another handheld device as shown in  FIG. 9 , the battery pack  50  in the third embodiment can be installed in the battery slot  60 ′ in a reverse manner after rotating along the direction of z-axis, wherein the coupling sections of the battery pack  50  also correspond to the coupling sections of the battery slots  60 ′, too. The reversed battery pack  50  can be securely installed in the battery slot  60 ′ and will not drop out along the direction of y-axis in the battery slot  60 ′. 
     The battery pack of the subject application has two coupling sections configured at the side surface in the face of the battery slot of the handheld device, where the coupling sections correspond to coupling structure of the battery slot. As the battery pack is installed in the battery slot, the coupling sections engage with the coupling structure respectively for keeping the battery pack from detaching out of the battery slot. The battery pack may also have an upturned position to be installed in a second type of battery slot of another handheld device, where the coupling sections also correspond to and engage with coupling structure of the second battery slot and keep the battery pack from detaching out of the second battery slot. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.