Battery pack

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. national phase application no. PCT/JP2011/053736, filed Feb. 21, 2011, which claims the priority benefit of Japanese patent application number 2010-002063, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 29, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law.

[0002] The present invention relates to a power supply such as a battery pack or a DC plate that is housed in a battery housing of a small electronic appliance such as a digital still camera, a digital video camera, or the like, and that supplies power to this electronic appliance.

[0003] Battery packs such as lithium-ion secondary batteries are installed in small electronic appliances such as digital still cameras, digital video cameras, mobile phones, or the like, in an attachable/detachable manner.

[0004] These battery packs generally have every corner portion in a rounded shape, and, even when a user inserts them in battery housings of electronic appliances mistaking the insertion direction, they will usually not break the inner walls or the like of the battery housings.

[0005] Furthermore, among the battery packs, there are some that are made into a horizontally or vertically asymmetric shape by being provided with protrusions such as ribs on the surface so that a user will not insert them in battery housings mistaking the insertion direction of the battery packs. However, battery packs provided with protrusions such as ribs are provided with rough surfaces, which will prevent further miniaturization of the battery packs.

• [0006] Patent Literature 1: JP 2003-36828A

[0007] In view of the issue described above, the present invention has its object to provide a power supply capable of preventing breakage of a battery housing even at the time of wrong insertion while realizing overall miniaturization.

[0008] To solve the issue described above, a power supply according to the present invention includes a pack main body of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a battery cell is embedded, and a terminal portion provided on a front face of the pack main body. The pack main body includes bevelled portions at corner portions formed by a top face and a bottom face and opposite side faces, thereby aiming at miniaturization. Also, the terminal portion is provided, in a protruding manner, on the front face of the pack main body at a position biased with respect to centre lines in a width direction and a height direction, and collision between a connection terminal of a battery housing and the terminal portion is prevented even at the time of wrong insertion, and, also, the pack main body is miniaturized to the extent of the protrusion.

[0009] The bevelled portions at the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the bottom face of the pack main body and the bevelled portions at the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the top face of the pack main body are all based on a chamfered shape or a rounded shape. The shapes of the bevelled portions are made the same, thereby preventing breaking of the inner wall or the like of the battery housing even at the time of wrong insertion into the battery housing.

[0010] In the case the bevelled portions at the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the bottom face of the pack main body and the bevelled portions of the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the top face of the pack main body are based on the chamfered shape, the chamfered shape of the bevelled portions of the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the top face of the pack main body have a rounded shape that internally contacts a chamfered shape that is the same as the chamfered shape of the bevelled portions of the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the bottom face of the pack main body. The pack main body has the shapes of the bevelled portions at the corners formed by the opposite side faces and the top face of the pack main body and at the bevelled portions of the corner portions formed by the opposite side faces and the bottom face of the pack main body made different, thereby preventing wrong insertion.

[0011] Furthermore, a bevelled portion may be formed at both of a corner portion formed by the front face, the top face and the bottom face of the pack main body and a corner portion formed by a back face, the top face and the bottom face. In this case, the pack main body has a bevel of the corner portion formed by the back face, the top face and the bottom face made smaller than a bevel of the corner portion formed by the front face, the top face and the bottom face of the pack main body, thereby making it easier for a lock member to engage.

[0012] Furthermore, concave portions stretching between the opposite side faces and the bottom face are formed on the front face of the pack main body. For example, the concave portions are provided on the battery pack, and the concave portions are not provided on a DC plate to be housed in the same battery housing. This can prevent the DC plate to be installed in a battery installation portion of a charger on which position determining protrusions for engaging with the concave portions of the battery pack are formed.

[0013] According to the present invention, since bevelled portions are provided at corner portions formed by a top face, a bottom face and opposite side faces of a pack main body, overall miniaturization can be realized. Also, since a terminal portion is provided, in a protruding manner, on a front face of the pack main body at a position biased with respect to centre lines in a width direction and a height direction, collision between a connection terminal of a battery housing and the terminal portion can be prevented even at the time of wrong insertion. Furthermore, the pack main body can be miniaturized to the extent that the terminal portion is protruded.

[0029] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to drawings. Additionally, in the section of Description of Embodiments, an explanation will be given in the following order.

(1) Explanation of Digital Still Camera

(2) Explanation of Battery Pack

[0030] (2-1) Configuration of Pack Main Body

[0031] (2-2) Configuration of Terminal Portion

[0032] (2-3) Distinction from DC Plate (Explanation of Charger)

[0033] (2-4) Housing Method of Battery Pack in Digital Still Camera

[0034] (2-5) Effect

(3) Modified Example 1 (DC Plate)

(4) Modified Example 2

(5) Other Modified Examples

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment is installed in a digital still camera 1, which is an electronic appliance. This digital still camera 1 has a camera body 2 which is substantially rectangular, and is provided, on a front face 2a, with a lens portion 3 in which a group of a plurality of lenses such as a zoom lens, a condenser lens, and the like, is embedded. Also, although not shown, a release button which is pressed at the time of imaging a subject is provided to the camera body 2 on one corner portion on the top face, and, furthermore, a light-emitting portion for flash photography is provided on the top face side of the front face 2a of the camera body 2.

[0036] One of the sides along the longitudinal direction of the camera body 2 is bulgingly formed so as to be thicker than other areas, and is made a grip portion 9. Also, a battery housing 6 is provided inside this grip portion 9.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, on a lower face 2b of the camera body 2, a battery insertion opening 4 for housing the battery pack 10, which is substantially rectangular and substantially the same size and substantially the same shape as the front face of the battery pack 10, is provided, and, furthermore, a battery lid 5 for opening or closing this battery insertion opening 4 is provided. The battery housing 6 is provided in the camera body 2 continuously from the battery insertion opening 4. A lock member 7 for holding the battery pack 10 installed in the battery housing 6 in the holding position is provided to the battery insertion opening 4. The lock member 7 engages, at the time the battery pack 10 is installed in the battery housing 6, with a corner portion on the back side of the battery pack 10 which is urged by a spring pressure of a connection terminal or an ejection spring in an ejection direction, and prevents falling off from the battery housing 6.

[0038] Specifically, this lock member 7 is fixed near the battery insertion opening 4 in a freely rotating manner. Then, with a tip portion of the lock member 7 facing the battery insertion opening 4 by a rotating operation, a lock claw engages with the corner portion on the back face of the battery pack 10 installed in the battery housing 6. The lock member 7 thus prevents the battery pack 10 from jumping out the battery insertion opening 4 by the spring pressure of the connection terminal or the spring pressure of the ejection spring out the battery housing 6.

[0039] Furthermore, the battery lid 5 is fitted near the battery insertion opening 4 in a rotatable manner so as to open or close the battery insertion opening 4. A lid lock portion 8 is provided to this battery lid 5 at a tip side. The lid lock portion 8 is provided to the battery lid 5 in a slidable manner. The lid lock portion 8 engages with a concave lock portion formed at an open end of the battery insertion opening 4 by the battery lid 5 being slid in a direction of a lock protruding from the tip portion of the battery lid 5 while blocking the battery insertion opening 4. The battery lid 5 thus locks the battery insertion opening 4 in a blocked state. Furthermore, the battery lid 5 releases the engaged state of the lid lock portion 8 and the concave lock portion by sliding the lid lock portion 8 in a lock releasing direction of going into the battery lid 5. The battery lid 5 is thus made rotatable and can open the battery insertion opening 4.

[0040] Additionally, to remove the battery pack 10 from the battery housing 6, this lock member 7 is rotated and moved away from above the battery insertion opening 4, and the engaged state of the back face side corner portion of the battery pack 10 and the lock member 7 is released. The battery pack 10 thus protrudes, as if on its own, from the battery insertion opening 4 by the spring pressure of the connection terminal or the spring pressure of the ejection spring, and is ejected.

[0041] A lithium-ion secondary battery is used as the battery pack 10 that is inserted from this battery insertion opening 4 and installed in the battery housing 6 and that supplies power to the camera body 2, for example.

[0042] (2-1) Configuration of Pack Main Body

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this battery pack 10 has a pack main body 11 in which a battery cell 10a of a lithium-ion secondary battery is embedded. This pack main body 11 has its whole body formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed such that six surfaces are substantially plane. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a front face 11e of this pack main body 11 is a terminal face, and a terminal portion 21 is formed.

[0044] Bevelled portions are formed at all of first and second corner portions formed by a top face 11a and a bottom face 11b and opposite side faces 11c and 11d of the pack main body 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12 formed by the bottom face 11b and the opposite side faces 11c and 11d of the pack main body 11 are both chamfered surfaces 12a, and, here, the angle of the bevels is 45 degrees and the measurement of the bevels is 3 mm. Also, both sides of the chamfered surface 12a are rounded surfaces 12b, 12b, and, here, the radius is 2 mm.

[0045] Additionally, the measurements of the chamfered surface 12a and the rounded surface 12b are not limited to these.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the bevelled portions of second corner portions 13, 13 formed by the top face 11a and the opposite side faces 11c and 11d of the pack main body 11 are both substantially rounded surfaces. Specifically, the second corner portions 13, 13 are substantially rounded surfaces 13a that internally touch chamfered surfaces the same as the chamfered surfaces 12a of the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12 of the pack main body 11. Specifically, the second corner portions 13, 13 have a shape where a chamfered surface 13a and a first rounded surface 13b are made continuous in the middle, and, here, the chamfered surface 13a has the angle of the bevel of 45 degrees and the measurement of the bevel of 3 mm and the first rounded surface 13b has the radius of 5 mm. The chamfered surfaces 13a of the second corner portions 13, 13 are bevelled in the same way as the chamfered surfaces 12a of the first corner portions 12. Furthermore, the top face 11a side of the chamfered surface 13a turns into a second rounded surface 13c so as to be continuous with the top face 11a, and, here, the radius is 3.8 mm. Also, the bottom face 11b side of the first rounded surface 13b turns into a third rounded surface 13d so as to be continuous with the bottom face 11b, and, here, the radius is 4.3 mm.

[0047] Additionally, the measurements of the chamfered surface 13a and the first to third rounded surfaces 13b to 13d are not limited to these. Also, the chamfered surface 13a portion may be omitted at the second corner portion 13, and this omitted portion may be made into the first rounded surface 13b that internally touches the chamfered surface the same as the chamfered surfaces 12a of the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12.

[0048] As described above, the pack main body 11 realizes overall miniaturization by forming bevelled portions at the first and second corner portions 12, 13 formed by the top face 11a and the bottom face 11b and the opposite side faces 11c and 11d. Also, according to the pack main body 11, the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12 on the bottom face 11b side of the pack main body 11 and of the second corner portions 13, 13 of the top face 11a side of the pack main body are differently shaped. The pack main body 11 thus allows, when touched by a hand, a user to distinguish between the upper and lower faces of the pack main body 11, thereby preventing wrong insertion into the battery housing 6.

[0049] Additionally, the shape of the first corner portion 12 and the shape of the second corner portion 13 described above may be exchanged, and the shape of the first corner portion 12 may be made the shape of the second corner portion 13 and the shape of the second corner portion 13 may be made the first shape.

[0050] A front face side corner portion 14 formed by the front face 11e, the top face 11a, and the bottom face 11b of the pack main body 11 and a back face side corner portion 15 formed by a back face 11f, the top face 11a, and the bottom face 11b are both bevelled portions. The back face side corner portion 15 formed by the back face 11f, the top face 11a, and the bottom face 11b of the pack main body 11 is a rounded surface 15a with a radius is 0.5 mm around the entire circumference.

[0051] Furthermore, the front face side corner portion 14 formed from the front face 11e, the top face 11a, and the bottom face 11b of the pack main body 11 is made into a rounded surface 14b whose radius is 1 mm on both sides of a chamfered surface 14a whose angle of the bevel is 45 degrees and measurement of the bevel is 1 mm.

[0052] That is, the pack main body 11 has the bevel of the back face side corner portion 15 made smaller than that of the front face side corner 14. This makes it easy for the lock claw of the lock member 7 on the side of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 to engage with the back face side corner portion 15 of the pack main body 11. Additionally, making it easy for the lock claw of the lock member 7 on the side of the battery housing 6 to engage with the back face side corner portion 15 allows to realize miniaturization of the lock member 7 of the battery insertion opening 4. Also, the pack main body 11 realizes overall miniaturization by forming bevelled portions at the front face side corner portion 14 and the back face side corner portion 15.

[0053] Additionally, if the bevel of the back face side corner portion 15 is smaller than the bevel of the front face side corner portion 14, the front face side corner portion 14 and the back face side corner portion 15 may be any shape among combinations of chamfered surfaces, rounded surfaces, and a chamfered surface and a rounded surface. Also, the measurements of the front face side corner portion 14 and the back face side corner portion 15 are not limited to the examples above. Furthermore, contrary to the example described above, when the corner portion with which the lock member 7 engages is the front face side corner portion 14, the bevel of the front face side corner portion 14 is made smaller than that of the back face side corner portion 15.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pack main body 11 that houses the battery cell 10a is formed by butting and joining, by welding, adhesive or the like, half cases 16, 17 of the pack that are formed by injection-molding synthetic resin. One of the half cases of the pack, 16, is matte finished. The pack main body 11 enables, also by the matte finishing of the half case 16 of the pack, to distinguish between the top and bottom of the pack main body 11 by touching or viewing. Also, an insertion direction display portion 18 is formed, by engraving or printing a triangle mark or the like, on the top face 11a of the pack main body 11 on the side of the front face 11e where the terminal portion is provided.

[0055] (2-2) Configuration of Terminal Portion

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7, the terminal portion 21 is formed on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11. As shown in FIG. 5, this terminal portion 21 is provided on the front face 11e, protruding at a position biased to one side with respect to a centre line P1 in a width direction and a centre line P2 in a height direction. Specifically, the terminal portion 21 is open on the side of the bottom face 11b of the pack main body 11 and surrounded on three sides by upright walls 22, and is provided, within the upright walls 22, with a negative terminal 23a, a control terminal 23b, and a positive terminal 23c in this order from the centre line P1 in the width direction. These terminals 23a to 23c are formed so as to cause connection springs to face out from within slits in a height direction and to protect the connection springs. A negative connection terminal, a control connection terminal, and a positive connection terminal at the bottom face of the battery housing 6 enter respective slits of the negative terminal 23a, the control terminal 23b, and the positive terminal 23c, and are electrically connected with the connection springs within the respective slits.

[0057] Guide grooves 24, 24 are formed on the outer sides of the negative terminal 23a and the positive terminal 23c. The guide grooves 24, 24 are formed to be wider than the slit of each of the terminal portions 23a to 23c. When housed in the battery housing 6, guide protrusions at the bottom face of the battery housing 6 or at a charging terminal portion of a charger engage with the guide grooves 24, 24, and protect a part where each terminal is electrically connected.

[0058] Additionally, the number of terminals of the terminal portion 21 is not limited to such, and it may be more than four, with a reserved terminal or terminals for other usages provided. Also, a negative terminal and a positive terminal only will also suffice.

[0059] Here, FIG. 7(A) shows a battery pack 100 shown as a reference example, and FIG. 7(B) shows the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment. In the reference example of FIG. 7(A), the terminal face of a pack main body 101 is flat. Accordingly, a space of a depth D1 for providing a terminal portion 111 for receiving a connection terminal 6b that is provided being protruded from the bottom face of the battery housing 6 becomes necessary within the pack main body 101. Thus, both sides of the terminal portion 111 tend to be empty spaces 112.

[0060] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(B), with the pack main body 11 of the present embodiment, a space 21a, within the pack main body 11, that is drawn into the front face 11e and that is to be provided with the terminal portion 21 can be made shallow to the extent that the terminal portion 21 is protruded and can be made to be of a depth D2. That is, the pack main body 11 is miniaturized to the extent that the terminal portion 21 is protruded (D3). This enables the pack main body 11 to reduce the empty spaces 21b on both sides of the terminal portion 21, and miniaturization to that extent can be realized. Also, a tip surface 21c of the terminal portion 21 can be brought further closer to the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 (C1>C2 in FIG. 7).

[0061] Furthermore, arrangement of the terminal portion 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8(A) shows the battery pack 10 according to the present embodiment. The lower half of FIG. 8(A) shown by solid lines shows the lower half below the centre line P2 in the height direction of FIG. 5, and the upper half shown by dotted lines shows a state where the lower half is rotated 180 degrees to be symmetric with respect to a point. Also, FIG. 8(B) shows a reference example, and a terminal portion 121 is provided in the centre portion in the width direction at a position biased to one side in the thickness direction. The lower half of FIG. 8(B) shown by solid lines shows the lower half below the centre line P2 in the height direction of FIG. 5, and the upper half shown by dotted lines is a diagram showing a state where the lower half is rotated 180 degrees to be symmetric with respect to a point. In FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), the positions of the terminal portions 21, 121 in a state where the lower halves are rotated 180 degrees to be symmetric with respect to a point (portions shown by dotted lines) are the positions of the terminal portions 21, 121 when the battery pack 10 is inserted upside down.

[0062] The terminal portion 21 at a position biased to one side with respect to the centre lines in the width direction and the thickness direction of the front face 11e in FIG. 8(A) will be at a position that will not interfere with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6 even when the terminal portion 21 is at a position that is point symmetric with respect to the normal position. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 8(A), the area that an ejection spring 6a that is provided on the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 contacts can be made large on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11. Here, a coil spring with a radius of 5 mm can be used.

[0063] On the other hand, in FIG. 8(B) which is a reference example, the terminal portion 121 is provided on the front face 11e of the battery pack 10 in a centre portion in the width direction at a position biased to one side in the thickness direction. When positioned to be point symmetric with respect to the normal position, the terminal portion 121 may interfere with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6. Also, in the example of FIG. 8(B), the area that the ejection spring 6a that is provided on the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 contacts is smaller on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 compared to FIG. 8(A). Here, only a coil spring of a radius of 4 mm can be used.

[0064] Here, as shown in FIG. 8(A), the distance between the control terminal 23b in the middle of the terminal portion 21 in the width direction and the centre of the circular area where the ejection springs touches is 12.3 mm. On the other hand, in the reference example of FIG. 8(B), only 11.35 mm can be reserved for the distance between the control terminal 23b in the middle of the terminal portion 121 in the width direction and the centre of the circular area where the ejection spring 6a touches.

[0065] (2-3) Distinction from DC Plate (Explanation of Charger)

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, concave portions 26, 26 that stretch between the opposite side faces 11c and 11d and the bottom face 11b are formed on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11. These concave portions 26, 26 will be the concave portions that position determining protrusions of a charger engage with at the time of installation in the charger.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a charger 30 includes a charging circuit within a device main body 31, and, also, a battery installation portion 32 in which the battery pack 10 is installed is to be formed. This battery installation portion 32 is a concave portion having substantially the same size as the bottom face 11b of the pack main body 11. A negative charging terminal 33a, a control charging terminal 33b, and a positive charging terminal 33c, that form a charging terminal portion 33, are formed in a protruding manner on the battery installation portion 32 at one end portion at which the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 is to be placed. Furthermore, guide protrusions 35, 35 for engaging with the guide grooves 24, 24 are also formed on the battery installation unit 32. Furthermore, position determining protrusions 34, 34 for engaging with the concave portions 26, 26 of the pack main body 11 are formed on both sides of the surfaces where the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 is to be placed.

[0068] The battery pack 10 is installed in the battery installation portion 32 with the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 as the insertion end. Then, position determination is performed with the concave portions 26, 26 being engaged with the position determining protrusions 34, 34, and, further, the terminal portion 21 of the battery pack 10 and the charging terminal portion 33 are electrically connected, and charging is started.

[0069] As a device for supplying power to the digital still camera 1, besides the battery pack 10 that is to be housed in the battery housing 6, there is a DC plate 40 as shown in FIG. 11. This DC plate 40 is housed in the battery housing 6 of the digital still camera 1 instead of the battery pack 10, and is connected with an AC adapter that converts household AC power into DC power. Then, the DC plate 40 supplies the DC power to the digital still camera 1 by being housed in the battery housing 6. Since this DC plate 40 is to be housed in the battery housing 6, a plate body 42 is the same size as the battery pack 10, and the shape is the same except for the shape of the back face from where a cord 41 is drawn out.

[0070] Additionally, with respect to the DC plate 40, portions the same as those of the battery pack 10 are denoted with the same reference signs, and details are omitted.

[0071] This DC plate 40 is the same shape on the insertion side to the battery housing 6 as the battery pack 10. Thus, there is a possibility that the DC plate 40 is wrongly installed in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30. Accordingly, the concave portions 26, 26 that stretch between the opposite side faces 11c and 11d and the bottom face 11b are not formed on the front face side of the DC plate 40.

[0072] Now, a case where the battery pack 10 is installed in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12(A), the concave portions 26, 26 that stretch between the side faces 11c, 11d and the bottom face 11b are formed on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 of the battery pack 10. On the other hand, the position determining protrusions 34, 34 for engaging with the concave portions 26, 26 are formed on the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30. Accordingly, at the time of installation of the battery pack 10 in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30, the position determining protrusions 34, 34 of the battery installation portion 32 engage with the concave portions 26, 26. The battery pack 10 is thus installed in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30.

[0073] On the other hand, when installing the DC plate 40 in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30, it will be as shown in FIG. 13. As described above, unlike the battery pack 10, the concave portions 26, 26 that stretch between the opposite side faces 11c and 11d and the bottom face 11b are not provided on the front face side of the DC plate 40, as shown in FIG. 13(A). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13(B), when installing the DC plate 40 in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30, the position determining protrusions 34, 34 of the battery installation portion 32 hit against the front face 11. This can prevent the terminal portion 21 of the DC plate 40 and the charging terminal portion 33 of the battery installation portion 32 from mechanically and electrically connecting with each other.

[0074] (2-4) Housing Method of Battery Pack in Digital Still Camera

[0075] As shown in FIG. 3, the battery pack 10 configured in the above manner has the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 as the insertion end to the battery insertion opening 4 continuous to the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2. The insertion direction into the battery insertion opening 4 or the up and down of the battery pack 10 can be distinguished by the configuration of the pack main body 11 as below in addition to the insertion direction display portion 18 formed on the top face 11a of the pack main body 11.

[0076] That is, the pack main body 11 has the shapes of the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12 on the bottom face 11b side and the second corner portions 13, 13 on the top face 11a side made different from each other. The pack main body 11 thus allows, when touched by a hand, a user to distinguish between the upper and lower faces of the pack main body 11, thereby preventing wrong insertion into the battery housing 6.

[0077] Furthermore, the pack main body 11 has one of the half cases of the pack, 16, matte finished, allowing it to be distinguished from the other half case of the pack, 17, thereby preventing wrong insertion into the battery housing 6.

[0078] Furthermore, the insertion direction of the battery pack 10 can be distinguished owing to that the bevel of the back face side corner portion 15 is made smaller than that of the front face side corner portion 14 of the pack main body 11.

[0079] As described above, the battery pack 10 allows the orientation at the time of being housed in the battery housing 6 to be distinguished by viewing or touching, thereby preventing wrong insertion.

[0080] Then, when the battery pack 10 is housed in the battery housing 6, the negative connection terminal, the control connection terminal, and the positive connection terminal at the bottom face of the battery housing 6 enter respective slits of the negative terminal 23a, the control terminal 23b, and the positive terminal 23c. Then, the negative connection terminal, the control connection terminal, and the positive connection terminal of the battery housing 6 are electrically connected with the connection springs within the respective slits.

[0081] Additionally, the position determining protrusions 34, 34 for engaging with the concave portions 26, 26 on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 are not provided on the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the digital still camera 1. This is to enable housing, in the battery housing 6, of the DC plate 40 not provided with the concave portions 26, 26 on the front face 11e.

[0082] Furthermore, the second corner portions 13, 13 on the top face 11a side of the pack main body 11 are substantially rounded surfaces that internally touch chamfered surfaces the same as the chamfered surfaces 12a of the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12 on the bottom face 11b side of the pack main body 11. Accordingly, the battery pack 10 can be housed in the battery housing 6 even when it is housed in the battery housing 6 upside down. Also, the pack main body 11 can prevent the inner wall of the battery housing 6 or the like from breaking due to forcible insertion of the battery pack 10. Furthermore, the terminal portion 21 is at a position biased to one side with respect to the centre lines in the width direction and the thickness direction of the front face 11e, and, thus, does not interfere with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6. This can prevent the terminal portion 21 and the connection terminal 6b from breaking due to interference or collision with each other even when the battery pack 10 is wrongly inserted.

[0083] When the battery pack 10 is housed in the battery housing 6, the lock claw of the lock member 7 engages with the back face side corner portion 15 of the pack main body 11 by the lock member 7 fitted near the battery insertion opening 4 in a rotatable manner being rotated. This prevents the battery pack 10 from jumping out the battery insertion opening 4 by the spring pressure of the connection terminal or the spring pressure of the ejection spring 6a out the battery housing 6. Here, the pack main body 11 has the bevel of the back face side corner portion 15 made smaller than that of the front face side corner portion 14, and has a shape that is easy for the lock claw of the lock member 7 engage with. Accordingly, the pack main body 11 can securely perform locking by the lock member 7.

[0084] Then, the battery lid 5 that is fitted near the battery insertion opening 4 in a rotatable manner blocks the battery insertion opening 4 and is locked by the lid lock portion 8. This makes the battery pack 10 securely housed in the battery housing 6 of the digital still camera 1.

[0085] Furthermore, to remove the battery pack 10 from the battery housing 6, the locking by the lid lock portion 8 is released, the battery lid 5 is opened, and the locking by the lock member 7 is released. The battery pack 10 thus protrudes, as if on its own, from the battery insertion opening 4 by the spring pressure of the connection terminal or the spring pressure of the ejection spring, and is ejected.

[0086] Additionally, a process for housing the battery pack 10 in the battery housing 6 has been described above, but the DC plate 40 shown in FIG. 11 is also housed in the battery housing 6 by an equivalent process.

[0087] (2-5) Effect

[0088] With the battery pack 10 as described above, overall miniaturization can be realized by forming bevelled portions at the first and second corner portions 12, 13 formed by the top face 11a and the bottom face 11b and the opposite side faces 11c and 11d, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. Also, the pack main body 11 has the shapes of the bevelled portions of the first corner portions 12, 12 on the bottom face 11b side of the pack main body 11 and the second corner portions 13, 13 on the top face 11a side of the pack main body 11 made different from each other. The pack main body 11 thus allows, when touched by a hand, a user to distinguish between the upper and lower faces of the pack main body 11, thereby preventing wrong insertion into the battery housing 6.

[0089] Also, the pack main body 11 has the bevel of the back face side corner portion 15 made smaller than that of the front face side corner portion 14. This makes it easy, with respect to the pack main body 11, to engage the lock claw of the lock member 7 of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 with the back face side corner portion 15. Additionally, miniaturization of the lock member 7 of the battery insertion opening 4 can be realized by making it easy for the lock claw of the lock member 7 of the battery housing 6 to engage with the back face side corner portion 15. Furthermore, the pack main body 11 can realize overall miniaturization by forming bevelled portions at the front face side corner portion 14 and the back face side corner portion 15.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(B), with the pack main body 11 of the present embodiment, a space 21a, within the pack main body 11, that is drawn into the front face 11e and that is to be provided with the terminal portion 21 can be made shallow to the extent that the terminal portion 21 is protruded and can be made to be of a depth D2. That is, the pack main body 11 can be miniaturized to the extent that the terminal portion 21 is protruded (D3). This enables the pack main body 11 to reduce the empty spaces 21b on both sides of the terminal portion 21, and miniaturization to that extent can be realized. Also, a tip surface 21c of the terminal portion 21 can be brought further closer to the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 (C1>C2 in FIG. 7).

[0091] The terminal portion 21 at a position biased to one side with respect to the centre lines in the width direction and the thickness direction of the front face 11e in FIG. 8(A) will be at a position that will not interfere with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6 even when the terminal portion 21 is at a position that is point symmetric with respect to the normal position. Accordingly, even when the battery pack 10 is inserted upside down, interference with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6 can be prevented. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 8(A), the area that an ejection spring 6a that is provided on the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 contacts can be made large on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11.

[0092] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the concave portions 26, 26 are provided on the front face 11e of the pack main body 11 with respect to the battery pack 10, but the concave portions 26, 26 are not provided on the front face 11e of the plate body 42 with respect to the DC plate 40. For its part, the position determining protrusions 34, 34 are provided to the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30. Accordingly, only the battery pack 10 having the concave portions 26, 26 can be installed in the battery installation portion 32 of the charger 30, and wrong insertion of the DC plate 40 into the battery installation portion 32 can be prevented.

[0093] Application is also possible to the DC plate 40 as described above, in addition to the battery pack 10 as described above. As shown in FIG. 11, the DC plate 40 is housed in the battery housing 6 of the digital still camera 1 instead of the battery pack 10, and is connected with an AC adapter that converts household AC power into DC power. The DC plate 40 supplies the DC power to the digital still camera 1 by being housed in the battery housing 6. Since this DC plate 40 is to be housed in the battery housing 6, the plate body 42 is the same size as the battery pack 10, and the shape is the same except for the shape of the back face from where the cord 41 is drawn out.

[0094] That is, realization of overall miniaturization is aimed at, also with respect to the DC plate 40, by forming bevelled portions at first and second corner portions 12, 13 formed by a top face 11a, a bottom face 11b and opposite side faces 11c and 11d of the plate body 42. Also, the plate body 42 has the bevelled portions at the first corner portions 12, 12 on the bottom face 11b side and the second corner portions 13, 13 on the top face 11a side made into different shapes. The plate body 42 thereby allows, when touch by a hand, a user to distinguish between the upper and lower surfaces of the plate body 42, and, thereby, wrong insertion into the battery housing 6 can be prevented (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

[0095] That is, the plate body 42 has the bevel of a back face side corner portion 15 made smaller than that of a front face side corner 14. This makes it easy for the lock claw of the lock member 7 on the side of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 to engage with the back face side corner portion 15 of the plate body 42. Additionally, making it easy for the lock claw of the lock member 7 on the side of the battery housing 6 to engage with the back face side corner portion 15 allows to realize miniaturization of the lock member 7 of the battery insertion opening 4. Also, the plate body 42 can realize overall miniaturization by forming bevelled portions at the front face side corner portion 14 and the back face side corner portion 15 (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

[0096] Furthermore, with the plate body 42, a space 21a, within the plate body 42, that is drawn into a front face 11e and that is to be provided with a terminal portion 21 can be made shallow to the extent that the terminal portion 21 is protruded and can be made to be of a depth D2. That is, the plate body 42 can be miniaturized to the extent that the terminal portion 21 is protruded (D3). This enables the plate body 42 to reduce the empty spaces 21b on both sides of the terminal portion 21, and miniaturization to that extent can be realized. Also, a tip surface 21c of the terminal portion 21 can be brought further closer to the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 (C1>C2 in FIG. 7) (see FIG. 7).

[0097] The terminal portion 21 at a position biased to one side with respect to the centre lines in the width direction and the thickness direction of the front face 11e in FIG. 8(A) will be at a position that will not interfere with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6 even when the terminal portion 21 is at a position that is point symmetric with respect to the normal position. Accordingly, even when the DC plate 40 is inserted upside down, interference with the connection terminal 6b provided protruding from the bottom face of the battery housing 6 can be prevented (see FIG. 8). Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 8(A), the area that an ejection spring 6a that is provided on the bottom face of the battery housing 6 of the camera body 2 contacts can be made large on the front face 11e of the plate body 42.

[0098] Additionally, with the battery pack 10, the bevelled portions of the first and second corner portions 12, 13 formed by the top face 11a, the bottom face 11b, and the opposite side faces 11c and 11d of the pack main body 11 may have the following shapes.

[0099] FIG. 14 has the bevelled portions at the first and second corner portions all made into a chamfered shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first and second corner portions 12, 13 all have rounded surfaces 12p, 13p formed on both sides of chamfered surfaces 12o, 13o.

[0100] Also, FIG. 15 has the bevelled portions at the first and second corner portions all made into a rounded shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first and second corner portions 12, 13 all have rounded surfaces 12x, 13x.

[0101] In the foregoing, an explanation has been given taking, as an example, the digital still camera 1 for which the battery pack 10 or the DC plate 40 is used, but as an electronic appliance for which the battery pack 10 or the DC plate 40 is used, there are also the following. For example, the electronic appliance may be an imaging appliance such as a digital video camera. Furthermore, as other electronic appliances, there may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant (Personal Data Assistance), a mobile phone, a laptop computer, and the like. Also, the battery cell is not limited to the lithium-ion secondary battery, and it may also be a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery or the like.

• [0102] 1 Digital still camera
• [0103] 2 Camera body
• [0104] 6 Battery housing
• [0105] 6a Ejection spring
• [0106] 6b Connection terminal
• [0107] 7 Lock member
• [0108] 8 Lid lock portion
• [0109] 9 Grip portion
• [0110] 10 Battery pack
• [0111] 10a Battery cell
• [0112] 11 Pack main body
• [0113] 11a Top face
• [0114] 11b Bottom face
• [0115] 11c, 11d Side faces
• [0116] 11e Front face
• [0117] 11f Back face
• [0118] 12 First corner portion
• [0119] 12a Chamfered surface
• [0120] 12b Rounded surface
• [0121] 12o Chamfered surface
• [0122] 12p Rounded surface
• [0123] 12x Rounded surface
• [0124] 13 Second corner portion
• [0125] 13a Chamfered surface
• [0126] 13b First rounded surface
• [0127] 13c Second rounded surface
• [0128] 13d Third rounded surface
• [0129] 13o Chamfered surface
• [0130] 13p Rounded surface
• [0131] 13x Rounded surface
• [0132] 14 Front face side corner portion
• [0133] 14a Chamfered surface
• [0134] 14b Rounded surface
• [0135] 15 Back face side corner portion
• [0136] 15a Rounded surface
• [0137] 16, 17 Half cases of pack
• [0138] 18 Insertion direction display portion
• [0139] 21 Terminal portion
• [0140] 21a Space
• [0141] 21b Empty space
• [0142] 21c Tip surface
• [0143] 22 Upright wall
• [0144] 23a Negative terminal
• [0145] 23b Control terminal
• [0146] 23c Positive terminal
• [0147] 24 Guide groove
• [0148] 26 Concave portion
• [0149] 30 Charger
• [0150] 31 Device main body
• [0151] 32 Battery installation portion
• [0152] 33 Charging terminal portion
• [0153] 33a Negative charging terminal
• [0154] 33b Control charging terminal
• [0155] 33c Positive charging terminal
• [0156] 34 Position determining protrusion
• [0157] 35 Guide protrusion
• [0158] 40 DC plate
• [0159] 41 Cord
• [0160] 42 Plate body
• [0161] 100 Battery pack
• [0162] 101 Pack main body
• [0163] 111 Terminal portion
• [0164] 112 Empty space
• [0165] 121 Terminal portion