JP2008206648A - Rechargeable type electric device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rechargeable type electric device, comprising a device main body composed in sealed structure without providing pores of a porus film, achieving waterproof performance, so as to prevent occurrence of an electric shock due to leakage, or failure due to short-circuiting, and preventing explosion of hydrogen gas generated from a storage battery. <P>SOLUTION: In the rechargeable type electric device 1, the storage battery 4 is contained in the device main body 11 that is sealed. In the device main body 11, hydrogen-storage alloy 7 is enclosed, and the device main body 11 is formed as a sealed space in a waterproof structure. Penetration of water or water vapor is thus prevented. Deterioration or accidents, caused by water, of electric parts or electronic parts such as the storage battery 4, a motor 3, a substrate 5, etc., housed in the device main body 11 are thus prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rechargeable electric device having a built-in storage battery such as an electric shaver, an electric toothbrush, a mobile phone, and a flashlight.

  Conventionally, electric devices such as an electric shaver, electric toothbrush, and various facial devices are often used by hand, so that it is inconvenient or cannot function when an electric cord is connected. Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries with built-in storage batteries (secondary batteries) are used from the viewpoint of reducing waste and conserving resources because they can be used repeatedly.

  By the way, electric devices such as electric shavers and electric toothbrushes may be subject to water droplets during use due to the characteristics of the usage environment, and the device body containing electrical and electronic components is sealed to ensure water resistance and cause moisture. This prevents the occurrence of electrical leakage, electric shock accidents and breakdowns.

  On the other hand, because of the characteristics of the storage battery built into the device body, there is a risk of generating hydrogen gas, for example, when the battery is deteriorated or overcharged. There is also a risk of an unexpected explosion by igniting an electrical spark generated by the equipment.

  In view of this, electric appliances that solve these problems are presented in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 5-1687776 and 8-315864. The electronic devices presented in these publications, for example, like the electronic device 1 (electric toothbrush) shown in FIG. 4, do not allow moisture to pass through a part of the device body 11 formed in a sealed state, but pass gas. The gas vent 2 with the porous membrane 21 to be stretched is installed to discharge the generated hydrogen gas.

  However, since the porous membrane 21 does not allow liquid to pass through but does pass water vapor, the water vapor that has passed through the porous membrane 21 is condensed by cooling in the liquid-tight electric device body (so-called dew condensation). Phenomenon) Water becomes an adverse effect such as rust and deterioration on electrical components such as the motor 3 and the storage battery 4, switches disposed on the circuit board 5, and various electronic components incorporated in the device body 11.

In particular, as the storage battery 4, nickel hydride batteries and nickel cadmium batteries have come to be frequently used because they have a high energy density and high efficiency discharge characteristics, and have little memory effect and are easy to use. However, these nickel metal hydride batteries and nickel cadmium batteries have problems that they deteriorate or generate hydrogen gas in the case of overcharging.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-168776 JP-A-8-315864

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made to solve the problem, and the device main body has a sealed structure without providing a porous membrane through-hole as in the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rechargeable electric device that is waterproof and prevents an electric shock accident due to electric leakage or a failure due to a short circuit, and that does not cause an explosion due to hydrogen gas generated from a storage battery.

  The present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that, in a rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery is accommodated in a sealed device body, a hydrogen storage alloy is enclosed in the device body.

  By forming the device main body in a sealed space, water and water vapor are prevented from entering as a waterproof structure, and due to moisture such as electrical parts and electronic parts such as storage batteries, motors, switches, and boards housed inside the device main body Prevent deterioration and accidents.

  On the other hand, when hydrogen gas is generated from the storage battery in the sealed device main body, a metal hydride is formed and stored by the hydrogen storage alloy disposed in the device main body.

  In addition, the present invention is particularly useful in the case of a nickel hydrogen battery or a nickel cadmium battery that is effective as the storage battery but easily generates hydrogen gas, and a hydrogen gas detector is disposed in the device body. In addition, if a display unit that displays the presence of hydrogen gas based on a detection signal from the hydrogen gas detector is installed on a part of the outer surface of the device body, the storage capacity of the storage alloy should be reduced. It can be confirmed even when free hydrogen gas is stored in excess, and it is extremely safe, and when an opening / closing port leading to the outside air having an opening / closing lid is provided in a part of the device main body, the sealed space The hydrogen gas generated excessively or the hydrogen gas released from the hydrogen storage alloy can be discharged.

  Furthermore, when the hydrogen gas detector has a stretchable member made of a hydrogen storage alloy that changes a fiber period and a grating period in at least a part of the fiber grating, the stretchable member of the present invention is used as the stretchable member. A hydrogen storage alloy can be used in combination.

  In the present invention, the device main body is hermetically sealed to prevent water or water vapor from entering the device main body, and the storage battery, motor, switch, board, or other electrical or electronic component such as deterioration due to moisture. And prevent accidents. In particular, since the porous membrane has no through-holes as in the prior art, water vapor does not enter and a complete waterproofing can be obtained. On the other hand, even if hydrogen gas is generated from the storage battery, it is safe because the hydrogen storage alloy stores it. Furthermore, there is no need to process the device main body, and a simple structure in which a hydrogen storage alloy is disposed in the device main body is sufficient, which is excellent in productivity and economically advantageous.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the best mode when the present invention is applied to an electric toothbrush as a rechargeable electric device 1, and the entire configuration is the conventional electric toothbrush shown in FIG. In the same manner as above, in the device main body 11 given a waterproofing state as a sealed state, for example, a motor 3 for applying vibration to the brush portion 6, an electrical component such as a storage battery 4 made of a nickel hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery, etc. A switch 51 indicator lamps 52 and 53 and a circuit board 5 on which various electronic components are arranged are incorporated.

  In particular, a hydrogen storage alloy 7 is disposed in the device main body 11. As the hydrogen storage alloy 7, for example, a conventionally known alloy such as a rare earth alloy, a magnesium / nickel alloy, a titanium alloy, or the like can be used. Arrange as many as necessary.

  In the drawings, reference numeral 8 denotes an electromagnetic induction type charger for charging the storage battery 4 accommodated in the device main body 11 in an airtight state in a non-contact manner. By inserting the device main body 11 into the charger 8, the charger Electrical energy (electromagnetic energy) is transmitted to the second coil disposed in the device main body 11 by electromagnetic induction from the charging control circuit (not shown) and the first electromagnetic coil 82, and the charging circuit (not shown). And the storage battery 4 is charged.

  In the present embodiment having the above configuration, since the apparatus main body 11 has a sealed structure, infiltration of moisture including water vapor is prevented. Therefore, even if water is applied to the device body 11, there is no concern that the built-in electrical components and electronic components are short-circuited or damaged by water.

  In addition, even if the storage battery 4 is deteriorated or hydrogen gas is generated from the storage battery 4 due to overcharge or the like, the storage battery 4 is occluded by the hydrogen storage alloy 7 disposed in the device main body 11, so that there is no fear of explosion.

  Incidentally, the amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy per cc is said to be approximately 1.3 L in the case of rare earth alloys and magnesium / nickel alloys, and approximately 2.5 L in the case of titanium alloys. What is necessary is just to arrange | position a predetermined amount of things of a desired kind according to the absorbed amount of hydrogen gas.

  FIG. 2 shows a main part of a different embodiment of the present invention. Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device main body 11 is in a sealed state, and a part of the device main body 11 is shown. A hydrogen gas detector 9 is disposed (for example, the substrate 5).

  As this hydrogen gas detector 9, a conventionally known one such as a semiconductor type can be used, and the storage battery 4 built in the device main body 11 can be used as a power source. According to the present embodiment, since the hydrogen gas detector 9 is provided, the hydrogen storage alloy 7 does not function, exceeds the storage amount, or once the stored hydrogen gas is released. Since the hydrogen gas existing in the device body hand 11 is detected, danger can be avoided in advance. Note that the detection result can be notified by sound or vision by an output means (not shown). For example, indicator lights 52 and 53 arranged on the circuit board 5 can be used.

  When the hydrogen gas detector is a fiber type (not shown), an expansion / contraction member that changes the grating period in at least a part of the fiber grating may also be used as the hydrogen storage alloy 7 for storing hydrogen. This is advantageous in terms of space and economy.

  Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes an opening / closing opening that is formed in a part of the main body device 11 and has an opening / closing lid 101 that communicates with the outside air. When, for example, hydrogen gas is accumulated in the device main body 11, the opening / closing lid 101 is pressed to temporarily open the opening / closing port 10 to allow the hydrogen gas in the device main body 11 to escape to the outside. Can do.

  Therefore, it is effective when the hydrogen gas in the device body 11 cannot be occluded by the hydrogen occlusion alloy 7 or when the occlusion capacity is exceeded. In particular, since the hydrogen gas storage capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy 7 changes depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure, for example, the stored hydrogen gas is released by changing the temperature in the device body 11 to release the hydrogen storage alloy 7. Can also be played.

  FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing lid 101 is provided in the case where hydrogen gas is accumulated in the device body 11. The opening / closing port 10 can be temporarily opened by pressing to release hydrogen gas in the device main body 11, but the opening / closing lid 101 is always urged toward the opening / closing port 10 by a spring 102. When the hydrogen gas is generated and the pressure in the device main body 1 increases, the opening / closing lid 101 moves against the urging force of the spring 102 to automatically open the opening / closing port 10. It is very convenient and safe because it works automatically when the internal pressure rises.

  In addition, although the said embodiment showed the case where this invention was implemented about the electric toothbrush as the electric equipment 1, it cannot be overemphasized that it can implement similarly to other rechargeable electric equipments, such as an electric shaver. Yes.

An example of the optimal embodiment in this invention is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) A longitudinal cross-sectional view. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expanded a part which shows an example of different embodiment in this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expanded a part which shows an example of further different embodiment in this invention. It shows a conventional example, (a) is a front view, (b) is a longitudinal sectional view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric equipment, 4 Storage battery, 7 Hydrogen storage alloy, 9 Hydrogen gas detector, 10 Opening / closing port, 11 Apparatus main body, 101 Opening / closing lid

Claims (5)

  A rechargeable electric device in which a storage battery is accommodated in a sealed device main body, wherein a hydrogen storage alloy is enclosed in the device main body.   The rechargeable electric device according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery is a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery.   A hydrogen gas detector is disposed in the device main body, and a display unit for displaying the presence of hydrogen gas based on a detection signal from the hydrogen gas detector is installed on a part of the outer surface in the device main body. The electric device according to claim 1 or 2.   The rechargeable electric device according to claim 3, wherein the hydrogen gas detector includes a stretchable member made of a hydrogen storage alloy that changes a fiber period and a grating period in at least a part of the fiber grating. The rechargeable electric device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a part of the device main body is provided with an opening / closing port communicating with outside air having an opening / closing lid.

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