Patent Abstract:
A charging device including a charging base and at least one hook portion is provided. The charging base has a receiving chamber for receiving a battery. The receiving chamber includes a first sidewall. The first sidewall has a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The hook portion is disposed on the first sidewall, positioned proximate to the first side of the first sidewall, and adapted to fix the battery in place. When the battery begins to rotate under an applied force and therefore disconnect from the hook portion, the fulcrum of the rotating battery is positioned proximate to the second side of the first sidewall. The battery can be firmly inserted into the charging device. It is easy to insert and take out the battery.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to charging devices and more particularly to a charging device for charging a battery. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Plenty electrical appliances (especially portable electrical appliances) are powered by built-in batteries. The batteries built in the electrical appliances are of two categories, namely non-separable batteries and separable batteries. Non-separable batteries are built in the electrical appliances and are not removable. To charge non-separable batteries, it is necessary to connect the electrical appliances directly with a utility power supply network, such as an indoor electrical outlet or the interface of another power supply end. However, those electrical appliances whose batteries are running out of power have to be connected to the utility power supply network continually in order to operate, albeit at the expense of portability. Separable batteries are removable from the electrical appliances so that the batteries are charged externally and independently. The advantage of separable batteries is that they are highly replaceable. For instance, when separable batteries of electrical appliances have run out of power, if another battery with appropriate specification is fully charged beforehand, it will be feasible to change the batteries instantly to thereby facilitate the subsequent use and portability of the electrical appliances. However, to meet the aforesaid requirement, the separable batteries require a self-contained charger for use in charging. 
         [0005]    A commercially available charger essentially comprises a slot which a battery can be inserted into and a charging terminal fixed in place inside the slot. The charging terminal is connected to a power circuit built in a charger, and the power circuit is further connected to a utility power supply network or an interface of another power supply end. The charging terminal of the battery and the charging terminal of the slot correspond in position to each other. A user can insert the battery into the slot such that the charging terminal of the battery matches and connects with the charging terminal of the charger to thereby form a circuit, and therefore the battery can be charged. It is important that the charging terminal of the battery is fully and firmly connected to the charging terminal of the charger to thereby prevent power interruption which might otherwise occur because of loose contact or poor contact. To this end, a conventional charger is designed in a manner that a clamping structure disposed inside the slot can generate a large clamping force (under which, for example, a battery is snugly held by the clamping structure inside the slot and therefore fixed in place) or a fixing mechanism (such as a snap-engaging element for holding a battery by snap-engagement) is optionally disposed inside the slot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    To allow a charging terminal of a battery to be fully and firmly connected to a charging terminal of a conventional charger, the conventional charger is designed in a manner that a clamping structure disposed inside a slot can generate a large clamping force or a fixing mechanism is optionally disposed inside the slot. However, the aforesaid advantage is achieved at the expense of ease of use. For instance, it is time-consuming and laborious for the user to take out the battery, as the user must take out the battery by both hands, with one hand pressing on the charger and the other hand generating a pulling force for taking the battery out. Alternatively, the user has to perform a specific loosening operation on the fixing mechanism in order to take the battery out. In view of this, the present invention provides a charging device whereby not only can a battery be firmly inserted into the charging device but it is easy to insert and take out the battery. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a charging device comprises a charging base and at least one hook portion. The charging base has a receiving chamber for receiving a battery. The receiving chamber comprises a first sidewall. The first sidewall has a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The hook portion is disposed on the first sidewall, positioned proximate to the first side of the first sidewall, and adapted to fix the battery in place. When the battery begins to rotate under an applied force to thereby disconnect with the hook portion, the fulcrum of the rotating battery is positioned proximate to the second side of the first sidewall. 
         [0008]    The receiving chamber further comprises a second sidewall. The second sidewall connects with the second side of the first sidewall and tilts. The second sidewall has a shortest distance between an end of an opening of the receiving chamber and an axis of the receiving chamber and has another shortest distance between an end of a bottom of the receiving chamber and the axis of the receiving chamber, wherein the former distance is larger than the latter distance. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging device further comprises at least two hook portions spaced apart from each other. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging base further comprises a charging terminal disposed on the first sidewall. The charging base further comprises a limiting rib. The limiting rib is disposed on the first sidewall of the receiving chamber. The limiting rib comprises a first end adjacent to an opening of the receiving chamber and a second end adjacent to the charging terminal. The height of the limiting rib increases gradually relative to the first sidewall in the direction from the first end to the second end. The second end of the limiting rib is positioned proximate to the charging terminal. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging base further comprises a charging terminal fixing portion disposed on the first sidewall of the receiving chamber. The charging terminal fixing portion comprises two spaced-apart lateral plates, a top plate and a guiding baffle. The two lateral plates are perpendicularly connected to the first sidewall. The top plate is connected to an end of each of the two lateral plates perpendicularly connected to the first sidewall, wherein the ends of the two lateral plates point away from the first sidewall, with the charging terminal disposed between the two lateral plates and the top plate, wherein the second end of the limiting rib is connected to the lateral plates and positioned proximate to an opening of the receiving chamber. The guiding baffle is disposed on the top plate. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the hook portion comprises a resilient arm and a protruding portion. The resilient arm has an end connected to the bottom of the receiving chamber. The resilient arm has another end corresponding in position to the first sidewall. Therefore, the other end of the resilient arm undergoes resilient displacement relative to the first sidewall. The protruding portion is disposed at the other end of the resilient arm. 
         [0013]    The resilient arm comprises a first segment and a second segment connected to the first segment, and the first sidewall dents to form a way-giving recess, with the first segment connecting with bottom of the receiving chamber, the second segment corresponding in position to the way-giving recess, and the protruding portion being disposed at the second segment. 
         [0014]    The protruding portion comprises an upward sloping surface facing an opening of the receiving chamber. The protruding portion comprises a downward sloping surface facing the bottom of the receiving chamber. 
         [0015]    In conclusion, the present invention provides a charging device which comprises a charging base with a receiving chamber and a hook portion such that a user can put a battery in the receiving chamber easily to allow the battery to be fully and firmly engaged with the charging base and the hook portion, thereby preventing power interruption which might otherwise occur because of loose contact or poor contact. To take out the battery, the user rotates the battery slightly about a fulcrum to thereby detach the battery from the hook portion and take out the battery freely. A point of the bottom of the receiving chamber is in contact with a base angle of the battery and functions as the fulcrum. Accordingly, it is convenient, quick and easy for the user to operate the charging device of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The features and advantages of the present invention are detailed hereinafter with reference to the preferred embodiments. The detailed description is intended to enable a person skilled in the art to gain insight into the technical contents disclosed herein and implement the present invention accordingly. In particular, a person skilled in the art can easily understand the objects and advantages of the present invention by referring to the disclosure of the specification, the claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a charging base and a hook portion according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hook portion according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the charging base and the hook portions taken at another angle according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a battery which matches the charging device; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the battery inserted into the charging base; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hook portion and the battery which are snap-engaged with each other; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a guiding baffle and the battery which match each other; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the process of taking the battery out of the charging base. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic view of a charging device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the charging device  10  has two charging bases  100 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the charging device has one or at least three charging bases. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  a cross-sectional view of the charging base  100  and a hook portion  200  according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the charging device  10  further comprises the hook portions  200 , and the charging bases  100  each have therein two hook portions  200 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, each charging base has one or at least three hook portions. The charging base  100  has a receiving chamber  110  for receiving a battery applicable to the charging device  10 . The receiving chamber  110  comprises a first sidewall  111 , a second sidewall  112 , a third sidewall  113  and a fourth sidewall  114 . The first sidewall  111  has a first side  1111  and a second side  1112  opposite the first side  1111 . The second sidewall  112  connects with the second side  1112  of the first sidewall  111 . The third sidewall  113  is opposite the first sidewall  111 . The fourth sidewall  114  connects with the first side  1111  of the first sidewall  111 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hook portion  200  according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the hook portion  200  fixes the battery in place. In this embodiment, the two hook portions  200  are disposed on the first sidewall  111  and positioned proximate to the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 . The two hook portions  200  are positioned proximate to the first side  1111  of the first sidewall  111 . Therefore, the two hook portions  200  are closer to the fourth sidewall  114  than the second sidewall  112 . The two hook portions  200  are spaced apart from each other, with one hook portion  200  closer to the fourth sidewall  114  than the other hook portion  200  is. The hook portions  200  each comprise a resilient arm  210  and a protruding portion  220 . One end of the resilient arm  210  connects with the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 . The other end of the resilient arm  210  corresponds in position to the first sidewall  111 . The protruding portion  220  is disposed at the other end of the resilient arm  210 . In this embodiment, the resilient arm  210  comprises a first segment  211  and a second segment  212  which connect with each other. The first segment  211  and the second segment  212  together form an L-shaped structure. The first segment  211  connects with the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 . The second segment  212  corresponds in position to the first sidewall  111 . The protruding portion  220  is disposed at the second segment  212  and positioned distal to one end of the first segment  211 . The protruding portion  220  protrudes in the direction away from the first sidewall  111 . In this embodiment, the first sidewall  111  dents to form two way-giving recesses  1113 . The second segments  212  of the resilient arms  210  of the two hook portions  200  correspond in position to the two way-giving recesses  1113 , respectively. In another embodiment, there is only one way-giving recess, and the way-giving recess corresponds in position to one or more hook portions. The second segment  212  of the resilient arm  210  undergoes resilient displacement relative to the first sidewall  111  to the extent allowed by the limit of the resilience of the material which the resilient arm  210  is made of. The way-giving recesses  1113  provide the way-giving space required for the resilient displacement of the resilient arm  210 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the protruding portion  220  comprises an upward sloping surface  221  and a downward sloping surface  222 . The upward sloping surface  221  of the protruding portion  220  faces the opening of the receiving chamber  110 . The downward sloping surface  222  of the protruding portion  220  faces the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of the charging base  100  and the hook portions  200  taken at another angle according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  differs from  FIG. 2  by an angle of view of  90  degrees. In this embodiment, the second sidewall  112  tilts such that an included angle is formed between the second sidewall  112  and the perpendicular direction of the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 . The second sidewall  112  tilts slightly upward and outward (i.e., leftward in  FIG. 4 ). The second sidewall  112  has the shortest distance D between one end of the opening of the receiving chamber  110  and the axis of the receiving chamber  110 . The second sidewall  112  has the shortest distance D′ between one end of the bottom of the receiving chamber  110  and the axis of the receiving chamber  110 . Distance D is larger than distance D′. In this embodiment, the fourth sidewall  114  also tilts such that an included angle is formed between the fourth sidewall  114  and the perpendicular direction of the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 . The fourth sidewall  114  tilts slightly upward and outward (i.e., rightward in  FIG. 4 ). The shortest distance of the fourth sidewall  114  between one end of the opening of the receiving chamber  110  and the axis of the receiving chamber  110  is larger than the shortest distance of the fourth sidewall  114  between one end of the bottom of the receiving chamber  110  and the axis of the receiving chamber  110 . Therefore, the width of the opening between the second sidewall  112  and the fourth sidewall  114  is slightly larger than the width of the bottom between the second sidewall  112  and the fourth sidewall  114 . In another embodiment, the fourth sidewall does not tilt such that the fourth sidewall is perpendicular to the bottom of the receiving chamber. Referring to  FIG. 4 , both the two hook portions  200  are disposed to the right of the axis such that the two hook portions  200  are closer to the fourth sidewall  114  than the second sidewall  112 . In another embodiment, there is only one hook portion, and the hook portion is disposed to the right of the axis. To enhance the stability of the battery fixed in place by the hook portion, it is feasible to increase the width of the hook portion and the protruding portion, wherein the width is measured horizontally as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the charging base  100  further comprises a limiting rib  130 , a charging terminal (not shown) and a charging terminal fixing portion  140 . The charging terminal of the charging base  100  is fixed in place by the charging terminal fixing portion  140 . The charging terminal of the charging base  100  and the charging terminal of the battery correspond in position to each other, match each other, and connect with each other. The structures of charging terminals are understandable to persons skilled in the art and therefore are not reiterated herein. The charging terminal fixing portion  140  is disposed on the first sidewall  111  of the receiving chamber  110 . The charging terminal fixing portion  140  comprises two spaced-apart lateral plates  141 , a top plate  142  and a guiding baffle  143 . The two lateral plates  141  are perpendicularly connected to the first sidewall  111 . The top plate  142  connects with one end of each of the two lateral plates  141 , wherein the one end of each of the two lateral plates  141  faces away from the first sidewall  111 . A receiving space is formed between the two lateral plates  141  and the top plate  142 . The charging terminal of the charging base  100  is received in and fixed to the receiving space such that the charging terminal of the charging base  100  is disposed between the two lateral plates  141  and the top plate  142  and positioned proximate to the first sidewall  111 . The guiding baffle  143  is disposed on the top plate  142  and protrudes in the direction away from the first sidewall  111 . In this embodiment, the guiding baffle  143  is positioned proximate to one of the lateral plates  141 . A gap  144  is defined between the guiding baffle  143  and the top plate  142  with reference to the other lateral plates  141 . In this embodiment, the limiting rib  130  is disposed on the first sidewall  111 . The limiting rib  130  comprises a first end  131  and a second end  132 . The first end  131  is positioned proximate to the opening of the receiving chamber  110 . The second end  132  connects with the charging terminal fixing portion  140  (i.e., the second end  132  is positioned proximate to the charging terminal of the charging base  100 .) The height of the limiting rib  130  increases gradually relative to the first sidewall  111  in the direction from the first end  131  to the second end  132 . Therefore, the top surface of the limiting rib  130  tilts relative to the first sidewall  111 . The first end  131  is positioned at the lowest point of the top surface of the limiting rib  130  relative to the first sidewall  111 . The second end  132  is positioned at the highest point of the top surface of the limiting rib  130  relative to the first sidewall  111 . The second end  132  is connected to the lateral plates  141  and positioned proximate to the opening of the receiving chamber  110 . In this embodiment, the limiting ribs  130  are in the number of two and are spaced apart from each other. The limiting ribs  130  are spaced apart such that the charging terminal of the battery can pass through the space between the limiting ribs  130 . The two limiting ribs  130  correspond in position to the two lateral plates  141 , respectively, and therefore the second ends  132  of the two limiting ribs  130  are connected to the two lateral plates  141 , respectively, and positioned proximate to the opening of the receiving chamber  110 . In another embodiment, there is only one limiting rib, and the limiting rib connects with one of the two lateral plates. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a schematic view of a battery  300  which matches the charging device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. The battery  300  comprises a first surface  301 , a second surface  302 , a third surface (not shown) and a fourth surface  304 . The second surface  302  and the fourth surface  304  flank the first surface  301 . The third surface is opposite the first surface  301 . The battery  300  further comprises a charging terminal  310 , a guiding block  320 , a limiting oblique surface  330  and two engaging blocks  340 . The charging terminal  310 , the guiding block  320 , the limiting oblique surface  330  and the two engaging blocks  340  are disposed on the first surface  301  of the battery  300 . The charging terminal  310  is embedded under the limiting oblique surface  330 . The two engaging blocks  340  are disposed at the bottom of the battery  300 . The guiding block  320  is disposed between the charging terminal  310  and the two engaging blocks  340 . The charging terminal of the charging base  100  corresponds in position to the charging terminal  310 . The guiding baffle  143  corresponds in position to the guiding block  320 . The two limiting ribs  130  correspond in position to the limiting oblique surfaces  330 , respectively. The two hook portions  200  correspond in position to the two engaging blocks  340 , respectively. In this embodiment, the engaging blocks  340 , which the hook portions  200  correspond in position to, are hexahedrons. In another embodiment, depending on the structure difference between the engaging blocks for the battery (for example, the engaging blocks each have an upward sloping surface and/or downward sloping surface corresponding in position to the protruding portion of the hook portion), the protruding portion of the hook portion has an upward sloping surface, a downward sloping surface, or none. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the battery  300  inserted into the charging base  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , to put the battery  300  into the charging base  100  for charging, a user aligns the first surface  301 , the second surface  302  and the fourth surface  304  of the battery  300  with the first sidewall  111 , the second sidewall  112  and the fourth sidewall  114  of the receiving chamber  110 , respectively, and then allows the battery  300  to fall under its own weight into the receiving chamber  110 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hook portion  200  and the engaging block  340  of the battery  300  which are snap-engaged with each other. Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 7 , when the battery  300  falls under its own weight into the receiving chamber  110  and the engaging block  340  comes into contact with the protruding portion  220 , the upward sloping surface  221  of the protruding portion  220  spreads the stress passed by the engaging block  340  to the protruding portion  220  such that the stress component exerted on the protruding portion  220  goes in a direction perpendicular to the first sidewall  111 . Therefore, the first segment  211  of the resilient arm  210  undergoes resilient displacement toward the way-giving recesses  1113  of the first sidewall  111 , and the protruding portion  220  moves toward the first sidewall  111  to thereby give way to the engaging block  340 . After the engaging block  340  has moved downward and passed the protruding portion  220 , the resilient arm  210  moves resiliently, under a resilient restoring force thereof, away from the first sidewall  111  to therefore allow the protruding portion  220  to move away from the first sidewall  111  and engage with the top end of the engaging block  340 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , in the aforesaid state, the hook portion  200  and the engaging block  340  are engaged with each other such that the battery  300  is firmly held in the receiving chamber  110 . Therefore, even if the charging device  10  is turned upside down, the battery  300  will not get detached and fall under its own weight. 
         [0034]    During the process in which the battery  300  falls under its own weight into the receiving chamber  110 , the limiting oblique surface  330  comes into contact with the limiting ribs  130  first, and the gradient of the limiting oblique surface  330  equals the gradient of the top surface of the limiting rib  130 , and in consequence the limiting oblique surface  330  moves along the limiting ribs  130  to therefore allow the charging terminal  310  between the two limiting ribs  130  to ascend gradually and get aligned with the charging terminal of the charging base  100 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of the guiding baffle  143  and the battery  300  which match each other. Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 8 , when the limiting oblique surface  330  moves along the limiting rib  130  to cause the charging terminal  310  to ascend gradually and get aligned with the charging terminal  310  of the charging base  100 , the guiding block  320  comes into contact with the guiding baffle  143 . Furthermore, due to the aforesaid structure-based guiding relationship between the guiding block  320  and the guiding baffle  143 , during the movement of the guiding block  320  toward the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 , the guiding block  320  tilts leftward (i.e., in the direction shown in  FIG. 8 ) slightly to therefore abut against the gap  144  between the guiding baffle  143  and the top plate  142 . During the aforesaid process, the charging terminal  310  of the battery  300  is guided to be aligned with and inserted into the charging terminal  310  of the charging base  100 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the process of taking the battery  300  out of the charging base  100 . Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 9 , in this embodiment, the battery  300  rotates under an applied force to thereby disconnect from the hook portion  200 . The fulcrum of the rotating battery  300  is positioned proximate to the second side  1112  of the first sidewall  111  and the second sidewall  112 . After the battery  300  has been disposed inside the receiving chamber  110  fully, a second surface base angle  3021  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the battery  300  is located at the bottom of the receiving chamber  110  and positioned proximate to the second sidewall  112 . At the point in time when the user is going to take the battery  300  out of the charging base  100 , the fulcrum is located at a point of the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 , wherein the point of the bottom of the receiving chamber  110  is in contact with the second surface base angle  3021 . The user applies a small force for rotating the battery  300  clockwise (i.e., in the direction shown in  FIG. 9 ) such that the two engaging blocks  340  are detached from the hook portion  200 . When the user applies the force, the second surface base angle  3021  of the battery  300  presses on the bottom of the receiving chamber  110 , and the second surface  302  of the battery  300  tilts toward the second sidewall  112  of the receiving chamber  110 . Since the second sidewall  112  tilts, the second sidewall  112  does not impede the tilting of the second surface  302  of the battery  300 . Furthermore, a fourth surface base angle  3041  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the battery  300  rotates clockwise, and the two engaging blocks  340  exert a stress upon the protruding portion  220 . The downward sloping surface  222  of the protruding portion  220  spreads the stress such that the resilient arm  210  moves toward the first sidewall  111  to thereby allow the two engaging blocks  340  to move upward and pass the protruding portion  220 . After the two engaging blocks  340  have passed the protruding portion  220 , the battery  300  gets disengaged from the charging device  10  such that the user can take the battery  300  out of the receiving chamber  110  freely. In the course of the rotation of the battery  300 , a specific point of the receiving chamber  110  functions as the fulcrum and is subjected to a downward stress (which originates from the downward component of a force exerted by the user upon the battery  300 ), and therefore the user is able to press on the charging device  10  while applying a rotating force under which the two engaging blocks  340  rotate and escape from the hook portion  200 . As a result, the user can perform the aforesaid operation single-handedly to take out the battery  300  conveniently, quickly and easily, thereby dispensing with the hassles of pressing on the charging device  10  by one hand and pulling out the battery  300  by the other hand. 
         [0037]    The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Therefore, slight changes and modifications made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7