Battery pack, electrical device using battery pack, and electrical device system

Abstract

2023222817 28 Aug 2023

Description

BACKGROUND 5 Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical device including a load such as a motor, a light, etc., and to a power source device such as a battery pack that supplies power to such electrical device. Description of Related Art 0

[0002] Electrical devices (e.g., electrical tools) have been gradually developed to be driven by battery packs using secondary batteries such as Li-ion batteries, and electrical devices have been gradually developed to become cordless. For example, in a handheld electrical tool in which a front end tool is driven by a motor, a battery pack housing a plurality of secondary battery cells is used, and the motor is driven by using electrical energy stored in the battery pack. The 5 battery pack is configured attachable to and detachable from an electrical tool body. If voltage is reduced due to electric discharge, the battery pack is removed from the electrical tool body and is charged by using an external charging device.

[0003] In a cordless electrical tool or electrical device, it is required to ensure a predetermined operation time or to ensure a predetermined output. As performance of the secondary batteries 20 is improved, higher output or higher voltage is realized. Moreover, with the development of electrical devices using a battery pack as a power source, battery packs having various voltages have been gradually commercialized. Generally, the output voltage of a battery pack is fixed. However, Patent Document 1 proposes a power source device for an electrical device as follows. A plurality of battery units are disposed in a housing that houses batteries, and whether to 25 perform output by connecting the battery units in series or by connecting the battery units in parallel is made selectable by a connection part. Therefore, the power source device is 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 compatible with devices of different voltages. Related Art Patent Document

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open No. 2014-17954 5 SUMMARY Technical Problem

[0005] For a user, when using multiple electrical tools and / or electrical devices, it is complicated and troublesome to prepare multiple types of battery packs. Therefore, it is 0 desired to realize a user-friendly battery pack which corresponds to electrical tools or electrical devices of different voltages by switching the voltage. Moreover, it is desired to realize a voltage switching type by a battery pack that can be easily mounted to an electrical device, rather than a power source device separate from the electrical device body such as that in Patent Document 1. 5 Moreover, according to transportation-related regulations, in a battery pack using a plurality of Li-ion batteries, in a case where a total power capacity of the mutually connected Li-ion batteries exceeds a predetermined value, it is required to take special measures during transportation. Therefore, it is desired to realize a battery pack that can cut off interconnection between a plurality of Li-ion batteries, etc. housed in the battery pack when an electrical device 20 is transported and an electrical device using the battery pack.

[0006] The invention has been made in light of the background above. An objective of the invention is to provide a battery pack that can switch an output voltage and an electrical device using the battery pack. Another objective of the invention is to provide a battery pack that can be shared between 25 electrical devices of different voltages and an electrical device using the battery pack. Another objective of the invention is to provide a battery pack in which voltage setting 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 compatible with a corresponding electrical device can be easily performed to thereby effectively prevent erroneous voltage setting and an electrical device using the battery pack. Another objective of the invention is to provide a battery pack that can cut off interconnection between a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack and an electrical device using the 5 battery pack. Solution to the Problem

[0007] Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, comprehensive inventions are described as follows.

[0008] A first general invention is a battery pack, including a plurality of cell units including 0 at least one cell; a housing housing the plurality of cell units; a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal; and a voltage switching element, switching between whether to output a first voltage by connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in parallel or to output a second voltage by connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in series. Later-described Embodiments 1 to 13 are all embodiments corresponding to the first general 5 invention. According to the first general invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can switch an output voltage can be solved.

[0009] A second general invention is, in the battery pack according to the first general invention, , the voltage switching element is configured to connect the plurality of cell units to 20 each other in parallel in a state where the battery pack is connected to a low voltage electrical device body driven by the first voltage, and to connect the plurality of cell units to each other in series in a state where the battery pack is connected to a high voltage electrical device body driven by the second voltage. The later-described Embodiments 1 to 13 are all embodiments corresponding to the second 25 general invention. According to the second general invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can be 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 shared between electrical devices of different voltages and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved.

[0010] A third general invention is, in the battery pack according to the second general invention, the voltage switching element is configured to prevent the battery pack from being 5 connected to the low voltage electrical device body in a state where the plurality of cell units remain connected to each other in series, or to prevent the battery pack from being connected to the high voltage electrical device body in a state where the plurality of cell units remain connected to each other in parallel. The later-described Embodiments 1 to 13 are all embodiments corresponding to the third general 0 invention. According to the third general invention, the issue of providing a battery pack in which voltage setting compatible with a corresponding electrical device can be easily performed to thereby effectively prevent erroneous voltage setting and an electrical device using the battery pack is solved. .5

[0011] A fourth general invention is a battery pack, including a plurality of cell units including at least one cell; a housing housing the plurality of cell units and configured to be mountable to an electrical device body by being moved relative to the electrical device body in a front-rear direction; a positive electrode terminal connected to a positive electrode of one cell unit forming the plurality of cell units; a negative electrode terminal, connected to a negative electrode of one 20 cell unit forming the plurality of cell units, and disposed separated from the positive electrode terminal in a left-right direction; and a plurality of switching terminals connected to each of the plurality of cell units, wherein in a case where the battery pack is not connected to the electrical device body, the plurality of switching terminals are not short-circuited with each other and a state where the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other is maintained, and in a 25 case where the battery pack is connected to the electrical device body, the plurality of switching terminals are short-circuited with each other by a connection element included in the electrical 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 device body, so that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other. The later-described Embodiment 2 and Embodiments 5 to 13 are all embodiments corresponding to the fourth general invention. According to the fourth general invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can cut off 5 interconnection between a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack can be solved.

[0012] The general inventions described above can also be arbitrarily combined with one or more relatively specific inventions as described below. Alternatively, the general inventions can be combined with one or more specific constitutions included in the later-described embodiments. An invention formed by such combinations can solve at least one issue among 0 the issues described above. Moreover, the inventions described below may be considered to be inventions independent from the general inventions described above. In that case, the inventions described below may solve issues different from the issues described above.

[0013] A first invention is an electrical device, including: a high voltage electrical device body, operating by a predetermined voltage; and a battery pack, 5 connectable to the electrical device body, wherein the battery pack includes: a plurality of cell units, each including at least one cell; a positive electrode terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of positive electrode terminals respectively extending from positive electrodes of the plurality of cell units; a negative electrode terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of negative electrode 20 terminals respectively extending from negative electrodes of the plurality of cell units; and a housing, housing the plurality of cell units, the positive electrode terminal group, and the negative electrode terminal group, the high voltage electrical device body includes: a high voltage positive input terminal, connectable to one positive electrode terminal among the plurality of positive electrode 25 terminals; a high voltage negative input terminal, connectable to one negative electrode terminal among the plurality of negative electrode terminals; and a short circuit element, connectable to 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 both of other positive electrode terminal among the plurality of positive electrode terminals and other negative electrode terminal among the plurality of negative electrode terminals, when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the one positive electrode terminal is engaged with the high voltage positive input terminal, the one negative 5 electrode terminal is engaged with the high voltage negative input terminal, the other positive electrode terminals and the other negative electrode terminals are electrically connected via the short circuit element, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series, and when the battery pack is not connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. 0 For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are all embodiments corresponding to the first invention. According to the first invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can cut off interconnection of a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack can be solved. Moreover, according to the first invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical 5 device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0014] A second invention is an electrical device, wherein: the battery pack includes a signal terminal for inputting or outputting information or signals, and the signal terminal is disposed at a position between the positive electrode terminal group and the negative electrode terminal group. 20 For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are all embodiments corresponding to the second invention. According to the second invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved. Moreover, the effect of providing a battery pack that prevents unintended terminal short-circuiting and an electrical device including 25 the battery pack is achieved.

[0015] A third invention is an electrical device, wherein: 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 the housing of the battery pack includes: a first slot, disposed at a position corresponding to the positive electrode terminal group; and a second slot, disposed at a position corresponding to the negative electrode terminal group, and when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the high voltage 5 positive input terminal is inserted into the first slot to be engaged with the one positive electrode terminal, and the high voltage negative input terminal is inserted into the second slot to be engaged with the one negative electrode terminal. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are all embodiments corresponding to the third invention. 0 According to the third invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved. Moreover, the effect of providing a battery pack that prevents unintended terminal short-circuiting and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0016] A fourth invention is an electrical device, wherein: 5 the positive electrode terminal group is disposed at a position above the plurality of cell units, one positive electrode terminal forming the positive electrode terminal group is connected to one battery cell included in one cell unit forming the plurality of cell units via one connection element, other positive electrode terminal forming the positive electrode terminal group is connected to 20 other battery cell included in other cell units forming the plurality of cell units via other connection elements, and the other positive electrode terminal is disposed at a position above or behind the one positive electrode terminal, and the other battery cell is disposed at a position behind the one battery cell, or the other positive electrode terminal is disposed at a position below or in front of the one 25 positive electrode terminal, and the other battery cell is disposed at a position in front of the one battery cell. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 For example, Embodiment 8 described below is an embodiment corresponding to the fourth invention. According to the fourth invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved. 5

[0017] A fifth invention is an electrical device, wherein: the battery pack includes a circuit substrate to which the positive electrode terminal group and the negative electrode terminal group are connected, and the one connection element includes one wiring pattern disposed on the circuit substrate, the other connection elements include other wiring patterns disposed on the circuit substrate, and the 0 other wiring patterns are disposed at positions behind the one wiring pattern, or the other wiring patterns are disposed at positions in front of the one wiring pattern. For example, Embodiment 8 described below is an embodiment corresponding to the fifth invention. According to the fifth invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical 5 device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0018] A sixth invention is an electrical device, wherein: in a state where the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the battery pack or the high voltage electrical device body includes an inter-terminal insulating member, formed by an insulating member extending between one positive electrode terminal 20 and other positive electrode terminals forming the positive electrode terminal group. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 described below are embodiments corresponding to the sixth invention. According to the sixth invention, the effect of providing a battery pack that prevents unintended terminal short-circuiting and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved. 25

[0019] A seventh invention is an electrical device, wherein: the low voltage electrical device body includes: a low voltage positive input terminal, 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connectable to the plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the positive electrode terminal group; and a low voltage negative input terminal, connectable to the plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the negative electrode terminal group, and when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, the plurality of 5 positive electrode terminals are engaged with the low voltage positive input terminal, the plurality of negative electrode terminals are engaged with the low voltage negative input terminal, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the seventh invention. 0 According to the seventh invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can switch an output voltage can be solved. Moreover, the issue of providing a battery pack that can be shared between electrical devices of different voltages and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved. In addition, the issue of providing a battery pack in which voltage setting compatible with a corresponding electrical device can be easily performed to thereby effectively 5 prevent erroneous voltage setting and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved.

[0020] An eighth invention is an electrical device, wherein: in a state where the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, the inter-terminal insulating member allows the plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the positive electrode terminal group to be engaged with the low voltage positive input terminal. 20 For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 described below are embodiments corresponding to the eighth invention. According to the eighth invention, the effect of providing a battery pack that prevents unintended terminal short-circuiting and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved. 25

[0021] A ninth invention is an electrical device system, including: a low voltage electrical device body, operating by a predetermined voltage; a high voltage electrical device body, 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 operating by a voltage higher than the predetermined voltage; and a battery pack, connectable to the low voltage electrical device body and the high voltage electrical device body, wherein the battery pack includes: a plurality of cell units, each including at least one cell; a first switching terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of switching terminals 5 connected to the plurality of cell units; and a housing, housing the plurality of cell units and the first switching terminal group, the low voltage electrical device body includes a first low voltage switching element engageable with the first switching terminal group, the high voltage electrical device body includes a first high voltage switching element that is 0 engageable with the first switching terminal group and is formed with a structure different from the first low voltage switching element, when the low voltage electrical device body is connected to the battery pack, the first low voltage switching element is engaged with the first switching terminal group, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel, and 5 when the high voltage electrical device body is connected to the battery pack, the first high voltage switching element is engaged with the first switching terminal group, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the ninth invention. 20 According to the ninth invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can switch an output voltage can be solved. Moreover, the issue of providing a battery pack that can be shared between electrical devices of different voltages and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved. In addition, the issue of providing a battery pack in which voltage setting compatible with a corresponding electrical device can be easily performed to thereby effectively 25 prevent erroneous voltage setting and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved.

[0022] A tenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 the battery pack includes: a second switching terminal group, which is formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of switching terminals connected to the plurality of cell units and is different from the first switching terminal group, the low voltage electrical device body includes a second low voltage switching element 5 engageable with the second switching terminal group, the high voltage electrical device body includes a second high voltage switching element that is engageable with the second switching terminal group and is formed with a structure different from the second low voltage switching element, when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, the first switching 0 terminal group and the first low voltage switching element are engaged, and the second switching terminal group and the second low voltage switching element are engaged, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel, and when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the first switching terminal group and the first high voltage switching element are engaged, and the second 5 switching terminal group and the second high voltage switching element are engaged, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the tenth invention. According to the tenth invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can switch an output 20 voltage can be solved. Moreover, the issue of providing a battery pack that can be shared between electrical devices of different voltages and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved. In addition, the issue of providing a battery pack in which voltage setting compatible with a corresponding electrical device can be easily performed to thereby effectively prevent erroneous voltage setting and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved. 25

[0023] An eleventh invention is an electrical device system, wherein: when the battery pack is not connected to the low voltage electrical device body or the high 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 voltage electrical device body, the plurality of cell units are not connected to each other. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the eleventh invention. According to the eleventh invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can cut off 5   interconnection of a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack can be solved.

[0024] A twelfth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the first low voltage switching element or the second low voltage switching element included in the low voltage electrical device body is configured to connect the plurality of switching terminals forming the first switching terminal group to form the same potential, and 0 the first high voltage switching element or the second high voltage switching element included in the high voltage electrical device body is configured to separate the plurality of switching terminals forming the first switching terminal group to form different potentials. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twelfth invention. .5

[0025] A thirteenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the first switching terminal group is configured as a positive electrode terminal group formed by adjacently disposing to a plurality of positive electrode terminals respectively extending from positive electrodes of the plurality of cell units, and the second switching terminal group is configured as a negative electrode terminal group formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of 20 negative electrode terminals respectively extending from negative electrodes of the plurality of cell units, the first low voltage switching element is formed to be capable of connecting a plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the positive electrode terminal group, and the second low voltage switching element is formed to be capable of connecting a plurality of negative electrode 25 terminals forming the negative electrode terminal group, the first high voltage switching element includes: a positive input terminal, engageable with one 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 positive electrode terminal among the plurality of positive electrode terminals; and a first short circuit element, engageable with other positive electrode terminals, and the second high voltage switching element includes: a negative input terminal, engageable with one negative electrode terminal among the plurality of negative electrode terminals; and a second short circuit element, 5 engageable with other negative electrode terminals, wherein the first short circuit element and the second short circuit element are connected to each other, when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, the positive electrode terminal group and the first low voltage switching element are engaged, such that the plurality of positive electrode terminals are connected to each other, and the negative electrode 0 terminal group and the second low voltage switching element are engaged, such that the plurality of negative electrode terminals are connected to each other, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel, and when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the one positive electrode terminal and the positive input terminal are engaged, the other positive electrode 5 terminals and the first short circuit element are engaged, the one negative electrode terminal and the negative input terminal are engaged, the other negative electrode terminals and the second short circuit element are engaged, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to 20 the thirteenth invention.

[0026] A fourteenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the housing of the battery pack includes: a first slot, disposed at a position corresponding to the plurality of switching terminals forming the first switching terminal group, and the first slot allows the first low voltage switching element and the first high voltage switching 25 element to be inserted into the first slot to be engaged with the first switching terminal group. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the fourteenth invention. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 According to the fourteenth invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0027] A fifteenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: 5 one switching terminal forming the first switching terminal group is connected to one battery cell included in one cell unit forming the plurality of cell units via one connection element, other switching terminals forming the first switching terminal group are connected to other battery cells included in other cell units forming the plurality of cell units via other connection elements, and 0 the other switching terminals are disposed at positions above or behind the one switching terminal, and the other battery cells are disposed at positions behind the one battery cell, or the other switching terminals are disposed at positions below or in front of the one switching terminal, and the other battery cells are disposed at positions in front of the one battery cell. For example, Embodiment 8 described below is an embodiment corresponding to the fifteenth 5 invention. According to the fifteenth invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0028] A sixteenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the battery pack includes a circuit substrate to which the first switching terminal group is 20 connected, and the one connection element includes one wiring pattern disposed on the circuit substrate, the other connection elements include other wiring patterns disposed on the circuit substrate, and the other wiring patterns are disposed at positions behind the one wiring pattern, or the other wiring patterns are disposed at positions in front of the one wiring pattern. 25 For example, Embodiment 8 described below is an embodiment corresponding to the sixteenth invention. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 According to the sixteenth invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0029] A seventeenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: in a state where the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, at least 5 one of the battery pack, the low voltage electrical device body, and the high voltage electrical device body comprises an inter-terminal insulating member, formed by an insulating member extending between one positive electrode terminal and other positive electrode terminals forming the positive electrode terminal group. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 described below are embodiments corresponding to the 0 seventeenth invention. According to the seventeenth invention, the effect of providing a battery pack that prevents unintended terminal short-circuiting and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0030] An eighteenth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: 5 in a state where the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body or the high voltage electrical device body, the inter-terminal insulating member allows the first switching terminal group to be engaged with the first low voltage switching element or the first high voltage switching element. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 described below are embodiments corresponding to the 20 eighteenth invention.

[0031] A nineteenth invention is a battery pack, including a plurality of cell units and being able to switch a connection state of the plurality of cell units, wherein a switching terminal group connected to positive electrodes or negative electrodes of the cell units is adjacently disposed in a common slot, a terminal of an electrical device body is inserted 25 into the slot, and the switching terminal group is short-circuited by the terminal of the electrical device body to thereby switch the connection state of the plurality of cell units. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 For example, Embodiments 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the nineteenth invention. According to the nineteenth invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved. 5

[0032] A twentieth invention is an electrical device, wherein: the electrical device body includes a short circuit element connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in series, when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, at least one terminal among a plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group is connected to the 0 short circuit element, such that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series, and when the battery pack is not connected to the high voltage electrical device body, any one terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group is not connected to the short circuit element, such that the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. 5 For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twentieth invention. According to the twentieth invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can switch an output voltage can be solved. Moreover, the issue of providing a battery pack that can cut off interconnection of a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack can be solved. 20

[0033] A twenty-first invention is an electrical device, wherein: the electrical device body includes an input terminal connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in parallel, when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, at least two terminals among a plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group are connected to 25 the input terminal, such that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel, and when the battery pack is not connected to the low voltage electrical device body, any one 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group is not connected to the input terminal, such that the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twenty-first invention. 5 According to the twenty-first invention, the issue of providing a battery pack that can switch an output voltage can be solved. Moreover, the issue of providing a battery pack that can cut off interconnection of a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack can be solved. In addition, the issue of providing a battery pack that can be shared between electrical devices of different voltages and an electrical device using the battery pack can be solved. 0

[0034] A twenty-second invention is an electrical device system, including: the battery pack according to the nineteenth invention, the high voltage electrical device body according to the twentieth invention, and the low voltage electrical device body according to the twenty-first invention. For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding 5 to the twenty-second invention.

[0035] A twenty-third invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the battery pack includes: a pair of rails, extending in a front-rear direction on left and right sides of the battery pack; and a first slot and a second slot, arranged in a left-right direction between the pair of rails, and 20 the switching terminal group includes: a first switching terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of positive electrode terminals connected to positive electrodes of cell units forming the plurality of cell units in the first slot; and a second switching terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of negative electrode terminals connected to negative electrodes of the cell units forming the plurality of cell units in the second slot. 25 For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twenty-third invention. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 According to the twenty-third invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0036] A twenty-fourth invention is an electrical device, wherein: the electrical device body includes a short circuit element connecting the plurality of cell units to 5 each other in series, when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, at least one positive electrode terminal among a plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the first switching terminal group is connected to the short circuit element, and at least one negative electrode terminal among a plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the second 0 switching terminal group is connected to the short circuit element, such that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series, and when the battery pack is not connected to the high voltage electrical device body, any one terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the first switching terminal group and the second switching terminal group is not connected to the short circuit element, such that the 5 plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twenty-fourth invention.

[0037] A twenty-fifth invention is an electrical device, wherein: the electrical device body includes a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal 20 connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in parallel, when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, at least two positive electrode terminals among the plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the first switching terminal group are connected to the positive input terminal and are electrically short-circuited with respect to each other, and at least two negative electrode terminals among 25 the plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the second switching terminal group are connected to the negative input terminal and are electrically short-circuited with respect to each 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 other, such that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel, and when the battery pack is not connected to the low voltage electrical device body, any one terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the first switching terminal group and the second switching terminal group is not connected to the positive input terminal and the negative 5 input terminal, such that the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twenty-fifth invention.

[0038] A twenty-sixth invention is an electrical device system, including: the battery pack according to the twenty-third invention, the high voltage electrical device body according to the 0 sixth invention, and the low voltage electrical device body according to the seventh invention. For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twenty-sixth invention.

[0039] A twenty-seventh invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the first switching terminal group are 5 disposed to be arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction in the first slot, and the plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the second switching terminal group are disposed to be arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction in the second slot. For example, Embodiments 2, 5, 6, and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding 20 to the twenty-seventh invention. According to the twenty-seventh invention, the effect of providing a compact battery pack and an electrical device including the battery pack is achieved.

[0040] A twenty-eighth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the electrical device body includes a short circuit element connecting the plurality of cell units to 25 each other in series, the short circuit element includes a first terminal part and a second terminal part extending in a 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction, and a connection part connecting the first terminal part and the second terminal part, when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, at least one positive electrode terminal among the plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the first 5 switching terminal group is connected to the first terminal part of the short circuit element, and at least one negative electrode terminal among the plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the second switching terminal group is connected to the second terminal part of the short circuit element, such that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series, and 0 when the battery pack is not connected to the high voltage electrical device body, any one terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the first switching terminal group and the second switching terminal group is not connected to the short circuit element, such that the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to 5 the twenty-eighth invention.

[0041] A twenty-ninth invention is an electrical device system, wherein: the electrical device body includes a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in parallel, the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal are formed to extend in a direction 20 substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction, when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, at least two positive electrode terminals among the plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the first switching terminal group are connected to the positive input terminal and are electrically short-circuited with respect to each other, and at least two negative electrode terminals among 25 the plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the second switching terminal group are connected to the negative input terminal and are electrically short-circuited with respect to each 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 other, such that the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel, and when the battery pack is not connected to the low voltage electrical device body, any one terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the first switching terminal group and the second switching terminal group is not connected to the positive input terminal and the negative 5 input terminal, such that the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the twenty-ninth invention.

[0042] A thirtieth invention is an electrical device system, including: the battery pack according to the twenty-seventh invention, the high voltage electrical device 0 body according to the twenty-eighth invention, and the low voltage electrical device body according to the twenty-ninth invention. For example, Embodiments 6 and 8 to 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the thirtieth invention.

[0043] A thirty-first invention is a battery pack, wherein: 5 the switching terminal group connected to the positive electrode is an upper terminal and a lower terminal that are electrically independent, the switching terminal group connected to the negative electrode is an upper terminal and a lower terminal that are electrically independent, the upper terminal of the positive electrode and the lower terminal of the negative electrode are 20 connected to a first cell unit, and the lower terminal of the positive electrode and the upper terminal of the negative electrode are connected to a second cell unit. For example, Embodiments 5, 6, and 13 described below are embodiments corresponding to the thirty-first invention. 25

[0044] A thirty-second invention is a battery pack, wherein: an insulating partition wall is disposed between the plurality of terminals forming the switching 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal group, and the partition wall allows terminals of the electrical device body to connect the switching terminal group. For example, Embodiment 8 described below is an embodiment corresponding to the thirty-second invention. 5

[0045] A thirty-third invention is an electrical device system, wherein: one switching terminal forming the switching terminal group is disposed at a position above the plurality of cell units and is connected to one battery cell included in one cell unit forming the plurality of cell units, other switching terminals forming the switching terminal group are disposed at positions above 0 the plurality of cell units and are connected to other battery cells included in other cell units forming the plurality of cell units, and the other switching terminals are disposed at positions above or behind the one switching terminal, and the other battery cells are disposed at positions behind the one battery cell. For example, Embodiment 8 described below is an embodiment corresponding to the thirty-third 5 invention.

[0046] Other features of invention further disclosed in the present application are described as follows. These features of invention may be combined in any manner with one or more specific configurations included in the later-described embodiments to constitute the invention.

[0047] According to a feature of the invention, in a battery pack that can switch a connection 20 state of a plurality of cell units, a switching terminal group connected to positive electrodes or negative electrodes of the cell units is adjacently disposed in a common slot. Terminals of an electrical device body are inserted into the slot. The switching terminal group is short-circuited through the terminals of the electrical device body to thereby switch the connection state of the plurality of cell units. This configuration corresponds to Embodiments 2, 4 to 6, 8, 11, and 13, 25 for example. Moreover, the electrical device body includes a short circuit element connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in series. When the battery pack is connected to the high 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 voltage electrical device body, at least any one terminal among a plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group is connected to the short circuit element, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series. Here, the short circuit element is an element disposed on the electrical device body side. A connection element of Embodiment 2, a 5 series / parallel switching element 683 of Embodiment 4, a conduction terminal 734 of Embodiment 5, a short bar 1059 of Embodiment 6, a short bar 1062 of Embodiment 7, a short bar 2859 of Embodiment 13, etc. are equivalent to the short circuit element. When the battery pack is not connected to the high voltage electrical device body, no terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group is connected via the short circuit element, and 0 the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. Furthermore, the electrical device body includes an input terminal connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in parallel. When the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, at least two terminals among a plurality of terminals (e.g., positive electrode terminals 712, 713 and negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 of Embodiment 5; positive electrode terminals 1162, 1172 and 5 negative electrode terminals 1167, 1177 of Embodiment 6) forming the switching terminal group are connected to the input terminal, and the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel. When the battery pack is not connected to the low voltage electrical device body, no terminal among the plurality of terminals forming the switching terminal group is connected to the input terminal, and the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other. An 20 electrical device system is formed of such battery pack, the high voltage electrical device body, and the low voltage electrical device body.

[0048] According to another feature of the invention, the battery pack includes: a pair of rails, extending in a front-rear direction on left and right sides of the battery pack; and a first slot and a second slot, aligned in a left-right direction between the pair of rails. The switching terminal 25 group includes: a first switching terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of positive electrode terminals connected to positive electrodes of cell units forming the plurality of 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 cell units in the first slot; and a second switching terminal group, formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of negative electrode terminals connected to negative electrodes of the cell units forming the plurality of cell units in the second slot. The plurality of positive electrode terminals forming the first switching terminal group are disposed to be aligned in a direction 5 substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction in the first slot, and the plurality of negative electrode terminals forming the second switching terminal group are disposed to be aligned in the direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction in the second slot. This configuration corresponds to Embodiments 2, 5, 6, 11, and 13, for example. The switching terminal group connected to the positive electrodes includes electrically independent upper 0 terminal and lower terminal. The switching terminal group connected to the negative electrodes includes electrically independent upper terminal and lower terminal. The upper terminal of the positive electrode and the lower terminal of the negative electrode are connected at a first cell unit. The lower terminal of the positive electrode and the upper terminal of the negative electrode are connected at a second cell unit. 5

[0049] According to another feature of the invention, in a battery pack that includes a plurality of cell units and can switch a connection state of the plurality of cell units, a switching terminal group connected to positive electrodes or negative electrodes of the cell units is adjacently disposed in a common slot. Terminals of an electrical device body are inserted into the slot. The switching terminal group is short-circuited through the terminals of the electrical device 20 body to thereby switch the connection state of the plurality of cell units. The switching terminal group includes a positive electrode side parallel terminal group formed by adjacently disposing terminals connected to the positive electrodes of the cell units, and a negative electrode side parallel terminal group formed by adjacently disposing terminals connected to the negative electrodes of the cell units. The slot includes positive electrode side slots for 25 disposing the positive electrode side parallel terminal group and negative electrode side slots for disposing the negative electrode side parallel terminal group. If the terminals of the electrical 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 device body are respectively inserted into the positive electrode side slots and the negative electrode side slots, and the positive electrode side parallel terminal group and the negative electrode side parallel terminal group are respectively short-circuited through the terminals of the electrical device body, the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in parallel. 5 This configuration corresponds to Embodiments 1 to 6, 8, and 13, for example.

[0050] According to another feature of the invention, the switching terminal group of the battery pack includes a series connection terminal group formed by adjacently disposing a terminal connected to a positive electrode of one cell unit and a terminal connected to a negative electrode of another cell unit in a series connection slot. If the terminals of the electrical device 0 body are inserted into the series connection slot and the series connection terminal group is short-circuited through the terminals of the electrical device body, the plurality of cell units are connected to each other in series. The switching terminal group is disposed to be aligned in a mounting direction to the electrical device body. This configuration corresponds to Embodiments 2, 4, and 13, for example. If a positive electrode power input terminal and a 5 negative electrode power input terminal of the electrical device body are respectively connected to the positive electrode side parallel terminal group and the negative electrode side parallel terminal group, the positive electrode side parallel terminal group and the negative electrode side parallel terminal group are short-circuited. Furthermore, series connection terminals of the electrical device body disposed separately from the positive electrode power input terminal and 20 the negative electrode power input terminal are connected to the series connection terminal group.

[0051] According to still another feature of the invention, a positive electrode terminal pair and a negative electrode terminal pair of the battery pack are disposed to be aligned in an upper-lower direction. A positive electrode power receiving terminal and a negative electrode 25 power receiving terminal of the electrical device body driven by a first voltage are formed into a terminal plate having a width so as to be in contact with respectively both of the positive 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 electrode terminal pair and the negative electrode terminal pair. A positive electrode power receiving terminal of the electrical device body driven by a second voltage is reduced in width so as to be in contact with only an upper side or a lower side of the positive electrode terminal pair. A negative electrode power receiving terminal of the electrical device body driven by the 5 second voltage is reduced in width so as to be in contact with only an upper side or a lower side of the negative electrode terminal pair. The uncontacted terminals on the lower side or the upper side are respectively wired to a series connection terminal pair. This configuration corresponds to Embodiments 5 to 8 and 10 to 12, for example. Moreover, the positive electrode terminal pair and the negative electrode terminal pair of the battery pack are disposed 0 to be aligned on a near side and a deep side in a connection direction of the battery pack to the electrical device body. In the electrical device body driven by the first voltage, the positive electrode power receiving terminal is formed to have a length so as to be in contact with both of the positive electrode terminal pair. In the electrical device body driven by the second voltage, the positive electrode power receiving terminal is shortened to be in contact with only the near 5 side of the positive electrode terminal pair, and the negative electrode power receiving terminal is shortened to be in contact with only the near side of the negative electrode terminal pair. The uncontacted terminals on the deep side may be respectively wired to the series connection terminal pair. At this time, one of the series connection terminal pair is disposed on the near side in the connection direction of the battery pack to the electrical device body, and the other 20 one is disposed separately on the depth side. Moreover, one of the series connection terminal pair is disposed on one side crossing the connection direction of the battery pack to the electrical device body, and the other one is disposed separately on the other side.

[0052] According to still another feature of the invention, a plurality of cell units are included, and the plurality of cell units may be switched between a parallel connection state and a series 25 connection state. The switching terminal group connected to the positive electrodes or negative electrodes of the cell units is adjacently disposed, and switching may be performed between 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 parallel connection and series connection according to the connection state between the terminals of the electrical device body and the switching terminal group. Here, the switching terminal group is, for example, equivalent to a series terminal group and a parallel terminal group of Embodiment 2, is equivalent to a parallel terminal group or a series terminal group of 5 Embodiment 4, and is equivalent to a positive electrode terminal group and a negative electrode terminal group of Embodiments 5, 8, and 13.

[0053] According to a feature of the invention, a battery pack includes: two cell units, formed of a plurality of battery cells connected in series; and a plurality of connection terminals, connected to device side terminals formed in a mounting part on an electrical tool body side. 0 The battery pack is formed in the following manner. The connection terminals include power terminals and signal terminals. The power terminals include electrically independent upper terminal and lower terminal. When the battery pack is mounted to a low voltage electrical tool body, the upper terminal and the lower terminal are collectively connected to power terminals of the low voltage electrical tool body. When the battery pack is mounted to a high voltage 5 electrical tool body, only one of the upper terminal and the lower terminal is connected to the power terminals of the high voltage electrical tool body, and the other terminal not connected to the power terminals is short-circuited through a short circuit element disposed on the electrical tool body side. This configuration mainly corresponds to Embodiments 6 and 8, for example. A positive electrode of the upper terminal and a negative electrode of the upper terminal of the 20 power terminals are connected to a first cell unit. A positive electrode of the lower terminal and a negative electrode of the lower terminal of the power terminals are connected to a second cell unit. In the power terminals, fitting parts engaged to clamp the device side terminals are disposed to be aligned vertically. The fitting part of the upper terminal and the fitting part of the lower terminal are disposed at different positions when viewed in the mounting direction of 25 the battery pack. Moreover, the upper terminal and the lower terminal of the power terminals each include an arm part set in which the fitting part is formed. A substrate cover part 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 including a non-conductive material is provided. The substrate cover part covers both side surfaces and a portion of an upper side of the lower terminal so as to extend to be interposed in a gap between the arm part set of the upper terminal and the arm part set of the lower terminal in an upper-lower direction, and partitions the adjacent connection terminals. The substrate cover 5 part includes a vertical wall extending in a vertical direction in parallel with the adjacent terminals and a horizontal wall extending in a horizontal direction so as to be interposed in the gap.

[0054] According to another feature of the invention, the upper terminal and the lower terminal of the power terminals each include two arm parts in which the fitting part is formed. 0 Moreover, the arm part of the upper terminal is longer than the arm part of the lower terminal, and the fitting part of the upper terminal is disposed closer to a front side than the fitting part of the lower terminal. Conversely, the arm part of the upper terminal may also be configured to be shorter than the arm part of the lower terminal, and the fitting part of the upper terminal may be disposed to be closer to a rear side than the fitting part of the lower terminal. The power 5 terminals are formed to include a charging positive electrode terminal and a discharging positive electrode terminal, and a negative electrode terminal, and respectively include electrically independent upper terminals and lower terminals. Among them, the upper terminals of the charging positive electrode terminal and the discharging positive electrode terminal are electrically connected, and the lower terminals of the charging positive electrode terminal and 20 the discharging positive electrode terminal are electrically connected. The signal terminals include an upper arm part and a lower arm part connected to a same base body part. The upper arm part and the lower arm part respectively include fitting parts engaged with the device side terminals. The fitting part of the upper arm part and the fitting part of the lower arm part are disposed at the same positions when viewed in the mounting direction of the battery pack. The 25 upper arm part and the lower arm part of the signal terminals have the same length, width, and thickness in shape and are formed to extend in parallel with the mounting direction of the battery 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 pack from the base body part.

[0055] According to still another feature of the invention, in the electrical tool body mounted with the battery pack, a power-use power receiving terminal, connected to only one of the upper terminal and the lower terminal; and a short circuit element for causing short-circuiting on a side 5 of the upper terminal and the lower terminal that is not connected to the power-use power receiving terminal. At this time, the fitting part of the upper terminal may be disposed to be closer to the front side than the fitting part of the lower terminal, and a notch part for preventing contact with the lower terminal may be disposed at a lower side portion of the plate-shaped power-use power receiving terminal. Conversely, the fitting part of the upper terminal may 0 also be disposed to be closer to the rear side than the fitting part of the lower terminal, and a notch part for preventing contact with the upper terminal may be disposed at an upper side portion of the plate-shaped power-use power receiving terminal. According to still another feature of the invention, a battery pack includes a first cell unit and a second cell unit formed of a plurality of battery cells connected in series and includes a plurality 5 of power terminals and signal terminals connected to device side terminals formed in a mounting part on an electrical tool body side. The battery pack is formed in the following manner. The power terminals respectively include an upper terminal and a lower terminal. When mounted to a low voltage first electrical tool body, both the upper terminal and the lower terminal are connected to power source terminals of the first electrical tool body. When mounted to a 20 second electrical tool body, only one of the upper terminal and the lower terminal is connected, and the other terminal of the upper terminal and the lower terminal is short-circuited. The upper terminal and the lower terminal respectively includes an arm part set clamping a terminal part of the first electrical tool body or the second electrical tool body. The arm part set of the upper terminal and the arm part set of the lower terminal are disposed to be aligned in the 25 upper-lower direction. By disposing a battery pack mounting part for mounting such a battery pack, an electrical tool in which a motor is driven by using power from the battery pack to cause 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 an operation device to work is realized.

[0056] According to still another feature of the invention, an electrical device connected with a battery pack is formed in the following manner. The battery pack includes a plurality of cell units, a positive electrode terminal pair formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of positive 5 electrode terminals connected to positive electrodes of the cell unit in a first slot, and a negative electrode terminal pair formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of negative electrode terminals connected to negative electrodes of the cell units in a second slot different from the first slot. An electrical device body includes a positive input terminal connected to one positive electrode terminal of the positive electrode terminal pair, a negative input terminal connected to one 0 negative electrode terminal of the negative electrode terminal pair, and a short circuit element electrically connecting the other positive electrode terminal of the positive electrode terminal pair and the other negative electrode terminal of the negative electrode terminal pair to each other. If the battery pack is connected to the electrical device body, the cell units are connected to each other in series via the short circuit element. Moreover, the battery pack includes: a first 5 cell unit and a second cell unit; a first terminal, connected to the first cell unit; a second terminal, connected to the second cell unit and disposed to be adjacent to the first terminal; and a single slot, disposed at a position corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal. In the electrical device body, a third terminal inserted into the single slot and connected to only the first terminal of the first terminal and the second terminal and a fourth terminal inserted into the 20 single slot and connected to only the second terminal of the first terminal and the second terminal are disposed. If the battery pack is connected to the electrical device body, in the single slot, the first terminal and the third terminal are connected to each other to form a first potential, and the second terminal and the fourth terminal are connected to each other to form a second potential different from the first potential. 25

[0057] According to still another feature of the invention, a battery pack includes: two cell units, formed of battery cells, each plurality of which is connected to each other in series; and a 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 plurality of connection terminals, connected to device side terminals formed in a mounting part on an electrical tool body side. The connection terminals include power terminals and signal terminals. The power terminals include electrically independent upper terminal and lower terminal. When the battery pack is mounted to a low voltage electrical tool body, the upper 5 terminal and the lower terminal are collectively connected to power terminals of the low voltage electrical tool body. When the battery pack is mounted to a high voltage electrical tool body, only one of the upper terminal and the lower terminal is connected to power terminals of the high voltage electrical tool body, and the other terminal not connected to the power terminals is short-circuited by a short circuit element of the high voltage electrical tool body. A positive 0 electrode of the upper terminal and a negative electrode of the lower terminal of the power terminals are connected at a first cell unit. A positive electrode of the lower terminal and a negative electrode of the upper terminal of the power terminals are connected at a second cell unit. In the power terminals, fitting parts engaged to clamp the device side terminals are disposed to be aligned vertically. The fitting part of the lower terminal is disposed to be closer 5 to a front side than the fitting part of the upper terminal when viewed in the mounting direction of the battery pack. In this way, two sets of the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals are disposed independently of each other. The first cell unit is connected to one set of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal. The second cell unit is connected to the other set of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode 20 terminal. When the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the first cell unit and the second cell unit are brought into a series connection state. When the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, the first cell unit and the second cell unit are brought into a parallel connection state.

[0058] According to still another feature of the invention, an electrical device includes a 25 battery pack, and an electrical device body connected to the battery pack. The electrical device is formed in the following manner. The battery pack includes a plurality of cell units, a positive 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 electrode terminal pair formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of positive electrode terminals connected to positive electrodes of the cell units in a first slot, and a negative electrode terminal pair formed by adjacently disposing a plurality of negative electrode terminals connected to negative electrodes of the cell units in a second slot different from the first slot. The electrical 5 device body includes a positive input terminal connected to one positive electrode terminal of the positive electrode terminal pair, a negative input terminal connected to one negative electrode terminal of the negative electrode terminal pair, and a short circuit element electrically connecting the other positive electrode terminal of the positive electrode terminal pair and the other negative electrode terminal of the negative electrode terminal pair to each other. If the 0 battery pack is connected to the electrical device body, the cell units are connected to each other in series via the short circuit element.

[0059] According to still another feature of the invention, the battery pack includes: a first cell unit and a second cell unit; a first terminal and a second terminal, disposed to be respectively connected to the first cell unit and the second cell unit and adjacent to each other; and a single 5 slot, disposed at a position corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal. A device body includes: a third terminal, inserted into the single slot and connected to only the first terminal of the first terminal and the second terminal; and a fourth terminal, inserted into the single slot and connected to only the second terminal of the first terminal and the second terminal. The second terminal and the fourth terminal are disposed at positions vertically offset 20 with respect to the first terminal and the third terminal. The slot is formed to extend in an upper-lower direction. Moreover, a short circuit is disposed to cause short-circuiting between the second terminal for the positive electrode and the plurality of fourth terminals connected to the second terminal for the negative electrode. A switch part capable of connecting or cutting off by an operation of an operator is disposed in the short circuit. The switch part may perform 25 control of switching on or switching off in conjunction with an operation of a trigger lever of the electrical device. Moreover, the switch part may be switched on with a time difference from 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 the switch-on operation of the trigger lever of the electrical device and may be switched off with a time difference from the switch-off operation of the trigger lever. Furthermore, in a state where the battery pack is connected to the electrical device, a state where the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other is maintained until the trigger lever is operated. If the 5 trigger switch is operated, the plurality of cell units are connected in series. A microcomputer is disposed on the electrical device body side to control operation of the entire electrical device. The switch part functions as a main switch for activating or deactivating the microcomputer of the electrical device.

[0060] According to still another feature of the invention, a battery pack includes: two cell 0 units, formed of battery cells, each plurality of which is connected to each other in series; positive electrode terminals and negative electrode terminals, connected to device side terminals formed in a mounting part on an electrical tool body side; and a positive electrode terminal slot and a negative electrode terminal slot for the device side terminals to pass through. The positive electrode terminals include a front positive electrode terminal and a rear positive 5 electrode terminal disposed to be aligned and spaced apart in an insertion direction of the device side terminals in the same slot. The negative electrode terminals include a front negative electrode terminal and a rear negative electrode terminal disposed to be aligned and spaced apart in the insertion direction of the device side terminals in the same slot. The front positive electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal are connected at a first cell unit. 20 The front negative electrode terminal and the rear positive electrode terminal are connected at a second cell unit. When the battery pack is mounted to a low voltage electrical tool body, the front positive electrode terminal and the rear positive electrode terminal, and the front negative electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal are respectively connected to be short-circuited via a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal of the low voltage 25 electrical tool body. When the battery pack is mounted to a high voltage electrical tool body, only one of the front positive electrode terminal and the rear positive electrode terminal is 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connected to the positive input terminal of the high voltage electrical tool body, only one of the front negative electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal is connected to the negative input terminal of the high voltage electrical tool body, and the other terminals are short-circuited. Here, a distance between the front positive electrode terminal and the rear 5 positive electrode terminal and a distance between the front negative electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal are greater than a length in the insertion direction of an electrode portion of a short circuit element for causing short-circuiting between terminals. The front positive electrode terminal and the front negative electrode terminal have a shape that allows passage of the short circuit element of the high voltage electrical tool body, or a portion of the 0 positive input terminal and a portion of the negative input terminal of the low voltage electrical tool body, in the mounting direction. For example, the front positive electrode terminal and the front negative electrode terminal have an inverted-Q shape in cross-section, and have on an upper part an opening part expanding in a left-right direction, and both sides of the plate-shaped positive input terminal and negative input terminal are engaged. The front positive electrode 5 terminal includes a fitting part that clamps from two surface sides of the positive input terminal of the electrical tool body. The front negative electrode terminal includes a fitting part that clamps from two surface sides of the negative input terminal of the electrical tool body. A length direction of a contact region of each fitting part becomes a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the device side terminals. 20

[0061] According to still another feature of the invention, the front positive electrode terminal includes a fitting part that clamps from two surface sides of the positive input terminal of the electrical tool body. The front negative electrode terminal includes a fitting part that clamps from two surface sides of the negative input terminal of the electrical tool body. A length direction of a contact region of each fitting part becomes a direction substantially perpendicular 25 to the insertion direction of the device side terminals. The rear positive electrode terminal and the front positive electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal and the front 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 negative electrode terminal are formed of common parts. The common parts are connected to the circuit substrate by soldering. The low voltage electrical device body side includes: a positive input terminal, having a long side in the insertion direction so as to be engaged with both the front positive electrode terminal and the rear positive electrode terminal when being 5 mounted; and a negative input terminal, having a long side in the insertion direction so as to be engaged with both the front negative electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal when being mounted, and is operated by a voltage of parallel connection of the first cell unit and the second cell unit. The high voltage electrical device body includes: a positive input terminal, connected to only one of the front positive electrode terminal and the rear positive electrode 0 terminal when being mounted; a negative input terminal, connected to only one of the front negative electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal when being mounted; and a short circuit element, for causing the other terminal of the front positive electrode terminal and the rear positive electrode terminal and the other terminal of the front negative electrode terminal and the rear negative electrode terminal to be short-circuited, and is operated by a 5 voltage of series connection of the first cell unit and the second cell unit. The short circuit element is a short bar formed by bending a thin plate made of metal into a reflected-C shape and includes a connection part extending in a horizontal direction and a terminal part extending in a vertical direction and engaged with either of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal. 20

[0062] According to still another feature of the invention, a plurality of power terminals and a plurality of signal terminals are disposed. The power terminals and the signal terminals are formed to be adjacently disposed in a lateral direction. A substrate cover is disposed including an insulator partition between the terminals. The substrate cover includes a connection member located on a front side of the terminals adjacently disposed in the lateral direction, and a 25 plurality of vertical walls formed to be connected to a rear side of the connection member and extend to be closer to an upper side than an upper surface of the connection member. The 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 plurality of vertical walls adjacent to the power terminals extend upward to a position partially overlapping arm parts on both sides of the power terminals in a side view. The vertical wall only adjacent to the signal terminals is formed to have a height identical to or less than that of the vertical wall adjacent to the power terminals in a side view. The power terminals include 5 an upper arm part set and a lower arm part set. An upper end of the vertical wall adjacent to the power terminals is located above an upper end of the lower arm part set. The battery pack includes a first cell unit and a second cell unit formed of a plurality of battery cells, each plurality of which is connected to each other in series. The power terminals include electrically independent upper terminal and lower terminal. Leg parts of the upper terminal and the lower 0 terminal are adjacently disposed in a front-rear direction. A positive electrode of the upper terminal and a negative electrode of the lower terminal of the power terminals are connected at the first cell unit. A positive electrode of the lower terminal and a negative electrode of the upper terminal of the power terminals are connected at the second cell unit. A rear end position of the vertical wall adjacent to the power terminals is located closer to the rear side than the leg 5 part of the lower terminal. The rear end position of the vertical walls adjacent to the power terminals is closer to the rear side than the leg part of the upper terminal.

[0063] According to still another feature of the invention, the power terminals and the signal terminals of the battery pack include leg parts and are fixed by soldering the leg parts after passing the leg parts through through holes formed in the circuit substrate. The substrate cover 20 is fixed to the circuit substrate in a state where the connection member of the substrate cover is located closer to the front side than the plurality of leg parts and the vertical walls are located between the terminals. The upper terminal and the lower terminal of the power terminals respectively include an arm part set in which the fitting part is formed. A horizontal wall extending so as to be interposed in a gap between the arm part set of the upper terminal and the 25 arm part set of the lower terminal in an upper-lower direction is connected to the vertical wall adjacent to the power terminals. A substrate cover part is an integral part including an 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 insulating material that partitions the plurality of terminals.

[0064] According to still another feature of the invention, an electrical device includes: a battery pack, including a plurality of cell units; and a tool body, including a plurality of series terminals formed by connecting the plurality of cell units in series. The electrical device is formed in the following manner. A trigger switch is connected between the plurality of series terminals. In a state where the battery pack is connected to a tool, a state where the plurality of cell units are disconnected from each other is maintained until the trigger switch is operated. If the trigger switch is operated, the plurality of cell units are connected in series.

[0065] According to another feature of the invention, a battery pack includes: two cell units, formed of a plurality of cells, each plurality of which is connected to each other in series; and a plurality of connection terminals, connected to device side terminals formed in a mounting part on an electrical device body side. The battery pack is formed in the following manner. The connection terminals include power terminals and signal terminals. The power terminals include electrically independent upper terminal and lower terminal. The signal terminals include independent upper terminal and lower terminal. Here, a bridge part of the upper terminals extends in a front-rear direction, and a bridge part of the lower terminals extends in an upper-lower direction, such that a length of an arm part set of the upper terminals and a length of the arm part set of the lower terminals are formed to be identical. In addition, a battery pack includes: two cell units, formed of a plurality of cells, each plurality of which is connected to each other in series; and a plurality of connection terminals, connected to device side terminals formed in a mounting part on an electrical device body side. The connection terminals include power terminals and signal terminals. The power terminals include electrically independent upper terminal and lower terminal. When the battery pack is mounted to a low voltage electrical device body, the upper terminal and the lower terminal are collectively connected to power terminals of the low voltage electrical device body. When the battery pack is mounted to a high voltage electrical device body, only one of the upper terminal and the lower terminal is 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connected to the power terminals of the high voltage electrical device body, and a length of an arm part set of the upper terminal and a length of an arm part set of the lower terminal are set to be identical.

[0066] According to another feature of the invention, a clamp load of the arm part set of the 5 upper terminal and a clamp load of the arm part set of the lower terminal are set to be identical. A plurality of power terminals and signal terminals are held by a circuit substrate included in the battery pack. A leg part for passing through a through hole formed in the circuit substrate is formed on a lower side of the power terminals. The side of the leg part passing through the circuit substrate is joined with the circuit substrate. A joined portion of the leg part of the upper 0 terminal with the circuit substrate is disposed to be closer to the rear side than the joined portion of the leg part of the lower terminal with the circuit substrate when viewed in the mounting direction of the battery pack. Moreover, a positive electrode of the upper terminal and a negative electrode of the upper terminal of the power terminals are connected at a first cell unit. A positive electrode of the lower terminal and a negative electrode of the lower terminal of the 5 power terminals are connected at a second cell unit. In a state where the battery pack is not mounted to the electrical device body, the upper terminal and the lower terminal are in an electrically independent state. Furthermore, the arm part set of the upper terminal and the arm part set of the lower terminal include fitting parts engaged to clamp the device side terminals. In a state of not being mounted to the electrical device body, the fitting part of the arm part set of 20 the upper terminal is kept in a non-contact state, and the fitting part of the arm part set of the lower terminal is kept in a non-contact state.

[0067] According to still another feature of the invention, in a state of not being mounted to the electrical device body, a minimum interval dl of the arm part of the upper terminal and a minimum interval d2 of the arm part of the lower terminal are set to be dl AJ2. A power 25 receiving terminal of the electrical device body is in a plate shape. In a case of simultaneous connection to the upper terminal and the lower terminal, an engagement pressure between the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 upper terminal and the power receiving terminal and an engagement pressure between the lower terminal and the power receiving terminal are set to be almost identical. Here, a shape of a base body part to which the arm part set of the upper terminal is connected is different from a shape of a base body part holding the arm part of the lower terminal. A front end position of 5 the arm part set of the upper terminal is aligned with a front end position of the arm part set of the lower terminal at the same position when viewed in the mounting direction of the battery pack. Moreover, a connected portion between the base body part and the arm part set of the upper terminal is in a substantially L-shape in a side view. A connection reinforcement part that is obliquely reinforced is disposed at an internal angle portion. A connected portion 0 between the base body part and the arm part set of the lower terminal are in a substantially L-shape in a side view. A cutout part that is obliquely cut out is disposed at an external angle portion. Furthermore, a substrate cover part including a non-conductive material is disposed to partition the plurality of terminals.

[0068] According to still another feature of the invention, a plurality of power terminals and a 5 plurality of signal terminals are disposed. The power terminals and the signal terminals have an upper arm part set and a lower arm part set engaged to clamp device side terminals. The upper arm part set and the lower arm part of the power terminals are connected to different base body parts to achieve electrical independence. The two different base body parts are fixed separated in a circuit substrate. An upper arm part set and a lower arm part set of the signal 20 terminals are connected to a common base body part to be electrically identical The common base body part is fixed to the circuit substrate. The base body part of the power terminals are in a substantially L-shape in a side view and is formed so that an engagement pressure of the upper arm part set of the power terminals becomes identical to an engagement pressure of the lower arm part set. The upper arm part set and the lower arm part set of the power terminals include 25 fitting parts that are bent in a convex shape toward opposite inner sides, such that a radius of curvature RI of an inner surface of each fitting part is identical. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0069] According to still another feature of the invention, a battery pack includes: a battery cell, a plurality of connection terminals connected to device side terminals of a mounting target device, and a housing. The housing houses the battery cell and the connection terminals and a mounting part that may be attached to and removed from the mounting target device is formed 5 therein. In the battery pack, the connection terminals include an arm part having elasticity. A connection part in contact with the device side terminals is formed in a portion of the arm part. The connection part has a convex shape in order to contact the device side terminals by a linear contact part or an elongated surface-shaped contact region, and is disposed such that a length direction of the contact part or the contact region of the connection part is tilted with respect to 0 the mounting direction of the device side terminals on a surface of the device side terminals. The connection terminal includes a base body part formed by bending a metal plate in a U-shape, and two arm parts are formed from a portion respectively of one side surface and the other side surface of the base body part to extend in parallel.

[0070] According to still another feature of the invention, a convex outer face shape of the 5 connection part is a semi-cylindrical shape. The device side terminals are metal flat plates extending in the vertical direction and the mounting direction. The connection part is in contact with the flat plate from both left and right sides of the flat plate. Moreover, a fitting part is obliquely formed such that an upper side of the contact part or the contact region along a longitudinal center line falls toward a rear side or toward a front side with respect to a lower 20 side.

[0071] According to still another feature of the invention, a circuit substrate formed with a plurality of terminal mounting holes is disposed to align and fix a plurality of connection terminals in a lateral direction. A leg part is disposed in the connection terminal, extending downward from a lower side part of each of one side surface and the other side surface of the 25 base body part. The leg part is passed through the terminal mounting hole and is soldered to the circuit substrate. Thereby, the plurality of connection terminals are fixed to the circuit 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 substrate. Moreover, the connection terminals are adjacently disposed in two layers in an upper-lower direction. The arm parts of the connection terminals are disposed to be aligned in the upper-lower direction. Furthermore, the connection terminals each include two arm parts separated and extending from the base body part in the upper-lower direction. A fitting part is 5 formed in each arm part. An inclination direction of the longitudinal center line of the contact part or the contact region caused by the upper arm part is formed to be a direction identical to or different from an inclination direction caused by the lower arm part.

[0072] According to still another feature of the invention, the arm part is formed to include: a contraction part, bent into a tapered shape as it extends away from the base body part bent in a 0 U-shape; a fitting part, formed at a front end of the contraction part and protruding in a convex shape toward the opposite arm part; and a guide part, formed on a front side of the fitting part and formed into a shape widened toward a front end to facilitate insertion of device side terminals. To make a battery pack including the connection terminals formed in this way attachable and detachable, an electrical device including a battery pack mounting part and a 5 terminal holder holding a plurality of device side terminals connected to the connection terminals is realized and an operation device is operated by using the power of the battery pack.

[0073] According to still another feature of the invention, an electrical tool includes a battery pack, and a terminal holder (terminal part) which establishes an electrical connection state with connection terminals of the battery pack and holds a plurality of device side terminals. In the 20 electrical tool, two parallel projection parts are disposed in the battery pack to extend in a front-rear direction. Rail parts engaged with tool side rail grooves are disposed in each of the projection parts. An engaged part engaged with the terminal holder is disposed in an opening part formed between the projection parts to inhibit relative movement between the terminal holder and the battery pack in an upper-lower direction. The battery pack includes an upper 25 step surface between rail surfaces disposed in parallel, a lower step surface that descends in a stepped shape from the upper step surface, a plurality of slits in a step portion between the upper 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 step surface and the lower step surface, and an opening part connected between the slits. Moreover, an engaging part for engaging with the engaged part is disposed in the terminal holder.

[0074] According to still another feature of the invention, the terminal holder is a molded 5 article of synthetic resin, in which a vertical plane and a horizontal plane are formed, and the terminal holder is fixed by casting plate-shaped device side terminals to be perpendicular to the two planes. The device side terminals are rectangular metal plates, wherein one long edge is connected to the horizontal plane, and one short edge is connected to the vertical plane. In the terminal holder, a protrusion protruding from both left and right ends in the left-right direction is 0 disposed as the engaging part. Moreover, a guide plane is formed in the terminal holder. The guide plane is collectively connected to a portion of the other long edge of the device side terminal and connected to the vertical plane, and is disposed in parallel with the horizontal plane. The engaging part is formed on both left and right sides of the guide plane. The engaging part is formed to be on the same plane as the guide plane, and the engaging part is located in, for 5 example, a concave part directly formed on the housing of the battery pack. Furthermore, a cover part for covering the substrate inside is disposed on the opening part of the battery pack. The engaged part is disposed in the cover part. The engaging part and the engaged part are engaged with each other. Moreover, a cushion material such as self-lubricating rubber may also be disposed on a surface of the guide plane facing the battery pack to be in contact with an 20 external wall surface of the battery pack. Furthermore, a partition including an insulating material is disposed on a side of the plate-shaped device side terminals of the terminal holder on the body side and between the plurality of horizontally aligned device side terminals. In other words, the partition formed of an insulator is disposed between a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal. A plurality of plate-shaped signal terminals may be disposed between 25 the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal. The partition formed of the insulator may be disposed between the signal terminals and the positive input terminal. The 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 partition is formed to have a size identical to or larger than a size of the positive input terminal in the upper-lower direction and may be manufactured integrally with a base of the terminal holder by using the same material. Moreover, the device side terminals may be manufactured from a highly elastic material. 5

[0075] According to still another feature of the invention, a battery pack includes: positive electrode terminals, including two arm part sets aligned in an upper-lower direction; and negative electrode terminals, including two arm part sets aligned in the upper-lower direction. A terminal holder is engaged with the battery pack. Moreover, plate-shaped device side upper terminals inserted between the upper arm part sets and plate-shaped device side lower terminals 0 inserted between the lower arm part sets are spaced apart and are disposed in an unconnected state. A first guide part formed of an insulator is disposed between the device side upper terminals and the device side lower terminals of the terminal holder to guide the upper arm part sets and the lower arm part sets. Moreover, a guide part including an insulating material is disposed in the terminal holder to be engaged with the positive electrode terminals and the 5 negative electrode terminals. Furthermore, a second guide part formed of an insulator is disposed on an upper side of the upper terminals and a lower side of the lower terminals of the terminal holder to guide the upper arm part sets and the lower arm part sets. Effect of the invention

[0076] According to the invention, a plurality of cell units housed in the battery pack may be 20 switched between parallel connection and series connection to each other. Therefore, a battery pack that can switch the output voltage may be switched and that can be shared between electrical devices of different voltages, and an electrical device using the battery pack can be provided.

[0077] Moreover, according to the invention, when the battery pack is connected to the 25 electrical device body, since the output voltage of the battery pack is automatically switched to an output voltage suitable for the connected electrical device body, voltage setting compatible 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 with a corresponding electrical device can be easily performed. Thereby, a battery pack effectively preventing erroneous voltage setting and an electrical device using the battery pack can be provided. According to the invention, a battery pack that can inhibit an increase in the size or weight of the battery pack can be provided. 5

[0078] Moreover, according to the invention, since a voltage switching element for switching the output voltage of the battery pack is disposed in a terminal arrangement region where power source terminals of the battery pack are disposed, or is disposed at a position substantially at the same height as the power source terminals of the battery pack, an electrical device can be provided in which both or one of an electrical device body and a battery pack is compactly 0 formed.

[0079] Moreover, according to the invention, since the voltage switching element for switching the output voltage of the battery pack is formed of terminals of the battery pack, a mechanical switch mechanism for switching between a low voltage parallel connection circuit and a high voltage series connection circuit is unneeded, and the battery pack can be shared 5 between electrical devices of different voltages. Accordingly, a battery pack that is easy to use can be realized. In addition, compared to using the mechanical switch mechanism, manufacturing cost can be kept low, and durability can be enhanced. Thereby, an electrical device can be provided in which both or one of an electrical device body and a battery pack is formed in a simple structure. 20

[0080] Moreover, according to the invention, a contact terminal serving as a 108V output is disposed closer to a deep side of the battery pack than a 36V output terminal. Therefore, a far surface distance may be guaranteed at the time of high voltage output.

[0081] In addition, according to the invention, the voltage switching element of the battery pack is formed of battery pack side terminals connected to the plurality of cell units. The 25 voltage switching element of the electrical device body is formed of electrical device side terminals that can be connected to the battery pack side terminals. Therefore, when the battery 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 pack is removed, the plurality of cell units are brought into an unconnected state, which is the most suitable state during transportation or storage. Thereby, a battery pack that can cut off interconnection between a plurality of Li-ion batteries, etc. housed in the battery pack when the electrical device is transported and an electrical device using the battery pack can be provided. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating mounting of a battery pack of the invention to an electrical tool. 0 FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a shape of a battery pack mounting part 10 of an electrical tool body 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an electrical tool body 30A. (1) of FIG. 3 is a side view in a state with power supply from a power cord 90. (2) of FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a battery pack mounting part 40. (3) of FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating shapes of the power cord 90 and a 5 connector part 93. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating constitution of a driving control system of a motor 35. FIG. 5 is diagram for illustrating connection of the power cord 90 to an electrical tool body 30. (1) of FIG. 5 is a connection example of the electrical tool body 30A shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. (2) of FIG. 5 and (3) of FIG. 5 are diagrams illustrating a connection example of a modification 20 example thereof. (1) of FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a driving control system of an electrical tool body 30B. (2) of FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a driving control system of an electrical tool body 30C. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance / shape of a battery pack 100 of a first 25 embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a cell pack 150 housed inside the battery pack 100. (1) of FIG. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 8 is a perspective view. (2) of FIG. 8 is a side view of the cell pack 150 viewed from an axial direction of a cell 151. (1) of FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in the vicinity of a terminal part 20A when the battery pack 100 is mounted to an electrical tool body rated at 36V, and (2) of FIG. 9 is a 5 connection circuit diagram thereof. (1) of FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in the vicinity of a terminal part 80 when the battery pack 100 is mounted to an electrical tool body rated at 108V, and (2) of FIG. 10 is a connection circuit diagram thereof. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating shapes of a battery pack 200 of a second embodiment 0 and a terminal part connected thereto. (1) of FIG. 11 illustrates a state at the time of connection to an electrical device rated at 36V. (2) of FIG. 11 illustrates a state at the time of connection to an electrical device rated at 108V. FIG. 12 is a connection circuit diagram of the battery pack 200 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating shapes of terminals 231 to 235 of FIG. 12. (1) of FIG. 13 is a 5 top view. (2) of FIG. 13 is a side view of a terminal group 232 (viewed in the direction of arrow B of (1) of FIG. 13). FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where the battery pack 200 is mounted to terminal parts 270, 280. (1) of FIG. 14 shows a 36V output state. (2) of FIG. 14 shows a 108V output state. FIG. 15 is a diagram for illustrating a battery pack 200A exclusively used for 108V of a 20 modification example of the second embodiment. (1) of FIG. 15 illustrates a situation of using the same terminal part 280 as FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. (2) of FIG. 15illustrates a situation of using a terminal part 280A of the modification example. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating shapes of a battery pack 300 of a third embodiment of the invention and terminal parts 370, 380 mounted therein. 25 FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the inside of the battery pack 300 of FIG. 16, and in particular, constituting components of a voltage switching mechanism 320 disposed in the vicinity of 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 positions of slits 321 to 324 on the rear side of a stepped part 312. FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating the voltage switching mechanism 320 using movable guide members 330, 340 and terminals 351 to 354. (1) of FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a housing position of the voltage switching mechanism 320 in the battery pack 300. (2) of FIG. 18 is an 5 exploded view viewed from the upper surface of the voltage switching mechanism 320. (3) of FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional diagram of line C-C in (1) of FIG. 18. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state of a cell pack achieved through the voltage switching mechanism 320 when connected to an electrical device rated at 18V. (1) of FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state before the terminal part 370 is mounted to the battery 0 pack 300. (2) of FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state after the mounting. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state of a cell pack achieved through the voltage switching mechanism 320 when connected to an electrical device rated at 36V (1) of FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state before the terminal part 380 is mounted to the battery pack 300. (2) of FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state after the mounting. 5 FIG. 21 is a top view of a battery pack 600 of a fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where the battery pack 600 is mounted to an electrical device body to connect terminal parts 650, 680 to the battery pack 600. (1) of FIG. 22 illustrates a connection state at the time of 18V output. (2) of FIG. 22 illustrates a connection state at the time of 36V output. 20 FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a mounted battery pack cover 640 in a state where the battery pack 600 is not mounted to an electrical device body. FIG. 24 is a top view of a battery pack 600A of a modification example of a sixth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a state where the battery pack 600A is mounted to an electrical 25 device body to connect to terminal parts 650, 680A. (1) of FIG. 25 illustrates a connection state at the time of 18V output. (2) of FIG. 25 illustrates a connection state at the time of 36V 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 output. FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance / shape of a battery pack 700 of a fifth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state where a battery pack 700 is connected to the 5 above-mentioned electrical device body (electrical tool body) rated at 18V. (1) of FIG. 27 is a circuit diagram at the time of connection. (2) of FIG. 27 is a top view of positive electrode terminals 712, 713. (3) of FIG. 27 is a side view of a terminal part 720. (4) of FIG. 27 and (5) of FIG. 27 are a front view and a perspective view of the terminal part 720. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a state where the battery pack 700 is connected to an electrical 0 device body (electrical tool body) rated at 36V. (1) of FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram at the time of connection. (2) of FIG. 28 is a top view of positive electrode terminals 712, 713. (3) of FIG. 28 is a side view of a terminal part 730. (4) of FIG. 28 and (5) of FIG. 28 are a front view and a perspective view of the terminal part 730. FIG. 29 is a diagram for illustrating a shape of a terminal part 750 of a modification example 1 5 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram for illustrating a shape of a terminal part 770 of a modification example 2 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 31 is a diagram for illustrating a shape of a terminal part 790 of a modification example 3 of the fifth embodiment. 20 FIG. 32 is a diagram for illustrating a shape of a terminal part 800 of a modification example 4 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 33 is a diagram of a modification example 5 illustrating a change to shapes of a positive electrode terminal pair and a negative electrode terminal pair on the battery pack side of the fifth embodiment. 25 FIG. 34 is a diagram of a modification example 6 illustrating a change made only to the terminal part 750 used for 36V as compared to the modification example 5 of FIG. 33. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 FIG. 35 is a diagram of a modification example 7 illustrating a change made only to the terminal part 770 used for 36V as compared to the modification example 5 of FIG. 33. FIG. 36 is a diagram for illustrating mounting of a battery pack of the sixth embodiment of the invention to an electrical tool. 5 FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a shape of a battery pack mounting part 1010 of an electrical tool body 1001 of FIG. 36. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a battery pack 1100 of the sixth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a state after an upper case 1110 of the battery pack 1100 of FIG. 38 is removed. 0 FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating individual shapes of power terminals (1161 and 1171, 1162 and 1172, 1167 and 1177) of FIG. 39. (1) of FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the whole component. (2) of FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an upper terminal part 1200. (3) of FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a lower terminal part 1220. FIG. 41 is a perspective view illustrating a connection state of the power terminals to an 5 electrical tool body. (1) of FIG. 41 illustrates a state of connection to an electrical tool body 1030 of the present embodiment. (2) of FIG. 41 illustrates a state of connection to the above-mentioned electrical tool body 1001. (1) of FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a terminal part 1050 of the electrical tool body 1030 of the sixth embodiment, and (2) of FIG. 42is a diagram illustrating connection of the terminal part 20   1050 and the power terminals of the battery pack 1100. (1) of FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a terminal part 1020 of the above-mentioned electrical tool body 1001, and (2) of FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating connection of the terminal part 1020 and the power terminals of the battery pack 1100. FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an individual shape of a signal terminal part 1240 of FIG. 39. 25   (1) of FIG. 44 is a perspective view viewed from the front-left side. (2) of FIG. 44 is a perspective view viewed from the lower-right side. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating fixing of a plurality of signal terminal parts 1240 to a circuit substrate 1150. (1) of FIG. 45 is a diagram viewed from the front side. (2) of FIG. 45 is a diagram of the signal terminal part 1240 viewed from the left side. (3) of FIG. 45 is a bottom view viewed from the lower side of (1) of FIG. 45. 5 FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating shapes of a connection terminal group of FIG. 39 and a substrate cover 1180 disposed around it. (1) of FIG. 46 is a perspective view. (2) of FIG. 46 is a front view. (3) of FIG. 46 is a partially enlarged view of the substrate cover 1180 of (2) of FIG. 46. FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the upper case 1110 of FIG. 38. 0 FIG. 48 is a perspective view for illustrating a method of coating a resin to the circuit substrate 1150. FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a first modification example of the sixth embodiment. (1) of FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an upper terminal part 1260 and a lower terminal part 1280. (2) of FIG. 49is a left side view. (3) of FIG. 49is a front view. 5 FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a second modification example of the sixth embodiment and is a perspective view illustrating the upper terminal part 1260 and a lower terminal part 1280A. FIG. 51 is a perspective view illustrating an upper terminal part 1200A and the lower terminal part 1220 of a third modification example of the sixth embodiment. (1) of FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a state of connection to body side terminals of an electrical tool body 1030A. (2) of 20 FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a state of connection to body side terminals of the above-mentioned electrical tool body 1001. FIG. 52 is a perspective view illustrating the upper terminal part 1200 and a lower terminal part 1220A of a fourth modification example of the sixth embodiment. (1) of FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating a state of connection to body side terminals of an electrical tool body 1030B. (2) of 25 FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating a state of connection to body side terminals of the above-mentioned electrical tool body 1001. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 FIG. 53 is a perspective view illustrating a state of connection to a terminal part of an electrical tool body of a fifth modification example of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 54 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a battery pack 1400 of a seventh embodiment of the invention. 5 FIG. 55 is a partially enlarged view of a connection terminal of FIG. 54. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of a terminal part of FIG. 54. (1) of FIG. 56 is a perspective view. (2) of FIG. 56 is a diagram for illustrating a contact length in a fitting part. FIG. 57 is a perspective view illustrating a terminal part 1500 of a modification example of the seventh embodiment. 0 FIG. 58 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a battery pack 2100 of an eighth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 59 is an exploded perspective view for illustrating stacking and a wiring method of a battery cell using a separator 2445 of FIG. 58. FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating individual shapes of a positive electrode terminal pair (2162 and 5   2172) and a negative electrode terminal pair (2167 and 2177) used for electrical discharge in power terminals of FIG. 58. FIG. 61 is a diagram for illustrating connection of an electrical device body and the power terminals of the battery pack 2100. (1) of FIG. 61 illustrates a connection circuit in a state of connection to the electrical tool body 1030 of the present embodiment. (2) of FIG. 61 20 illustrates a connection circuit connected to the above-mentioned electrical tool body 1001. (1) of FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a terminal part 2050 of the electrical tool body 1030 of the present embodiment, (2) of FIG. 62is a perspective view of a short bar 2059 alone, and (3) of FIG. 62is a diagram illustrating a connection method of the terminal part 2050 and the power terminals of the battery pack 2100. 25   (1) of FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a terminal part 2020 of the above-mentioned electrical tool body 1001, and (2) of FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating connection of the terminal part 2020 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 and the power terminals of the battery pack 2100. FIG. 64 is a side view of the separator 2445 after the components shown in FIG. 59 are assembled. (1) of FIG. 64 is a right side view. (2) of FIG. 64 is a left side view. FIG. 65 is a perspective view (a perspective view viewed from the upper-front-left side) 5 illustrating a state where a circuit substrate 2150 is fixed to the separator 2445. FIG. 66 is a perspective view (a perspective view viewed from the upper-rear-right side) illustrating a state where the circuit substrate 2150 is fixed to the separator 2445. FIG. 67 is a diagram for illustrating a method of connecting the battery pack 2100 to drawer plates 2461, 2466, 2471, 2476 and positive electrode terminals (2162, 2172) and negative 0 electrode terminals (2167, 2177). FIG. 68 is a diagram illustrating a connection terminal group of FIG. 66 and a substrate cover 2180 disposed around it. (1) of FIG. 68 is a perspective view viewed from the upper-front-left side. (2) of FIG. 68 is a perspective view viewed from the upper-rear-right side. (3) of FIG. 68 is a front view. 5 FIG. 69 is a diagram illustrating the substrate cover 2180 of FIG. 68 alone. (1) of FIG. 69 is a perspective view viewed from the upper-front-left side. (2) of FIG. 69 is a perspective view viewed from the lower-front-right side. (3) of FIG. 69is a front view. FIG. 70 is a diagram illustrating the connection terminal group of FIG. 66 and the substrate cover 2180 disposed around it. (1) of FIG. 70 is a top view. (2) of FIG. 70 is a rear view. 20 FIG. 71 is a diagram illustrating the connection terminal group of FIG. 66 and the substrate cover 2180 disposed around it. (1) of FIG. 71 is a right side view. (2) of FIG. 71 is a left side view. FIG. 72 is a diagram for illustrating a situation where a device side terminal is inserted into the substrate cover 2180. 25   (1) of FIG. 73 and (2) of FIG. 73 are perspective views illustrating a terminal part 2200 of a ninth embodiment of the invention. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 (1) of FIG. 74 and (3) of FIG. 74 are perspective views of the terminal part 2200 from another angle, and (2) of FIG. 74 is a front view. (1) of FIG. 75 is a perspective view of a terminal part 2050A of a tenth embodiment of the invention. (2) of FIG. 75 and (3) of FIG. 75 are perspective views of a power terminal part. 5 FIG. 76 is a schematic circuit diagram of a battery pack and an electrical device body of an eleventh embodiment of the invention. FIG. 77 is a diagram for illustrating sequences of operation of a short bar connection switch 2059d and operation of a trigger switch 2034 and a motor in FIG. 76. FIG. 78 is a diagram illustrating a terminal holder 2500 used for 18V of a twelfth embodiment of 0 the invention. (1) of FIG. 78 is a perspective view. (2) of FIG. 78 is a front view. FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating the terminal holder 2500 of FIG. 78. (1) of FIG. 79 and (3) of FIG. 79 are perspective views. (2) of FIG. 79 is a front view. FIG. 80 is a partial side view illustrating a state where the terminal holder 2500 of FIG. 78 is connected to the above-mentioned battery pack 1015. 5 FIG. 81 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a terminal holder 2550 used for 36V of the twelfth embodiment of the invention. (1) of FIG. 81 is a perspective view viewed from the lower side. (2) of FIG. 81 is a left side view. FIG. 82 is a diagram illustrating the terminal holder 2550 of FIG. 81. (1) of FIG. 82 is a front view. (2) of FIG. 82 is a bottom view. (3) of FIG. 82 is a top view. 20   (1) of FIG. 83 is a side view of the terminal holder 2550 of FIG. 81, and (2) of FIG. 83is a side view in which a side wall portion of the substrate cover 2180 is omitted as compared to (1) of FIG. 83. (1) of FIG. 84 is a right side view illustrating a state where the terminal holder 2550 is mounted in the battery pack 2100, and (2) of FIG. 84 is a cross-sectional diagram of line C-C in (1) of 25 FIG. 84. FIG. 85 is a diagram illustrating a terminal part 2650 of a modification example of the twelfth 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 embodiment. (1) of FIG. 85 is a cross-sectional diagram corresponding to a portion of line D-D in FIG. 84. (2) of FIG. 85 is a partially enlarged view of (1) of FIG. 85. FIG. 86 is a diagram illustrating a modification example of fixing the terminal part 2650 of FIG. 85 to a substrate cover 2680. (1) of FIG. 86 is a cross-sectional diagram corresponding to the 5 portion of line D-D in FIG. 84. (2) of FIG. 86 is a diagram of the terminal part 2650 of (1) of FIG. 86 alone. (3) of FIG. 86 is a left side view of the terminal part 2650. (1) of FIG. 87 is a modification example of the terminal part 2650 of FIG. 85, and (2) of FIG. 87 is a left side view of the terminal part 2650. FIG. 88 is a diagram illustrating a terminal part 2650B of another modification example of the 0 twelfth embodiment. (1) of FIG. 88 is a front view. (2) of FIG. 88 is a left side view. (3) of FIG. 88 is a left side view of the terminal part 2650B in a state of engagement with a connection terminal on the side of the battery pack 2100. FIG. 89 is a perspective view for illustrating mounting of a battery pack 2860 of an electrical tool of a thirteenth embodiment. 5 FIG. 90 is a diagram for illustrating mounting of a battery pack of the thirteenth embodiment to an electrical tool. FIG. 91 is a perspective view illustrating a connection state of power terminals to an electrical tool body. (1) of FIG. 91 illustrates a state where the battery pack 2860 is mounted to an electrical tool body 2801 used for 18V. (2) of FIG. 91 illustrates a state where the battery pack 20   2860 is mounted to an electrical tool body 2830 used for 36V. FIG. 92 is a diagram for illustrating a situation where the battery pack 2860 is mounted to the electrical tool body 2830 of a specification of 36V. FIG. 93 is a diagram for illustrating a situation where the battery pack 2860 is mounted to the electrical tool body 2801 of a specification of 18 V. 25 FIG. 94 is a top view illustrating terminal arrangement on the side of the battery pack 2860 and terminal shapes and arrangement of the electrical tool body 2830. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1]

[0083] A first embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the 5 drawings. Moreover, in the drawings below, the same parts will be labeled with the same numerals and repeated descriptions will be omitted. In addition, in the specification, description will be made by setting the front-rear direction and the upper-lower direction of an electrical tool body or the mounting direction of a battery pack, and the front-rear direction and the upper-lower direction of the battery pack when viewed alone as the directions shown in the 0 drawings. Specifically, for ease of description, the mounting direction of the battery pack will be described based on the case where the battery pack is moved without moving the electrical tool body or the electrical device body.

[0084] FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating mounting of a battery pack of the present embodiment to an electrical tool. As a form of an electrical device, the electrical tool is a tool 5   that includes a battery pack and fixes a bolt, a nut, a screw, etc. through a front end tool as a bit (i.e., an impact tool). An electrical tool body 30 is a tool that performs a fixing operation on a bolt or a nut (not shown) by applying a rotational force or an impact force in the axial direction to a front end tool such as a socket wrench (not shown). Such electrical tool bodies 1, 30 include housings 2, 32 as cases that form the contour. Handle parts 3, 33 are formed in the 20   housings 2, 32. An operator performs the operation with one hand only, or by holding the electrical tool bodies 1, 30 with one hand while supporting the electrical tool bodies 1, 30 with the other hand. The electrical tool bodies 1, 30 use the direct current supplied by a battery pack 15 or 100 as the power source to drive a motor (not shown) housed inside the housings 2, 32. Trigger-shaped operation switches 4, 34 are disposed near a portion of the handle parts 3, 33 on 25 which the index finger of the operator is rested when the operator holds the handle parts 3, 33. Battery pack mounting parts 10, 40 are formed on the lower side of the handle parts 3, 33 for 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 mounting the battery packs 15, 100.

[0085] The electrical tool body 1 is an electrical device using the battery pack 15 rated at 36V. Therefore, as indicated by the assembly of arrow a, the battery pack 15 may be mounted to the battery pack mounting part 10 of the electrical device (electrical tool body 1) corresponding to 5   36V. On the other hand, the electrical tool body 30 requires a high voltage rated at 108V, which is as high as the commercial voltage. As indicated by arrow bl, the battery pack 100 capable of outputting 108V is mounted to the battery pack mounting part 40. Thirty Li-ion battery cells rated at 3.6V are housed inside the battery pack 100 capable of outputting a high voltage. As described above, the exclusively used battery packs 15, 100 corresponding to the 0 rated voltages are generally mounted in the electrical tool bodies 1, 30. However, in the present embodiment, the battery pack 100 is formed to output in a low voltage even when corresponding to multiple voltages. Thereby, as indicated by arrow b2, the battery pack 100 may also be mounted to the electrical tool body 1 corresponding to 36V To mount the battery pack 100 to the electrical tool bodies 1, 30 of different voltages as indicated by arrows bl, b2, it 5 is important to configure the battery pack mounting parts 10, 40 to have substantially identical shapes and to be able to switch the voltage of the battery pack 100. Moreover, it is important to have a configuration in the following manner. In a case where the voltage set for the battery pack 100 does not correspond to the voltage of the mounted electrical device or electrical tool, the battery pack 100 cannot be mounted. 20

[0086] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a shape of the battery pack mounting part 10 of the electrical tool body 1. The battery pack mounting part 10 matching the mounted battery pack is formed in all electrical device (not limited to the electrical tool only) using the battery pack and is formed to be unable to mount unsuitable battery packs. In the battery pack mounting part 10, rail grooves Ila, 11b extending in parallel along the front-rear direction are 25 formed on inner wall portions on the left and right sides, and a terminal part 20 is disposed therebetween. The terminal part 20 is integrally made of a non-conductive material such as a 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 synthetic resin, and three terminals made of metal, i.e., a positive input terminal 21, a negative input terminal 22, and an LD terminal 23 (abnormal signal terminal), are securely fixed therein by fusion casting. The LD terminal 23 (abnormal signal terminal) functions as a signal terminal for outputting or inputting information or signals. The terminal part 20 is not only 5 formed with a vertical plane 20a as an abutting plane in the mounting direction (front-rear direction), but is also formed with a horizontal plane 20b (the upper surface when viewed from the terminals 21 to 23). The horizontal plane 20b becomes the plane that slides with respect to an upper step surface 115 (to be described below with reference to FIG. 7) at the time of mounting of the battery pack 100. A curved part 12 abutted with a raised part 132 of the 0 battery pack 100 is formed on the front side of the horizontal plane 20b. A protrusion 24 is formed near the left-right center of the curved part 12. The protrusion 24 is a base for screw fixing the housing of the electrical tool body 1 that is formed of two portions divided in the left-right direction and is fixed in the left-right direction via the screw 26 and the nut. Moreover, the protrusion 24 also functions as a stop member that restricts the battery pack 100 5 from relatively moving toward the mounting direction. A width Si of the protrusion 24 in the left-right direction is a width corresponding to a stopper (to be described below) formed on the side of the battery pack 100.

[0087] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another electrical tool body 30A corresponding to 108V. FIG. 3(1) is a side view in a state with power supply from a power cord 90. FIG. 3(2) is a 20   bottom view of the battery pack mounting part 40. FIG. 3(3) is a diagram illustrating shapes of the power cord 90 and a connector part 93. The motor used in the electrical tool body 30A is a brushless motor having an equivalent specification to AC 100V, e.g., a brushless DC motor driven by an inverter circuit (to be described below with reference to FIG. 4). Accordingly, DC 108V output from the battery pack 100 is input to the inverter circuit, or a commercial power 25 source such as AC 100V (60 Hz) is rectified by a rectification circuit (to be described below) and is then input to the inverter circuit. By raising the output voltage of the battery pack 100 to as 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 high as the commercial voltage in this manner, the high output AC / DC electrical tool body 30A that can be operated with the battery pack and the commercial voltage can be realized. The power cord 90 mounted to the electrical tool body 30A includes two terminals 92a, 92b held on the side of a connection cord 94 and includes a plug part 91 for mounting to a socket of the 5 commercial power source. A connector part 93 connected to the electrical tool body 30A is formed on the other side. In the present embodiment, the portion connected to the connector part 93 is disposed in the battery pack mounting part 40 from which the battery pack 100 is removed. In other words, in a case where the power cord 90 is connected to the electrical tool body 30A, it is required to remove the battery pack 100 from the electrical tool body 30A. 0 Conversely, in a case where the battery pack 100 is mounted to the electrical tool body 30A, it is required to remove the power cord 90.

[0088] FIG. 3(2) is a diagram of the battery pack mounting part 40 of the electrical tool body 30A viewed from below and viewed in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 3(1). The figure illustrates the state after the battery pack 100 and the power cord 90 are both removed. In the 5 battery pack mounting part 40, the battery pack 100 is slid from the rear side to the front side (from right to left in the figure) to mount the battery pack 100. Therefore, in a mounting surface 40a, an opening portion is formed on the upstream side of the mounting direction, and two rail grooves 48a, 48b are formed on the two lateral sides. Moreover, a recessed part 40b recessed toward the upper direction is formed even closer to the upstream side (rear side portion) 20 than the opening portion. A terminal part 41 connected to positive electrode terminals or negative electrode terminals of the battery pack 100 is disposed near an approximate center of the portion sandwiched by the rail grooves 48a, 48b on the mounting surface 40a. In the present embodiment, an AC socket 49 is disposed at a portion slightly behind the terminal part 41. Pin-shaped first terminal 49a, second terminal 49b, and third terminal 49c are formed in a 25 circumferential direction in the AC socket 49.

[0089] FIG. 3(3) is a diagram illustrating shapes of the power cord 90 and the connector part 93. On the left side is a diagram of the connector part 93 viewed from outside in the length 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 direction. On the right side is a side view illustrating an overall shape of the power cord 90 including the connector part 93. A male screw thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of a connector body 93 a. On the outer circumferential side of the male screw thread, a 5 cylindrical fixing screw 93b is maintained in a state where it can be rotated relatively and the movement amount in the axial direction is limited. The contour of the connector part 93 is circular. In the inner circumferential portion, three female terminals are disposed to be arranged in the circumferential direction: a first terminal 95a, a second terminal 95b, and a third terminal 95c. Here, to provide the commercial power source, it is possible to wire the first 0 terminal 49a and second terminal 49b only. The third terminal 49c may be in an unwired state in the electrical tool body 30A or may be used as a grounding line. The fixing screw 93b holds the power cord 90 such that the power cord 90 does not fall off the electrical tool body 30A. A female screw thread portion on the inner circumferential side of the fixing screw 93b is screwed with a male screw thread portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the AC socket 5   49. As such, after the connector body 93a is inserted into the AC socket 49, the fixing screw 93b is screwed in such that it is screwed with the male screw thread on the side of the AC socket 49. Thereby, the power cord 90 is fixed and does not fall off the electrical tool body 30A.

[0090] Next, constitution and function of a driving control system of a motor 35 will be described based on FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating constitution of the driving 20 control system of the motor 35. In the electrical tool of the present embodiment, an excitation current is generated by the inverter circuit 70 by using the DC supplied by the battery pack 100. The excitation current is switched while being flowed in predetermined coils of the motor 35 to thereby rotate the brushless motor 35. The input from the battery pack 100 is input via a positive input terminal 81 connected to a positive electrode terminal 161 of the battery pack 100 25 and a negative input terminal 82 connected to a negative electrode terminal 162 of the battery pack 100. The motor 35 is, for example, of an inner-rotor type and includes: a rotor 35a, 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 formed to include a plurality of sets (two sets in the present embodiment) of permanent magnets including an N-pole and a S-pole; a stator 35b, including three-phase stator windings U, V, W formed by star connection; and three rotational position detection elements (Hall elements) 65, disposed at a predetermined interval (e.g., at the interval of 60°) in the circumferential direction 5 to detect the rotational position of the rotor 35a. Such output is converted into a pulse train by a rotational position detection circuit 53 and is output to a calculation part 51. A rotational speed detection circuit 54 detects the rotational speed of the motor 35 by using the output of the rotational position detection circuit 53 and outputs it to the calculation part 51. The calculation part 51 determines the direction and time of power passage toward the stator windings U, V, W 0 by using such outputs.

[0091] A control signal output circuit 52 generates a driving signal for switching predetermined switching elements QI to Q6 according to the instruction of the calculation part 51 based on the output signals of an applied voltage setting circuit 58 and the rotational position detection circuit 53, and outputs the driving signal to the inverter circuit 70. The inverter 5 circuit 70 includes the six switching elements QI to Q6, which are insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT), connected in the form of three-phase bridges. The gates of the switching elements QI to Q6 are connected to the control signal output circuit 52, and the emitters or the collectors are connected to the stator windings U, V, W connected by star wiring. Thereby, the six switching elements QI to Q6 perform switching operations through switching element 20 driving signals (driving signals Hl to H6) input from the control signal output circuit 52 to apply the DC voltage of the battery pack 100 applied to the inverter circuit 70 to the stator windings U, V, W in the form of three-phase (U phase, V phase, and W phase) voltages Vu, Vv, Vw.

[0092] The calculation part 51 sets through a switch operation detection circuit 57 whether to operate a trigger 34A (or the operation switches 4, 34 of FIG. 1) for operating an operation 25 switch 56, alters the pulse width (duty ratio) of the pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the signal from the applied voltage setting circuit 58 that varies according to the size of the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 operation amount (stroke), and drives the gates of the six switching elements QI to Q6 through the control signal output circuit 52. Through the driving control, the power supply amount to the motor 35 is adjusted, and starting / stopping and the rotational speed of the motor 35 are controlled. Here, the PWM signal is provided to any one of the positive power side switching 5 elements QI to Q3 and the negative power side switching elements Q4 to Q6 of the inverter circuit 70, and the switching elements QI to Q3 or the switching elements Q4 to Q6 are switched rapidly to thereby control the power amount supplied from the DC voltage of the battery pack 100 to the stator windings U, V, W.

[0093] Although not shown, the calculation part 51 is formed to include a micro computer for 0 outputting a driving signal based on processing programs and data. The calculation part 51 is formed to include a read only memory (ROM) for storing processing programs or control data, a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing data, a timer, etc. As the voltage of the input power source, two end voltages of a capacitor 61 are detected by a voltage detection circuit 59 and are output to the calculation part 51. 5

[0094] The power source of the electrical tool body 30A may not only be supplied by using the battery pack 100 but may also be supplied by using the power cord 90. The first terminal 49a and the second terminal 49b of the AC socket 49 for AC input disposed in the electrical tool body 30A are connected to the input side of a diode bridge 60. The diode bridge 60 is a rectification circuit that performs full-wave rectification by using four rectification diodes to 20   cause the current to flow to any one only to convert the AC voltage into the DC voltage.  The output of the diode bridge 60 is connected to the inverter circuit 70. The output of the diode bridge 60 is a pulsating flow. Therefore, a smoothing circuit may intervene between the diode bridge 60 and the inverter circuit 70. The size of the current flowing in the inverter circuit 70 may be measured by a current detection circuit 55 by using a shunt resistor 62. Its value is fed 25   back to the calculation part 51 for adjustment to apply the set driving power is to the motor 35.

[0095] FIG. 5 is diagram for illustrating connection of the power cord 90 to the electrical tool 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 body 30. FIG. 5(1) is a connection example of the electrical tool body 30A . FIG. 5(2) and FIG. 5(3) are diagrams illustrating a connection example of a modification example thereof. FIG. 5(2) and FIG. 5(3) are diagrams illustrating electrical tool bodies 30B, 30C of the modification example of the present embodiment. In the form of the present embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 5(1), the AC socket 49 (see FIG. 3) is disposed in the battery pack mounting part 40. Therefore, when the battery pack 100 is mounted, the power cord 90 cannot be mounted. Moreover, when the power cord 90 is mounted, it is required to remove the battery pack 100. As such, the AC socket 49 for the power cord 90 is disposed at a position that cannot be reached when the battery pack 100 is mounted. Therefore, the power supply from the battery pack 100 0 and the power supply from the power cord 90 can be unerroneously separated in an exact manner. Moreover, the electrical tool body 30 is installed with a brushless motor of a rated input voltage at 100V or higher. Therefore, it may be driven by the commercial AC power source and may also be driven by the battery pack 100, thereby realizing an AC / DC electrical tool. 5

[0096] The power cord 90 is formed to have a length sufficient for the operator to operate in a state of holding the handle part 33 of the electrical tool body 30A with one hand. However, in a temporary operation in a case of insufficient length of the power cord 90, once the power cord 90 is removed and the battery pack 100 is mounted, the operation can be performed equally without concern that the output of the electrical tool body 30A is reduced. Moreover, the 20 method of connection of the power cord 90 to the electrical tool body 30A in the form shown in FIG. 5(1) exhibits the following advantage. When the operation is performed through the AC power source, it is required to remove the battery pack 100. Therefore, the weight of the electrical tool body 30A is reduced. Furthermore, when the operation is switched from the power cord 90 to the battery pack 100, the battery pack 100 cannot be mounted if the power cord 25   90 is not removed, which can exactly prevent negligence of not removing the power cord 90. In addition, when the battery pack 100 is mounted, the AC socket 49 is not exposed outside. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 Therefore, the concern of exposing the AC socket 49 to dust, water, etc. can be significantly reduced, and the arrangement of a cover for covering the AC socket 49 can also be omitted.

[0097] FIG. 5(2) shows the electrical tool body 30B of the modification example of the electrical tool body 30A of FIG. 5(1). Here, an AC socket 49A is formed at a position in the 5 lower surface of the housing of the electrical tool body 3 OB closer to the front side than the battery pack 100. With such configuration, the power cord 90 may be connected in a state where the battery pack 100 is mounted. In the present embodiment, the output voltage of the battery pack 100 is 108V at the time of DC connection, and the commercial AC power is 100V to 200V. Therefore, the electrical tool body 3 0B may be driven by arbitrarily using any of the 0 two. Specifically, in a case where the two power sources are available, the use of the commercial AC power supplied from the power cord 90 prevents discharge of the battery pack 100 and is thus more desirable. Therefore, an input automatic switching member is disposed in the electrical tool body 30B of FIG. 5(2), such that the commercial AC power side can be used in the case where the battery pack 100 and the commercial AC power are both available. 5

[0098] FIG. 6(1) is a circuit block diagram of a driving control system of the electrical tool body 30B shown in FIG. 5(2). The figure is basically identical to the circuit shown in FIG. 4, but a switching element 66 formed of semiconductor (e.g., an IGBT) intervenes in the positive electrode side input line from the battery pack 100. A gate signal of the switching element 66 is connected to a control signal line 66a from the calculation part 51, and connection or 20 disconnection between the source / drain terminals of the switching element 66 is controlled by the calculation part 51. Moreover, a battery voltage detection circuit 67 is disposed to monitor the voltage of the battery pack 100, and a commercial power supply detection circuit 68 is disposed to monitor the presence / absence (or the voltage) of the AC voltage. Respective outputs are input to the calculation part 51. The calculation part 51 switches off the gate signal 25 of the switching element 66 when a commercial power supply 99 is in an available state to thereby disconnect the input circuit from the battery pack 100. On the other hand, if the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 commercial power supply 99 is in an unavailable state, the calculation part 51 switches on the gate signal of the switching element 66 to thereby bring the input circuit from the battery pack 100 in the connected state. With such circuit configuration, in the electrical tool body 30B, if the battery pack 100 is connected, the DC 108V (rated) is supplied. In this state, if the power 5 cord 90 is connected to the AC socket, the supply is automatically switched to the AC power source. If the power cord 90 is removed, the battery pack 100 is automatically switched to for driving. Therefore, the electrical tool body 30B of excellent user convenience can be realized. Moreover, it is not necessary to worry about the removal / mounting of the battery pack 100 and the connection state of the power cord 90, especially when one is connected while the other one 0 is not removed by negligence. Therefore, the mounting and removal of the battery pack 100 also becomes easy.

[0099] Referring back to FIG. 5, FIG. 5(3) shows the electrical tool body 30C of another modification example of the present embodiment. The electrical tool body 30C is identical to FIG. 5(1) and FIG. 5(2) in that it can be driven by both the battery pack 100 of DC 108V and the 5 AC of the power cord 90, but differs in that the power cord 90 is connected via a connection adapter 75. Here, the connection adapter 75 is a so-called dummy case used to connect the two output lines from the power cord 90 to the positive input terminal 81 and the negative input terminal 82 for the battery pack 100. Battery cells are not housed inside the connection adapter 75. An AC socket having the same shape as the AC socket 49 shown in FIG. 3(2) is disposed 20 on the lower surface of the connection adapter 75. A first terminal 49a of the AC socket 49 is connected to the positive input terminal 81 via a power line 76a, and the second terminal 49b is connected to the negative input terminal 82 via a power line 76b. Moreover, in this case, a change is made to the input path of the battery pack 100 in the block diagram shown in FIG. 4, such that it is also connected to the inverter circuit 70 via the diode bridge 60 when the battery 25 pack 100 is used. FIG. 6(2) shows such circuit.

[0100] Here, the positive electrode terminal 161 and the negative electrode terminal 162 of the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connection adapter 75 are mounted in the input terminals 81, 82 of the diode bridge 60. The battery pack 100 is DC 108V. Therefore, connection via the diode bridge 60 also causes no problem. In addition, even though the positive electrode terminal 161 and the negative electrode terminal 162 of the connection adapter 75 are mounted, the AC can also be rectified 5 through the diode bridge 60. Therefore, the inverter circuit 70 may similarly be operated to drive the motor 35. In the present embodiment, the brushless DC motor is set to be driven by the DC input of DC 108V and the inverter circuit 70, but the type of the motor used is not limited to the brushless motor and may also be another motor, e.g., an AC rectifier motor, driven by about AC 100V to 120V. With such configuration, the electrical tool using the AC rectifier 0 may also be driven by the battery pack 100, and the AC / DC electrical tool can be easily realized.

[0101] Next, referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the battery pack 100 capable of switching the output circuit to 36V and 108V will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance / shape of the battery pack 100. The case body of the battery pack 100 includes a lower case 101 and an upper case 110 divided in the upper-lower direction and fixed by four 5 screws (not shown). The upper case 110 is formed with a mounting part formed with two rails 138a, 138b for mounting to the battery pack mounting part 40. The rails 138a, 138b are formed in a direction parallel to the mounting direction of the battery pack 100 and are parallel to the left and right side surfaces of the upper case 110. The rails 138a, 138b are formed to correspond to the rail grooves 48a, 48b (see FIG. 3(2)) formed in the battery pack mounting part 20   40 of the electrical tool body 30. In a state where the rails 138a, 138b and the rail grooves 48a, 48b are engaged with each other, a latch mechanism operation is performed to fix the battery pack 100 to the electrical tool body 30. A planar lower step surface 111 is formed on the front side of the upper case 110, and an upper step surface 115 formed to be higher than the lower step surface 111 is formed near the center. The connection portion of the lower step surface 111 and 25 the upper step surface 115 forms a stepped part 112 having a stepped shape. A slot group arrangement area 120 (see FIG. 7(2)) is formed from the stepped part 112 to the front side region 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 of the upper step surface 115. A plurality of slots (121 to 124) extending from the stepped part 112 on the front side to the rear side in the slot group arrangement area 120. Here, the positive electrode terminal insertion slot 121 is disposed on the side close to the left side rail 138b, and the negative electrode terminal insertion slot 122 is formed on the side close to the right side rail 5   138a. The low voltage switching member insertion slot 123 and the high voltage switching member insertion slot 124 are formed in the portion sandwiched between the positive electrode terminal insertion slot 121 and the negative electrode terminal insertion slot 122. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal (not shown in the figure) made of metal are disposed inside the positive electrode terminal insertion slot 121 and the negative electrode 0 terminal insertion slot 122. Moreover, a voltage switching member (to be described below) is disposed in a portion (the internal space of the upper case 110) overlapping the positions of the low voltage switching member insertion slot 123 and the high voltage switching member insertion slot 124. Moreover, FIG. 7 shows that there are only four slots (121 to 124) in the slot group arrangement area 120 and does not show slots other than the four slots. However, it is 5 also possible to form slots for accommodating other connection terminals. In addition, as mentioned above, terminals or voltage switching members (e.g., switching terminals) are disposed in the internal space of the upper case 110 on which the slot group arrangement area 120 is located. Therefore, the slot group arrangement area 120 forms the terminal arrangement area. 20

[0102] A raised part 132 formed in a raised manner is formed on the rear side of the upper step surface 115. The contour of the raised part 132 is raised to closer to the upper side than the upper step surface 115, and a pit-shaped stopper 131 is formed near its center. The stopper 131 forms the abutting surface when the battery pack 100 is mounted to the protrusion 24 (see FIG. 2) of the battery pack mounting part 10. If insertion is performed until the protrusion 24 on the 25 side of the electrical tool body 1 abuts the stopper 131, the plurality of terminals 21 to 23 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the electrical tool body 1 and the terminal group disposed on the battery 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 pack 100 contact each other and are brought into a conducted state. A slit 134 is disposed on the inner side of the stopper 131 to function as a cooling wind inlet communicating with the inside of the battery pack 100. Moreover, a locking part of a latch 141 of the battery pack 100 protrudes toward the outer side of the vertical direction from the lower portion of the rails 138a, 5   138b due to the effect of a spring and is engaged with a concave part (not shown) formed in the rail grooves 48a, 48b of the electrical tool body 30 to thereby prevent falloff of the battery pack 100. Here, in a state where the battery pack 100 is mounted to the electrical tool body 1, the slit 134 is covered such that it cannot be perceived from the outside. The slit 134 is a wind window used to compulsorily flow cooling air into the battery pack 100 when the battery pack 0   100 is connected to a charger (not shown) for charging. When mounted to the electrical tool body 30, the cooling wind inlet 134 is brought into a closed state.

[0103] In FIG. 7(1), the terminal part 20A located on the side of the electrical tool body 1 driven by 36V is formed by fixing the positive input terminal 21 and the negative input terminal 22 made of metal to the terminal mounting part made of synthetic resin. Here, a switching 5 protrusion 24A is further formed to switch the output of the battery pack 100 to the low voltage side. The switching protrusion 24A is a switching element integrally formed with the base portion of the terminal part 20A and is made of synthetic resin. The switching protrusion 24A itself only functions to move the rotational terminal base 171 (see FIG. 9) and does not function as a terminal for transmitting power or signals. Therefore, it is not required to be made of a 20 conductive material and it may be integrally formed with the base portion of the terminal part by using the same insulating material.

[0104] FIG. 7(2) illustrates a state of mounting of a terminal part 80 on the side of the electrical tool body 30 driven by 108V. The terminal part 80 is formed by fixing the positive input terminal 81 and the negative input terminal 82 made of metal to the base portion made of 25 synthetic resin. Here, a switching protrusion 84 is further formed to switch the output of the battery pack 100 to the high voltage side. The switching protrusion 84 is a member integrally 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 formed with the base portion of the terminal part 80 and is made of synthetic resin. According to the present embodiment, the appearance / shape of the battery pack 100 is identical in 36V output and 108 V output. Without being aware of the setting of the output voltage of the battery pack 100, the operator can select (switch to) the output voltage that best suits the mounted 5 electrical device body through the switching protrusion 24A or the switching protrusion 84 as the operator simply mounts it to the electrical device body for 36V or the electrical device body for 108 V

[0105] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a cell pack 150. The cell pack 150 is accommodated inside the battery pack 100 and is formed by stacking and 0 aggregating a plurality of cells 151 into one pack. FIG. 8(1) is a perspective view. FIG. 8(2) is a side view viewed from an axial direction of the cell 151. Here, it is formed by stacking thirty cells 151 in total, which are of the so-called 14500-size with a diameter of 14 mm and a length of 50 mm and include secondary batteries that can undergo multiple charges and discharges. Each ten cells 151 are set as a unit, and three cell units 156 to 158 are formed. In 5 each of the cell units 156 to 158, the cells 151 are stacked such that the axis Al is parallel to each other and are disposed such that orientations of the adjacent cells 151 are alternately opposite to each other. A metal thin plate 159 connects the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the adjacent cells 151 to form a ten-cell series connection. The cylindrical portion on the outermost side of the stacked cells 151 is covered by a separator 152 20 made of synthetic resin functioning as an insulator. Thereby, the cells 151 are maintained such that they do not move with respect to the separator 152. In a case where the Li-ion batteries are used as the cells 151 (the rated output of one cell is 3.6), each of the cell units 156 to 158 can obtain an output rated at 36V Therefore, the output guided from the battery pack 100 in a state where the + output (positive output; positive electrode terminals) and the - output (negative 25 output; negative electrode terminals) of the cell units 156 to 158 are connected to each other in parallel may be used as a large capacitance power source of 36V. On the other hand, if the + 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 output and the - output of the cell units 156 to 158 are set to be connected to each other in series, they may be used as a high voltage power source of 108V.

[0106] If thirty 14500-size cells 151 are stacked, the length in the axial direction becomes 50 mm, the width direction perpendicular to the axial direction becomes 124.8 mm, and the height 5 direction perpendicular to the axial direction becomes 57.3 mm. Moreover, the weight of one single cell 151 is about 23 g. Therefore, the total weight of the cells 151 becomes 690 g. Regarding the volume, the volume occupied by the cells 151 is 230,907 mm3, the volume occupied by the separator 152 is 67,392 mm3, and the total volume becomes 298,299 mm3. Therefore, the total weight of the battery pack 100 may be limited to be less than 800 g or 21 b 0 (pound). Currently, the Li-ion battery generally used in the battery pack of an electrical tool is the so-called 18650-size battery. The 18650-size means that the diameter is 18 mm, the length is 65 mm, and the volume is slightly over twice of the 14500-size cell. The weight (i.e., 46 g) is twice of the 14500-size cell. If thirty 18650-size cells are stacked to obtain DC 108V, the weight of the cells alone becomes 1380 g, which causes the weight of the battery pack itself to 5 increase. Therefore, the size and weight become impractical in the electrical tool which the operator operates while holding with one hand.

[0107] According to the experiment of the inventors, it is known that, to allow the operator to operate with one hand in a comfortable manner, the upper limit on the total weight of the electrical tool mounted with the battery pack is within 2 kg or 51 b. Therefore, in a case where 20   thirty 18650-size cells are used to obtain the 108V output, it is difficult to realize a portable electrical tool that can be operated with one hand. In the present embodiment, by stacking 14500-size Li-ion batteries having the same size as the N-size dry cells, the electrical tool that maintains portability while having a high voltage can be realized. The battery pack 100 according to the present embodiment exactly ensures an output voltage of 100V or higher 25   equivalent to the AC power source, and limits the cell weight of the cell pack 150 to 0.69 kg. A current of about 15 A may be obtained from the Li-ion battery. Therefore, the power-to-weight 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 ratio of the battery pack may be reset as values of 100Vx15 A / 0.69 kg=2173 W / kg or more and 100V / 0.69 kg=144 V / kg or more.

[0108] FIG. 9(1) is a diagram illustrating a state when the battery pack 100 is mounted to an electrical tool body or an electrical device body rated at 36V. The battery pack 100 is formed to include a voltage switching mechanism 170 for switching between series connection and parallel connection of the output of the cell units 156 to 158. As the element for switching the output voltage of the battery pack 100 (i.e., the voltage switching element), the voltage switching mechanism 170 is formed to include a rotational terminal base 171 pivotally supported by a swinging shaft 172 fixed on a substrate 160. It is disposed in the terminal arrangement area, which is disposed with power source connection terminals, in the mounting direction of the battery pack 100. The rotational terminal base 171 is a member as follows. A plurality of rectangular bar-shaped connection terminals 173a to 173d are disposed in members extending in two directions from the swinging shaft 172 to cause a plurality of contacts located on the inner peripheral side and contacts located on the outer peripheral side of the connection terminals 173 a to 173 d to be short-circuited or open-circuited. The rotational terminal base 171 functions as an operation part for operating the changeover switch for switching the output voltage of the battery pack 100. The rotational terminal base 171 is made of synthetic resin, and two of the connection terminals 173a to 173d made of metal are fused at an interval respectively on one side and the other side of the swinging shaft 172. On the side close to the negative electrode terminal 162, the connection terminals 173a and 173b are disposed to expose the surface on the side opposite to the substrate 160. On the side close to the positive electrode terminal 161, the connection terminals 173c and 173d are disposed to expose the surface on the side opposite to the substrate 160.

[0109] The substrate 160 is used to fix the positive electrode terminal 161 and the negative electrode terminal 162 and is used to dispose a plurality of electrodes (contacts) 176a to 176j for establishing or changing the electrical connection paths from the terminals to the cell units 156 70 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 to 158. The plurality of contacts 176a to 176j are disposed in a region in the upper portion of the substrate 160 that partially overlaps the rotation region of the rotational terminal base 171. By contacting the connection terminals 173a to 173d exposed from the lower surface of the rotational terminal base 171 with any one of the contacts 176a to 176j, the electrical connection 5 path from the positive electrode terminal 161 to the negative electrode terminal 162 is changed. The plurality of contacts 176a to 176j and the connection terminals 173a to 173d function as the changeover switch operated through the operation part for switching the output voltage of the battery pack 100. In the electrical tool body 1 for 36V, the switching protrusion 24A is formed in the terminal part 20A. The switching protrusion 24A functions as a switching element or a 0 connection element abutting the operation part for switching the output voltage and is inserted into the third slot 123 or 124 located between the first slot 121 (for insertion of the positive input terminal) and the second slot 122 (for insertion of the negative input terminal). If the battery pack 100 is mounted to the electrical tool body, the switching protrusion 24A pushes the rotational terminal base 171 at the position of arrow 25. Thereby, the rotational terminal base 5   171 rotates counterclockwise (when viewed from the top) to the position shown in FIG. 9(1). In this state, it is understood that the connection terminal 173a causes the electrodes (contacts) 176d and 176b to be short-circuited, and the connection terminal 173b causes the electrodes (contacts) 176e and 176c to be short-circuited. Similarly, it is understood that the connection terminal 173c causes the contacts 176i and 176g to be short-circuited, and the connection 20 terminal 173d causes the contacts 176j and 176h to be short-circuited.

[0110] FIG. 9(2) illustrates a connection situation in the state where the rotational terminal base 171 is rotated counterclockwise (when viewed from the top) by the switching protrusion 24A as shown in FIG. 9(1). The + side output of the cell unit 156 is directly connected to the positive electrode terminal 161. The + side output of the cell unit 157 is connected to the 25 contact 176b. The + output of the cell unit 158 is connected to the contact 176g. The - side output of the cell unit 156 is connected to the contact 176e. The - side output of the cell unit 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 157 is connected to the contact 176j. The - side output of the cell unit 158 is directly connected to the negative electrode terminal 162. In this state, the contacts 176d and 176b, the contacts 176e and 176c, the contacts 176i and 176g, and the contacts 176j and 176h are brought into the connected state. As a result, the cell units 156 to 158 are brought into the parallel connection 5 state and output a DC rated at 36V between the positive electrode terminal 161 and the negative electrode terminal 162.

[0111] FIG. 10(1) is a diagram illustrating a state when the battery pack 100 is mounted to an electrical tool body or an electrical device body rated at 108V In the electrical tool rated at 108V, the switching protrusion 84 is formed in the terminal part 80, and a protrusion is not 0 formed at the position of the switching protrusion 24A of the terminal part 20 as in the device of 36V. The switching protrusion 84 functions as a switching element or a connection element abutting the operation part for switching the output voltage and is inserted into the third slot 124 located between the first slot 121 (for insertion of the positive input terminal) and the second slot 122 (for insertion of the negative input terminal). In this state, if the battery pack 100 is 5 mounted to the electrical tool body or the electrical device body, the positive input terminal 81 and the positive electrode terminal 161 are brought into contact, and the negative input terminal 82 and the negative electrode terminal 162 are brought into contact. Meanwhile, by contacting the switching protrusion 84 with an arm portion of the rotational terminal base 171 as indicated by arrow 84a, the rotational terminal base 171 rotates clockwise (when viewed from the top). 20 The connection relationships between the connection terminals 173a to 173d of the rotational terminal base 171 and the contacts 176a to 176j are switched through the rotation. FIG. 10(2) illustrates a connection state after switching. Here, by switching the position of the rotational terminal base 171 from FIG. 9(2) to FIG. 10(2), the contacts 176d and 176a, the contacts 176e and 176b, the contacts 176i and 176f, and the contacts 176j and 176g are brought into the 25 connected state. As a result, the cell units 156 to 158 are brought into the series connection state and output a DC rated at 108V from the positive electrode terminal 161 and the negative 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 electrode terminal 162. Moreover, a detent mechanism or a latch mechanism may be disposed in the swinging shaft 172 of the rotational terminal base 171, which functions as the swinging element, such that the swinging element does not swing if a predetermined or greater rotation torque is not applied to the swinging element by the switching protrusion 24A or the switching 5 protrusion 84. In addition, the contacts 176a and 176f are electrodes that are not wired to any one position. Therefore, they may be removed to increase the contact interval between the contacts 176b and 176c and between the contacts 176g and 176h to thereby reduce the short-circuiting risk between the adjacent contacts during switching.

[0112] According to the present embodiment, even in the cordless electrical tool, a high 0 voltage equivalent to that in the electrical tool driven by the commercial power supply may be obtained from the battery pack 100, and the high output portable electrical tool or electrical device can thereby be realized. Moreover, even if the number of cells is increased to increase the voltage, since thirty 14500-size (rather than 18650-size) Li cells are used, the tool is small and light while having a high output, thereby increasing the power-to-weight ratio. 5 Furthermore, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, by switching the connection of the cell units 156 to 158 through the voltage switching element (voltage switching mechanism 170) that is disposed inside the battery pack 100 for switching between parallel connection and series connection, output switching between 36V and 108V can be performed. Therefore, the generally used electrical tools or electrical devices rated at 36V can be operated. In addition, in 20 the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the voltage switching mechanism 170 functioning as the voltage switching element is disposed at the position approximately at the same height as the positions at which the positive electrode terminal 161 and the negative electrode terminal 162 functioning as the power source terminals are disposed. Therefore, the dimension in the upper-lower direction of the battery pack 100 can be compactly formed. 25 [Embodiment 2]

[0113] Next, FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 are incorporated to describe the second embodiment of the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 invention. Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment similarly provides a battery pack 200 capable of switching output voltage into two stages of voltage, namely 36V on low voltage side of and 108V on high voltage side. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating shapes of a battery pack 200 of a second embodiment and a terminal part connected thereto FIG. 11(1) 5 illustrates a state at the time of connection to an electrical device rated at 36V. FIG. 11(2) illustrates a state at the time of connection to an electrical device rated at 108V. The appearance and shape of the battery pack 200 is basically the same as the shape of the battery pack 100 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 except for one part (the shape in the vicinity of configuration region of slot group). 0

[0114] In the battery pack 200, a cover that is formed by combining a lower case 201 and an upper case 210 accommodates 30 pieces of cells 151 including lithium ion battery in the size of 14500. If it is possible for the cover to have a larger size, it is possible to use the cell in the size of 18650; other cells in different shapes and sizes may also be used. A mounting mechanism which is disposed toward an electrical tool body 1 or the side of an electrical tool body 30 is 5 formed in the upper case 210 of the battery pack 200, and the construction or shape of the mounting mechanism is substantially the same as the shape of the battery pack 100 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. A lower step surface 211 which is configured to guide a terminal part of the electrical machine side and an upper step surface 215 disposed thereon are formed in the upper case 210, and a plurality of terminal insertion slots (slot) are formed in the 20 stepped part 212 which is formed as the boundary between the lower step surface 211 and the upper step surface 215. Rail parts 238a and 238b that are fitted with the electrical device body, i.e., rail groove, are formed at the edge part on left / right sides of the upper step surface 215. Here, five terminal insertion slots are shown in the left-right direction, but the number of terminal insertion slot may be a random number and can be further increased. A raised part 25   240 is formed on the upper side of the upper step surface 215, a latch part 214 is disposed on left / right sides of the raised part 240. The raised part 240 and a latch claw 241a are moved 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 along with each other.

[0115] FIG. 11(1) illustrates a state at the time of connection to an electrical device body rated at 36V and the electrical tool body 1. The terminal part 270 disposed at the side of the electrical device body 1 has a small width in the left-right direction. The battery pack 200 is 5 moved in the manner that a positive input terminal 271 and a negative input terminal 272 are inserted into two terminal insertion slots 222 and 224 close to the center. The positive input terminal 271 and the negative input terminal 272 are connected to a switching terminal of the battery pack 200 to be described below, serving as a switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 200 into low voltage or serving as a connection element to perform 0 function, and also serving as low voltage connection element connected with a plurality of cell units in parallel to perform function. FIG. 11(2) illustrates a state at the time of connection to an electrical device body rated at 108V and an electrical tool body 30. A terminal part 280 of the electrical tool body 30 has a wider width in the left-right direction relative to the terminal part 270, and a region therebetween becomes a terminal configuration region. In the terminal 5 configuration region, a positive input terminal 281 and a negative input terminal 282 that are disposed close to left / right ends are provided, and a connection element 283 is formed in the position substantially close to the center in the left-right direction. If the battery pack 200 is disposed on the electrical tool body 30, the positive input terminal 281 and the negative input terminal 282 are inserted into the terminal insertion slots 221 and 225, and the connection 20 element 283 is inserted into the terminal insertion slot 223.

[0116] FIG. 12 is a connection circuit diagram of the battery pack 200. Three cell units 156 to 158 are accommodated in the battery pack 200. The cell units 156 to 158 are formed in the form of cell pack 150 shown in FIG. 8 and retained by a separator 152, and respectively in series connection with 10 pieces of cells 151 of lithium ion battery in the size of 14500. Additionally, 25 it should be indicated that 10 cells in FIG. 12 are gathered and shown as one battery. In the terminal insertion slots (slot) 221 to 225 configured to be inserted into the input terminal at the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 side of terminal parts 270, 280, one to four connection terminals are disposed in parallel in the insertion direction of the terminal parts 270, 280. The connection terminal group provided herein are configured as voltage switching element which switches parallel connection and series connection of the battery pack 200. The set that is constructed by the terminal insertion 5 slot 222 and the terminal insertion slot 224 corresponds to the terminal part 270 for 36V. A switch terminal group (terminal group 232 and terminal group 234) configured to output low voltage is provided herein. The positive input terminal 271 is disposed in the manner of being in contact with each of the terminals of the terminal group 232. The negative input terminal 272 is disposed in the manner of being in contact with each of the terminals in the terminal 0 group 234.

[0117] The set that is constructed by the terminal insertion slot 221 and terminal insertion slot 225 corresponds to the terminal part 280 for 108V A switch terminal group (terminal 231 and terminal 235) for outputting high voltage is provided herein. The positive input terminal 281 is disposed in the manner of being in contact with a terminal 231. The negative input terminal 5   282 is disposed in the manner of being in contact with a terminal 235. The terminal 231 serves as positive electrode terminal to perform function. The terminal 235 serves as the negative electrode terminal to perform function. A connection element 283 configured to switch output voltage is provided in the center part between the right / left sides of the terminal part 280. The connection element 283 that serves as voltage switching element for switching parallel 20 connection and series connection is inserted into the terminal insertion slot 223. The connection element 283 has a conduction part 283a at the front end side (the side close to the battery pack 200 in the drawing) and a conduction part 283c on the rear end side, and an insulator 283b is provided between the conduction part 283a and the conduction part 283c, such that the conduction part 283a and the conduction part 283c are electrically non-conducted. The 25 conduction part 283a and the conduction part 283c are provided for purpose of allowing a short that makes the predetermined terminals in the terminal group 233 to become short-circuited 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 require no wiring from the conduction part 283a and the conduction part 283c at the side of the electrical device body. Therefore, the connection element 283 may be manufactured by casting a metal plate that is used for forming the conduction part 283a and the conduction part 283c in a connection element stage which is integrally formed with the terminal part 280 by 5 non-conductor, or may be manufactured by attaching a metal plate to the outer peripheral surface of the connection element stage formed by non-conductor or by performing conducting process such as metal plating process to the outer peripheral surface. In this manner, a short that allows a plurality of cell units to be connected in series is formed additionally in the terminal part 280. The conduction part 283a of the connection terminal 283 is connected to the switching terminal 0 of the battery pack 200 as described below, serving as switching element that switches output voltage of the battery pack 200 into high voltage or serving as a connection element to perform function, and also serving as an integral connection element for high voltage in series connection with a plurality of cell units 156 and 157 to perform function. Likewise, the conduction part 283c of the connection terminal 283 is connected to the switching terminal of the battery pack 5   200, serving as switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 200 into high voltage or serving as a connection element to perform function, and serving as an integral connection element for high voltage in series connection with a plurality of cell units 157 and 158 to perform function.

[0118] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating shapes of terminals 231 to 235, FIG. 13(1) is a top 20 view. FIG. 13(2) is a side view of a terminal group 232 (viewed in the direction of arrow B of FIG. 13(1)). The terminal group 232 has terminals 232a, 232b and 232c. The terminals 232a, 232b and 232c serve as switching element which switches the output voltage of the battery pack 200 connected to low voltage electrical device body 1 into low voltage to perform function, and also serve as parallel terminal in parallel connection with a plurality of cell units to perform 25 function. The terminal group 232 is disposed adjacent to each other and constructed to serve as a plurality of parallel terminals of the parallel terminal group. The terminal group 234 has 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminals 234a, 234b and 234c. The terminals 234a, 234b and 234c serve as switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 200 connected to the low voltage electrical device body 1 into low voltage to perform function, and also serve as parallel terminal in parallel connection with a plurality cell units to perform function. The terminal group 234 is disposed 5 adjacent to each other and constructed to serve as a plurality of parallel terminals of parallel terminal group. The terminal group 233 has terminals 233a, 233b, 233c and 233d. The terminals 233a, 233b, 233c and 233d serve as switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 200 connected to the high voltage electrical device body 30 into low voltage to perform function, and also serve as parallel terminal in series connection with a plurality of 0 cell units 156-158. The terminal group 233 is disposed adjacent to each other and constructed to serve as a plurality of series terminals of the series terminal group. Herein, the terminals 231 and 235 as well as terminals 232a, 233a and 234a have the same shape as conventional terminal that is commonly used and are formed in the manner as described below: a flat plate is bended to form a U-shape, and the lateral surface on both sides near the open end part becomes a shape 5 concaved inward to form a protrusion, such that the narrowest part formed by the protrusion part is brought into contact with two surfaces of the plate-shape terminal at the side of the terminal part. In the terminals 231, 235, 232a, 233a and 234a, the fitted metal terminal at the side of the terminal part does not penetrate through the rear side, and thus the rear side is formed as a closed shape. On the other hand, other terminal groups, namely, terminals 232b, 232c, 233b to 233d, 20   234b and 234c are fitted together in the state of making the contacted metal terminal at the side of the terminal part penetrates through from the front portion to the rear portion. Therefore, the opening part is not only formed at the front side but also formed at the rear side. The side view of FIG. 13(2) shows a specific shape thereof. The position (arrow 236a) near the rear portion on the upper end of the terminal 232a is closed, but the terminals 232b and 232c are formed in 25 the shape that is open at both of the front side and the rear side (see the position near arrows 236b and 236c). Therefore, if the terminal part 270 shown in the figure is inserted along the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 direction of arrow 265, the positive input terminal 271 is in contact with three terminals 232a to 232c simultaneously, thereby respectively reaching the electrically conducted state. The connecting state of the negative input terminal 272 and the three terminals 234a to 234c is also the same. In this manner, it is possible to make a plurality of terminals in one terminal 5 insertion slot to be disposed in parallel in the direction (parallel direction) same as the mounting direction, and the electrode plate of the terminal part is used to set the connecting state of the unit cells 156-158 in the battery pack 200 to be one of parallel connection state and series connection state.

[0119] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where the battery pack 200 is mounted to 0 terminal parts 270, 280. FIG. 14(1) shows a 36V output state. FIG. 14(2) shows a 108V output state. FIG. 14(1) shows that terminal part 270 has positive input terminal 271 and negative input terminal 272 when 36V is output. The positive input terminal 271 is in contact with terminals 232a, 232b and 232c, and thus being conducted with the terminals. The terminal 232a is connected to the +terminal (positive electrode) of the cell unit 156, the terminal 5   232b is connected to the -l-terminal of the cell unit 157, and terminal 232c is connected to the +terminal of the cell unit 158. Accordingly, the positive input terminal 271 is connected to the +terminal of three cell units 156-158. Likewise, the negative input terminal 272 is in contact with the terminals 234a, 234b and 234c, and thus being conducted with the terminals. The terminal 234a is connected to the -terminal (negative electrode) of the cell unit 156, the terminal 20   234b is connected to the -terminal of the cell unit 158, and the terminal 234c is connected to the -terminal of the cell unit 158. Accordingly, the negative input terminal 272 is connected to the -terminal of three cell units 156-158. Additionally, the terminal group 233 is not connected to anything and thus the terminals 233a to 233d are in an open state. As a result, the cell units 156-158 are connected in parallel, that is, direct current rated at 36V is output to the positive 25 input terminal 271 and the negative input terminal 272.

[0120] FIG. 14(2) shows a state where the battery pack 200 is mounted on the terminal part 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 280. The output of the terminal part 280 at 108V has a positive input terminal 281, a negative input terminal 282 and a connection element 283. The positive input terminal 281 is only in contact with the terminal 231 connected with +terminal of the cell unit 156. Likewise, the negative input terminal 282 is only in contact with the terminal 235 connected with the -terminal 5 of the cell unit 158. Additionally, the connection element 283 (connection terminal) is inserted in the manner of being in contact with four terminal group (series terminal elements 233 a to 233d). With the connection element 283, a terminal 233a and a terminal 233b are short-circuited through a conduction part 283a (see FIG. 12), and a terminal 233c and a terminal 233d are short-circuited through a conduction part 283c (see FIG. 12). Herein, the terminal 0   233b and the terminal 233c are maintained in a non-conducted state through an insulator 283b (see FIG. 12) that is formed in the connection element 283. The terminal 233a is connected to the -terminal of the cell unit 156, and the terminal 233b is connected to the +terminal of the cell unit 157. Accordingly, the series connection state between the cell units 156 and 157 can be established. Likewise, the terminal 233c is connected to the -terminal of the cell unit 157, the 5 terminal 233d is connected to the +terminal of the cell unit 158. Accordingly, the series connection state between the cell units 157 and 158 can be established. As a result of such conduction state, the cell units 156 to 158 are connected in series, thus outputting direct current rated at 108V to the terminal 231 at positive electrode and the terminal 235 at negative electrode. Additionally, each of the terminals in the terminal group 232 and the terminal group 234 are in 20 open state.

[0121] Based on the above, the second embodiment has terminal groups configured for switching voltage, and the switching terminal groups are constructed by disposing terminals extended from each of the cell units of the plurality of different cell units to be adjacent to each other, thereby realizing the battery pack 200 capable of corresponding to a plurality of power 25 source. In particular, the slot 223 has a series terminal group (series terminal elements 233a to 233 d). The series terminal group is connected to the positive electrode or the negative 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 electrode of the plurality of unit cells, and configured to connect the plurality of cell units in series, thereby realizing the battery pack 200 that can switch voltage between 36V and 108V At this time, the terminal part 270 or 280 at the side of the electrical device body such as electrical tool body is set to have the shape as shown in the drawings, and a slot (221 or 222) to 5 be inserted by the positive input terminal and a slot (224 and 255) to be inserted by the negative input terminal are respectively provided with a third slot (223) to be inserted by the switching element (connection element 283) configured to switch output voltage; therefore, the output voltage from the side of the battery pack 200 can be automatically switched simply by mounting the battery pack 200. Accordingly, there is no need for the worker to pay close attention to the 0 switching operation of battery voltage, and there is no risk of damage to the side of electrical device body due to false setting of voltage. Therefore, when the battery pack 200 is removed, the three cell units 156 to 158 are in an open state (non-connection state), and thus a state that is the most suitable for safekeeping or transport can be achieved. In the battery pack 200 of the second embodiment, the terminal group 232, the terminal group 234 and the connection element 5   283 serving as voltage switching element as well as the terminal 231, the terminal 235, the terminal group 232 and the terminal group 234 serving as power terminal are disposed at positions substantially at the same height in the upper-lower direction, and thus the battery pack 200 with a compact size in the upper-lower direction can be formed. Moreover, terminals 233 a, 233b, 233c and 233d serving as series terminals are disposed at a position substantially at the 20 same height as the terminal 231 serving as positive electrode terminal and the terminal 235 serving as negative electrode terminal, and thus the battery pack 200 with a compact size in the upper-lower direction can be formed. Moreover, the terminals 233 a and 233b serving as series terminal are configured adjacent to each other to serve as series terminal group. The conduction part 283a serves as connection terminal for high voltage that is integrally connected 25 with the series terminal group, and thus the electrical device body can serve as a simple structure. Likewise, terminals 233c and 233d serving as series terminal are disposed adjacent to each other 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 to serve as series terminal group. The conduction part 283c serves as connection terminal for high voltage that is integrally connected with the series terminal group, and thus the electrical device body can serve as a simple structure. Accordingly, the plurality of series terminal groups are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and straight direction, and the plurality 5 of integral connection terminals for high voltage are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and straight direction. In this manner, the battery pack and the electrical device body with a compact size in the left-right direction can be formed.

[0122] The structure of the battery pack 200 realized in the second embodiment is not limited to the voltage switching battery pack, but also can be effectively applied to a battery pack that 0 has fixed voltage. FIG. 15 shows the structure of such battery pack. FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram illustrating a battery pack 200A exclusively used for 108V. Herein, the structure is the same as the structure of FIG. 14(2) where terminal groups 232 and 234 are removed, and the terminal insertion slots 222 and 224 (see FIG. 11) formed in the insertion position of the terminal groups 232 and 234 are closed. The electrical device body for 108V uses the terminal 5 part 280 having the positive input terminal 281, the negative input terminal 282 and the connection element 283. The structure of the terminal part 280 is the same as the structure shown in FIG. 12, and the connection element 283 has a conduction part 283a at the front side and a conduction part 283c at the rear side, and the conduction parts 283a and 283c are non-electrically connected through an insulator 283b. In this manner, when the terminal part 20   280 is connected, a plurality of terminal groups are used to establish the series connection state of the cell units 156 to 158. Therefore, when the battery pack 200A is not disposed in the electrical device, the three cell units 156 to 158 are in non-connection state and thus the state which is the most suitable for safekeeping or transport can be achieved.

[0123] FIG. 15(2) illustrates a circuit diagram of a battery pack 200B in another modification 25 example. In FIG. 15(2), the connection element 283 in FIG. 15(1) is divided into two in the left-right direction as a first connection terminal 285 and a second connection terminal 286. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 Along with the division, the terminals 233 a to 233 d are separately arranged laterally. The first connection terminal 285 is a metal plate configured to make the terminal 233b connected to the +terminal side of the cell unit 157 and the terminal 233a connected to the -terminal side of the cell unit 156 become short-circuited. Likewise, the second connection terminal 286 is a metal 5 plate configured to make the terminal 233c connected to the -terminal side of the cell unit 157 and the terminal 233d connected to the +terminal side of the cell unit 158 to become short-circuited. The modification example can also achieve the same effect as FIG. 15(1) while reducing the space for arranging terminals 233 a and 233b as well as 233 c and 233 d, and thus is advantageous for mounting the current battery pack. Additionally, in modification example of 0 FIG. 15(2), if six rows of terminal insertion slots are arranged laterally, it is possible to dispose terminal groups 232 and 234 (see FIG. 13) for outputting 36V in the configuration of FIG. 15(2), thereby realizing the battery pack with shortened terminal length in the front-rear direction. [Embodiment 3]

[0124] Next, FIG. 16 to FIG. 20 are incorporated to describe the third embodiment. In a 5 battery pack 300 of the third embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the similarity is that the output voltage of the battery pack can be switched into two stages of voltages, namely, low voltage side and high voltage side. However, in the third embodiment, the voltage is not switched at a ratio of three times such as 36V and 108V, but switched at a ratio of two times such as 18V and 36V FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view 20 illustrating shapes of a battery pack 300 of a third embodiment of the invention and terminal parts 370, 380 mounted therein. The electrical device which may be disposed in the battery pack 300 is a device rated at 18V with a terminal part 370 and a device rated at 36V with a terminal part 380. A positive input terminal 371 and a negative input terminal 372 serving as a first power input terminal set (power terminal at the side of device) are formed in the terminal 25 part 370. A positive input terminal 381 and a negative input terminal 382 serving as a second power input terminal set (power terminal at the side of device) are formed in the terminal part 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 380. The terminal parts 370 and 380 are disposed in a battery pack mounting part at the side of the electrical body. The positive input terminal 371 and 381 as well as negative input terminals 372 and 382 are formed of metallic plate-shaped element. A stage part configured to secure the terminals is formed of a molded article of a non-conductor such as synthetic resin. The positive 5 input terminals 371 and 381 as well as the negative input terminals 381 and 382 respectively serve as switching element for switching output voltage of the battery pack 300 abutted against an operating part of the battery pack 300 or a connection element to perform function.

[0125] The illustration here shows a schematic view of the battery pack 300, and a plurality of slits 321 to 324 are formed from a stepped part 312 between a lower step surface 311 and an 0 upper step surface 315 to the rear side. The upper shape of the battery pack 300 including the slits 321 to 324 is formed to be substantially the same as the shape of the battery pack 100 in FIG. 7. Herein, descriptions regarding the raised part or a latch part are omitted. The terminal part 370 for 18V is constructed with a small width in the left-right direction, and the terminal part 380 for 36V is constructed with a wider width in the left-right direction. According to the 5 difference in the widths of the terminal parts 370 and 380, the positive input terminal 371 and the negative input terminal 372 are formed with narrow interval, and the positive input terminal 381 and the negative input terminal 382 are formed with a wide interval. The region occupied by the terminal set (371 and 372) for low voltage is set as a range that is included in the region occupied by the terminal set (381 and 382) for high voltage. The positive input terminal 371 20 and the negative input terminal 372 are respectively inserted into the slit 322 and the slit 323. The positive input terminal 381 and the negative input terminal 382 are respectively inserted into the slit 321 and the slit 324. The positions of the terminals and the slits are appropriately guided through a rail groove formed in the battery pack mounting part at the side of the electrical tool body and a rail part (which is omitted in the drawing) formed in the battery pack 300. In 25 this manner, two types of patterns are disposed in the slit inserted by a clamper (positive input terminals 371, 381 and negative input terminals 381, 382) at the side of the electrical device 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 body to mount the 18V and 36V products of the clamper of the terminal part having different widths, and thus output switching can be performed. The worker can obtain appropriate output voltage from the battery pack 300 by simply mounting the battery pack 300 on the electrical device body such as an electrical tool for 18V or an electrical device body for 36V 5

[0126] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the inside of the battery pack 300 of FIG. 16, and in particular, constituting components of a voltage switching mechanism (voltage switching element) 320 disposed in the vicinity (terminal disposing region) of positions of slits 321 to 324 on the rear side of a stepped part 312. The voltage switching mechanism 320 is a changeover switch part, having two movable guide members 330 and 340 casted with metallic terminal 0 member and made of synthetic resin, and such members are subjected to a force by a force-applying part such as a spring 348 in the manner that they are separated in a direction intersecting a mounting direction toward the electrical device body relative to the battery pack 300. The movable guide members 330 and 340 serve as operating parts that are abutted against the switching element for switching the output voltage of the battery pack 300 and perform 5 operation. Four contact terminals (351 to 354) are formed in the vicinity of left and right sides of the movable guide members 330 and 340 and at the rear side in the vicinity of the center. Terminal mounting parts 331 and 341 to be inserted by the positive input terminal 371 and the negative input terminal 372 are formed in the movable guide members 330 and 340. The illustration on the left side of FIG. 17(1) illustrates the positions of the movable guide members 20   330 and 340 in the state that the battery pack 300 is not mounted on the electrical device body. In such state, the positive input terminal 371 and the negative input terminal 372 can be directly inserted into the terminal mounting parts 331 and 341. On the other hand, as shown in the illustration on the left side of FIG. 17(2), when the condition for mounting the terminal parts 380 is different, if the battery pack 300 is relatively moved relative to the positive input terminal 381 25 and the negative input terminal 382 serving as connection element of the terminal part 380, the positive input terminal 381 is brought into contact with an inclined part 332 of the movable 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 guide member 330, and the negative input terminal 382 is brought into contact with an inclined part 342 of the moveable guide member 340. The reason is that, with the effect of spring 348, the parallel surfaces 333 and 343 of the movable guide members 330 and 340 stay still at a position of an interval that is wider than the interval between the positive input terminal 381 and 5 the negative input terminal 382.

[0127] If the positive input terminal 381 and the inclined part 332 are brought into contact with each other while the negative input terminal 382 and the inclined part 342 are also brought into contact with each other, and the terminal part 380 is simultaneously pushed in as shown by arrow 349, that is, the positive input terminal 381 and the negative input terminal 382 are 0 respectively inserted into the slits 321 and 324 (see FIG. 16), the movable guide members 330 and 340 compress the spring 348 while moving inward along a direction (direction toward each other) of arrows 336 and 346. Additionally, in the descriptions of the present embodiment, the concept of the arrow 349 which shows how the terminal part 380 approaches the battery pack 300 simply means that the distance between the terminal part 380 and the battery pack 300 is 5 shortened, and the direction is simply shown for the purpose of convenience, which includes the condition of making the side of the battery pack 300 move to the side of the fixed electrical device body, and the condition of making the side of the electrical device body to move to the side of the battery pack 300. In the present embodiment, in terms of ease of comprehension, the relative movement is exemplified as that the terminal part 380 is moved to the side of the 20 battery pack 300 as shown by arrow 349, but no matter which side is moved, the state after mounting is all the same.

[0128] If the movable guide members 330 and 340 are moved along the direction of arrows 336 and 346 while allowing the terminal part 380 to insert simultaneously, the spring 348 is further compressed and the movable guide members 330 and 340 further approach each other. 25 Therefore, the positive input terminal 381 enters between the parallel surface 333 on the outer side (right side) of the movable guide member 330 and a first +terminal (1st positive electrode 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal) 351. Likewise, the negative input terminal 382 enters between the parallel surface 343 on the outer side (left side) of the movable guide member 340 and the second -terminal (2nd negative electrode terminal) 354. If moved to the predetermined position in the direction of arrow 349 under such state, the mounting of the battery pack 300 is completed. With 5 movement of the movable guide members 330 and 340, the positions of intermediate terminals 335 and 345 are also moved simultaneously, and the closest point is conducted by changing from the “non-contact” state to the “contact” state. Furthermore, the contact state between the movable guide members 330, 340 and the terminals 351 to 354 is changed; as a result, direct current rated at 36V is output to the terminal part 380. The intermediate terminals 335 and 345 0 as well as the contact terminals (351 to 354) serve as switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 300 and is operated by operating part.

[0129] FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating the voltage switching mechanism 320 using movable guide members 330, 340 and terminals 351 to 354. FIG. 18(1) is a diagram illustrating a housing position of the voltage switching mechanism 320 in the battery pack 300. 5 In FIG. 18(1), the voltage switching mechanism 320 is received at a position that is closer to the rear side than the stepped part 312 formed by the lower step surface 311 and the upper step surface 315 of the battery pack and overlaps the configuration position of the plurality of slits 321 to 324 (see FIG. 16) when viewed from the top. The movable guide members 330 and 340 are moveable components that are moved on a terminal substrate 360 (see FIG. 18(3)) along the 20 left-right direction. The four contact terminals (351 to 354) are non-movable components that are fixed on the terminal substrate 360 without moving.

[0130] FIG. 18(2) is an exploded view viewed from the upper surface of the voltage switching mechanism 320, and the illustration is shown in a separated manner with distance to clearly show the construction of each component. In FIG. 18(2), the movable guide member 330 has a 25 basic shape that is formed by connecting a rectangular component with a triangular component when viewed from the top, and the portion with basic shape is made of synthetic resin such as 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 plastic. An intermediate terminal 335 formed of metal is casted in the synthetic resin, and thus firmly secured. Two contact elements 335c and 335d are formed on the rear side of the intermediate terminal 335, and a contact element 335a is formed in the manner of extending between the terminal mounting part 331 to extend toward the front side and bended outward 5 from the inside to form a protrusion in order to be in contact with the positive input terminal 371 of the terminal part 370. A contact element 335b in contact with the contact element 345b of the intermediate terminal 345 on the side of another movable guide member 340 is formed in the inner portion (which is the left side of the movable guide member 330 in the drawing). The movable guide member 340 and the intermediate terminal 345 casted therein as well as the 0 movable guide member 340 and the intermediate terminal 335 are formed bilaterally symmetrical. Two contact elements 345c and 345d are formed on the rear side of the intermediate terminal 345, and a contact element 345a is formed therein in the manner of extending between the terminal mounting part 341 to extend toward the front side and bended outward from the inside to form a protrusion in order to be in contact with the negative input 5 terminal 372 of the terminal part 370. A contact element 345b that is in contact with the contact element 335b of another intermediate terminal 335 is formed in the inner portion (which is right side of the movable guide member 340). The contact elements335 and 345a are terminal set for low voltage for outputting low voltage and construct the first power terminal. A spring 348 (omitted in FIG. 18(2)) is casted between the movable guide members 330 and 340, 20 at the molding time point, the movable guide members 330 and 340 are connected with an elastomer. The spring 348 is a metallic compressing spring.

[0131] Four terminals 351 to 354 are provided on the rear side of the intermediate terminals 335 and 345. The second +terminal (2nd positive electrode terminal) 352 connected to the +terminal (positive electrode terminal) of the first cell unit and the first -terminal (1st negative 25 electrode terminal) 353 connected to the -terminal (negative electrode terminal) of the first cell unit are disposed close to the center along the left-right direction. Contact elements 352a and 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 352b are formed in the second +terminal 352 in the manner of bending toward the front side as a protrusion and parallel with each other in the left-right direction. Contact elements 353a and 353b are formed in the first -terminal 353 in the manner of bending toward the front side as a protrusion and parallel with each other in the left-right direction. The contact element 335c is 5 selectively brought into contact with any one of the contact elements 352a and352b, and the contact element 345c is brought into contact with any one of the contact elements 353a and 353b.

[0132] The first +terminal (1st positive electrode terminal) 351 is disposed on the right side of the intermediate terminal 335, the second -terminal (2nd negative electrode terminal) 354 is 0 disposed on the left side of the intermediate terminal 345. The first -terminal 351 is a component that is bended to substantially form an L-shape when viewed from the top. A contact element 351a is formed in one end portion on the front side in the manner of being bended inward from the outside as a protrusion in order to be in contact with the positive input terminal 381 (see FIG. 17) of the terminal part 380. A contact element 351b is formed in 5 another end portion at the rear side in the manner of being bended toward the front side as a protrusion in order to be in contact with the contact element 335d of the intermediate terminal 335. The second -terminal 354 is formed in the shape bilaterally symmetrical to the shape of the first +terminal 351. A contact element 354b is formed in one end portion on the front side in the manner of being bended as a protrusion in order to be in contact with the negative input 20 terminal 382 (see FIG. 17) of the terminal part 380. A contact element 354b is formed in another end portion on the rear side in the manner of being bended as a protrusion in order to be in contact with the contact element 345d of the intermediate terminal 345. The contact elements 351a and 354a are terminal set for high voltage configured for outputting high voltage and construct the second power terminal. 25

[0133] FIG. 18(3) is a cross-sectional diagram of FIG. 18(1) taken along line C-C. The upper side of the movable guide member 330 is covered by the upper case 310 of the battery 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 pack 300, and the lower side thereof is retained through relative sliding in the left-right direction through the terminal substrate 360. A guide rail 361 is formed on the upper surface of the terminal substrate 360 in the manner of protruding toward the upper side as a protrusion and extending linearly along the left-right direction. Additionally, a guide rail 316 is formed in the 5 inner side wall of the upper step surface 315 of the upper case 310 in the manner of extending linearly along the left-right direction. On the other hand, a guide groove part 334a is formed continuously on the upper side surface of the movable guide member 330 along the left-right direction, and a guide groove part 334b is formed continuously on the lower side surface along the left-right direction. Additionally, it should be indicated that the guide groove part 334a of 0 the movable guide member 330 and the guide groove part 344a disposed on the side of the movable guide member 340 are not shown in other drawings except for FIG. 18(3).

[0134] In this manner, the guide groove part 334b is guided by the guide rail 361, and the guide groove part 334a is guided by the guide rail 316, such that the movable guide member 330 is movable along a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the battery pack 300. The 5 guide groove part and the guide rail are similarly formed on the side of the movable guide member 340 and guided in the same manner, such that the movable guide member 340 can be relatively slid smoothly along the direction (left-right direction) intersecting the mounting direction of the battery pack 300, and is not moved along the direction (front-rear direction) same as the mounting direction. The intermediate terminal 335 is fixed on the movable guide 20 member 330 and configured to be substantially non-contact with the terminal substrate 360. A pin part 352c for fixing the second +terminal 352 is fitted with the inner portion of the terminal substrate 360, and the pin used for connection penetrates through the terminal substrate 360 to be soldered. Furthermore, the pin part 352c can be soldered without separating the pin part 352c from the pin. 25

[0135] Based on above, with the third embodiment, the voltage switching elements (330, 340) are a plurality of movable guide members that are movable along the direction intersecting the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 mounting direction of the battery pack 300 in the terminal configuration region provided with power terminal (positive electrode terminal and negative electrode terminal) on the upper surface of the terminal substrate 360. The voltage switching elements (330, 340) can be used to switch between parallel connection and series connection of the plurality of cell units, thereby 5 realizing the battery pack 300 having an automatic voltage switching mechanism. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the moving direction of the movable guide member 330 is set to be orthogonal with the mounting direction of the battery pack 300 but not limited to the crossing angle of 90°, and the movable guide member 330 can also be moved at an angle more or less than 90° in an inclined and intersecting manner. In this manner, in the third embodiment, the 0 movable guide members 330 and 340 are disposed in the configuration region (a region where slits 321-324 are provided) of the terminals 351 to 354, 335 and 345 along the mounting direction of the battery pack 300, and thus voltage can be switched without increasing the size of the battery pack.

[0136] Next, FIG. 19 is incorporated to describe the connection state of the cell unit achieved 5 by the voltage switching mechanism 320 when in connection with the electrical device body rated at 18V. FIG. 19(1) is a diagram illustrating a state before the terminal part 370 is mounted on the battery pack 300. FIG. 19(2) is a diagram illustrating a state after the mounting, and the wiring state of the four terminals 351 to 354 toward the cell units 356 and 357 are illustrated in the form of circuit diagram. Two cell unit 356 and 357 are accommodated in the 20 battery pack 300. The cell units 356 and 357 are respectively an aggregate formed by a cell 151 with five pieces of lithium ion batteries connected in series, and the output thereof is rated at 18V. The +output (positive output) of the cell unit (first cell unit) 356 is wired to the first +terminal 351 through lead, the +output (negative output) is wired to the first -terminal 353 through lead. Likewise, the +output of the cell unit (second cell unit) 357 is wired to the 25 second +terminal 352 through lead, the -output is wired to the second -terminal 354 through lead. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0137] In the condition that the terminal part 370 is not mounted, the movable guide members 330 and 340 are subjected to force through the spring 348 in the manner of facing away from each other. In this state, the contact elements 335b and 345b facing away from each other are in a non-contact state. If the terminal part 370 is mounted from the state shown in FIG. 19(1), 5 then as shown in FIG. 19(2), the positive input terminal 371 of the terminal part 370 is accommodated in the terminal mounting part 331 through the slit 322 (see FIG. 16); as a result, the contact element 335a and the positive input terminal 371 are in contact with each other. Likewise, the negative input terminal 372 is accommodated in the terminal mounting part 341 through the slit 323 (see FIG. 16); as a result, the contact element 345a and the negative input 0 terminal 372 are in contact with each other. However, the movable guide members 330 and 340 are not moved in the direction the same as the direction of arrow 349 and the orthogonal direction (left-right direction or upper-lower direction). Therefore, the contact relationship between the intermediate terminals 335, 345 and the four terminals 351 to 354 are not changed. In this state, the contact elements 335d and 351b are in contact with each other, the contact 5 elements 335c and 352a are in contact with each other, the contact elements 345c and 353a are in contact with each other, and the contact elements 345d and 354b are in contact with each other. As a result of the contact between the contact elements, a connection path from the positive input terminal 371 to the +output (positive output, positive electrode terminal) of the cell units 356 and 357 can be established, and a connection path from the negative input terminal 372 to 20 the -output (negative output, negative electrode terminal) of the cell units 356 and 357 can be established. The two cell unit 356 and 357 are connected in parallel and then their output, that is, the direct current rated at 18V is output from the battery pack 300.

[0138] FIG. 20(1) is a diagram illustrating a state before the terminal part 380 is mounted to the battery pack 300. FIG. 20(2) is a diagram illustrating a state after the mounting, and the 25 wiring state of the four terminals 351 to 354 toward the cell units 356 and 357 are illustrated in the form of circuit diagram. As shown in FIG. 20(1), in the condition that the terminal part 380 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 is not mounted, the movable guide members 330 and 340 are subjected to force in the manner of facing away from each other. In such state, the contact elements 335b and 345b facing away from each other are in a non-contact state. If the terminal part 380 is mounted from the state shown in FIG. 20(1), the positive input terminal 381 is in contact with an inclined part 332 5 through the slit 321 (see FIG. 16). If the terminal part 380 (or the battery pack 300 is moved toward the terminal part 380) in the contact state, the inclined part 332 is moved in the manner of retreating toward the inner side of the positive input terminal 381, such that the movable guide member 330 compresses the spring 348 along the direction of arrow 336 while moving simultaneously. Likewise, if the negative input terminal 382 is in contact with the inclined part 0   342 through the slit 324 (see FIG. 16) while being pushed in simultaneously, the inclined part 342 is moved in the manner or retreating toward the inner side of the negative input terminal 382, such that the movable guide member 340 compresses the spring 348 along the direction of arrow 346 while moving simultaneously. If the movable guide member 330 is moved toward the inner side, the positive input terminal 381 enters between the parallel surface 333 closer to the 5 side part than the inclined part 332 and the first +terminal 351, and retained in the state (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 20(2)) through the force applied by the spring 348. The positive input terminal 381 and the contact element 351a of the first +terminal 351 are in good contact. Similarly, if the movable guide member 340 is moved toward the inner side, the negative input terminal 382 enters between the parallel surface 343 closer to the side portion than the inclined 20 part 342 and the second -terminal 354, and retained in the state (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 20(2)); the negative input terminal 382 and the contact element 354a of the second -terminal 354 are in good contact.

[0139] If the movable guide member 330 and 340 are moved toward the inner side, the contact relationship between other contact elements is changed. First of all, with the configuration that 25 the contact element 335b of the intermediate terminal 335 is in contact with the contact element 345b of the intermediate terminal 345, the intermediate terminals 335 and 345 become 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 conducted. Additionally, the contact element that is in contact with the contact element 335c of the intermediate terminal 335 is switched from the contact element 352a as shown in FIG. 20(1) into the contact element 352b as shown in FIG. 20(2); the connection state of the contact element 335d of the intermediate terminal 335 and the contact element 351b of the first 5 +terminal 351 is cancelled. Likewise, the contact element that is in contact with the contact element 345c of the intermediate terminal 345 is switched from the contact element 353a shown in FIG. 20(1) into the contact element 353b as shown in FIG. 20(2); the connection state of the contact element 345d of the intermediate terminal 345 and the contact element 354b of the second -terminal 354 is cancelled. As a result of switching the contact states of the contact 0 elements, the connection path of +output (positive output, positive electrode terminal) from the positive input terminal 381 to the cell unit 356 can be established, the connection path from the -output (negative output, negative electrode terminal) of the cell unit 356 to the +output of the cell unit 357 can be established, and the connection path from the -output of the cell unit 357 to the negative input terminal 382 can be established. The connection is a series connection 5 between two cell units 356 and 357, thereby outputting the direct current rated at 36V from the battery pack 300. Additionally, the movable guide members 330 and 340 of the voltage switching mechanism 320 is subjected to force through the spring 348, and thus the state of FIG. 20(2) is returned to the state of FIG. 20(1) when the terminal part 380 is removed. Accordingly, the series connection state of the cell units 356 and 357 is automatically cancelled and returned 20 to the parallel connection state.

[0140] As described above, by realizing the voltage switching mechanism 320 that uses movable guide members 330 and 340, the worker can obtain the output voltage that is the most suitable for the electrical device body by simply mounting the battery pack 300 on any one of the electrical device body rated at 18V or the electrical device body rated at 36V Additionally, 25 as long as the voltage is switched at a ratio of two times, the switching operation can be performed with other voltages; for example, it is also possible to realize the third embodiment in 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 the battery pack that performs switching between 54V / 108V. Furthermore, it is possible to use three movable guide members to realize the switching mechanism which switches the voltage at a ratio of three times. In the battery pack 300 of the third embodiment, the voltage switching mechanism 320 serving as voltage switching element, the contact element 335a and the contact 5 element 345a serving as power terminal are disposed at about the same height in the upper-lower direction, such that the battery pack 300 with compact size in the upper-lower direction can be constructed. [Embodiment 4]

[0141] Next, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are incorporated to describe the fourth embodiment. FIG. 0   21 is a top view of a battery pack 600 of a fourth embodiment of the invention. The appearance and shape of the battery pack 600 is substantially the same as the battery pack 100 in FIG. 7, and the shape of the rail part as well as the shapes of a lower step surface 611 and an upper step surface 615 are identical. A plurality of slot parts are disposed on the upper step surface 615, and the configuration region of the slot part becomes a terminal configuration 5 region. Herein, as slot part, besides the positive electrode terminal slot 621, the negative electrode terminal slot 622, a series / parallel switching element slot 623 serving as third slot is also provided. The positive electrode terminal slot 621 is a slot configured to accommodate the positive electrode output terminal 661 (positive electrode terminal), the negative electrode terminal slot 622 is a slot configured to accommodate the negative electrode output terminal 662 20 (negative electrode terminal). A series / parallel switching element slot 623 is provided in a portion clamped by the positive electrode terminal slot 621 and the negative electrode terminal slot 622. Herein, the empty slot that is not allocated with any terminal in the conventional battery pack is allocated as a series / parallel switching element slot 623.

[0142] In the inner part of the series / parallel switching element slot 623, a parallel connector 25 pair 663 including two parallel connectors 663a and 663b and a series connector 664 are provided from the entrance side (front side). The parallel connector 663a is constructed by a 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connector pair that includes a connector (conductor) connected to the output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 356 and a connector (conductor) connected to the +output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 357. Similarly, the parallel connector 663b is constructed by a connector pair (conductor pair) including a connector (conductor) connected to the -output (negative electrode) 5 of the cell unit 356 and a connector (conductor) connected to the -output (negative electrode) of the cell unit 357. In other words, the parallel connectors 663a and 663b include a pair of connectors respectively connected to the same electrode (+output or -output) of each of the unit cells and disposed adjacent to each other. The parallel connectors 663a and 663b are constructed by a conductor pair separated from each other in the left-right direction. In normal 0 state, the conductor pair is in contact state as shown in the drawing. The connector (conductor) that is connected to the +output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 356 that construct the parallel connector 663a and the connector (conductor) connected to the +output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 357 that construct the parallel connector 663a respectively serve as switching terminals that switch the output voltage of the battery pack 600 into low voltage. Moreover, 5 the connector (conductor) that is connected to the -output (negative electrode) of the cell unit 356 that constructs the parallel connector 663b and the connector (conductor) connected to the -output (negative electrode) of the cell unit 357 that constructs the parallel connector 663b respectively serve as switching terminals that switch the output voltage of the battery pack 600 into low voltage. The series connector 664 is constructed by a conductor pair separated in the 20 left-right direction. In normal state, the conductor pair on left and right sides is in separated in a non-contact state as shown in the drawing. The series connector 664 is constructed by a connector pair (conductor pair) including a connector (conductor) connected to the +output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 356 and a connector (conductor) connected to the -output (negative electrode) of the cell unit 357. In other words, the series connector 664 includes a 25 pair of contact elements respectively connected to opposite electrodes (+output and -output) of each of the cell units and disposed adjacent to each other. Additionally, in order for the series 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connector 664 to get the distance between the terminals of the separated conductor pair, it is also possible to set a position relationship between distances in the mounting direction of the battery pack 600. The connector (conductor) that is connected to the +output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 356 that constructs the series connector 664 and the connector (conductor) 5 connected to the -output (negative electrode) of the cell unit 357 that constructs the series connector 664 respectively serve as switching terminals that switch the output voltage of the battery pack 600 into high voltage, and serve as a series terminal that connect a plurality of cell units 356 and cell units 357 together in series.

[0143] A length in the mounting direction of the positive electrode terminal slot 621 and the 0 negative electrode terminal slot 622 as well as other slots is Ls. Relative to the length of the slots, a length Lsi in the mounting direction of the series / parallel switching element slot 623 is as about twice longer. The reason is that three sets of conductor pairs, namely parallel connectors 663 a, 663b and the series connector 664 are arranged in series / parallel in the mounting direction. Herein, the positive electrode output terminal 661 and the negative electrode output terminal 662 5 (which are generally referred to as power terminals) are separated from each other in an intersecting direction relative to the mounting direction. The parallel connector pair 663 and the series connector 664 serving as voltage switching element are provided in a region (which is specifically a region from the stepped part 612 to the length Lsi or a length Ls2 in the mounting direction (described below in FIG. 24), and more specifically a region having a length of Ls) 20 where the power terminals are provided. In other words, voltage switching elements are provided in a region where slot part is provided.

[0144] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a connection circuit of a cell unit when the battery pack 600 is connected to an electrical device body. FIG. 22(1) illustrates a state of being connected to an electrical device body for low voltage (e.g., 18V). FIG. 22(2) illustrates a state 25 of being connected to an electrical device body for high voltage (e.g., 36V). In the electrical device body for 18V, the shape of the terminal part 650 is the same as those used conventionally, 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 that is, having positive input terminal 651 and negative input terminal 652. In the terminal part 650, it is possible to provide an input terminal (e.g., LD terminal) different from those shown in the drawings, the descriptions herein are only related to the characteristics of the fourth embodiment, and other descriptions related to the input terminal are omitted. An LD terminal 5   23 serves as a signal terminal for inputting or outputting information or signal.

[0145] The circuit diagram at the lower side of FIG. 22(1) shows a state where the battery pack 600 is mounted on the electrical device body such that the terminal part 650 and the output terminal of the battery pack 600 are connected. Cell units 356 and 357 formed by a cell of five lithium ion batteries connected in series are provided in the inner portion of battery pack 600. 0 In the state shown in FIG. 22(1), the +output and -output of the cell units 356 and 357 are connected to the positive electrode output terminal 66land the negative electrode output terminal 662 in the state of parallel connection. That is, the +terminal of the cell unit 357 constructed through series connection of five cells is connected to the positive electrode output terminal 661. The -terminal is connected to the negative electrode output terminal 662 through 5 the parallel connector 663b. On the other hand, the +terminal of the cell unit 356 constructed through series connection of five cells is connected to the positive electrode output terminal 661 through the parallel connector 663a, and the -terminal is connected to the negative electrode output terminal 662. Herein, the series connector 664 that connects the +terminal of the cell unit 356 and the -terminal of the cell unit 357 is formed as a series terminal group including a 20 plurality of contact terminals (terminals on the right side and terminals on the left side in the drawing) in order to connect the plurality of cell unit 356 and 357 in series. The contact terminals on the left and right sides are in an open state (non-conducted state) in the initial state (i.e., the state where battery pack 600 is removed).

[0146] The illustration on the upper side of FIG. 22(2) is shows the shape of the terminal of a 25 terminal part 680 of the electrical device body for 36V. Herein, besides the positive input terminal 681 and the negative input terminal 682 having the same shape as those used 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 conventionally, a series / parallel switching terminal 683 is also provided. The series / parallel switching terminal 683 is provided in a terminal configuration region where a power terminal (positive electrode output terminal 661 and negative electrode output terminal 662) is provided in the mounting direction of the battery pack, which becomes a connection element that switches 5 between parallel connection and series connection. The series / parallel switching terminal 683 is provided with two functions. When the battery pack 600 is mounted, the front end portion that is first abutted against the voltage switching element (parallel connector pair 663, series connector 664) is formed as a conduction terminal 683b formed of a conductor, and the rear end portion is formed with a disconnection terminal 683a formed of a non-conductor. The terminal 0 part 680 is formed as a stage part with integral synthetic resin, and the positive input terminal 681 and the negative input terminal 682 formed in plate-shape with metal are casted in the base portion. The series / parallel switching terminal 683 has a switching terminal group, the disconnection terminal 683a and the terminal part 680 are integrally formed of non-conductive material, and a portion of the front end thereof is formed with a metallic conduction terminal 5   683b through casting. Herein, the purpose of disposing the disconnection terminal 683a is to disconnect the conduction state of the parallel connector 663a and disconnect the conduction state of the parallel connector 663b by entering between the parallel connectors 663 a and 663b that are in contact state (conducted state) where the battery pack 600 is not mounted. The disconnection terminal 683a is connected to parallel connectors 663a and 663b of the battery 20 pack 600 constructed by a plurality of switching terminals and serves as a switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 600 into low voltage. On the contrary, the conduction terminal 683b serves as a short. The short enters between the series connectors (series connection elements) 664 in the non-contact state (disconnection state) where the battery pack 600 is not mounted so as to make each of the series connectors 664 become short-circuited, 25 thereby establishing the conduction state of the series connector 664. The conduction terminal 683b serves as a switching terminal, i.e., series connector (series connection element) 664 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 connected to the battery pack 600 constructed by a plurality of switching terminals, serves as a switching terminal which switches the output voltage of the battery pack 600 into high voltage, and also serves as integral connection terminal for high voltage which connects the plurality of cell units 356 and cell units 357 in series. Therefore, the conduction terminal 683b can work as 5 a simple metal plate without being wired to the substrate at the side of the electric tool body. In this manner, the switching terminal extended from each of the cell units of the plurality of different cell units are disposed adjacent to each other to serve as the series / parallel switching terminal 683 serving as voltage switching element.

[0147] The circuit diagram at the lower side of FIG. 22(2) illustrates a state where the battery 0 pack 600 is mounted on the electrical device body such that the terminal part 680 and the output terminal of the battery pack 600 are connected. In the state of FIG. 22(2), the series connection circuit facing the positive electrode output terminal 661 and the negative electrode output terminal 662 in the connection state where the +output of the cell unit 356 and the -output of the cell unit 357 are connected is established. The -l-terminal of the cell unit 357 constructed by 5 five pieces of cells connected in series is connected to the positive electrode output terminal 661, the -terminal is connected to the +terminal of the cell unit 356 through the connection of the series connector 664 that becomes short-circuited by being inserted by the conduction terminal 683b. The -terminal of the cell unit 356 is connected to the negative electrode output terminal 662. Herein, the parallel connector 663 a and 663b that are formed as parallel connector pair 20   663 are spaced apart by the disconnection terminal 683a between two connection points and thus turning into conduction state. As shown in FIG. 22(1), the parallel connection state of the cell units 356 and 357 is cancelled; on the other hand, the series connection state is established.

[0148] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, by changing the shape of the terminal parts 650 and 680 at the side of the electric tool body, and using a third slot 623 to be 25 inserted by the switching element (series / parallel switching terminal 683) for switching output voltage other than the first slot 621 to be inserted by the positive input terminal 681 and the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 second slot 622 to be inserted by the negative input terminal 682, the output voltage of the battery pack 600 can be appropriately switched. Meanwhile, when the commonly used 18V is output, the shape is formed to be the same as the shape of the terminal part 650 of the conventional electric tool, such that the battery pack 600 in the embodiment can be mounted on 5 the electric tool body or electrical device body for 18V sold on the market to be used in the same manner. On the other hand, for the electric tool body or electrical device body which needs to be set at rated 36V, if formed as in the same shape as the terminal part 680 as shown in FIG. 22(2), the direct current rated at 36V can be obtained from eh battery pack 600 by simply mounting the battery pack 600. Herein, since there is no complicated switch mechanism, an 0 automatic voltage switching battery pack that maintains low manufacturing cost with good durability can be realized. Additionally, by mounting the switching terminal group (663a, 663b, 664) serving as voltage switching element in the third slot 623 in the region where power terminal (positive electrode output terminal 661 and negative electrode output terminal 662) are provided in the mounting direction, the voltage can be easily switched by simply mounting the 5 battery pack on the electrical device body. In particular, since the voltage switching element is disposed between the power terminal in the direction intersecting the mounting direction, the size of the battery pack is not increased, and thus can be disposed in existing electrical device body. In the fourth embodiment, the voltage switching element and the power terminal are disposed at about the same height in the upper-lower direction and thus a battery pack with 20 compact size in the upper-lower direction can be constructed. Furthermore, the connector (conductor) connected to the +output (positive electrode) of the cell unit 356 which constructs the series connector 664 and the connector (conductor) connected to -output (negative electrode) of the cell unit 357 which constructs the series connector 664 respectively serve as series terminal which connects a plurality of cell units 356 and cell units 357 in series, but the series 25 terminals are disposed at about the same height in the upper-lower direction relative to the positive electrode terminal, i.e., positive electrode output terminal 661 and the negative electrode 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal, i.e., negative electrode output terminal 662, and thus the battery pack with compact size in the upper-lower direction can be constructed.

[0149] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a mounted battery pack cover 640 in a state where the battery pack 600 is not mounted to an electrical device body. The battery pack cover 5   640 is, for example, made up of non-conductive material such as vinyl chloride resin or other plastic material, and is mounted in the manner of covering the lower step surface 611, the stepped part 612 and the upper step surface 615 of the battery pack 600. The battery pack cover 640 is constructed by connecting upper step part 643 serving as a first planar part and the lower step part 641 serving as a second planar part through a vertical surface 642, and is formed 0 with a crank-like shape when viewed from a lateral cross-sectional perspective. Three vertical ribs 646 to 648 are formed in the manner of crossing the upper step part 643 of the battery pack cover 640 and the vertical surface 642. The vertical ribs 646 to 648 are formed at the positions which are about the same as the positive input terminals 651 and 681, negative input terminals 652 and 682, series / parallel switching terminal with the same size. Specifically, the plate 5 thickness at the lower portion of the front side of the vertical ribs 646 to 648 is slightly thinner for ease of configuration. By mounting the battery pack cover 640 on the battery pack 600, the cell unit 356 and the cell unit 357 are completely electrically independent from each other. For example, when the cell unit 356 and the cell unit 357 respectively have power capacity of 54 Wh (=voltage 18V x capacitance 3.0 Ah), in the absence of battery pack cover 640, the cell unit 356 20 and the cell unit 357 are connected in parallel to have power capacity of 108 Wh (= voltage 18V x 2x capacitance 3.0AH). Typically, for lithium ion battery pack, when the power capacity exceeds 100 Wh, it becomes an object that is prohibited for transport. However, by disposing the battery pack cover 640 and thus being regarded as two batteries with power capacity of 54 Wh, it is no longer an object prohibited for transport and thus can be processed through normal 25 transport, thereby significantly reducing the packing material and transporting cost.

[0150] At the outer periphery and in the vicinity of the central line of longitudinal direction of 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 the battery pack cover 640, the edge 644 and the rib 645 extended in a thickness direction (upper-lower direction) are formed integrally to increase rigidity. When the vertical ribs 646 to 648 are mounted on the battery pack cover 640, the vertical rib 646 is inserted into the positive electrode terminal slot 621 and fitted with the positive input terminal 651. The vertical rib 647 5 is inserted into the negative electrode terminal slot 622 and fitted with the negative input terminal 652. The vertical rib 648 is inserted into the series / parallel switching element slot 623 and fitted with the parallel connectors 663 a and 663b as well as the series connector 664. The battery pack cover 640 uses the elasticity of the positive input terminal 651, the negative input terminal 652 and the parallel connectors 663a and 663b to be retained without falling from the 0 battery pack 600.

[0151] Based on the above, in the battery pack 600 shown in FIG. 21 to FIG. 23, the parallel connector pair 663 including two sets of parallel connectors663a and 633b as well as the series connector 664 including a contact in an open state are arranged in parallel in the inner part of the series / parallel switching element slot 623 in a mounting direction. In this manner, as shown in 5 FIG. 21, the length Lsi of the series / parallel switching element slot 623 in the mounting direction is longer than the length Ls of other slots. If the region that is equivalent to the length Lsi of the series / parallel switching element slot 623 become longer, the problem regarding a lack of space for mounting of battery pack 600 might occur. In such condition, it might not be necessary to arrange all of the series connector 664 and parallel connectors 663 a and 633b in one 20 slot (series / parallel switching element slot 623) but separately distributed is two slots. FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 are top views of construction of a battery pack 600A (modification example of the fourth embodiment).

[0152] FIG. 24 is a top view of a battery pack 600A of a modification example of a fourth embodiment of the invention. The change is made to the appearance and shape of a first slot 25   623A and a second slot 624A of the battery pack 600A for switching series connection and parallel connection. A plurality of slot parts are disposed on the upper step surface 615, but the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 slot part for transmitting signal is changed to ensure the second slot 624A for switching series connection and parallel connection. In the first slot 623A, a parallel connector 673 a disposed at the side of opening (entrance side of mounting direction) close to the side of the lower step surface 611 is provided, and a series connector 674 is disposed at the depth side such that the 5 adjacent terminal pairs are arranged in series. On the other hand, in the second slot 624A, a parallel connector 673b is partially disposed in the depth part away from the lower step surface 611. The series connector 674, the parallel connectors 673a and 673b are respectively constructed by a set of conductor pairs separated in the left-right direction. In the state where the battery pack 600A is not mounted, the conductor pair on the left and right sides of the 0 parallel connectors 673a and 673b are in a contact state, and the conductor pair on the left and right sides of the series connector 674 are spaced apart in a non-contact state. With such configuration, the length of the first slot 623A and the second slot 624A viewed from the mounting direction may be set as Ls2, and thus being shorter relative to the length Lsi of the series / parallel switching element slot 623 as shown in FIG. 21, which is advantageous for 5 mounting. Additionally, at the opening side of the second slot 624A, although it is not shown, a connection element configured for signal connection in the known art may be used such as an output V terminal of a display battery, and thus interchangeability of electric tool for connecting with 18V is not damaged. The connection element for signal connection serves as signal terminal for inputting or outputting information or signal. 20

[0153] FIG. 25 illustrates a connection circuit at the time when a battery pack 600A in the modification example of the fourth embodiment is connected to the cell unit of the electrical device body. FIG. 25(1) shows a state of connecting to an electrical device body for low voltage (e.g., 18V). FIG. 25(2) shows a state of connecting to an electrical device body for high voltage (e.g., 36V). As compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 22, the shape of 25 the terminal part 650 of electric device for low voltage (e.g., 18V) is the same, but the shape of the terminal part 680A of electric device for high voltage (e.g., 36V) is different. In the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal part 680 shown in FIG. 22, the series / parallel switching terminal 683 is constructed as one string, but in the terminal part 680 shown in a modification example, serving as series / parallel switching terminal, the first series / parallel switching terminal 693 and the second series / parallel switching terminal 694 are disposed separately. In the first series / parallel 5 switching terminal 693, the conduction terminal 693b that is formed by conductor is formed at the front end portion that is first abutted against the parallel connector 673b when mounting the battery pack 600A, and disconnection terminal 693a formed by non-conductor is formed at the rear end portion. On the other hand, the overall second series / parallel switching terminal 694 is fabricated in the form of a disconnection terminal serving as non-conductor. Here, the terminal 0 part 680A is formed as a stage part through the integral synthetic resin, the positive input terminal 681 the negative input terminal 682 with a plate shape formed of metal is casted herein. The disconnection terminal 693 a of the series / parallel switching terminal 693 as well as the series / parallel switching terminal 694 and the stage part will work by being integrally formed of synthetic resin. .5

[0154] The circuit diagram shown at the lower side of FIG. 25 shows a state where the battery pack 600A is mounted on the electrical device body such that the terminal part 650 and the terminal part 680A are connected with the output terminal group of the battery pack 600A. In the state shown in FIG. 25(2), the +output of the cell unit 356 and the -output of cell unit 357 are connected to the positive electrode output terminal 661 and the negative electrode output 20 terminal 662 in series connection state. The +terminal of the cell unit 357 constructed by five pieces of cells connected in series is connected to the positive electrode output terminal 661, by being inserted by the conduction terminal 693b, the -terminal becomes a series connector 674 in short-circuited state and connected to the +terminal of the cell unit 356. The -terminal of the cell unit 356 is connected to the negative electrode output terminal 662. Herein, the parallel 25 connectors 673a and 673b forming the parallel connector pair 673 are spaced apart by the disconnection terminal 693a and the second series / parallel switching terminal (disconnection 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal) 694 between two respective contact and thus in a non-conduction state; therefore, the parallel connection state between the cell units 356 and 357 as shown in FIG. 25(1) is cancelled. Herein, the position of the parallel connector 673a is adjacent to the series connector 674 when viewed from the mounting direction instead of being adjacent to the parallel connector 673b, 5 which serves the purpose of arranging the conventional terminal for transmitting signal at the entrance side of the parallel connector 673 a. Additionally, it is possible to gather the parallel connectors 673 a and 673b at the side of the first series / parallel switching terminal 693, and arrange the series connector 674 at the side of the second series / parallel switching terminal 694. However, if the first series / parallel switching terminal 693 is damaged and detached from the 0 terminal part 680A, by being only connected to series connector 674 with the function of the second series / parallel switching terminal 694, it is likely that short-circuit phenomenon might occur. Therefore, the configuration as shown in the present drawing is more advantageous.

[0155] As described above, the advantage of the modification examples shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 might restrict the length of the first series / parallel switching terminal 693 in the 5 longitudinal direction, and similarly restrict the length of the first slot 623A. From the root part side of the second series / parallel switching terminal 694, it is possible to use the casted metallic terminal to maintain the conventional terminal for transmitting signal. Additionally, there is completely no need to modify the terminal part 650 of the electrical device body for low voltage (18V); therefore, the battery pack of the invention can be directly applied to conventional 20 electrical device body. Moreover, in the fourth embodiment, to be used for low voltage and high voltage, a battery pack that is formed with the use of five cells formed as one cell unit and outputs 18V and 36V serves as an example for description, but the output voltage can be set randomly, other combination can be realized as long as the output voltage difference is set at the ratio of two times, such as a battery pack that is formed with the use of 15 pieces of cells formed 25 as one cell unit and switches between 54V (low voltage side) and 108V (high voltage side). [Embodiment 5] 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0156] Next, FIG. 26 to FIG. 28 are incorporated to describe the fifth embodiment of the invention. Like in the fourth embodiment, a battery pack 700 of the fifth embodiment can also automatically switch between 18V and 36V according to the shape of the terminal at the side of the electric tool body. That is, when being disposed on the electric tool body or the electrical 5 device body, the battery pack 700 automatically switch the output voltage corresponding to the rated voltage at the side of the body. FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance / shape of a battery pack 700. The shape of the battery pack 700 and the conventional battery pack 15 (see FIG. 1) rated at 18V are interchangeable. A plurality of slot parts are formed in a step-like projection part at the boundary between the lower step surface 111 0 and the upper step surface 115 of the battery pack 700. The inner side of the slot parts become a terminal configuration region and provided with a plurality of output terminals or signal terminals. The slot part has notch in both of the direction parallel with the mounting direction and the upper-lower direction, such that the slot part can be inserted into the terminal of the electric tool body from the lower step surface 111. Additionally, an opening part 709 with 5 continuous opening in the lateral direction is formed in the rear portion of the lower step surface 111 at the lower side of the slot part. In the plurality of slots formed in the region on the front side of the upper step surface 115, the first slot 701 accommodates the terminal pair for transmitting the +output at the side of battery pack. The second slot 704 accommodates the terminal pair for transmitting the -output at the side of battery pack. The third slot 707 20 accommodates the series connection terminal pair, which makes the -output from a cell unit and the -output from another cell unit to be disposed adjacent to each other in a non-contact state, thereby switching the output voltage of the battery pack 700. Additionally, in the battery pack 700, the slot of the following terminals is formed: LD terminal, configured to output the over-discharge protection signal formed by the battery protection circuit (not shown) included in 25 the battery pack 700; LS terminal, configured to output the temperature information of the battery formed by sensing element (not shown) disposed to be in contact with the cell; V 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal, configured to input the control signal from a charging device; T terminal, configured to output the signal serving as recognition information of the battery pack 700 to the electric tool body or the charging device; C+terminal, serving as +terminal for charging. The terminals disposed in the slots serve the same function as the conventional battery pack 15 (see FIG. 1). 5 The LD terminal, the LS terminal, the T terminal serve as signal terminals for inputting or outputting information or signal.

[0157] FIG. 26(2) is a circuit diagram in the battery pack 700. The inner part of the battery pack 700 accommodates cell units 356 and 357 formed by two sets of cells with five pieces of 14500 or 18650 lithium ion batteries connected in series. The +output of the cell unit 356 is 0 connected to positive electrode terminal 712, and the +output of the cell unit 357 is connected to the positive electrode terminal 713. The positive electrode terminals 712, 713 forming the parallel positive electrode terminal pair are adjacent to each other and secured on the terminal substrate 711 in the manner of being secured in the slot 701. The positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 serve as positive electrode terminals and also serve as switching terminal which 5 switches the output voltage of the battery pack 700 into low voltage, and also serve as parallel terminal that connects a plurality of cell units in parallel. Additionally, the plurality of positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 serving as parallel terminal are disposed adjacent to each other and serve as parallel terminal group. Likewise, the -output of the cell unit 357 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 715, and the -output of the cell unit 356 is connected to the 20 negative electrode terminal 716. The negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 serve as negative electrode terminal, also serve as switching terminal which switches the output voltage of the battery pack 700 into low voltage, and also serve as parallel terminal that connects a plurality of unit cells in parallel. Furthermore, the plurality of negative electrode terminals electrode terminals 715, and 716 serving as parallel terminal are disposed adjacent to each other 25 and serve as another parallel terminal group. The negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 that form the parallel negative electrode terminal pair are adjacent to each other and secured on the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal substrate 714 in the manner of being secured in the slot 704. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the +output from the cell unit 357 and the -output from the cell unit 356 serve as series connection terminal pair through the connected series connection terminal 718 and the connected series connection terminal 719 and are disposed in the slot 707. The series 5 connection terminals 718 and 719 serve as switching terminal for switching output voltage of the battery pack 700 into high voltage, and also serve as series terminal that connects a plurality of cell units 356, 357 in series. Additionally, the plurality of series connection terminals 718 and 719 that serve as series terminals are disposed adjacent to each other to serve as series terminal group. The positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 as well as the negative electrode terminals 0   715 and 716 are adjacent to each other in the manner of being extended from each of the cell units of the plurality of different cell units 356 and 357 and separated from each other, thereby serving as voltage switching element that switches between the parallel connection and series connection of the cell units 356 and 357.

[0158] When the battery pack 700 is not mounted on the electric tool body or the charger, as 5 shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 26(2), the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 are in non-contact state, the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 are in non-contact state, and the series connection terminal 718 and the series connection terminal 719 are in non-contact state. The series connection terminals 718 and 719 are used in pairs, and secured on the terminal substrate 717 in the manner of being adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the terminal 20 substrates 711, 714 and 717 may be an integral substrate, and may also serve as a protection circuit substrate provided with battery protection circuit. The positive electrode terminals 712 and 713, the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716, and the series connection terminals 718 and 719 construct a switching terminal group, and the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 construct a positive electrode terminal pair or a parallel positive electrode terminal group 25 (parallel terminal group). The negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 construct a negative electrode terminal pair or a parallel negative electrode terminal group. The series connection 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminals 718 and 719 construct a series connection terminal group (series terminal group).

[0159] FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state where a battery pack 700 is connected to a conventional electric tool body rated at 18V. FIG. 27(1) is a circuit diagram at the time of connection. Herein, the positive input terminal 721 at the side of the electric tool body is in 5 contact with the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713, and the negative input terminals 722 is in contact with the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716, thereby forming the parallel connection circuit of the cell units 356 and 357. The positive input terminals 721 and the negative input terminal 722 serve as switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 700 into low voltage or a connection element, and also serve as switching element 0 for low voltage that connects a plurality of cell units in parallel. FIG. 27(3) is a side view of positive electrode terminals 712 and 713, and has the shape of the positive input terminal 721 of the terminal part 720 at the side of the electric tool body rated at 18V. FIG. 27(2) is a top view of positive electrode terminals 712, 713. Herein, the positive input terminal 721 of the terminal part 720 is formed with the same shape as conventional electric tool in the form of a metal plate 5 having a height H. A contact region where the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 are in contact with the positive input terminal 721 is formed by an elongate plate-shaped member having a height H / 2 in the upper-lower direction. One side (the side opposite to the opening part of slot) of the positive electrode terminal 712 away from the positive input terminal721 is extended upward from the terminal substrate 711, and is extended from the upper side of the 20 positive electrode terminal 713 to the side (opening part of slot) of the positive input terminal 721. On the other hand, the positive electrode terminal 713 has a shape with decreased thickness that is formed by cutting the upper portion of the conventional positive electrode terminal, the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 are spaced part without being in contact with each other. The positive input terminal 721 is formed by a metal plate that is casted in the 25 terminal part 720 made up of synthetic resin on the side of the electric tool body.

[0160] The positive electrode terminal 712 is formed to have the shape described as follows: a 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 flat plate is bent into a U-shape and folded at the opening end portion. The folded portion is in contact with and blocks the open end portion. Likewise, the positive electrode terminal 713 is also formed to have the shape described as follows: a flat plate is bent into a U-shape and folded at the open end portion. The folded part is in contact with and the blocks the open end portion. 5 The front-rear length of the positive electrode terminal 713 is constructed to be shorter and close to half of the positive electrode terminal 712, but the shape of the front side portion L when viewed from the top is identical with the corresponding part of the positive electrode terminal 712. In this manner, the plurality of positive electrode terminals are disposed adjacent to each other in the first slot 701 and form a positive electrode terminal group. Meanwhile, when the 0 battery pack 700 is mounted on the battery pack mounting part of the electric tool body, the positive input terminal 721 is pressed and fitted in the manner of opening the open end part of the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713, such that a partial region at the upper side of the positive input terminal 721 is in contact with the positive electrode terminal 712, and a partial region at the lower side is in contact with the positive electrode terminal 713. As a result, the 5 positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 become short-circuited state through the positive input terminal 721. In FIG. 27(2) and FIG. 27(3), the terminal structure in the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 also has the same shape. That is, the negative electrode terminal 715 and the positive electrode terminal 712 have the same shape, the negative electrode terminal 716 and the positive electrode terminal 713 have the same shape, and the negative input terminal 722 20   and the positive input terminal 721 have the same shape. The plurality of negative electrode terminals are disposed adjacent to each other in the second slot 704 to form a negative electrode terminal group. In this manner, by disposing the battery pack 700 in the terminal part 720 at the side of the electric tool body, the positive input terminal 721 and the negative input terminal 722 are respectively connected to positive electrode terminal pair and negative electrode 25   terminal pair. The cell unit 356 and the cell unit 357 are connected in parallel and the output thereof is rated at 18 V. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0161] FIG. 27(4) is a front view of the shape of the terminal part 720 at the side of the electric tool body. FIG. 27(5) is a perspective view of the terminal part 720. The terminal part 720 is fabricated integrally by using non-conductive material such as synthetic resin, and three pieces of metallic terminals are firmly secured by the means of casting, namely, the 5 positive input terminal 721, the negative input terminal 722 and the LD terminal 723. As shown in FIG. 27(5), the LD terminal 723 is constructed with a bigger size than the positive input terminal 721 and the negative input terminal 722 in order to stably retain the battery pack 700 disposed thereon. The terminal part 720 is not only provided with a vertical plane 720b serving as abutting surface in the mounting direction, but also provided with a horizontal plane 0 (upper surface viewed from terminals 721 to 723) 720a, the horizontal plane 720a is a plane that is relatively slid opposite to the upper step surface 115 when the battery pack 720 is mounted.

[0162] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a state where the battery pack 700 is connected to a novel electric tool body rated at 36V. FIG. 28(1) is a circuit diagram at the time of connection. Herein, the positive input terminal 731 at the side of the electric tool body rated at 36V is only in 5 contact with the positive electrode terminal 712 but not in contact with the positive electrode terminal 713. Likewise, the negative input terminal 732 is only in contact with the negative electrode terminal 715 but not in contact with the negative electrode terminal 716. On the other hand, by inserting a metallic conduction terminal (short) 734 additionally disposed in the terminal part 730 between the series connection terminals 718 and 719, the series connection 20 terminals 718 and 719 that are disposed in non-contact state are short-circuited. In this manner, the result of using a short to connect the series connection terminals 718 and 719 is that, the -output of the cell unit 356 is connected to the +output of cell unit 357. Accordingly, as one could see from the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 28(1), the positive input terminal 731 and the negative input terminal 732 are connected with series output of the cell units 356 and 357. The 25 conduction terminal (short) 734 serves as switching element that switches the output voltage of the battery pack 700 into high voltage, and also serves as a connection element for high voltage 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 that connects the plurality of cell units 356 and 357 in series. In FIG. 28(2) and FIG. 28(3), the terminal shape at the side of the battery pack 700, i.e., the shape of the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713, the shape of the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 in the same form and the terminal shape shown in FIG. 27 are not changed in comparison. However, the 5 terminal shape of terminal part 730 is designed to be different. On the right side of FIG. 28(3), in the positive input terminal 731 of the terminal part 730, the metallic part corresponding to the positive electrode terminal 712 is exposed, but the part corresponding to the positive electrode terminal 713 is replaced by insulating terminal material or an insulating material is used to cover a portion of the positive electrode terminal 713, thereby forming the plate-shaped insulating 0 terminal 735. As a result, the positive input terminal 731 is only conducted with the positive electrode terminal 712 but not conducted with the positive electrode terminal 713, and thus the positive input terminal 731 at the side of the electric tool body is connected to the +output of the cell unit 356, and the +output of the cell unit 357 becomes a non-connection state (in FIG. 28(1), the non-connection state is shown with dashed line). The negative input terminal 732 at the 5 side of the electric tool body is formed to have the terminal shape that is completely the same as the positive input terminal 731 as shown in FIG. 28(4) and FIG. 28(5). An insulating terminal 736 is disposed in the lower portion of the negative input terminal 732, such that when the terminal part 730 is disposed on the battery pack 700, the negative input terminal 732 and the negative electrode terminal 716 are not conducted. In this manner, the negative input terminal 20   732 at the side of the electric tool body is connected to the -output of the cell unit 357, but the -output of the cell unit 356 is in a non-connection state.

[0163] FIG. 28(4) is a front view of a shape of the terminal part 730 at the side of electric tool body. FIG. 28(5) is a perspective view of the terminal part 730. As compared with the terminal part 720 in FIG. 27, the terminal part 730 is characterized in that the positive input 25 terminal 731 and the negative input terminal 732 are formed to have a thinner width in the upper-lower direction in the manner of being only in contact with the positive electrode terminal 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 712 and the negative electrode terminal 715 respectively disposed thereon. Additionally, the insulating terminal 735 made up of synthetic resin is formed in the portion closer to the lower side than the positive input terminal 731, and the insulating terminal 736 made up of synthetic resin is formed in the portion closer to the lower side than the negative input terminal 732. The 5 insulating terminals 735 and 736 may be integrally formed respectively through the terminal part 730 with the rear side connected to the vertical plane 730b. Herein, the thickness of the plate-shaped insulating terminals 735 and 736 is formed to be thicker than the positive input terminal 731 and the negative input terminal 732. In this manner, when the synthetic resin portion of the terminal part 730 including the insulating terminals 735 and 736 is molded, the 0 lower portion of the metallic positive input terminal 731 and the negative input terminal 732 can be casted in the synthetic resin to achieve an insulation state.

[0164] A conduction terminal 734 is additionally formed in the terminal part 730. The conduction terminal 734 is disposed at a random position. Herein, since the empty slot portion (slot 707 in FIG. 26) in the conventional battery pack for 18V is used to dispose the series 5 connection terminals 718 and 719, the conduction terminal 734 is located next to the positive input terminal 731. The conduction terminal 734 is a metallic plate. A portion of the positive input terminal 731, the negative input terminal 732 and the LD terminal 733 has wiring connection parts 731a, 732a and 733a for putting wiring in the electrical device body. Relatively, the wiring connection part is not required for the conduction terminal 734 for the 20 reason that the conduction terminal 734 is only configured to make the series connection terminals 718 and 719 become short-circuited. Additionally, the configuration may be designed by using the conduction terminal 734 to perform signal transmission, and the wiring connection part may be formed in such circumstances. As viewed from FIG. 28(4), the wiring connection parts 731a, 732a and 733a are disposed in the manner of leaning further to the inner 25 side than the positions of the positive input terminal 731, the negative input terminal 732 and the LD terminal 733, and the reason for such configuration is that, the metallic plate for forming the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 positive input terminal 731, the negative input terminal 732 and the LD terminal 733 is bent into a crane-like shape having step difference, and the bent portion is casted by using synthetic resin.

[0165] In the fifth embodiment, by only changing the shape of the terminal part at the side of the electric tool body into the shape (terminal part 720) shown in FIG. 27 or the shape (terminal 5 part 730) shown in FIG. 28, it is easy to change the output voltage from the battery pack 700 from 18V into 36V Moreover, there is no need to use movable element such as switching member in the battery pack 700, thereby realizing a battery pack with simple structure and high durability. Furthermore, the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713, the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 and the series connection terminals 718 and 719 may be mounted in the 0 current slot part of the battery pack for 18 V; therefore, the voltage switching battery pack can be realized in a size interchangeable with the conventional one. Based on the above, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 are incorporated to describe the structure of the fifth embodiment, but such structure, especially the terminal shape may be modified into any forms. In the fifth embodiment, the voltage switching element and the power terminal are disposed at about the same height in the 5 upper-lower direction, and thus the battery pack with a compact size in the upper-lower direction can be formed. Additionally, the series connection terminals 718 and 719 serving as series terminal are disposed at the about the same height as the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 as well as the negative electrode terminals 715 and 716 in the upper-lower direction, and thus the battery pack with a compact size in the upper-lower direction can be formed. 20

[0166] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a modification example 1 which only changes the terminal part of the electric tool body for 36V. In FIG. 29, only the shape of the terminal part 750 is different, which is set as a configuration in which the disconnection terminal as shown in FIG. 28 is not disposed at the lower side of the positive input terminal 751, and positive electrode terminal 713 is not in contact with anything in the mounting process of the battery 25 pack. As shown in FIG. 29(3) and FIG. 29(4), the lower side of the negative input terminal 752 is also a configuration in which the disconnection terminal is not disposed. The shape of the 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 conduction terminal 754 and the LD terminal 753 have the same shape as FIG. 28. The terminal part 750 described above can also achieve the same effect as FIG. 28.

[0167] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a modification example 2 which only changes the terminal part of the electric tool body for 36V. The basic configuration of FIG. 30 is the same 5 as FIG. 29. The positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 are configured in parallel without being in contact with each other in a direction, which is upper-lower direction herein, intersecting the insertion direction of the battery pack 700. The positive input terminal 771 is formed in the terminal part 770 for 36V, the positive input terminal 771 has a width that is appropriate for being only in contact with the positive electrode terminal 712 in the upper-lower 0 direction, and the insulating plate 775 that is extended along a horizontal direction is formed in the manner of being in contact with the lower edge part of the positive input terminal 771. The insulating plate 775 enters between the interval 777 in the upper-lower direction of the positive electrode terminal 712 and the positive electrode terminal 713 in the mounting process of the battery pack 700, thereby achieving the effect of substantially completely preventing the 5 possibility of short-circuit phenomenon caused by dust or foreign matter that enters between the positive electrode terminal 712 and the positive electrode terminal 713 when the electric tool is operated, thereby retaining good insulation state between the positive electrode terminal 712 and the positive electrode terminal 713. As shown in FIG. 30(3), viewing from the direction parallel with the insertion direction of the battery pack, an insulating plate 776 with a 20 predetermined width is formed in a horizontal direction in the negative input terminal 772. The shapes of the conduction terminal 774 and the LD terminal 773 are not changed. Viewing from FIG. 30(4), the insulating plates 775 and 776 at the lower side of the positive input terminal 771 and the negative input terminal 772 are connected to the vertical plane 770b of the terminal part 770. The ideal width of the insulating plates 775 and 776 in the left-right direction is a width 25 that is extended to the vicinity of the boundary between the adjacent slit, but may be smaller than said width. Herein, a portion of the insulating plates 775 and 776 may be formed 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 integrally with the terminal part 770; in such circumstances, the positive input terminal 771 and the negative input terminal 772 are secured through cast molding.

[0168] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a modification example 3 which changes the shape of a terminal at the side of a battery pack for 36V and the terminal part 790 at the side of the electric 5 tool body. The positive electrode terminals 782 and 783 are disposed on the terminal substrate 781 in parallel along the direction identical with the insertion direction of the battery pack 700 and retained in non-contact state. The upper portions 782a and 783a of the positive electrode terminals 782 and 783 are separated from each other in the mounting direction as shown in the top view of FIG. 31(1). The inserted positive input terminal 721 is formed in the shape that 0 allows it to pass through from the inlet side 787a to the outlet side 787b. The lower portions 782b and 783b of the positive electrode terminals 782 and 783 are formed as a U-shape through left-right connection, such that the manufacturing process can be easily performed through the pressing process of one metallic plate.

[0169] There is no need to change the shapes of the positive input terminal 721 and the 5 negative input terminal 722 inserted into the positive electrode terminal pair (782, 783) and the negative electrode terminal pair having the same shape in the electric tool body rated at 18V relative to the shape shown in FIG. 27 as shown in FIG. 31(2) and FIG. 31(3). On the other hand, in the electric tool body rated at 36V, it is required to change the shape of the terminal part 790. In the terminal part 790, the insulating plate 795 and the positive input terminal 791 are 20 arranged in parallel in the insertion direction of the battery pack. That is, as compared with the terminal part 720 for rated 18V, the exposing area of the positive input terminal 791 is reduced to be about half of the positive input terminal 721, such that when 36V is output, the positive input terminal 791 is only in contact with the positive electrode terminal 782, and the positive electrode terminal 783 is non-conducted. The side of the negative input terminal 792 is 25 constructed in the same manner as the positive input terminal 791. As shown in FIG. 31(4) and FIG. 31(5), an insulating plate 796 is formed adjacent to the negative input terminal 792. The 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 insulating plates 795 and 796 may be formed integrally along with the stage portion of the terminal part 790 through injection molding of synthetic resin. As described above, in the modification example 3, a voltage switching battery pack interchangeable with conventional electric tool body of 18 V can be realized. 5

[0170] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a modification example 4 which only changes the terminal part 800 of the electric tool body for 36V. The embodiment shows the shape that is formed after the insulating plate 795 exemplified in FIG. 31 is removed. The length of the positive input terminal 801 in the mounting direction is set to be slightly shorter than half of the positive input terminal 721 (see FIG. 27) for 18V. The length of the negative input terminal 0   802 in the mounting direction is similarly set to be slightly shorter than half of the negative input terminal 722 for 18 V. When viewed from the rear side as shown in FIG. 32(3), the shape of the terminal part 800 is not only the same as the terminal for 18V besides having the conduction terminal 804, but also explicit according to the perspective view of FIG. 32(4). The positive input terminal 801 and the negative input terminal 802 are shorter in the front-rear direction as 5 compared with other terminals (803, 804).

[0171] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a modification example 5 which changes the shapes of the positive electrode terminal pair and the negative electrode terminal pair at the side of the battery pack. The positive electrode terminals 812 and 813 have the shape of only a single side that is formed by removing the positive electrode terminals 712 and 713 shown in FIG. 27. 20 The positive electrode terminal 812 is formed with the shape of only the right half portion, and the positive electrode terminal 813 is formed with the shape of only the left half portion. In the side view shown in FIG. 33(2), since being separated in the upper-lower direction, in the state that the positive input terminals 721 or 731 is not inserted, the positive electrode terminals 812 and 813 are not likely to be in contact with each other. Although it is not shown in the drawing, 25 the shape at the side of the negative electrode terminal and the shape of terminal pair for series connection can be formed in the same manner. The shape of the terminal part 720 for 18V 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 mounted in the terminal is the same as that shown in FIG. 27, the shape of the terminal part 730 for 36V is the same as that shown in FIG. 28. In the modification example 5, it is possible to reduce the weight of the positive electrode terminal, the negative electrode terminal, the series connection terminal pair and thus realizing lightweight battery pack. 5

[0172] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a modification example 6 which only changes the terminal part 750 for 36V relative to the modification example 5 in FIG. 33. The shape of the terminal part 750 is the same as that shown in FIG. 29, and the width of the positive input terminal 751 and the negative input terminal 752 in the upper-lower direction is reduced. In this manner, when the terminal part 750 for 36V is brought into contact, the series output of the 0 cell unit 356 and the cell unit 357 can be obtained from the battery pack.

[0173] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a modification example 7 which only changes the terminal part 770 for 36V relative to modification example 5 in FIG. 33. The shape of the terminal part 770 is the same as that shown in FIG. 30, and the width of the positive input terminal 771 in the upper-lower direction is reduced. Also, an insulating plate 775 extended 5 along the horizontal direction is formed in the manner of being in contact with the lower edge portion of the positive input terminal 771. The construction at the side of the negative input terminal 772 side is the same as the structure shown in FIG. 30.

[0174] Based on the above, in the fifth embodiment, in the battery pack capable of switching output voltage, by disposing a plurality of divided positive electrode terminal pairs and negative 20 electrode terminal pairs without using the switching mechanism having a plurality of movable components, and using two cell units 356 and 357 to form series connection terminal pair in series connection state, it is possible to realize a battery pack that can easily switch voltage by simply selecting the shape at the side of the terminal part of the electrical device body for 18 V or 36V. Additionally, there is no need to install complicated switch mechanism in the battery pack, 25 and thus the number of component can be decreased, assembility can be improved, and minimization of battery pack can be achieved while interchangeability is maintained. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0175] The first to the fifth embodiments may be modified in any manner. The above embodiments correspond to the condition of voltage switching between 18V and 36V, but the switching may be performed at another ratio. [Embodiment 6] 5

[0176] FIG. 36 is a diagram for illustrating mounting of a battery pack of the sixth embodiment of the invention toward an electric tool. An electric tool serving as a form of electric device has a battery pack, and a front end tool and an operating device is driven by a rotational driving force of a motor. Implementation of a variety of electric tools are included, but the electric tool bodies 1001 and 1030 shown in FIG. 36 are referred to as compact tools. 0 The electric tool bodies 1001 and 1030 are tools that perform securing operation through applying rotational force or axial impact force with use of front end tools such as drill or socket wrench that are not shown in the drawings. Such electric tool bodies 1001 and 1030 have housings 1002 and 1032 serving as outer frame for forming outer shape. Handle parts 1003 and 1033 are formed in the housings 1002 and 1032. Operation switches 1004 and 1034 with a 5 trigger shape are disposed in the vicinity of a portion of the handle parts 1003 and 1033 that is abutted against the user’s finger when the handle parts 1003 and 1033 are grabbed. The battery pack mounting parts 1010 and 1040 for mounting the battery packs 1015 and 1100 are formed under the handle parts 1003 and 1033.

[0177] The electric tool body 1001 is a conventional electric device that uses battery pack 20   1015 rated at 18V The battery pack 1015 is a conventional battery pack, and may be disposed in the battery pack mounting part 1010 corresponding to the electric device (electric tool body 1001) for 18V as shown in the combination of arrow a. The inner part of the battery pack 1015 accommodates only one set of cell unit formed by five pieces of cells of lithium ion battery rated at 3.6V connected in series, or accommodates two sets of such cell units and connected in 25 parallel. Voltage 18V refers to relatively low voltage, which is referred to as low voltage hereinafter. Likewise, sometimes the electric tool body 1001 or electrical device body rated at 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 voltage 18V is referred to as low voltage electric tool body or low voltage electrical device body respectively. Similarly, sometimes the battery pack 1015 with nominal voltage 18V is referred to as low voltage battery pack.

[0178] The electric tool body 1030 is an electrical device body rated at voltage 36V, and as 5 shown by arrow bl, the battery back 1100 capable of outputting 36V is mounted in the battery pack mounting part 1040. Voltage 36V refers to relatively high voltage, which is referred to as high voltage hereinafter. Likewise, sometimes the electric tool body 1030 or electrical device body rated at voltage 36V is referred to as high voltage electric tool body or high voltage electrical device body respectively. The inner part of the battery pack 1100 accommodates two 0 sets of cell units formed by five pieces of cells of 3.6V lithium ion battery connected in series, by changing the connecting method of two sets of cell units, it is possible to perform switching between 18V output and 36 output. In the sixth embodiment, the battery pack 1100 is constructed as corresponding to two kinds of voltage and capable of performing output of low voltage and high voltage, such that the battery pack 1100 is mounted on the electric tool body 5   1001 corresponding to 18V as indicated by arrow b2, and may be mounted on the electric tool body 1030 corresponding to 36V as indicated by arrow bl. Accordingly, the battery pack 1100 capable of outputting low voltage and high voltage is sometimes referred to as variable voltage battery pack hereinafter. In order to mount the battery pack 1100 on the electric tool bodies 1001 and 1030 corresponding to different voltages as indicated by arrows bl and b2, it is 20 important to make the shape of rail part or terminal part of the battery pack mounting parts 1010 and 1040 to be substantially the same, and the output voltage of battery pack 1100 should be switchable. At this time, it is important to make the output voltage of the battery pack 1100 to exactly correspond to the rated voltage of the electrical device body or electric tool body on which the battery pack is mounted so the voltage is not set erroneously. 25

[0179] FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a shape of a battery pack mounting part 1010 of an electric tool body 1001. Herein, the electric tool body 1001 shown in the drawing is an 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 impact driver, a handle part that is extended downward from the body portion of the housing 1002 is provided, and the battery pack mounting part 1010 is formed at the lower side of the handle part. A trigger switch 1004 is formed in the handle part. An anvil (not shown) serving as output axis is provided at the front side of the housing 1002, and a front end tool holder 1008 5 for mounting a front end tool 1009 is disposed at the front end of the anvil. Herein, four pluses of driver bit serving as front end tool 1009 are provided. Not limited to electric tool, the battery pack mounting part 1010 corresponding to the shape of the mounted battery pack is formed in all of the electric devices using the battery pack, and thus constructing a battery pack that cannot be equipped with unsuitable battery pack mounting part 1010. In the battery pack 0 mounting part 1010, rail grooves 1011a and 1011b extended in parallel along a front-rear direction are formed in the inner wall portion on left and right sides, and a terminal part 1020 is disposed therebetween. The terminal part 1020 is formed integrally by non-conductor material such as synthetic resin, and a plurality of metallic terminals are casted therein, such as positive input terminal 1022, negative input terminal 1027, LD terminal (abnormal signal terminal) 1028. 5 The LD terminal (abnormal signal terminal) 1028 serves as signal terminal for inputting or outputting information or signal. The terminal part 1020 is formed with a vertical plane 1020a and a horizontal plane 1020b serving as abutting plane along the mounting direction (front-rear direction). The horizontal plane 1020b becomes a plane that is adjacent to and opposite to the upper step surface 1115 (described below in FIG. 38) in the mounting process of the battery pack 20   1100. The front side of the horizontal plane 1020b is formed with a curved part 1012 abutted against the raised part 1132 (described below in FIG. 38) of the battery pack 1100, and a protrusion 1014 is formed in the vicinity of the center between the right and left sides of the curved part 1012. The protrusion 1014 also serves as a screw-fastening base of the housing of the electric tool body 1001 formed by being divided into two portions in the left-right direction, 25 and also serves as a stopper that limits the battery pack 1100 from moving relatively along the mounting direction. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0180] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a battery pack 1100 of the sixth embodiment of the invention. The battery pack 1100 is installable or detachable relative to the battery pack mounting parts 1010 and 1040 (see FIG. 36), and can automatically switching between output of low voltage (18V) and high voltage (36V) according to the terminal shape at the side of electric 5 tool body 1001 or 1030. Since being interchangeable with conventional battery pack 1015 (see FIG. 36) rated at 18V, the shape of the mounting portion of the battery pack 1100 is formed in the same shape as conventional battery pack 1015. The frame of the battery pack 1100 is formed by a lower case 1101 and an upper case 1110 dividable along the upper-lower direction. The lower case 1101 and the upper case 1110 are non-conducted component and, for example, 0 made of synthetic resin, and secured onto each other via four pieces of screws. In order to be mounted on the battery pack mounting part 1010, the upper case 1110 is formed with a mounting mechanism constructed by two rails 1138a and 1138b. The rails 1138a and 1138b are formed in the manner of being parallel with the mounting direction of the battery pack 1100 and protruded from the left-right side surfaces of the upper case 1110. The front side end portion of 5 the rails 1138a and 1138b is formed as an open end, the rear side end portion of the rails is formed as a closed end connected to the front side wall surface of the raised part 1132. The rails 1138a and 1138b are formed with a shape that corresponds to the rail grooves 1011a and 1011b (see FIG. 37) formed in the battery pack mounting part 1010 of the electric tool body 1001. In the condition that the rails 1138a and 1138b as well as the rail grooves 1011a and 20    1011b are fitted with each other, the locking part 1142a (stopping portion on the right side, not visible in FIG. 38) and 1142b serving as claw of latch are used for locking, thereby securing the battery pack 1100 on the electric tool body 1001. When the battery pack 1100 is removed from the electric tool body 1001, by pressing the latch 1141 on the right and left sides, the locking parts 1142a and 1142b are moved toward the inner side, and the locking state is cancelled. In 25 such state, it is possible to make the battery pack 1100 to move toward the opposite side of the mounting direction. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0181] A flat lower step surface 1111 is formed on the front side of the upper case 1110, an upper step surface 1115 that is higher than the lower step surface 1111 is formed in the vicinity of the center. The lower step surface 1111 and the upper step surface 1115 are formed with step-like shape. Such connection portion is formed as a stepped part 1114 serving as vertical surface. The front side portion ranging from the stepped part 1114 to the upper step surface 115 becomes slot group arrangement area 1120. The slot group arrangement area 1120 is formed with a plurality of slots 1121 to 1128 extended toward the rear side from the stepped part 1114 at the front. The slots 1121 to 1128 are a portion that is cut in a predetermined length along the mounting direction of the battery pack, and the inner portion of the cut portion becomes a terminal arrangement region, and provided with a plurality of connection terminals (described below in FIG. 39) that can be fitted with the electric tool bodies 1001 and 1030 or the terminal at the side of device of external charging device (not shown). In order for the slots 1121 to 1128 to be inserted into the terminal at the side of the electric tool body from the lower step surface 1111, a notch is formed not only on the upper surface parallel with the mounting direction but also formed on the vertical surface. Additionally, an opening part 1113 with continuous opening in the lateral direction is formed at the lower side of the slots 1121 to 1128 and between the lower step surface 1111.

[0182] In the slots 1121 to 1128, the slot 1121 at the side of the rail 1138a close to the right side of the battery pack 1100 is formed as an insertion port of a positive electrode terminal (C+terminal) for charging, and slot 1122 is formed as an insertion port of positive electrode terminal (+terminal) for discharging. Moreover, the slot 1127 at the side of the rail 1138b close to the left side of the battery pack 1100 is formed as an insertion port of negative electrode terminal (-terminal). In the battery pack 1100, typically the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side of the power terminal are sufficiently separated from each other, viewing from an imaginary vertical surface in the center between the left and right sides, a positive electrode terminal is disposed at a position that is sufficiently separated on the right side, and a 124 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 negative electrode terminal is disposed on at a position that is sufficiently separated on the left side. The plurality of signal terminals for transmitting signals to the battery pack 1100 and the electric tool bodies 1001 and 1030 or external charging device (not shown) are disposed between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal. Herein, the four slots 1123 5 to 1126 for signal terminal are disposed between the power terminal group. The slot 1123 is a back-up terminal insertion port, and no terminal is provided in the sixth embodiment. The slot 1124 is configured to output the signal serving as recognition information of the battery pack 1100 to the electric tool body or the insertion port for T terminal of charging device. The slot 1125 is an insertion port for V terminal that inputs control signal from the external charging 0 device (not shown). The slot 1126 is an insertion port for LS terminal that outputs temperature information of the battery formed by the thermal sensitive resistor (sensing element) (not shown) that is disposed in contact with the cell. On the left side of the slot 1127 serving as insertion port of the negative electrode terminal (-terminal), a slot 1128 for LD terminal that outputs abnormal stop signal formed by battery protection circuit included in the battery pack 1100 is 5 provided.

[0183] The rear side of the upper step surface 1115 is formed with a raised part 1132 formed in a raised manner. The shape of the raised parti 132 is raised to a side upper than the upper step surface 1115, and a stopper 1131 having concaves is formed in the vicinity of the center. The stopper 1131 becomes an abutting surface of the protrusion 1014 (see FIG. 37) when the battery 20 pack 1100 is mounted on the battery pack mounting part 1010. If the protrusion 1014 that is inserted into the side of the electric tool body 1001 is abutted against the stopper 1131, the plurality of terminals (terminal at the side of device) disposed on the electric tool body 1001 and the plurality of connection terminals (described below in FIG. 39) disposed on the battery pack 1100 are brought into contact and become conducted. Additionally, the locking part 1142a (the 25 locking part on the right side, not visible in FIG. 38) of the latch 1141 of the battery pack 1100 is protruded outward in the vertical direction in the lower portion of the rails 1138a and 1138b 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 through the effect of spring, and locked with a recess (not shown) formed in the rail grooves 1011a and 1011b of the electric tool body 1030, thereby preventing the battery pack 1100 from falling. The inner side of the stopper 1131 is provided with a slit 1134 that is connected with the inner portion of the battery pack 1100 and serves as cooling wind inlet. Additionally, in the 5 state where the battery pack 1100 is mounted on the electric tool body 1001, the slit 1134 is covered in the manner of being invisible from the outside and thus becoming a closed state. The slit 1134 is a window that forces the air for cooling to be flown into the inner portion of the battery pack 1100 when the battery pack 1100 is connected to the charging device (not shown) for charging, and the cooling wind introduced into the battery pack 110 is discharged to the 0 outside from the slit 1104 that is disposed at the front wall of the lower case 1101 and serves as air discharging window.

[0184] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a state after an upper case 1110 of the battery pack 1100 of FIG. 38 is removed. Ten pieces of battery cells are accommodated in the inner space of the lower case 1101, and the front side wall surface of the lower case 1101 is formed with two 5 screw holes 1103a and 1103b to be screw-fastened with the upper case 1110, screws (not shown) are inserted through the screw holes 1103a and 1103b from the bottom to the top. Although not visible in the drawing, two screw holes are formed on the rear side wall surface of the lower case 1101. The plurality of battery cells (not shown) are fixed on a separator 1145 in the manner of be stacked as two layers, each layer consists of five pieces of battery cells. The separator 1145 is 20 made of synthetic resin, and is formed in the manner of only opening on the right and left sides in two end portions of the battery cell. In the separator 1145, the axis of each of the battery cells is accumulated in parallel respectively, and is disposed to make the adjacent cell to face an alternately opposite direction, the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of adjacent batter cells are connected through the metallic connection tab, such that the five 25 pieces of battery cells are connected in series. Herein, the five pieces of battery cells connected in series in the upper layer are used to form the upper cell unit 1146 (described below in FIG. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 41), and the lower cell unit 1147 (described below in FIG. 41) is formed with use of the five pieces of battery cells connected in series disposed at the lower side. Additionally, the upper and lower sides of the cell unit described herein do not refer to that the battery cell is located in the upper layer or lower layer of the lower case 1101; instead, the cell unit that is located on the 5 ground side when two cell units are connected in series is referred to as “lower cell unit” and the cell unit that is located at high voltage side at the time of series connection is referred to as “upper cell unit”.

[0185] Regarding the battery cell, the lithium ion battery cell (not shown) that can be charged / discharged for multiple times having a diameter of 18 mm and a length of 65 mm with 0 the dimension of 18650 is used. In the sixth embodiment, in order to switch the output voltage from the battery pack 1100, it is set that the forms of series connection voltage (output at high voltage side) and parallel connection voltage (output at low voltage side) of a plurality of cell units can be selected. Therefore, based on the concept in the sixth embodiment, it will implementable as long as there is equivalent number of piece of the cell included in each of the 5 cell units, and the number of cell unit is random. However, by setting the number of cell unit to be even number such as two or four, the battery cell to be put in use is not limited to the dimension of 18650, and may be a battery cell having a dimension of 21700, or a battery cell with other dimension. Additionally, the shape of the battery cell is not limited to cylindrical shape, and may also be rectangular shape, laminated shape, or other shapes. The type of 20 battery cell is not limited to lithium ion battery, a random type of secondary battery such as nickel-hydrogen battery cell, lithium ion polymer battery cell, and nickel-cadmium battery cell may also be adopted. Two electrodes are disposed on both ends of the longitudinal direction of the battery cell. One of the two electrodes is positive electrode and the other one is negative electrode, but the position for disposing the electrode is not limited to the both end sides. A 25 random electrode configuration can be implemented as long as cell unit can be easily formed in the battery pack. 2023222817 28 Aug 2023

[0186] A circuit substrate 1150 is provided on the upper side of the separator 1145 that holds the battery cell. The circuit substrate 1150 secures a plurality of connection terminals (1161, 1162, 1164 to 1168, 1171, 1172, 1177) through soldering process, and performs electric connection between circuit pattern and connection terminal. Various electronic elements (not shown) such as a battery protection integrated circuit (IC) or a micro-computer, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) a thermal sensitive resistor, a resistor, a capacitor, a fuse, a light emitting diode are provided on the circuit substrate 1150. The circuit substrate 1150 is secured on the upper side of the separator 1145 formed of non-conductor such as synthetic resin in the manner of extending along the horizontal direction. The material of the circuit substrate 1150 is referred to as printed substrate. The printed substrate is obtained by wiring conductor printed pattern such as copper foil on the substrate immersed with insulating resin relative to material, and a single-layered substrate, a double-sided substrate, or a multi-layered substrate may be adopted. The present embodiment adopts the double-sided substrate, and thus having the upper surface (surface, and the surface on the upper side when viewed from FIG. 39) and the lower surface (rear surface) of the circuit substrate 1150. A plurality of connection terminals (1161, 1162, 1164 to 1168, 1171, 1172, 1177) are disposed at the position slightly closer to the front side than the center in the front-rear direction of the circuit substrate 1150. Herein, the plurality of connection terminals are substantially disposed in a parallel in the lateral direction.

[0187] Each of the connection terminals is as shown in FIG. 38, which are illustrated in a carved manner on the upper step surface of the upper case 1110, the following elements are sequentially disposed in parallel from the right side to the left side of the circuit substrate 1150: C+terminal (1161, 1171: positive electrode terminal for charging), +terminal (1162, 1172 : positive electrode terminal for discharging), T terminal 1164, V terminal 1165, LS terminal 1166, -terminal (1167, 1177 : negative electrode terminal) and LD terminal 1168. Herein, two separated terminal components are used to construct a connection terminal for power supply line from the battery pack, namely, power terminal. That is, the C+terminal (positive electrode 128 2023222817 28 Aug 2023 terminal for charging) includes positive electrode terminal 1161 and the lower positive electrode terminal 1171. The positive electrode terminal pair (1161 and 1171) is disposed at a position corresponding to a single slot 1121. An arm part set of the upper positive electrode terminal 1161 is provided at the upper side of the inner side portion of the slot 1121, and an arm part set 5   of the lower positive electrode terminal 1171 is disposed at the lower side of the arm part set of the upper positive electrode terminal 1161. Likewise, the +terminal (positive electrode terminal for discharging) carved in the upper case 1110 includes upper positive electrode terminal 1162 and lower positive electrode terminal 1172. Such positive electrode terminal pair (1162 and 1172) is disposed at the position corresponding to the single slot 1122. An arm 0 part set of the upper positive electrode terminal 1162 is disposed at the upper side of the slot 1122, and an arm part set of the lower positive electrode terminal 1172 is disposed at the lower side of the arm set part of the upper positive electrode terminal 1162. The -terminal (negative electrode terminal) carved in the upper case 1110 includes an upper negative electrode ...

Claims

2023222817 28 Aug 20231. An electrical device body connectable to a battery pack, comprising:a drive part, anda terminal part having:5             a positive input terminal electrically connected to the drive part,a negative input terminal electrically connected to the drive part, anda short circuit element having a first terminal part, a second terminal part, and a connection part connecting the first terminal part and the second terminal part,wherein the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal are disposed on an0 upper side of the terminal part and the short circuit element is disposed on a lower side of the terminal part in an upper-lower direction, the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal being apart from in a left-right direction with each other crossing the upper-lower direction.

2. The electrical device body according to claim 1,5 wherein the first terminal part and the second terminal part are apart from in the left-right direction.

3. The electrical device body according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the terminal part has a plurality of resin parts including a first resin part and a second resin part, and20 wherein, in the upper-lower direction, the first resin part is disposed between the positive input terminal and the first terminal part, and the second resin part is disposed between the negative input terminal and the second terminal part.

4. The electrical device body according to any one of claims 1 to 3,wherein, when the electrical device body is connected to the battery pack, the positive input25 terminal and the first terminal part are inserted into a first slot formed on the battery pack and the negative input terminal and the second terminal part are inserted into a second slot formed on2023222817 28 Aug 2023the battery pack, the first slot and the second slot being apart from each other in the left-right direction.

5. A battery pack connectable to the electrical device body according to any one of claim 1 to 3, comprising:5 a plurality of cell units, including a first cell unit and a second cell unit;a housing, housing the plurality of cell units, and having a mounting portion configured to be connected to the electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction;a plurality of slot parts, formed on the mounting portion, and having a first slot inserted the positive input terminal and the first terminal part and a second slot inserted the negative input 0 terminal and the second terminal part.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, comprising:a plurality of power terminals, configured to be capable of supplying power to the electrical device body, the plurality of power terminals comprising:a positive electrode terminal, connected to the positive input terminal when the battery5 pack is connected to the electrical device body anda negative electrode terminal, connected to the negative input terminal when the battery pack is connected to the electrical device body, and disposed apart from the positive electrode terminal in the left-right direction; anda switching terminal group, configured to be capable of switching a connection state of the 20 plurality of cell units,wherein the switching terminal group includes a first switching terminal connected to the first terminal part, and a second switching terminal connected to the second terminal part, when the battery pack is connected to the electrical device body, andwherein the first switching terminal and the positive electrode terminal are adjacently and25 separately disposed in the upper-lower direction in the first slot, and the second switching terminal and the negative electrode terminal are adjacently and separately disposed in the2023222817 28 Aug 2023upper-lower direction in the second slot, and the second slot is disposed apart from the first slot in the left-right direction.

7. A battery pack, comprising:a plurality of cell units, each having at least one cell;5 a housing, housing the plurality of cell units and having a mounting portion to mount the battery pack on an electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction, the housing comprising a plurality of slot parts;a plurality of power terminals, configured to be capable of supplying power to the electrical device body, the plurality of power terminals comprising:0             a positive electrode terminal, connected to a positive electrode of a first cell unit thatconstitutes the plurality of cell units; anda negative electrode terminal, connected to a negative electrode of a second cell unit that constitutes the plurality of cell units, and disposed apart from the positive electrode terminal in a left-right direction; and5 a switching terminal group, configured to be capable of switching a connection state of the plurality of cell units, and connected to a positive electrode or a negative electrode of each cell unit that constitutes the plurality of cell units,wherein the switching terminal group includes a first switching terminal connected to a positive electrode of a cell unit other than the first cell unit, and a second switching terminal 20 connected to a negative electrode of a cell unit other than the second cell unit, andwherein the first switching terminal and the positive electrode terminal are disposed in a first slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts, and the second switching terminal and the negative electrode terminal are disposed in a second slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts, and the second slot is disposed apart from the first slot in the left-right direction.25        8. The battery pack according to claim 7,wherein the first switching terminal and the positive electrode terminal are adjacently and2023222817 28 Aug 2023separately disposed in an upper-lower direction in the first slot, andthe second switching terminal and the negative electrode terminal are adjacently and separately disposed in an upper-lower direction in the second slot.

9. A battery pack, comprising:5 a plurality of cell units, including a first cell unit and a second cell unit;a housing, housing the plurality of cell units and having a mounting portion to mount the battery pack on an electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction, the housing comprising a plurality of slot parts;a plurality of power terminals, configured to be capable of supplying power to the electrical0 device body, the plurality of power terminals comprising:a positive electrode terminal, connected to a positive electrode of the first cell unit; and a negative electrode terminal, connected to a negative electrode of the second cell unit, and disposed apart from the positive electrode terminal in a left-right direction; anda switching terminal group, configured to be capable of switching a connection state of the5 plurality of cell units, and connected to a positive electrode or a negative electrode of each cell unit that constitutes the plurality of cell units,wherein the switching terminal group includes a first switching terminal connected to a positive electrode of a cell unit other than the first cell unit, and a second switching terminal connected to a negative electrode of a cell unit other than the second cell unit, and20 wherein the first switching terminal and the positive electrode terminal are adjacently and separately disposed in an upper-lower direction in a first slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts, and the second switching terminal and the negative electrode terminal are adjacently and separately disposed in an upper-lower direction in a second slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts, and the second slot is disposed apart from the first slot in the left-right direction.25        10. An electrical device, comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 7 to 9and a high voltage electrical device body connectable to the battery pack, wherein2023222817 28 Aug 2023the high voltage electrical device body comprises a short circuit element connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in series,when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body, the first and second switching terminals are connected to the short circuit element, such that the first and5 second cell units are connected to each other in series, andwhen the battery pack is disconnected from the high voltage electrical device body, the first and second switching terminals are disconnected from the short circuit element, such that the first and second cell units are disconnected from each other.

11. The electrical device according to claim 10, wherein the high voltage electrical device0 body comprising:a drive part, anda terminal part having:a positive input terminal electrically connected to the drive part,a negative input terminal electrically connected to the drive part, and5             the short circuit element having a first terminal part, a second terminal part, and aconnection part connecting the first terminal part and the second terminal part, wherein the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal are disposed on an upper side of the terminal part and the short circuit element is disposed on a lower side of the terminal part in an upper-lower direction, the positive input terminal and the negative input20 terminal being apart from in a left-right direction with each other crossing the upper-lower direction.

12. An electrical device, comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 7 to 9 and a low voltage electrical device body connectable to the battery pack, whereinthe low voltage electrical device body comprises an input terminal connecting the plurality25 of cell units to each other in parallel,when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, the first and2023222817 28 Aug 2023second switching terminals are connected to the input terminal, such that the first and second cell units are connected to each other in parallel, andwhen the battery pack is disconnected from the low voltage electrical device body, the first and second switching terminals are disconnected from the input terminal, such that the first and5 second cell units are disconnected from each other.

13. A high voltage electrical device body connectable to a battery pack, the battery pack comprises:a plurality of cell units, including a first cell unit and a second cell unit different from the first cell unit;0 a housing, housing the plurality of cell units, and having a mounting portion for being connected to the high voltage electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction;a plurality of slot parts, formed on the mounting portion so as to be arranged in a left-right direction with each other, and including a slot that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction; and5 a switching terminal group, including a first switching terminal connected to the first cell unit and a second switching terminal connected to the second cell unit, the first and second switching terminals being adjacently and separately disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction in the slot, the slot being included in the plurality of slot parts arranged in the left-right direction and formed on the mounting portion,20 wherein the high voltage electrical device body comprises a short circuit element connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in series,wherein, when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body and the short circuit element is inserted into the slot, the first and second switching terminals are directly connected to the short circuit element and short-circuited by the short circuit element, 25 such that a connection state of the first and second cell units is switched from a disconnected state where the first and second cell units are disconnected with each other to a connected state2023222817 28 Aug 2023where the first and second cell units are connected to each other in series, andwherein, when the battery pack is disconnected from the high voltage electrical device body, the first and second switching terminals are disconnected from the short circuit element, such that the first and second cell units are disconnected from each other.5        14. The high voltage electrical device body according to claim 13, comprising:a drive part, anda terminal part having:a positive input terminal electrically connected to the drive part,a negative input terminal electrically connected to the drive part, and0             the short circuit element having a first terminal part, a second terminal part, and aconnection part connecting the first terminal part and the second terminal part, wherein the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal are disposed on an upper side of the terminal part and the short circuit element is disposed on a lower side of the terminal part in an upper-lower direction, the positive input terminal and the negative input5 terminal being apart from in a left-right direction with each other crossing the upper-lower direction.

15. A low voltage electrical device body connectable to a battery pack, the battery pack comprises:a plurality of cell units, including a first cell unit and a second cell unit different from the20 first cell unit;a housing, housing the plurality of cell units, and having a mounting portion for being connected to the low voltage electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction;a plurality of slot parts, formed on the mounting portion so as to be arranged in a left-right direction with each other, and including a slot that extends in a direction substantially25 perpendicular to the left-right direction; anda switching terminal group, including a first switching terminal connected to the first cell2023222817 28 Aug 2023unit and a second switching terminal connected to the second cell unit, the first and second switching terminals being adjacently and separately disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction in the slot, the slot being included in the plurality of slot parts arranged in the left-right direction and formed on the mounting portion,5 wherein the low voltage electrical device body comprises an input terminal connecting the plurality of cell units to each other in parallel,when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body and the input terminal is inserted into the slot, the first and second switching terminals are directly connected to the input terminal and short-circuited by the input terminal, such that the first and second cell 0 units are switched a connection state from a disconnected state where the first and second cell units are disconnected with each other to a connected state where the first and second cell units are connected to each other in parallel, andwhen the battery pack is disconnected from the low voltage electrical device body, the first and second switching terminals are disconnected from the input terminal, such that the first and 5 second cell units are disconnected from each other.

16. A high voltage electrical device body connectable to a battery pack, the battery pack comprises:a plurality of cell units, each having at least one cell;a housing, housing the plurality of cell units and disposed for mounting the battery pack on 20 the high voltage electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction, the housing comprising a plurality of slot parts arranged in a left-right direction;a positive electrode terminal, connected to a positive electrode of a first cell unit that constitutes the plurality of cell units;a negative electrode terminal, connected to a negative electrode of a second cell unit that 25 constitutes the plurality of cell units, and disposed apart from the positive electrode terminal in the left-right direction; and2023222817 28 Aug 2023a plurality of switching terminals, disposed separately from the positive and negative electrode terminals, and disposed for changing a connection state of the plurality of cell units, the plurality of switching terminals being connected to a positive electrode or a negative electrode of each cell unit that substitutes the plurality of cell units, the plurality of switching5 terminals including a first switching terminal connected to a positive electrode of a cell unit different from the first cell unit, and a second switching terminal connected to a negative electrode of a cell unit different from the second cell unit,wherein the positive electrode terminal and the first switching terminal are separately disposed in a first slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts arranged in the left-right0 direction, and the negative electrode terminal and the second switching terminal are separately disposed in a second slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts other than the first slot,wherein the high voltage electrical device body comprises a high voltage connection element disposed for directly connecting with the first switching terminal and the second switching terminal when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body,5 wherein the plurality of switching terminals are disposed for changing the connection state of the plurality of cell units into a series connection state to connect the plurality of cell units in series, when the battery pack is connected to the high voltage electrical device body.

17. The high voltage electrical device body according to claim 16, comprising:a drive part, and20 a terminal part having:a positive input terminal electrically connected to the drive part,a negative input terminal electrically connected to the drive part, andthe high voltage connection element having a first terminal part, a second terminalpart, and a connection part connecting the first terminal part and the second terminal part,25 wherein the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal are disposed on an upper side of the terminal part and the high voltage connection element is disposed on a lower2023222817 28 Aug 2023side of the terminal part in an upper-lower direction, the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal being apart from in a left-right direction with each other crossing the upper-lower direction.

18. A low voltage electrical device body connectable to a battery pack, the battery pack5 comprises:a plurality of cell units, each having at least one cell;a housing, housing the plurality of cell units and disposed for mounting the battery pack on the low voltage electrical device body forward in a front-rear direction, the housing comprising a plurality of slot parts arranged in a left-right direction;0 a positive electrode terminal, connected to a positive electrode of a first cell unit that constitutes the plurality of cell units;a negative electrode terminal, connected to a negative electrode of a second cell unit that constitutes the plurality of cell units, and disposed apart from the positive electrode terminal in the left-right direction; and5 a plurality of switching terminals, disposed separately from the positive and negative electrode terminals, and disposed for changing a connection state of the plurality of cell units, the plurality of switching terminals being connected to a positive electrode or a negative electrode of each cell unit that substitutes the plurality of cell units, the plurality of switching terminals including a first switching terminal connected to a positive electrode of a cell unit20 different from the first cell unit, and a second switching terminal connected to a negative electrode of a cell unit different from the second cell unit,wherein the positive electrode terminal and the first switching terminal are separately disposed in a first slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts arranged in the left-right direction, and the negative electrode terminal and the second switching terminal are separately25 disposed in a second slot that constitutes the plurality of slot parts other than the first slot, wherein the low voltage electrical device body comprises:2023222817 28 Aug 2023a first low voltage connection element disposed for directly connecting with the first switching terminal and the positive electrode terminal when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body, anda second low voltage connection element disposed for directly connecting with the second5 switching terminal and the negative electrode terminal when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body,wherein the plurality of switching terminals are disposed for changing the connection state of the plurality of cell units into a parallel connection state to connect the plurality of cell units in parallel, when the battery pack is connected to the low voltage electrical device body.0

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