Battery pack and electrical equipment system

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery pack and an electrical device system that can be connected to a target electrical device when a channel for linkage operation is established using wireless, and performs priority connection control when pairing registration for linkage operation in a battery pack having a wireless communication component. A battery pack includes: a battery unit; a control unit connected to the battery unit; and a wireless communication unit connected to the control unit, and is configured to perform wireless communication with an external device through the control unit, wherein the wireless communication unit wirelessly connects to an electrical device or an information terminal having a motor as an external device to be connected. At this time, it is configured to connect to an electrical device in a state of being able to connect wirelessly by performing priority connection control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack, in particular to a battery pack capable of operating in conjunction with any other electrical equipment using wireless communication, and also to an electrical equipment system using the battery pack. Background Art

[0002] A system has been proposed in which a short-range wireless communication device is installed in an electric tool as an electric device so as to exchange information with other electric devices or control the driving of other electric devices. For example, when an electric device and a vacuum cleaner are connected with a dust collection hose in order to use another electric device such as a vacuum cleaner to suck dust generated when an electric device such as a circular saw or a jigsaw is used, the start and stop of the circular saw side are transmitted to the other electric device side via wireless communication. In such a linkage operation, another electric device on the slave side (such as a vacuum cleaner or a blower) is prepared for the electric device on the master side (such as a circular saw or a jigsaw), and the electric device on the slave side is operated in a linkage manner with the operation of the electric device on the master side (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In order to use short-range wireless communication, a short-range wireless communication device must be installed in the electrical equipment bodies of both parties, but the existing electrical equipment bodies cannot perform linkage actions using short-range wireless communication. Therefore, the following system is considered: a short-range wireless communication device is installed on the battery pack side, so that the electrical equipment body without a wireless communication component can also perform linkage actions with other electrical equipment or information terminals, etc.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2016 / 042973 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] When a battery pack equipped with a wireless communication component wirelessly communicates with another electrical device (e.g., a vacuum cleaner, an information terminal device), it is necessary to establish a channel to be connected. The channel is a so-called one-to-one (1:1) channel that only establishes a channel with a partner that has registered through a prescribed procedure. When attempting to establish a connection (so-called pairing) of the channel, if there are multiple electrical devices capable of wireless communication nearby, it is unclear which device is connected. In other words, if there are multiple electrical devices, it is unclear which device is connected.

[0009] The present invention is made in view of the above background, and its purpose is to provide a battery pack and an electrical device system that can be connected to a target electrical device when a channel for a linkage operation is established using wireless. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an electrical device system that perform priority connection control when a channel for a linkage operation is established. Another purpose of the present invention is to store information for performing priority connection control in advance in a battery pack that becomes a peripheral side or a central side when a channel for a linkage operation is established.

[0010] Technical means of solving problems

[0011] The representative features of the invention disclosed in the present application are described as follows. According to one feature of the present invention, a battery pack includes: a battery unit; a control unit connected to the battery unit; and a wireless communication unit connected to the control unit, and configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device through the control unit. In the battery pack, in a state where an information terminal as an external device and an electrical device having a load unit as an external device can be wirelessly connected to the battery pack (wireless communication unit), the battery pack (wireless communication unit) prioritizes the establishment of a wireless connection with the electrical device over the establishment of a wireless connection with the information terminal. The battery pack has a first operating unit that switches to a wireless connection standby state. The external device has a second operating unit that switches to a wireless connection standby state. When the information terminal is in a wireless connection standby state within a range where the battery pack (wireless communication unit) can be wirelessly connected, and the electrical device is switched to a wireless connection standby state by the operation of the second operating unit within a range where the battery pack (wireless communication unit) can be wirelessly connected, the battery pack (wireless communication unit) establishes a wireless connection with the electrical device but does not establish a wireless connection with the information terminal. When the electrical device is not within a range where wireless communication is possible, it is connected to the information terminal. When the electric device and the information terminal are within a range where wireless communication is possible, the battery pack connects to an external device with priority given to an external device that has been connected in the past.

[0012] According to another feature of the present invention, a battery pack includes: a battery cell; a control unit connected to the battery cell; and a wireless communication unit connected to the control unit, which is controlled to perform wireless communication with an external device one-to-one through the control unit, and the wireless communication unit connects in descending order of priority of the connected external device. The external device is an electrical device or an information terminal having a load unit, and the connection with the electrical device takes precedence over the connection with the information terminal. In addition, the battery pack has an operating unit for indicating the wireless connection of the wireless communication unit, and a connection channel with the external device is established by operating the operating unit. Furthermore, when the battery pack establishes the connection channel, the connection conditions with the external device are changed according to the elapsed time from the operation of the operating unit.

[0013] According to another feature of the present invention, the connection condition includes at least one of a first connection condition, a second connection condition, and a third connection condition, wherein the first connection condition is to permit connection with a part of the external device from the time the operation unit is operated until a first prescribed time has passed, the second connection condition is to permit connection with another part of the external device from the time the first prescribed time has passed until a second prescribed time has passed, and the third connection condition is to permit connection with another part of the external device from the time the second prescribed time has passed until a timeout. A nonvolatile storage device is provided in the battery pack, and a list indicating the connection conditions is pre-stored in the storage device.

[0014] According to another feature of the present invention, when the battery pack cannot be connected to the external device from the start of the connection channel establishment sequence to the timeout time later than the second specified time, the battery pack returns to the standby state before the operation of the operating unit. The connection conditions include a manufacturer code, and the external device that is inconsistent with the manufacturer code or does not correspond to the specific code is not connected. In addition, the connection conditions include object device information and object function information. First, the permission or disapproval of the connection is determined based on the object device information. If it is not permitted, the permission or disapproval of the connection is determined based on the object function information. As described above, an electrical device system is constructed by a battery pack having a wireless communication unit and an external electrical device having a wireless communication unit.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, when there are multiple external devices that can be connected, it is possible to reliably connect to the target external device. In addition, it is possible to determine which external device is preferably connected to with priority on the battery pack side, so that it is possible to connect to the best connection partner from the beginning. In addition, control is performed in a manner that allows connection to be made with an external device with a lower priority even when there is no priority connection partner, so it is possible to connect to a mobile terminal that monitors the status of the battery pack. In addition, information for performing priority connection can be stored in the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a wireless linkage system of electric devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the circuit configuration of each electrical device (circular saw 100, vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) in the wireless linkage system of the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional view of the battery pack 1 of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 To express Figure 3 Block diagram of the establishment state of the wireless channel in the battery pack.

[0021] Figure 5 To express Figure 1 A flowchart of the order of actions when a channel is established in the vacuum cleaner 200 or the information terminal 300.

[0022] Figure 6 To express Figure 3 FIG. 5 is a diagram of connection condition information 510 stored in the battery pack 1 .

[0023] Figure 7 To express Figure 6 FIG. 530 is a diagram of the details of the connection permission device code 530, Figure 7 (A) is a diagram showing an example of stored data. Figure 7 (B) is a data table showing the target device indicated by the stored data.

[0024] Figure 8 To express Figure 6 Figure 540 details of the connection permission function code, Figure 8 (A) is a diagram showing an example of stored data. Figure 8 (B) is a data table showing the object functions indicated by the stored data.

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the battery pack when the battery pack is on the peripheral side according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the battery pack when the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention is on the center side.

[0027] Explanation of symbols

[0028] 1. 1A: Battery pack

[0029] 5: Secondary battery

[0030] 9: Lower shell

[0031] 10: Upper shell

[0032] 11: Lower Level

[0033] 13a: Track

[0034] 13b: Track

[0035] 15: Upper level

[0036] 20: Slot Group

[0037] 21-28: Slots

[0038] 31: Stopper

[0039] 32: Bump

[0040] 32a: Back bevel

[0041] 35a: Latch

[0042] 36a: Stopper

[0043] 42: Positive terminal

[0044] 46: T terminal

[0045] 47: Negative terminal

[0046] 48: LD terminal

[0047] 49: Shunt resistor

[0048] 50: Control Department

[0049] 51: Microcomputer

[0050] 52: Storage device

[0051] 70: Ministry of Communications

[0052] 71: Antenna

[0053] 72: Wireless communication

[0054] 80: Display unit

[0055] 81~84: Display window

[0056] 85: Switch button

[0057] 100: Circular saw

[0058] 106: Trigger switch

[0059] 108: Motor

[0060] 109: Switching element

[0061] 112: Shell

[0062] 113: Handle

[0063] 118: Pipe adapter

[0064] 125: Saw blade

[0065] 126: Protective cover

[0066] 127: Pedestal

[0067] 142: Positive terminal

[0068] 146: T terminal

[0069] 147: Negative terminal

[0070] 148: LD terminal

[0071] 150: Control Department

[0072] 152: Storage device

[0073] 160: Shunt resistor

[0074] 171, 171A: Antenna

[0075] 180: Dust collection hose

[0076] 180a, 180b: Top end (of dust collection hose)

[0077] 200, 200A: Vacuum cleaner

[0078] 201: Head

[0079] 203: Motor

[0080] 205: Cylinder and can department

[0081] 206: Main switch

[0082] 207: Pipe adapter

[0083] 210: Operation display unit

[0084] 242: Positive terminal

[0085] 247: Negative terminal

[0086] 248: LD terminal

[0087] 250: Control Department

[0088] 251: Microcomputer

[0089] 252: Storage device

[0090] 255: Pairing switch

[0091] 256: Clip mechanism

[0092] 270: Ministry of Communications

[0093] 271: Antenna

[0094] 272: Wireless Communications

[0095] 300, 300A: Information terminal

[0096] 301: Display

[0097] 310: Control Department

[0098] 311: Microcomputer

[0099] 320: Ministry of Communications

[0100] 321, 321A: Antenna

[0101] 510: Connection condition information

[0102] 520: Enterprise code

[0103] 530: Connection permission device code

[0104] 531, 541: Condition A

[0105] 532, 542: Condition B

[0106] 533, 543: Condition C

[0107] 534, 544: Bit

[0108] 535: Target device

[0109] 536, 546: Bit string (condition A)

[0110] 537, 547: bit string (condition B)

[0111] 538, 548: bit string (condition C)

[0112] 540: Connection permission function code

[0113] 545: Object Functions

[0114] X: timeout period

[0115] t: counter DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0116] Example 1

[0117] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts and repeated descriptions are omitted. In this specification, an electric tool operated by a battery pack is used as an example of an electric device for description.

[0118] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a wireless linkage system of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless linkage system, the electrical device body (here, a circular saw 100) equipped with a battery pack 1 and the cooperating electrical device ( Figure 1 In the example, the vacuum cleaner 200 and the information terminal 300 are used to construct an electrical equipment system.

[0119] The circular saw 100 is a disc-shaped tool for cutting wood or other objects by rotating a saw blade 125 having a plurality of spire-shaped cutting edges formed on the outer circumference at high speed by a motor (not shown). As for the power source of the circular saw 100, a power source using a commercial power source or a power source using a battery is widely known, and in this embodiment, a detachable battery pack 1 ( Figure 2 (described later). A handle portion 113 for the operator to hold is formed on the upper portion of the housing 112 of the circular saw 100. A trigger lever (not shown) for operating the switch of the motor is provided at the lower front side of the handle portion 113. The operator places the base 127 and the saw blade 125 against the object to be cut and pulls the trigger lever, thereby making a straight cut on the object to be cut. Approximately half of the upper side near the outer periphery of the saw blade 125 is covered by the housing 112. A protective cover 126 is provided around approximately half of the lower side of the saw blade 125, and the protective cover 126 protects the saw blade 125 from being exposed when the saw blade 125 is not placed against the object to be cut.

[0120] When the circular saw 100 is used to cut wood, a large amount of sawdust is generated during the cutting process. The housing 112 covers about half of the upper side of the saw blade 125 to prevent dust such as sawdust from scattering. In addition, a duct adapter 118 can be installed on a part of the housing 112. The duct adapter 118 forms a suction channel for sucking dust generated by the cutting operation together with the surrounding air, and the connecting pipeline extends radially outward from a part of the outer periphery of the saw blade 125 to form an air channel from the inner part of the housing 112 to the duct adapter 118. The top end 180a of the flexible dust collection hose 180 can be connected to the duct adapter 118.

[0121] The vacuum cleaner 200 includes a barrel portion 205 and a head portion 201 that can be separated from each other. The head portion 201 is fixed to the upper portion of the barrel portion 205 by a clip mechanism 256 in a detachable manner. It is an electrical device as follows: a dust collecting fan (not shown) is rotated by a motor provided in the head portion 201 to form a negative pressure in the dust collecting hose 180, and the shavings and dust generated during the cutting operation are sucked together with the air from the inner side of the duct adapter 207 connected to the top 180b of the dust collecting hose 180, and the air is separated from the shavings and dust by an air filter (not shown), and only the shavings and dust are recovered into the container. A main switch 206 is provided on the operation display portion 210 of the vacuum cleaner 200. When the main switch 206 is set to on, the motor starts (in single-action mode). When the motor rotates, the dust collection operation starts, and dust and the like can be sucked through the dust collecting hose 180. When the operator turns off the main switch 206, the motor stops and the dust collection operation also stops. The vacuum cleaner 200 can be used in a single-action mode in which the vacuum cleaner 200 operates independently, and can also be used in a single-action mode in which the vacuum cleaner 200 operates independently. Figure 1In this case, the top end 180b of the dust collection hose 180 is mounted on the duct adapter 207 and the dedicated second operating unit, the pairing switch 255 of the operation display unit 210 is operated to switch from the "single action mode" to the "linked mode". That is, by operating the pairing switch 255, the wireless connection standby state that can wirelessly connect to an external device (such as the battery pack 1) is switched. At this time, by pressing the first operating unit, the switch button 85 (refer to Figure 2 ) is long pressed, the main electrical device, that is, the battery pack 1 on the circular saw 100 side, is also switched from the "single action mode" to the "linked mode". That is, by long pressing the switch button 85, it is switched to the wireless connection standby state that can wirelessly connect to the external device. Then, when both are in the range where wireless connection is possible, they switch to the "linked mode" (wireless connection standby state) with each other, the circular saw 100 and the vacuum cleaner 200 are automatically paired and registered to enter the wireless connection state, and wireless linkage can be performed.

[0122] In this way, the two electrical devices are linked to perform the main operation (cutting operation performed by the circular saw 100) by the electrical device on one side (the master side), and the slave operation (suction and collection operation of dust generated under the circular saw 100) by the electrical device on the other side (the slave side). A communication unit for wireless communication is provided in each electrical device (the circular saw 100 and the vacuum cleaner 200), but in this embodiment, wireless communication 72 is performed by the installed battery pack 1 rather than the main body side of the master side electrical device (circular saw 100). Here, Bluetooth (Bluetooth: a registered trademark of Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG, Inc. USA) of the United States of America (USA)) is used as a short-range wireless component. In the linkage mode, when the trigger switch of the circular saw 100 is turned on, the communication unit 70 (wireless communication unit) of the battery pack 1 sends an operation instruction signal to the vacuum cleaner 200, and the vacuum cleaner 200 receives the operation instruction signal and starts the motor to start the dust collection operation. When the trigger switch of the circular saw 100 is turned off, the operation instruction signal from the communication unit 70 of the battery pack 1 disappears, so the vacuum cleaner 200 stops the motor immediately or after a predetermined time delay to stop the dust collection operation. In this way, in this embodiment, wireless communication is used to perform linkage operations between multiple electrical devices, so the linkage of electrical devices can be easily achieved without using a signal code for transmitting the operation instruction signal.

[0123] The information terminal 300 is a smart phone or a portable information terminal. In addition to the public telephone communication network and / or Internet components, the information terminal 300 is also provided with a short-range wireless component (wireless communication unit) that can communicate over a short distance. The battery pack 1 can be paired not only with the vacuum cleaner 200, but also with the information terminal 300. Here, the so-called "pairing" is the operation of using wireless communication to perform associated registration on the battery pack 1 side with electrical equipment (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300, etc.). By performing these registration operations (pairing), the electrical equipment (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300, etc.) can obtain the required information from the paired battery pack 1. The relationship between the pairing partners is set to the number of terminal devices such as users A and B: the number of battery packs = 1:1.

[0124] The battery pack 1 outputs, for example, a direct current of 18 V. In this embodiment, the information terminal 300 can read the information of the battery pack 1 by directly communicating with the battery pack 1. Furthermore, the communication between the information terminal 300 and the battery pack 1 can be performed not only when the battery pack 1 is installed on the electrical device body, but also when the battery pack 1 is removed from the electrical device body.

[0125] The information terminal 300 processes the information received from the battery pack 1 via wireless communication, and manages the remaining battery power and life prediction of the battery pack 1 based on the information. The information terminal 300 has a liquid crystal display 301 as a touch input and output device. In addition, application software (hereinafter referred to as "application") for realizing communication with a specific model of the battery pack 1 is installed in the information terminal 300. The application includes software for pairing the information terminal 300 with the battery pack 1, software for uploading information obtained from the battery pack 1 to a supporting company, and software for displaying the status of the battery pack 1. The application can be obtained from the manufacturer or the like via a telephone line or a network.

[0126] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram showing the circuit structure of each electrical device (circular saw 100, vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) in the wireless linkage system of this embodiment. The battery pack 1 contains a secondary battery 5 in a synthetic resin casing. The charging and discharging of the secondary battery 5 is controlled by a control unit 50. The control unit 50 is connected to the secondary battery 5. The control unit 50 includes a single-chip microcomputer 51 and a storage device 52. The storage device 52 stores a program in advance and stores Figure 6 The connection condition information 510 described later is stored in the memory. The hardware configuration of the control unit 50 is arbitrary, and as the storage device 52, a nonvolatile memory built into the microcomputer 51 or provided separately from the microcomputer 51 may be used.

[0127] The microcomputer 51 is connected to the secondary battery 5, and monitors the state of the secondary battery 5, such as the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery cell. The voltage is detected by a voltage inspection component (voltage detection unit) described later. The current is detected by a current detection unit connected in series with the secondary battery 5, that is, a shunt resistor 49. The temperature is detected by a temperature detection unit, such as a thermistor, which is not shown and is provided near the secondary battery 5. These detected voltages, currents, and temperatures are input to the microcomputer 51 of the control unit 50. When the voltage of the secondary battery 5 is lower than a predetermined lower limit value, a discharge stop signal is sent to the control unit 150 on the circular saw 100 side via the LD terminals 48 and 148 as abnormal signal terminals. In addition, the microcomputer 51 communicates with the circular saw 100 via the connector (Terminal, T) terminals 46 and 146 as communication terminals. The model information (model name, rated voltage, etc.) is sent and received to each other via the communication terminals, and the model used is stored in the storage device 52 and the storage device 152 of the control unit 150 in the form of history. A communication unit 70 using Bluetooth (registered trademark) is provided in the battery pack 1. An antenna 71 is connected to the communication unit 70. The communication unit 70 is connected to the control unit 50, and the wireless communication 72 performed by the communication unit 70 is managed by the microcomputer 51. Furthermore, the microcomputer 51 uses other communication terminals not shown in the figure, namely, the V terminal and the LS terminal to transmit signals with the circular saw 100 or an external charging device (not shown). Furthermore, a single communication terminal may be used to constitute a plurality of communication terminals.

[0128] The battery pack 1 contains a secondary battery 5. The secondary battery 5 is composed of five lithium-ion battery cells with a rated voltage of 3.6V connected in series to supply a rated power of 18V to the positive terminal 42 and the negative terminal 47. The battery pack 1 is equipped with a voltage inspection component (voltage detection unit) not shown. When the switch button 85 of the voltage inspection component is turned on, the voltage of the battery cell is applied to the voltage-dividing resistor constituting the voltage inspection component during the operation. The divided voltage is applied to the analog / digital (Analog / Digital, A / D) input port of the microcomputer 51. The microcomputer 51 converts the voltage into a digital value, thereby calculating or measuring the terminal voltage of the secondary battery 5 (the overall voltage of the secondary battery 5 formed by the five battery cells connected in series). The display unit 80 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and when the switch button 85 is operated, the voltage (capacity) of the secondary battery 5 is displayed. The microcomputer 51 divides the measured voltage into five levels (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) and controls the display unit 80 in such a manner that the number of LEDs corresponding to the levels is lit. The LEDs are lit for about several seconds from the time when the switch button 85 is turned on. Since the voltage inspection component is provided in the battery pack 1 in this manner, the remaining power of the battery can be inspected when the battery pack 1 is removed from the main body of the electrical device. In addition, the voltage information measured by the communication unit 70 can also be sent to other electrical devices (for example, the information terminal 300).

[0129] The circular saw 100 is provided with a motor 108 which serves as a discharge load portion, and a working device (herein, Figure 1The circular saw 100 is driven by the saw blade 125 shown in the figure. The circular saw 100 has a control unit 150, and the control unit 150 has a microcomputer. A trigger switch 106, a motor 108, a switching element 109 such as a field effect transistor (FET) serving as a cut-off unit, and a shunt resistor 160 serving as a current detection unit are inserted in the power path from the positive terminal 142 to the negative terminal 147. The trigger switch 106 is operated by an operator to instruct the saw blade 125 to rotate, and when the trigger switch 106 becomes conductive, the motor 108 rotates. The type of motor 108 used is arbitrary, and a brushed DC motor or a brushless DC motor can be used. The control unit 150 controls the rotation of the motor 108, and sets the switching element 109 to a cut-off state to prevent (stop) the rotation of the motor 108 when an abnormality occurs. In addition, when a discharge stop signal is transmitted from the battery pack 1 via the LD terminal 148 as an abnormal signal terminal, the control unit 150 prohibits (stops) the rotation of the motor 108 by turning off the switch element 109. In addition, when an overcurrent is detected to flow in the power path through the shunt resistor 160, the control unit 150 also turns off the switch element 109 to stop the rotation of the motor 108. As described above, the circular saw 100 does not include a wireless communication unit, so the communication unit 70 of the battery pack 1 installed in the circular saw 100 is used to communicate with the external electrical equipment (vacuum cleaner 200 or information terminal 300).

[0130] The vacuum cleaner 200 uses the battery pack 1A to drive the motor 203 that serves as the discharge load unit. The rotation control of the discharge load formed by the motor 203 is performed by the control unit 250. The vacuum cleaner 200 is provided with a communication unit 270 (device-side wireless communication unit) for Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 270 has an antenna 271, and performs wireless communication 72 with a paired and registered external device under the control of the control unit 250. The control unit 250 includes a storage device 252, which appropriately stores information used when establishing pairing with the external device (battery pack 1) and information sent and received after pairing. Figure 1 As shown, the vacuum cleaner 200 is provided with a pairing switch (Switch, SW) 255, and the operator presses the pairing switch 255, thereby starting the control unit 250 to perform, Figure 5The pairing setting order described later. The connection terminals of the vacuum cleaner 200 include a positive terminal 242, a negative terminal 247, and an LD terminal 248. In addition, a terminal for signal transmission is provided in the same manner as the circular saw 100, but the description here is omitted. In addition, the vacuum cleaner 200 has a main switch 206, a switching element 208 such as FET, and a shunt resistor 209. The main switch 206 is operated to drive the motor 203, and the switching element 208 is connected in series with the motor 203 and the main switch 206 to form a cutoff part, and the shunt resistor 209 becomes a current detection part that detects the current flowing in the power path from the positive terminal 242 to the negative terminal 247. These functions are the same as those provided in the circular saw 100, so detailed descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, in the case of a single-action mode in which the vacuum cleaner 200 is driven alone, the main switch 206 is operated by the operator when driving. On the other hand, in the case of linkage mode, the pairing switch 255 can be turned on when switching from the single-action mode to the linkage mode, or it can be turned on in conjunction with the wireless communication from the battery pack 1, that is, the operation of the trigger switch 106 of the circular saw 100.

[0131] The battery pack 1A is a conventional structure without a wireless communication unit, and has the same structure as the battery pack 1 except that it does not have the communication unit 70 and the switch button 85. The same number is assigned to the same structural parts, and repeated description is omitted. The battery pack 1A further does not have a display unit (equivalent to the display unit 80 of the battery pack 1), but a display unit may be provided.

[0132] With the above structure, the communication unit 70 of the battery pack 1 and the communication unit 270 of the vacuum cleaner 200 can perform two-way communication (wireless communication) 72. Through wireless communication, the vacuum cleaner 200 can receive an action signal (a signal indicating that the motor 108 of the circular saw 100 has been started, a signal indicating that the motor 108 of the circular saw 100 has been stopped) from the battery pack 1, thereby starting or stopping its own motor 203.

[0133] The information terminal 300 has a control unit 310, and the control unit 310 includes a microcomputer 311. The microcomputer 311 displays the required information on the display 301. The display 301 functions as an output device for displaying information and an input device for input operations. The information terminal 300 is provided with a communication unit 320 (terminal-side wireless communication unit) for Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the communication unit 320 is connected to an antenna 321. Furthermore, the wireless communication 322 of the battery pack 1, the electrical device (vacuum cleaner) 200, and the information terminal 300 can be carried out within a prescribed range where wireless communication is possible. When leaving the range where wireless communication is possible (for example, the distance between the devices is too far, etc.), wireless communication cannot be carried out.

[0134] Figure 3 : is a three-dimensional view of a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The housing of the battery pack 1 is formed of a lower shell 9 and an upper shell 10 which can be divided in the upper and lower directions. The upper shell 10 is formed with a mounting mechanism for mounting to the battery pack mounting portion of the circular saw 100, and the mounting mechanism is formed with two rails 13a and 13b. The rails 13a and 13b are formed to extend in a direction parallel to the mounting direction of the battery pack 1 and to protrude toward the left and right sides of the upper shell 10. The rails 13a and 13b are configured to correspond to rail grooves (not shown) formed in the battery pack mounting portion of the circular saw 100. When the rails 13a and 13b are engaged with the rail grooves on the side of the electrical device body, the battery pack 1 is fixed to the circular saw 100 by the locking portion 36a which is the claw of the latch 35a. When the battery pack 1 is removed from the circular saw 100, the latches 35a and 35b on the left and right sides are pressed, thereby causing the locking portions 36a and 36b ( Figure 3 36b) is moved inward to release the locked state with the main body side of the circular saw 100, so in this state the battery pack 1 is moved to the side opposite to the installation direction.

[0135] The lower surface 11 and the upper surface 15 of the upper case 10 are formed in a stepped shape with different heights, and a slot group 20 extending from the connection portion thereof toward the rear side is provided. Eight slots 21 to 28 are formed in the slot group 20. The slots 21 to 28 are portions cut out in a manner having a predetermined length along the battery pack installation direction, and a plurality of connection terminals (connection terminal group) that can be engaged with the device-side terminals of the circular saw 100 or an external charging device (not shown) are arranged inside the cut-out portions.

[0136] Among the slots 21 to 28, the slot 21 on the side close to the track 13a on the right side of the battery pack 1 becomes the insertion port for the positive terminal for charging (charging (Charging, C) + terminal), and the slot 22 becomes the insertion port for the positive terminal for discharging (+ terminal). In addition, the slot 27 on the side close to the track 13b on the left side becomes the insertion port for the negative terminal (- terminal). A plurality of signal terminals for signal transmission between the battery pack 1 and the circular saw 100 or an external charging device (not shown) are arranged between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. Here, four slots 23 to 26 for signal terminals are arranged between the power terminal groups. Slot 23 is a prepared terminal insertion port, and no terminal is provided in this embodiment. Slot 24 is an insertion port for the T terminal for outputting a signal that becomes the identification information of the battery pack 1 to the power tool body or the charging device. Slot 25 is an insertion port for the V terminal for inputting a control signal from an external charging device (not shown). The slot 26 is an insertion port for the LS terminal for outputting the temperature information of the battery obtained by the thermistor (temperature sensing element) not shown in the figure and provided in contact with the battery cell. A slot 28 for the LD terminal is also provided on the left side of the slot 27 which is an insertion port for the negative terminal (-terminal). The LD terminal outputs an abnormal stop signal given by the battery protection circuit (not shown) included in the battery pack 1.

[0137] A raised portion 32 is formed on the rear side of the upper surface 15. A recessed stopper 31 is formed near the center of the raised portion 32. The stopper 31 serves as a contact surface when the battery pack 1 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion on the side of the electrical device body. When the battery pack 1 is mounted to a predetermined position of the circular saw 100, a plurality of terminals (device-side terminals) provided on the circular saw 100 come into contact with a plurality of connection terminals provided on the battery pack 1 and become conductive.

[0138] A display unit 80 is provided on the rear inclined surface 32a of the battery pack 1. Four display windows 81 to 84 are provided on the display unit 80, and a push-button switch button 85 is provided on the right side of the display window 81. The switch button 85 is an operating unit operated by an operator. An LED (light emitting diode) not shown in the figure is arranged on the inner side of the display windows 81 to 84 to light up the display windows 81 to 84. The entire display unit 80 is covered with a laminate film, and the display windows 81 to 84 are configured so that a part of the printed laminate film is made transparent or translucent so that light can pass through. The switch button 85 is a button operated by an operator, and when the switch button 85 is pressed, the display windows 81 to 84 are displayed according to the remaining battery power of the battery pack 1.

[0139] Figure 4 To express Figure 3The block diagram of the wireless channel establishment state in the battery pack 1 is shown here. The battery pack 1 is connected to the electrical device A (vacuum cleaner 200) among the plurality of electrical devices A and B having wireless communication components and the information terminals A and B. The battery pack 1 has a communication unit 70 (refer to Figure 2 ), and is in a state where it can connect to any of the plurality of electrical devices A and B, and information terminals A and B using the antenna 71 connected to the communication unit 70. In this embodiment, the wireless channel is based on a one-to-one (1:1) connection, and the following operation is the principle: if the battery pack 1 is used as a reference, a channel is established with the electrical devices A and B, and information terminals A and B that can be connected by Bluetooth (registered trademark) in a first-come-first-served manner. When a one-to-one connection structure is set in this way, there are the following advantages: the connection processing on the battery pack 1 side becomes simple, and the memory used for connection management on the battery pack 1 side is small, which can make the price low. In the wireless communication between the battery pack 1 and the electrical device A or B in this embodiment, there is no screen indicating the state of wireless communication to confirm which partner is connected, so when the battery pack 1 can be connected to multiple partner-side electrical devices, it may cause malfunction or misuse. For example, there is a risk that although the battery pack 1 intends to use the function of cooperating with the electrical device A, the function of cooperating with the electrical device B is operated. Furthermore, there may be a situation where the battery pack 1 is switched to be connected to the electrical device B, and the power of the battery pack 1 continues to be consumed, even though the intention is to disconnect the power of the electrical device A and end the use of the battery pack 1 together with the electrical device A.

[0140] In this embodiment, control is performed in the following manner: when multiple electrical devices / information terminals are in a connection attempt state, the battery pack 1 knows which electrical device / information terminal should (will) be connected. There are three key points here. First, set a priority for the connection object, and connect from the object with a higher priority. Second, when the connection order of the battery pack 1 starts, it changes to a connection attempt state. From the time it changes to the connection attempt state, it can only connect to an object with a "high" priority within a specified time. When the specified time has passed, it can connect to an object with a priority of "medium" or above. When the specified time has further passed, it can connect to all objects. Third, regarding priority, the priority of electrical equipment is increased and the priority of information terminals is decreased. These are set during the design and development of the battery pack 1 and stored in the internal memory of the battery pack 1 in advance.

[0141] Figure 5 To express Figure 1 A flowchart of the order of actions when a channel is established in the vacuum cleaner 200 or the information terminal 300. Figure 5The series of steps (steps 500 to 505) shown in FIG. 1 can be executed in the form of software according to a program pre-stored in the microcomputer 251, 311 included in the control unit 250, 310 of the vacuum cleaner 200 or the information terminal 300, and can be executed when wireless communication is possible. Figure 5 Provide explanation.

[0142] First, the microcomputer 251 of the vacuum cleaner 200 determines whether the communication unit 270 (see Figure 2 ) whether a connection path (channel) using wireless communication has been established with any external electrical device (step 501). Here, if the channel has been established, the subsequent sequence shown in steps 502 to 505 is not executed and wait. The reason is that the wireless channel of this embodiment is based on a 1:1 connection. Furthermore, in the case of an n:1 connection, steps 501 to 505 can also be executed until the upper limit value of n is reached. If the channel has not been established in step 501, the information required for the connection received from the battery pack 1 that has become a connection candidate ( Figure 6 The "connection condition information 510" described later in the text is used to determine whether the enterprise code 520 in the code included in the information matches the specified enterprise (step 502). The enterprise code 520 is a type of code used to identify the partner-side device. In the case of electrical equipment such as power tools and battery packs, it is the identification code of the manufacturing company. Here, the "connection condition information" is maintained by the calling-side device (battery pack 1) that makes the connection request, and the "connection condition information" is sent to the receiving side when the connection is attempted. When the connection condition information 510 is received, the receiving-side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300, etc.) determines whether a connection response signal for the connection request can be sent according to the connection judgment order of this process. If the connection is possible, the connection response signal for the connection request is replied. If the connection is not possible, that is, it does not match the connection object device, the connection response signal for the connection request is not replied.

[0143] Here, use Figure 6 to Figure 8 , details of the connection condition information 510 maintained by the calling side device are explained. Figure 6 To express Figure 3FIG. 5 is a diagram of connection condition information 510 stored in the battery pack 1. The connection condition information 510 includes a 16-bit enterprise code 520, a 32-bit connection permission device code 530, and a 16-bit connection permission function code 540 from the leading edge, using a total of 64 bits (8 bytes) of information. The connection condition information 510 is information that is pre-stored in the storage device 52 included in the control unit 50 by the manufacturer during the manufacture and assembly of the product. The connection condition information 510 is sent from the calling side device (battery pack 1) of the connection request to the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200) when the wireless channel is established. The receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200) determines whether the connection is possible based on the received connection condition information 510 and the prescribed judgment order, and if the connection is possible, sends a connection response signal to the calling side device (battery pack 1).

[0144] The company code 520 is identification information (manufacturer code) assigned to each manufacturer and is stored in Figure 2 The manufacturer codes of the electric device (vacuum cleaner 200) having the communication unit 270 and the information terminal (information terminal 300) having the communication unit 320 are shown. The receiving device that receives the connection condition information 510 can determine whether the calling device is a product of its own company or a product of another company based on the company code 520. Furthermore, when the calling device is an information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer (PC), the code of the company that produces the software (so-called application) stored in the information terminal can be stored instead of the company code of the sending terminal itself.

[0145] The connection permission device code 530 is information indicating the target device to which the calling device (battery pack 1) that has made the connection request is to connect. When the receiving device (vacuum cleaner 200) receives the connection request together with the connection permission device code 530, it determines whether the connection permission device code 530 includes itself (vacuum cleaner 200) and determines whether it is the target device for connection in the receiving device. Here, the receiving device uses Figure 7, the details of the connection permission device code 530 are explained. The connection permission device code 530 is information maintained by the battery pack 1, and three types of information, namely, connection conditions A to C, are confirmed here. These conditions A to C are information for setting the priority of connection, and condition A (531) indicates the connection group with the highest priority, and the bit string 536 "111000000..." described later indicates whether each device (target device) corresponding to each bit is a connection target (= bit "1") or a non-connection target (= bit "0"). The bit string 536 "111000000..." of condition A (531) means to connect to the target devices corresponding to the first to third numbers (bit "1") but not to connect to the target devices after the fourth number (bit "0"). Condition B (532) (bit string 537) means to connect to the target devices corresponding to the first to fourth numbers but not to connect to the target devices after the fifth number (bit "0"). Condition C (533) (bit string 538) means to connect to the target devices corresponding to the first to fifth numbers but not to the target devices after the sixth number (bit "0"). In addition, for example, in the case of condition C (533), when the electrical devices of bits 0 to 3 (vacuum cleaners A, B, lighting A, B) are not within the range where wireless communication is possible, the information terminal 300 of bit 4 is connected. The motor of vacuum cleaners A, B or the lighting unit of lighting A, B is equivalent to the load unit.

[0146] Figure 7 (B) is to Figure 7 The contents (bit strings 536 to 538) of conditions A to C (531 to 533) of (A) are further expanded and illustrated in an easy-to-understand manner. Here, the bit 534 is displayed vertically, and the object device 535 corresponding to each bit 534 is displayed. Here, the combination of bit 534 and object device 535 is set by the manufacturer of the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) that can be connected to the calling side device (battery pack 1) or the maker of the application, and is stored separately in each control unit. Figure 7 In the bit string 536 of condition A (531) of (B), for each target device 535, if it is a connection target, it is indicated by "○", and if it is not a connection target, it is indicated by a blank. If the "○" is replaced with a bit "1" and the blank is replaced with a bit "0", the bit string from top to bottom becomes "111000000...", which is the same as Figure 7 The bit string 536 of (A) has the same contents. Figure 7 The same is true for the bit string 537 of condition B (532) and the bit string 538 of condition C (533) of (B). The manufacturer of the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) that can be connected to the calling side device (battery pack 1) or the creator of the application, such as Figure 7(B) Assign ○ or × (blank) to the device that is to be connected first and convert it into Figure 7 The bit string such as 536 to 538 of (A) can be stored in the control unit of the calling side device (battery pack 1).

[0147] Figure 8 To express Figure 6 Figure 540 details of the connection permission function code, Figure 8 (A) is a diagram showing an example of stored data. The connection permission function code 540 is information related to the target function maintained by the battery pack 1. Here, three connection conditions A to C (541 to 543) are stored in bit strings 546 to 548 that are the same as the bit strings 536 to 538 included in the connection permission device code 530. Condition A (541), condition B (542), and condition C (543) are information for setting the priority of the function. Condition A (541) indicates the function group with the highest priority, and the bit string "1100..." described later indicates whether each function corresponding to each bit is a function connection object (= bit "1") or a non-connection object (= bit "0"). The bit string "1100..." of condition A (541) means to connect to the functions corresponding to the first to second numbers (bit "1") but not to connect to the functions after the third number (bit "0"). Condition B (542) means to connect to the functions corresponding to the first to third numbers. Condition C (543) means to connect to the functions corresponding to the first to fourth functions (bit "1").

[0148] Figure 8 (B) is to Figure 8 The contents (bit strings 546 to 548) of conditions A to C (541 to 543) of (A) are further expanded and illustrated in an easy-to-understand manner. Here, the bit 544 is displayed vertically, and the object function 545 corresponding to each bit 544 is displayed. Here, the combination of the bit 544 and the object function 545 is set by the manufacturer of the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) that can be connected to the calling side device (battery pack 1) or the creator of the application, and is stored separately in each control unit. The so-called object function includes, for example, the "dust collection linkage" for operating the vacuum cleaner 200 in conjunction with the operation of the circular saw 100, the "lighting linkage" for lighting up other lighting devices (not shown) according to the operation of a screwdriver drill not shown, the "application (execution) A" for being linked with the application software A executed in the information terminal 300 on the receiving side as the electrical equipment not shown is operated, and the "application (execution) B" for being linked with the application software B executed in the information terminal 300 on the receiving side as the electrical equipment not shown is operated.

[0149] The so-called "dust collection linkage" is the following action mode: when the operation conduction information (such as discharge current) of the electrical device connected to the battery pack 1 is detected, the linkage operation signal is sent to the paired partner electrical device via wireless. Figure 2 As shown, when the battery pack 1 and the circular saw 100 are connected and the trigger switch 106 is operated (turned on), the discharge current flows from the battery pack 1 to the power supply path. The discharge current is detected by the shunt resistor 160, which serves as a current detection unit, and its detection signal is input to the control unit 150. When the control unit 150 receives the signal of the discharge current, i.e., the start (drive) information of the circular saw 100, the information that the circular saw 100 has been driven is sent to the control unit 50 of the battery pack 1 via the T terminals 146 and 46 for communication. When the control unit 50 receives the signal from the control unit 150, it sends the linkage operation signal to the vacuum cleaner 200 via the communication units 70 and 270. Alternatively, since the shunt resistor 49 is also provided in the battery pack 1, the linkage operation signal can be sent by the battery pack 1 (control unit 50) itself detecting the discharge current, or the linkage operation signal can be sent when the drive signal from the circular saw 100 is input and the battery pack 1 itself detects the drive (discharge current). When the paired vacuum cleaner 200 receives the linkage operation signal, the motor 203 (refer to Figure 2 ) is set to on, and when the linkage operation signal disappears and the operation signal is not received within a specified time (several seconds to tens of seconds), the motor 203 is set to off. The so-called "lighting linkage" is that when the power on information (which can also be the operation on information) of the electrical equipment body connected to the battery pack 1 is detected, the lighting linkage signal is wirelessly sent to the lighting fixture (an example of an electrical equipment) not shown in the figure. When the paired lighting fixture receives the lighting linkage signal, the lighting is set to on, and when the signal disappears and the lighting linkage signal is not received within a specified time (tens of seconds to minutes), the lighting is set to off. "Application A" sets the connection priority higher than "Application B", and has and has set an automatic connection function. The automatic connection function is, for example, the following function: when the application is started with this function in effect, scanning is automatically performed without user operation, and if a connectable object is found, a channel is established. The connection priority of "Application B" is lower than that of Application A. There is no automatic connection function or it is not set.

[0150] Figure 8 (B) is a data table showing the object functions shown by the stored data. Here, in condition A (541), for each object function 545, if it is a connection object, it is represented by "○ (circle)", and if it is not a connection object, it is represented by a blank column. If the "○" is replaced with a bit "1" and the blank column is replaced with a bit "0", it becomes a bit string "1100..." from top to bottom, which becomes the same as Figure 8The bit string 546 of (A) has the same information in one column. Figure 8 The conditions B (542) and C (543) of (B) are the same. The manufacturer of the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) that can be connected to the calling side device (battery pack 1) or the creator of the application, such as Figure 8 (B) As in the example above, the function to be connected based on the function of the receiving device is pre-assigned with ○ or × (blank) and the Figure 8 The bit string of 546 to 548 of (A) is stored in the control unit 50 of the calling side device (battery pack 1) (refer to Figure 2 ). That is, there is no need to Figure 7 (B) Figure 8 (B) is stored in a table format, such as Figure 7 (A) Figure 8 It is not envisioned that the battery pack 1 will be Figure 7 (A) Figure 8 However, since the wireless communication unit is provided, the connection condition information 510 can also be updated via the information terminal 300 (see Figure 6 ) in a manner to form a battery pack 1.

[0151] Return to Figure 5 Step 502. The control units 250 and 310 (both refer to Figure 2 ) Upon receiving Figure 6 When the connection condition information 510 shown in FIG. 5 is consistent with the specified code and the enterprise code 520 included therein is consistent with the specified code (yes in step 503), the connection permission device code 530 is then referred to to determine whether the information included therein permits the receiving device itself to be a connection object, that is, Figure 7 The calling device (battery pack 1) checks whether its own target device 535 is in the permitted state of ○ in the table (B) of FIG. 5 (step 503). If permitted, the process proceeds to step 505, and a connection response signal indicating that the connection is possible is sent to the calling device (battery pack 1) (step 505). If the receiving device itself is not permitted as a connection target in the form of the connection permission device code 530 in step 503, the calling device (battery pack 1) then determines whether the target function 545 executed in itself (see FIG. 5 (a) and FIG. 5 (b)) is in the permitted state. Figure 8) is the function specified in the information indicated by the received connection permission function code 540 (step 504). If it is included as the object function and is an object permitted to connect, a connection response signal indicating that the connection is possible is sent to the calling side device (battery pack 1) (step 505). If it is not permitted in step 504, the process returns to step 501.

[0152] As described above, the control units 250 and 310 (both refer to Figure 2 )When Bluetooth (registered trademark) pairing is established, you can follow Figure 5 The judgment flow shown sends a connection response signal to the calling-side device (battery pack 1) that has received the communication signal, so that devices that meet the connection conditions can be connected to each other.

[0153] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the battery pack 1 when the battery pack 1 is on the peripheral side (calling side) of an embodiment of the present invention. First, the control unit 50 of the battery pack 1 determines whether it has established pairing with the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300, etc.) and established a channel (step 601). As described above, the battery pack 1 is set to a 1:1 connection. In step 601, when a communication connection with the receiving side device has not yet been made (when a channel has not yet been established), it is determined whether the connection switch (switch button 85) that serves as the first operating unit for wireless communication is turned on (whether it has been turned on) (step 602). In step 602, when the connection switch is disconnected, return to step 601. In step 602, when the connection switch is turned on, the counter t used for counting time is cleared to zero (step 603).

[0154] Next, the microcomputer 51 of the control unit 50 increments the counter t by 1 (step 604), and determines whether the time after the increment is in the initial stage (t=0-A), the middle stage (t=A-B), or the subsequent stage (t=B-X). Regarding the time, for example, X is set to 2 minutes, A as the first prescribed time is set to the first second, and B as the second prescribed time is set to about the second to third seconds. The time settings are arbitrary. In step 605, when it is the initial stage, that is, t<A (yes in step 605), the control unit 50 adopts the first connection condition A ( Figure 7 Condition A(531), Figure 8 If the condition A (541) is not set in step 605 (No in step 605), and it is in the middle stage in step 606, that is, (A≤)t<B, the control unit 50 sets the second connection condition B ( Figure 7 Condition B(532), Figure 8Condition B (542)) (step 608). In step 606, if the remaining stage (B≤) t<X is not the middle stage, the control unit 50 sets the third connection condition C ( Figure 7 Condition C(533), Figure 8 Condition C(543))(Step 607).

[0155] Next, the microcomputer 51 of the control unit 50 sends the connection condition information 510 according to the connection conditions set in steps 607 to 609 (step 610). When the connection condition information 510 is sent to the receiving device, the control unit 250, 311 of the receiving device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300, etc.) sends a connection response signal ( Figure 5 The control unit 50 of the calling device (battery pack 1) determines whether a connection response signal is received from the receiving device, thereby determining whether the receiving device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) is a target device that meets the set connection conditions (step 611). For example, when the connection condition in step 609, i.e. condition A ( Figure 7 When judging condition A (531), when the receiving device is the vacuum cleaner 200, condition A (531) is met, so the connection can be made. When the receiving device is the information terminal 300, condition A (531) is not met, so the connection cannot be made. When a receiving device of an object that meets the set connection condition is found in step 611, the microcomputer 51 of the control unit 50 performs a process of establishing a communication connection with the partner (step 614), sets the connection state to "communication connected" ("communication established"), that is, a paired state, and returns to step 601 (step 615).

[0156] If the receiving device that matches the set connection condition is not found in step 611, it is determined whether the counter t has reached the timeout time X of the connection control sequence (step 612). If the counter t is less than X, the process returns to step 604. If it has reached X or exceeded X, it is considered as a timeout, the connection state is set to "standby", and the process returns to step 601 (step 613).

[0157] The above is executed by software Fig. 9In the order of wireless connection control shown in FIG. 1 , the battery pack 1 can give priority to connecting to devices that meet condition A. In addition, even devices that only meet conditions B and C can be connected in priority to devices that only meet condition C. Through this embodiment, the receiving side device (vacuum cleaner 200, information terminal 300) can determine whether it is a connection target device, and the calling side device (battery pack 1) that receives the connection response signal can also properly determine which device to start connecting from. Furthermore, in the case where there are two receiving side devices with the same priority, such as vacuum cleaners, the device that first establishes communication will be connected.

[0158] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the battery pack 1 when the battery pack 1 is switched to the connection attempt state (scanning) according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 and Fig. 9 In the flowchart, the battery pack 1 is the connection attempt side (peripheral side), but the vacuum cleaner 200 and the information terminal 300 side may become the peripheral side devices and the battery pack 1 may become the receiving side (central side) device. In the order when the battery pack 1 is the central side, steps 600 to 609 are also the same. After steps 607 to 609, the control unit 50 receives the connection condition information 510, and in step 620, the connection condition information 510 received from the peripheral side device (vacuum cleaner 200 or information terminal 300) is judged to determine whether a peripheral side device that meets the connection condition, that is, an object that meets the connection condition, is found (step 620). If it is found, the communication connection process is performed, and the microcomputer 51 of the control unit 50 performs the process of making a communication connection with the partner (step 623), and the connection state is set to "communication connected" ("communication established"), that is, the paired state and returns to step 601 (step 624).

[0159] If no receiving device that matches the set connection condition is found in step 620, it is determined whether the counter t has reached the timeout time X of the connection control sequence (step 621). If the counter t is less than X, the process returns to step 604. If it has reached X or exceeded X, it is considered as a timeout, the connection state is set to "standby", and the process returns to step 601 (step 622). In this way, even when the battery pack 1 is a receiving device (center side), it is possible to use the connection condition information 510 to appropriately determine which device should be connected.

[0160] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the purpose. For example, in a case where there is no electrical device but there is an information terminal within the range where wireless communication is possible, it is possible to connect to the information terminal. In addition, the storage device 52 stores information about electrical devices or information terminals that have been wirelessly connected (paired) in the past. Therefore, in a case where there are multiple electrical devices or information terminals within the range where wireless communication is possible, the electrical devices or information terminals that have been connected in the past can be connected preferentially. In a case where there are multiple electrical devices or information terminals that have been connected in the past, the information terminals can be connected in accordance with the pairing. Figure 7 The priority is determined by the conditions. In addition, although the electric tools and vacuum cleaners are mainly used as examples of electrical equipment, battery packs can also be used as an example of electrical equipment and battery packs can be wirelessly connected to each other. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 200 may not include the communication unit 270, and a battery pack 1 equipped with the communication unit 70 may be connected to the vacuum cleaner 200 instead of the battery pack 1A. By long pressing the switch button 85 of each of the battery pack 1 connected to the vacuum cleaner 200 and the battery pack 1 connected to the circular saw 100, a wireless connection can be established between the two battery packs 1. Figure 1 In the case where a lighting device equipped with a battery pack 1 having a built-in wireless function replaces the information terminal 300, the switch buttons 85 of both the battery pack 1 installed in the lighting device and the battery pack 1 installed in the circular saw 100 may be pressed simultaneously, thereby giving priority to the wireless connection between the battery packs 1 over the connection with the vacuum cleaner 200 or the information terminal 300. In other words, it is also possible to connect electrical devices that have recently performed an operation for wireless connection with each other in a manner that gives priority to each other. Alternatively, after releasing the linkage mode through the pairing switch 255 of the vacuum cleaner 200, the switch button 85 of the battery pack 1 installed in the lighting device or the switch buttons 85 of the two battery packs 1 may be pressed, thereby establishing wireless communication between the two battery packs 1. Alternatively, it is also possible to follow the method described above. Figure 7 to Figure 10 By increasing the priority of wireless connection with the battery pack 1 as an electrical device with built-in wireless function, other electrical devices that can communicate historical information, etc. with the installed battery pack 1 but do not have wireless function can be used, so the usability of the electrical device system can be improved. Furthermore, the frequency of use of the electrical device or multiple electrical devices owned by different users is different, so it is not limited to the connection between battery packs. As long as the user or manufacturer can arbitrarily set the priority that matches each user, the usability of the electrical device system can be further improved.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: Battery cells; A control unit connected to the battery unit; as well as The wireless communication unit is connected to the control unit and is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device through the control unit. The battery pack is characterized in that: When an information terminal as the external device and an electrical device having a load as the external device are wirelessly connectable to the battery pack, the battery pack is configured to prioritize establishment of a wireless connection with the electrical device over establishment of a wireless connection with the information terminal.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery pack has a first operating unit for switching to a wireless connection standby state. The electrical device has a second operating unit that switches to a wireless connection standby state. When the information terminal is in a wireless connection standby state within a range where it can be wirelessly connected to the battery pack and the electrical device is switched to a wireless connection standby state by operation of the second operating unit within a range where it can be wirelessly connected to the battery pack, the battery pack is configured to establish a wireless connection with the electrical device instead of establishing a wireless connection with the information terminal.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the electric device is not within the range where wireless communication is possible, the electric device is connected to the information terminal.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the electric device and the information terminal are within the range where wireless communication is possible, the device that was previously connected is preferentially connected.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: comprising an operation unit for instructing the wireless communication unit to connect wirelessly, The connection channel with the external device is established by operating the operation unit.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: When establishing the connection channel, a connection condition with the external device is changed according to an elapsed time since the operation unit is operated.

7. A battery pack, characterized in that include: Battery cells; A control unit connected to the battery unit; A wireless communication unit connected to the control unit and controlled to perform wireless communication with an external device one-to-one through the control unit; as well as an operating unit for instructing the wireless communication unit to connect wirelessly, The wireless communication unit is configured to connect in descending order of priority of the external devices to be connected, and when establishing a connection channel with the external device through operation of the operating unit, change the connection conditions with the external device according to the elapsed time since the operating unit was operated.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The external device is an electrical device or an information terminal having a load portion, The connection with the electric device is given priority over the connection with the information terminal.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The connection condition includes at least one of a first connection condition, a second connection condition, and a third connection condition. The first connection condition is that connection with a part of the external device is permitted until a first predetermined time has passed since the operation unit is operated, The second connection condition is that connection with another part of the external device is permitted from the time when the first predetermined time elapses to the time when the second predetermined time elapses, The third connection condition is to permit connection with another part of the external device during a period from the lapse of the second predetermined time to a timeout.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that: If the connection channel with the external device cannot be established within the time from the start of the connection channel establishment procedure to the timeout period, the state returns to the standby state before the operation of the operation unit.

11. The battery pack according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The connection conditions include the manufacturer's code, Do not connect external devices that do not conform to the manufacturer's code.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, characterized in that: The connection conditions include object device information and object function information. First, whether the connection is permitted or not is determined based on the target device information. If not permitted, whether the connection is permitted or not is determined based on the target function information.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The priority of the wireless connection with the external device may be changed.

14. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The priority of the wireless connection with the external device may be changed.

15. An electrical equipment system, characterized in that include: A battery pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14; as well as The electric device includes a load unit and a device-side wireless communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless communication unit of the battery pack.

16. The electrical equipment system according to claim 15, characterized in that: A wireless terminal is included. The wireless terminal has a terminal-side wireless communication unit. The terminal-side wireless communication unit can perform wireless communication with the wireless communication unit of the battery pack.

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