Battery-replaceable electrical device

Abstract

Provided is an electric device with a replaceable battery, which can be used with various batteries having different battery characteristics and batteries of the same type but having different battery characteristics, whether known or unknown at the time of shipment. The electric device (1) includes a battery mounting portion (21) that can mount and dismount a secondary battery (2), and a power control portion that has a limit on a version number (51) that can be handled, can use battery characteristic information acquired from the secondary battery (2) in control of a discharge amount and control of a charge amount of the secondary battery (2) having the same main version number (52), and has a limit on a sub version number (53) that can be handled, and in a case where the secondary battery (2) having a sub version number (53) higher than the limit is connected, performs control of a discharge amount and control of a charge amount of the secondary battery (2) based on battery characteristics corresponding to the sub version number (53) of the limit described in the battery characteristic information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery-replaceable electrical device. Background Technology

[0002] There is a known type of electric vacuum cleaner that, when a secondary battery is installed in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, sends a confirmation signal to the secondary battery and uses this confirmation signal as a trigger to receive a signal sent by the secondary battery as a received signal. The received signal is then compared with reference information to determine the authenticity of the installed secondary battery.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-064059 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, secondary batteries, also known as storage batteries, rechargeable batteries, and rechargeable batteries, encompass many types, including lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion polymer secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-iron batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, silver oxide-zinc batteries, and cobalt-titanium lithium secondary batteries. These secondary batteries differ in their usable temperature range, upper limit of discharge current, upper limit of charging current, lower limit of discharge voltage, and upper limit of charging voltage. Furthermore, technological development to improve the energy efficiency of these secondary batteries is ongoing. In other words, different types of secondary batteries have different battery characteristics, and even batteries of the same type can exhibit different characteristics depending on their manufacturing period. For example, the rechargeable temperature range varies depending on the type of secondary battery, and even within the same type, the rechargeable temperature range can differ depending on the manufacturing period.

[0008] When the same comparison information is used to determine the authenticity of rechargeable batteries, whether between different types or within the same type, conventional electric vacuum cleaners cannot detect differences in the characteristics of the installed rechargeable batteries. In this situation, conventional electric vacuum cleaners may fail to fully utilize the performance of the installed rechargeable batteries, or may deviate from the permissible operating range of the installed batteries, thus shortening their lifespan or causing damage.

[0009] On the other hand, when the reference information varies depending on the characteristics of the secondary battery, conventional electric vacuum cleaners need to pre-store multiple reference information corresponding to secondary batteries with known battery characteristics at the time of shipment. In this case, conventional electric vacuum cleaners can perform appropriate control corresponding to the known battery characteristics of secondary batteries, but it is difficult to perform appropriate control corresponding to the battery characteristics of unknown secondary batteries that will be developed in the future.

[0010] For example, by identifying known secondary batteries using first comparison information and pre-storing the battery characteristics corresponding to the first comparison information, it is possible to appropriately utilize the secondary batteries identified by the first comparison information. However, when identifying newly developed secondary batteries unknown at the time of shipment using second comparison information, it is difficult to pre-store the battery characteristics corresponding to the second comparison information and to determine that the secondary batteries identified by the second comparison information are genuine, making it impossible to appropriately utilize the newly developed secondary batteries.

[0011] In addition, for example, when a known secondary battery can be used simply by monitoring the usable temperature range, while a new secondary battery requires monitoring not only the usable temperature range but also the upper limit of the discharge current for better use, conventional electric vacuum cleaners would find it difficult to cope with the increase in monitoring items caused by changes in the information to be used.

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a battery-replaceable electrical device that can be used with a more appropriate setting for various batteries with different battery characteristics, as well as batteries of the same type but with different battery characteristics, whether known or unknown at the time of shipment.

[0013] Means for solving technical problems

[0014] To solve the aforementioned technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery-replaceable electrical device comprising: a battery mounting section capable of mounting and dismounting a secondary battery; a load driven by power stored in the secondary battery mounted in the battery mounting section; a battery information acquisition section capable of acquiring information related to the secondary battery from the secondary battery mounted in the battery mounting section; and a power control section that performs at least one of controlling the discharge amount and controlling the charging amount of the secondary battery based on the information acquired by the battery information acquisition section. The information includes a version number associated with the battery characteristics of the secondary battery. The version number includes a major version number and a minor version number. The major version number is a version number identified by supplying power from the secondary battery mounted in the battery mounting section to the power control section, or a version number recorded in the information acquired by the battery information acquisition section. The minor version number is a version number recorded in the information to enable the identification of changes in the battery characteristics of the secondary battery having the same major version number, as well as increases in the battery characteristics of the secondary battery. The information includes the battery characteristics of the secondary battery corresponding to the lower-order minor version number. The power control unit has a limitation on the version number it can correspond to, and can utilize the information in controlling the discharge and charging amounts of secondary batteries having the same major version number. On the other hand, the power control unit has an upper limit on the minor version number it can correspond to. When a secondary battery with a minor version number higher than this upper limit is connected, the power control unit performs discharge and charging amount control of the secondary battery based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery corresponding to the minor version number at the upper limit of the correspondence described in the information.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, a battery-replaceable electrical device can be provided that can be used with a more appropriate setting for various batteries with different battery characteristics, as well as batteries of the same type but with different battery characteristics, whether known or unknown at the time of shipment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of a battery-replaceable electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a battery-replaceable electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the version number and battery characteristics of a secondary battery installed in an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the version comparison process performed in the initial settings of the electrical equipment in this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 This is an example of a flowchart illustrating the operation setting process of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating other examples of the initial setup of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating other examples of the initial setup of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 8 Embodiments of the battery-replaceable electrical device of the present invention will be described. Note that in the various figures, the same or equivalent structures are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of a battery-replaceable electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 of this embodiment includes a removable secondary battery 2 as a power source and a load, such as an electric motor 3, driven by the electricity stored in the secondary battery 2. The secondary battery 2 is also referred to as a storage battery, a rechargeable battery, or a rechargeable battery. The electrical device 1 is, for example, a stick-type electric vacuum cleaner 5, which includes an electric blower 6 that integrates the electric motor 3 as a load.

[0028] The electric vacuum cleaner 5 includes a vacuum cleaner body 12 with a handle 11 for hand operation, a secondary battery 2 that can be attached to and detached from the vacuum cleaner body 12, an extension tube 15 connected to the vacuum cleaner body 12, and a suction inlet 16 connected to the extension tube 15.

[0029] Note that electrical device 1 can also be a horizontal electric vacuum cleaner 5, an upright electric vacuum cleaner 5, or a handheld electric vacuum cleaner 5 powered by a removable secondary battery 2. Electrical device 1 can also be a tool that utilizes the rotational driving force of an electric motor 3.

[0030] Furthermore, the electrical device 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 5, and the vacuum cleaner body 12 are used by the user holding the vacuum cleaner body 12 in various postures. Therefore, Figure 1 In the image, the view from the direction of the solid arrow P is taken as the top view, and the view from the opposite direction of the solid arrow P is taken as the bottom view. Figure 1 In the diagram, the view from the direction of the solid arrow F is taken as the main view (forward view), and the view from the opposite direction of the solid arrow F is taken as the back view. Figure 1 In the diagram, the view from the direction of the solid arrow L is taken as the left view, and the view from the opposite direction of the solid arrow L is taken as the right view.

[0031] The vacuum cleaner body 12 includes a main body housing 17 with a handle 11, an electric blower 6 housed in the main body housing 17 and generating suction negative pressure, a dust separation and collection section 19 detachably disposed in the main body housing 17, a battery mounting section 21 capable of mounting and dismounting a secondary battery 2, a charging terminal 22 for the secondary battery 2, and a main body control section 23 that mainly controls the driving of the electric blower 6 and the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2.

[0032] The vacuum cleaner body 12 drives the electric blower 6 using electricity stored in the secondary battery 2. The electric blower 6 generates negative pressure, which acts on the dust separation and collection section 19. This negative pressure acts on the extension pipe 15 and the suction inlet body 16. The negative pressure reaching the suction inlet body 16 acts on the suction inlet 31. This negative pressure draws in dust-laden air (hereinafter referred to as "dust-laden air") from the floor towards the suction inlet 31. The dust-laden air drawn into the suction inlet 31 flows through the suction inlet body 16 and the extension pipe 15 into the dust separation and collection section 19. The dust separation and collection section 19 separates dust from the dust-laden air drawn in by the negative pressure, collects and accumulates the separated dust, and then sends the dust-separated air back to the electric blower 6. The electric blower 6 discharges the air, which has separated the dust, out of the main housing 17.

[0033] In addition, the vacuum cleaner body 12 charges the secondary battery 2 using power supplied from the charging terminal 22. The charging terminal 22 is connected to the secondary battery 2 via the charging circuit of the body control unit 23.

[0034] Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner body 12 has an input section 27 arranged within the range of a user moving their fingers while holding the handle 11.

[0035] The main body housing 17 includes: a columnar front portion 17a disposed on and extending along the extension line of the extension tube 15; a central portion 17b that hangs obliquely downward and rearward from the front portion 17a; a cylindrical rear portion 17c that extends rearward from the lower half of the back surface of the central portion 17b; and a handle 11 that extends rearward from the upper half of the back surface of the central portion 17b, bends into an arc shape, and connects to the rear end of the upper surface of the rear portion 17c.

[0036] The front portion 17a and the central portion 17b of the main housing 17 detachably hold the dust separation and collection section 19. The dust separation and collection section 19 has a cylindrical appearance. The front portion 17a and the central portion 17b hold the dust separation and collection section 19 so that its centerline C, or in other words, its length direction is parallel to the extension line of the centerline of the extension tube 15. With the extension tube 15 and the dust separation and collection section 19 installed in the main housing 17, the extension line of the centerline of the extension tube 15 and the centerline C of the dust separation and collection section 19 are arranged on the central longitudinal section that divides the main housing 17 substantially equally from left to right. That is, the elongated front portion 17a and the cylindrical dust separation and collection section 19 are arranged side by side with their centerlines parallel.

[0037] The front portion 17a of the main body housing 17 is disposed along the extension line of the extension tube 15 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the extension direction, and extends in a tubular shape. The front portion 17a has a connector structure for attaching and detaching the extension tube 15. The front portion 17a has a main body connection port 25, which serves as the fluid inlet of the vacuum cleaner body 12, and fluidly connects the extension tube 15 to the dust separation and collection section 19. By removing the extension tube 15 from the vacuum cleaner body 12, the main body connection port 25 also functions as the suction port when the vacuum cleaner body 12 is used alone.

[0038] The rear portion 17c of the main housing 17 houses the electric blower 6 and the main control unit 23. The rear portion 17c has an exhaust port 26 for discharging exhaust from the electric blower 6 from the main housing 17. At the bottom of the rear portion 17c, a battery mounting section 21 is provided for mounting and dismounting the secondary battery 2.

[0039] The central portion 17b of the main body housing 17 is held in such a way that it partially covers the rear end of the dust separation and collection section 19, which is arranged parallel to the front portion 17a, and houses the air passage (not shown) that connects the dust separation and collection section 19 to the electric blower 6. The central portion 17b is connected to the rear end of the front portion 17a, which extends in a substantially straight line, and bulges out obliquely to the rear of the main body housing 17. The central portion 17b has an appearance that slopes upward and downward towards the rear of the main body housing 17.

[0040] The handle 11 is integrally formed on the main body housing 17. The handle 11 is a part for the user to hold when cleaning the floor with the electric vacuum cleaner 5. Therefore, the handle 11 preferably has a suitable shape that is easy for a person's fingers to hold.

[0041] A handle 11 is positioned between the front portion 17a and the rear portion 17c of the main body housing 17. The handle 11 extends from the rear end of the front portion 17a towards the extension tube 15, and curves in an arc to connect with the rear end of the rear portion 17c. A continuous space extends through the main body housing 17 in the left-right direction (width direction) between the handle 11 and the back surface of the central portion 17b of the main body housing 17, and between the handle 11 and the top surface of the rear portion 17c of the main body housing 17. Within this space, the fingers of the user who will grip the handle 11 are positioned, primarily consisting of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers.

[0042] The input unit 27 is located near the handle 11, within the range of the user's fingers when holding the handle 11. The input unit 27 has a switch for receiving operation requests from the electric blower 6. This switch is electrically connected to the main control unit 23. The user of the electric vacuum cleaner 5 can operate the input unit 27 to alternately switch the operation and stop of the electric blower 6.

[0043] The input unit 27 may also include a switch for changing the operating mode of the electric blower 6. In this case, the main control unit 23 switches the operating mode in the order of strong → medium → weak → strong → medium → weak → … whenever it receives an operation signal from the operating mode switching switch. Note that the input unit 27 may also include a strong operating switch, a medium operating switch, and a weak operating switch to replace the operating mode switching switch.

[0044] A dust separation and collection unit 19 is disposed in the L-shaped receiving space formed by the front part 17a and the central part 17b of the main body housing 17. The dust separation and collection unit 19 separates dust from the dust-laden air flowing into the vacuum cleaner body 12 and collects and stores it. Simultaneously, it supplies clean air, free of dust, to the electric blower 6. The dust separation and collection unit 19 utilizes the mass difference between dust and air to centrifugally separate the dust from the air. Alternatively, a filter that removes dust from the dust-laden air can be installed downstream of the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0045] Furthermore, the dust separation and collection section 19 extends in a cylindrical shape along the front-rear direction of the main body housing 17. In other words, the dust separation and collection section 19 is a cylindrical container with a centerline C extending along the front-rear direction of the main body housing 17. The direction along the centerline C of the dust separation and collection section 19, the extension direction of the dust separation and collection section 19, and the length direction of the dust separation and collection section 19 are essentially synonymous and substantially consistent with the front-rear direction of the main body housing 17. Therefore, the centerline C of the dust separation and collection section 19 is substantially parallel to the centerline of the extension tube 15. In addition, the dust separation and collection section 19 is arranged side by side with the front portion 17a of the main body housing 17. That is, the length direction of the dust separation and collection section 19 follows the length direction of the front portion 17a of the main body housing 17. The diameter of the dust-separating and collecting section 19 is larger than the width of the front portion 17a of the main body housing 17, and the dust-separating and collecting section 19 protrudes further into the left-right direction (width direction) of the vacuum cleaner body 12 than the front portion 17a of the main body housing 17. Note that the left-right direction (width direction) of the vacuum cleaner body 12 corresponds to the normal direction of the central longitudinal section of the vacuum cleaner body 12. The centerline C of the cylindrical dust-separating and collecting section 19 is substantially contained within the central longitudinal section of the vacuum cleaner body 12.

[0046] The central portion 17b of the main housing 17 has a connection port that is fluidly connected to the exhaust side of the dust separation and collection unit 19, and a downstream air duct of the separation unit that fluidly connects the connection port to the electric blower 6. The central portion 17b includes a section sandwiched between the dust separation and collection unit 19 and the rear portion 17c of the main housing 17. The connection port and the downstream air duct of the separation unit are disposed in this section.

[0047] The connection port is located on the front side facing the central portion 17b. When the dust separation and collection unit 19 is installed in the main housing 17, the connection port is directly opposite the rear end face of the dust separation and collection unit 19. Therefore, when the dust separation and collection unit 19 is installed in the main housing 17, the connection port is located on the extension line of the center line C of the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0048] The suction side of the electric blower 6 is connected to the dust separation and collection section 19 via a connection port and a downstream air duct of the separation section. The electric blower 6 draws in air from the dust separation and collection section 19 to generate a suction negative pressure. The electric blower 6 includes an impeller, an electric motor 3 that generates a rotational driving force on the impeller, and a rotating shaft that transmits the rotational driving force from the electric motor 3 to the impeller.

[0049] An impeller, such as a turbofan, has multiple blades. Each blade has a twisted shape that gradually rises radially from the center of a conical hub toward the outer edge of the hub. In other words, each blade is a so-called three-dimensional airfoil or wing section whose cross-section changes from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The impeller is enclosed by a casing with an intake.

[0050] The electric blower 6 has a cylindrical or cylindrical shape centered on a rotation axis. The electric blower 6 is housed in the main body housing 17 with the center line of the rotation axis facing the front-rear direction and the suction inlet facing forward. In addition, the center line of the rotation axis of the electric blower 6 is substantially arranged on the extension line of the center line C of the dust separation and dust collection section 19.

[0051] The main control unit 23 is located directly behind the electric blower 6. The main control unit 23 includes a microprocessor and a storage device 28 that stores various calculation programs and parameters executed by the microprocessor. When a control system is installed that allows selection of the operating mode of the electric blower 6 from multiple operating modes, the storage device 28 stores various settings (variables) associated with the preset multiple operating modes. The multiple operating modes are associated with the output of the electric blower 6. In each operating mode, different input values ​​(the input value of the electric blower 6, the target current flowing into the electric blower 6) are set. Each operating mode is associated with the action request received by the input unit 27. The main control unit 23 selects any operating mode from the preset multiple operating modes that corresponds to the action request of the input unit 27, reads the settings of the selected operating mode from the storage device 28, and operates the electric blower 6 according to the read operating mode settings.

[0052] Note that the input value of the electric blower 6 is equivalent to the discharge capacity of the secondary battery 2. The discharge capacity of the secondary battery 2 is controlled by the level of its discharge current or discharge voltage. Controlling the discharge capacity of the secondary battery 2 by the level of its discharge current is simpler and preferred.

[0053] Furthermore, when the charging terminal 22 of the vacuum cleaner body 12 is connected to a power source, such as a charger, the body control unit 23 controls the charging of the secondary battery 2. The amount of charging of the secondary battery 2 is controlled by the charging current or the charging voltage of the secondary battery 2.

[0054] The secondary battery 2 is the so-called battery pack. The electric blower 6 and the main control unit 23 are driven by releasing the electricity stored in the secondary battery 2, and the electricity consumed by the electric blower 6 and the main control unit 23 is stored in the secondary battery 2 by charging it. The secondary battery 2 can be installed and removed from the main housing 17. In other words, the electric vacuum cleaner 5 can be used with multiple secondary batteries 2. If the charging rate of the secondary battery 2 installed in the electric vacuum cleaner 5 decreases, the electric vacuum cleaner 5 can continue to operate by replacing it with a fully charged secondary battery 2. That is to say, the secondary battery 2 can be installed in the main housing 17 for charging, or it can be temporarily removed from the main housing 17 and installed in a different charger than the electric vacuum cleaner 5 for charging, and then reinstalled in the main housing 17 after charging.

[0055] The reporting unit 29, controlled by the main control unit 23, reports the charging status of the secondary battery 2, such as whether the secondary battery 2 is charging, fully charged, or the charging rate is lower than a predetermined rate, i.e., the battery is depleted. The reporting unit 29 can be at least one of the following: a display showing text or other information; a lit or flashing light; an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or other device that stimulates the user's vision; a speaker that emits synthesized sounds or buzzers or other sounds that stimulates the user's hearing; or a vibrator or other device that stimulates the user's touch. The reporting unit 29 is preferably located near the input unit 27. This configuration improves the readability of the reported content.

[0056] The extension tube 15 and the suction inlet 16 draw dust and air from the floor surface into the vacuum cleaner body 12 through the negative pressure generated by the electric blower 6.

[0057] The extension tube 15 is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 6 via the main body connection port 25 of the main body housing 17 and the dust separation and collection section 19. The extension tube 15 has a length that allows the user to substantially reach the floor while holding the handle 11 of the vacuum cleaner body 12. One end of the extension tube 15 has a connector structure that can be easily attached to and detached from the main body connection port 25 of the vacuum cleaner body 12. The other end of the extension tube 15 has a connector structure that can be easily attached to and detached from the suction inlet body 16 of the vacuum cleaner body 12. The extension tube 15 can be telescopic or have a fixed, non-telescopic length.

[0058] The suction inlet body 16 can move freely or slide on wooden floors, carpets, or other floor surfaces, and has a suction inlet 31 on its bottom surface facing the floor when in the moving or sliding state. Furthermore, the suction inlet body 16 includes a freely rotating rotary cleaning body 32 disposed at the suction inlet 31 and an electric motor 33 that drives the rotary cleaning body 32. One end of the suction inlet body 16 has a connector structure that allows it to be easily attached to and detached from the other end of the extension tube 15. The suction inlet body 16 is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 6 via the extension tube 15. The suction inlet body 16, the extension tube 15, and the dust separation and collection unit 19 form the suction air path from the electric blower 6 to the suction inlet 31.

[0059] Note that the suction inlet 16 may also be equipped with a fan (not shown) to drive the rotating cleaning body 32 instead of the electric motor 33. The fan rotates by the flow of air drawn into the electric vacuum cleaner 5, driving the rotating cleaning body 32.

[0060] If the input unit 27 is operated while the electric blower 6 is stopped, the electric vacuum cleaner 5 will start the electric blower 6. With the operation mode switch installed, the electric vacuum cleaner 5 first starts the electric blower 6 in high-speed operation mode. If the operation mode switch is operated, the operation mode of the electric blower 6 is changed to medium-speed operation mode. If the operation mode switch is operated again, the operation mode of the electric blower 6 is changed to low-speed operation mode, and so on. High-speed, medium-speed, and low-speed operation modes are preset operation modes. The input value to the electric blower 6 is maximum in high-speed operation mode and minimum in low-speed operation mode. The started electric blower 6 draws air into the dust separation and collection unit 19, creating negative pressure inside the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0061] The negative pressure within the dust separation and collection unit 19 is applied sequentially through the main body connection port 25, the extension pipe 15, and the suction inlet body 16 to the suction inlet 31. The electric vacuum cleaner 5 uses the negative pressure acting on the suction inlet 31 to draw in dust and air from the surface to be cleaned, thus cleaning the surface. The dust separation and collection unit 19 separates and accumulates dust from the dust-laden air drawn into the electric vacuum cleaner 5, and simultaneously sends the separated air to the electric blower 6. The electric blower 6 then discharges the air drawn into the dust separation and collection unit 19 out of the vacuum cleaner body 12.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a battery-replaceable electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] like Figure 2As shown, the electrical device 1 of this embodiment includes: a battery mounting section 21 capable of mounting and dismounting a secondary battery 2; a battery information acquisition section 41 capable of acquiring information related to the secondary battery 2 from the secondary battery 2 mounted on the battery mounting section 21; a battery status acquisition section 42 capable of acquiring the status of the secondary battery 2; a motor 3 serving as a load, driven by the power stored in the secondary battery 2 mounted on the battery mounting section 21; a main control section 23 serving as a power control section, which performs at least one of controlling the discharge amount and the charging amount of the secondary battery 2 based on the information acquired by the battery information acquisition section 41; and an input section 27. Note that, for ease of explanation, "information related to the secondary battery 2" will be referred to as "battery characteristic information" below. "Information acquired by the battery information acquisition section 41," which is synonymous with "information related to the secondary battery 2," will also be referred to as "battery characteristic information" below.

[0064] The battery mounting section 21 is located in the main body of the electrical device 1, namely the vacuum cleaner body 12 of the electric vacuum cleaner 5. The battery mounting section 21 has a mechanism for mechanically holding the secondary battery 2 in place and terminals for electrically connecting the secondary battery 2 to the circuitry within the electrical device 1. The mechanical mechanism of the battery mounting section 21 includes, for example, a releasable locking mechanism for the inserted secondary battery 2 to prevent it from detaching or falling off.

[0065] The secondary battery 2 is a battery pack, which includes at least one single cell 45 and an information recording unit 46 storing battery characteristic information.

[0066] The single battery 45 can be of various types, including lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion polymer secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-iron batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, silver oxide-zinc batteries, and cobalt-titanium lithium secondary batteries. Multiple single batteries 45 are mounted on the secondary battery 2 to supply the desired power to the load of the electrical equipment 1. When multiple single batteries 45 are mounted on the secondary battery 2, the multiple single batteries 45 preferably have substantially the same battery characteristics.

[0067] The battery characteristic information includes at least one of the following battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2: the upper limit of usable temperature, the lower limit of usable temperature, the temperature range combining the upper and lower limits of usable temperature, the upper limit of discharge current, the upper limit of charging current, the lower limit of discharge voltage, and the upper limit of charging voltage; or the basis information for calculating at least one of the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2. Note that the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 are based on the battery characteristics of the single cell 45. For ease of explanation, in the following description, both the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 itself and the basis information for calculating the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 will be uniformly referred to as "battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2".

[0068] Furthermore, if the secondary battery 2 is equipped with a single battery 45 that has battery characteristics that can be identified by a code that uses text, numbers, symbols, or combinations thereof for classification, the battery characteristic information may also include the code and the number of single batteries 45. In this case, the storage device 28 is a table data storage unit that stores table information that associates the code with the battery characteristics of the single batteries 45 identified by the code.

[0069] Furthermore, the battery characteristic information includes a version number 51 associated with the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2. In other words, the secondary battery 2 is version-managed using version number 51. Version number 51 has a major version number 52 and a minor version number 53.

[0070] Figure 2 The main version number 52, which is represented by the string "AAA", can be either a match of the mechanical and electrical interfaces identified by supplying power from the secondary battery 2 installed in the battery mounting unit 21 to the main control unit 23, or information recorded in the battery characteristic information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 41.

[0071] Figure 2 The minor version number 53, represented by the string "BBB", is information recorded in the battery characteristic information to identify changes in the battery characteristics of secondary battery 2, which has the same major version number 52, as well as additions to the battery characteristics of secondary battery 2.

[0072] Note that in Figure 2 In order to easily distinguish between the major version number 52 and the minor version number 53, a "." (terminator, dot) is recorded between the major version number 52 and the minor version number 53.

[0073] When the main version number 52 is specified by matching the interfaces of mechanical and electrical means, if the secondary battery 2 can be installed in the battery mounting part 21 and the secondary battery 2 and the main control part 23 can normally receive and transmit power and signals electrically, it is interpreted that the secondary battery 2 has the main version number 52 that the main body of the electrical device 1, that is, the vacuum cleaner main body 12, can correspond to.

[0074] The major version number 52 and minor version number 53, recorded in the information, can be simple integer values, or they can be text, numbers, symbols, or a combination of these used for classification. These version numbers 52 and 53 are assigned in ascending or descending order from past to future in chronological sequence. When assigned in either ascending or descending order, the past version number in the chronological sequence is used as the low-order bit, and the future version number is used as the high-order bit.

[0075] Furthermore, when the main version number 52 is recorded in the information, if the main version number 52 obtained from the secondary battery 2 via the battery information acquisition unit 41 is consistent with the main version number 52 stored in the storage device 28, it is interpreted that the secondary battery 2 has the main version number 52 that can be corresponding to the main body of the electrical device 1, that is, the vacuum cleaner body 12.

[0076] In addition, when the main version number 52 is recorded in the information, the authenticity of the secondary battery 2 is determined by the mutual transmission and reception of signals between the secondary battery 2 and the main control unit 23. If it is determined that the installed secondary battery 2 is genuine, it is interpreted that the secondary battery 2 has the main version number 52 that the main body of the electrical device 1, that is, the vacuum cleaner main body 12, can correspond to.

[0077] The information recording unit 46 can be a recording medium or recording method that can provide battery characteristic information non-contactly, such as a contactless IC chip, a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional barcode, or a recording medium or recording method that can provide battery characteristic information through contact, such as a contact IC chip. Alternatively, the information recording unit 46 can also be a memory built into the secondary battery 2 and storing battery characteristic information.

[0078] The battery information acquisition unit 41 is, for example, a contactless IC chip reader, a one-dimensional barcode reader, a two-dimensional barcode reader, or a contact IC chip reader, and is a device capable of reading battery characteristic information from the information recording unit 46 built into or attached to the secondary battery 2. The battery information acquisition unit 41 may also be an input device that acquires battery characteristic information from a memory built into the secondary battery 2 via a signal line.

[0079] The battery status acquisition unit 42 measures at least one of the following monitored items to determine the status of the secondary battery 2: temperature, discharge current, discharge voltage, charging current, and charging voltage. The battery status acquisition unit 42 includes a sensor unit that measures the physical quantity of the monitored item and a circuit that reads the output of the sensor unit and converts it into the physical quantity of the monitored item. Furthermore, depending on whether the sensor unit and circuit are located on the secondary battery 2 side, the vacuum cleaner body 12 side, or both sides, the battery status acquisition unit 42 can be broadly classified into three types. The first type of battery status acquisition unit 42 includes a sensor unit located on the secondary battery 2 side and a circuit located on the vacuum cleaner body 12 side. For example, this first type includes a thermistor located inside the secondary battery 2 to measure the temperature of the single cell 45 and a circuit located inside the vacuum cleaner body 12 to read the resistance value of the thermistor and convert it into temperature. The second type of battery status acquisition unit 42 includes a sensor unit located on the vacuum cleaner body 12 side and a circuit located on the vacuum cleaner body 12 side. The second acquisition method includes, for example, a shunt resistor installed inside the vacuum cleaner body 12 to measure the discharge current from the secondary battery 2 to the load, and a circuit installed inside the vacuum cleaner body 12 to read the resistance value of the shunt resistor and convert it into a discharge current. The third acquisition method's battery status acquisition unit 42 includes a sensor unit installed on the secondary battery 2 side and a circuit installed on the secondary battery 2 side. The battery status acquisition unit 42 of the third acquisition method converts the physical quantity converted by the circuit into an electrical signal and outputs it to the circuit on the vacuum cleaner body 12 side. The third acquisition method also includes, for example, a thermistor installed inside the secondary battery 2 to measure the temperature of the single battery 45, and a circuit installed inside the secondary battery 2 to read the resistance value of the thermistor, convert it into a temperature, and output the measured temperature to the circuit on the vacuum cleaner body 12 side.

[0080] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the main control unit 23 of the electrical device 1 is started by power supplied from the secondary battery 2 when the secondary battery 2 is installed in the battery mounting unit 21 of the vacuum cleaner main body 12.

[0082] Note that when the main version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is specified by matching the interfaces of mechanical and electrical methods, if the main version number 52 of the main body of the electrical device 1, i.e., the vacuum cleaner body 12, is consistent with the main version number 52 of the secondary battery 2, then the main body control unit 23 is activated. If the main version number 52 of the vacuum cleaner body 12 is inconsistent with the main version number 52 of the secondary battery 2, then the main body control unit 23 cannot be activated.

[0083] The main control unit 23, which has been started, acquires battery characteristic information via the battery information acquisition unit 41 (step S1) and performs initial settings for the electrical equipment 1 (step S2). In the initial settings, the operating state of the electric blower 6, which serves as the load, is set to "stop", and the operation request of the input unit 27 is set to "no operation".

[0084] In addition, in the initial settings, the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 used in the control of charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2 are set according to the version number 51 of the secondary battery 2.

[0085] If the battery characteristic information describes the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 itself, at least one of the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 is set according to the battery characteristic information. If the battery characteristic information describes the basis information for calculating the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2, at least one of the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 is calculated and set according to the battery characteristic information. For ease of explanation, it is assumed that, for example, an upper limit value for the usable temperature and a lower limit value for the temperature of the secondary battery 2 are to be set.

[0086] Note that the battery characteristics of the initially set secondary battery 2 are preferably values ​​that take into account the battery characteristics of the single battery 45, including a safety factor. For example, if the upper limit of the usable temperature of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery characteristic information is 70 degrees Celsius, which is the battery characteristic of the single battery 45 itself, the initially set upper limit of the usable temperature of the secondary battery 2 can be either 70 degrees Celsius or 69 degrees Celsius, which takes into account a safety factor. Alternatively, the battery characteristic information can also be set to 69 degrees Celsius, a value that takes into account a safety factor.

[0087] Furthermore, if the battery characteristic information includes the code for identifying the individual cell 45 of the secondary battery 2 and the number of individual cells 45, the table data stored in the storage device 28 is compared with the battery characteristic information to set at least one of the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2.

[0088] Next, when the main control unit 23 detects the operation of the input unit 27, it sets the operation request of the input unit 27 to "operation" (step S3), and obtains the state of the secondary battery 2, which is the temperature of the secondary battery 2, via the battery state acquisition unit 42 (step S4).

[0089] Next, the main control unit 23 sets the operating state of the electric blower 6 based on the content of the operation request from the input unit 27 and the comparison result between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 (step S5). In the operation setting process of step S5, the operating state of the electric blower 6 is set to "stop" or "operate" based on the content of the operation request from the input unit 27 and the comparison result between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2.

[0090] Note that, for ease of explanation, the operating state of the electric blower 6 will be described below as either "stopped" or "operating," but the operating state of the electric blower 6 can also include its operating modes. That is, the operating state of the electric blower 6 can include two or more operating states, such as "stopped," "strong mode operation," "medium mode operation," and "weak mode operation." In this case, the operation request of the input unit 27 preferably includes, in addition to "no operation" and "operation," operations such as "strong mode operation," "medium mode operation," and "weak mode operation."

[0091] Next, the main control unit 23 controls the operation of the electric blower 6 according to its operating state (step S6). In other words, the main control unit 23 controls the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 according to the operating state of the electric blower 6.

[0092] Furthermore, the main control unit 23 repeats steps S3 to S6 at a predetermined cycle.

[0093] Here, the relationship between version number 51 recorded in the battery characteristic information and the battery characteristics will be explained.

[0094] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the version number of a secondary battery installed in an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention and the battery characteristics.

[0095] like Figure 4 As shown, there exists a secondary battery 2 with version number 51 "1.0" and battery characteristic information describing the upper limit of usable temperature as a battery characteristic, and a main body of an electrical device 1 capable of appropriately controlling the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0". The main body corresponding to version "1.0" monitors the temperature of the secondary battery 2 and discharges or charges the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" so that the temperature does not exceed the upper limit of temperature.

[0096] Assume that a secondary battery 2, version 51 of "1.1", with battery characteristic information describing the usable upper and lower temperature limits as battery characteristics, and an electrical device 1 capable of appropriately controlling the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" can be manufactured later. The secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" is a higher-order version of the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0", and the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" is a lower-order version of the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1". The "upper temperature limit" is the same in both the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" and the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1". In other words, the battery characteristic information described in the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" includes the battery characteristics of the lower-order version "1.0". The battery characteristic information of version "1.0" does not include the "lower temperature limit", while the battery characteristic information of the higher-order version "1.1" does include the "lower temperature limit". Version "1.1" corresponds to the main body monitoring the temperature of secondary battery 2, and causing secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" to discharge or charge so that the temperature does not exceed the upper temperature limit and does not fall below the lower temperature limit.

[0097] Next, the version comparison process and battery characteristic setting process in the initial setting process of step S2 will be explained.

[0098] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the version comparison process performed in the initial settings of the electrical equipment in this embodiment.

[0099] Figure 5 Detailed illustration Figure 3 This is part of the initial setup for step S2. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the main control unit 23 of the electrical device 1 in this embodiment has limitations on the version number 51 it can correspond to. The main control unit 23 can utilize battery characteristic information to control the discharge and charging amounts of secondary batteries 2 that have the same main version number 52. On the other hand, the main control unit 23 has an upper limit on the sub-version number 53 it can correspond to. When a secondary battery 2 with a sub-version number 53 higher than this upper limit is connected, the main control unit 23 performs control over the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristics described in the battery characteristic information that correspond to the sub-version number 53 at the upper limit it can correspond to.

[0100] Furthermore, if the corresponding version number 51 is consistent with the version number 51 of the secondary battery 2, the main control unit 23 performs control over the discharge amount and the charging amount of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristics recorded in the battery characteristic information that correspond to the highest bit of the secondary version number 53.

[0101] Furthermore, when a secondary battery 2 with a lower sub-version number 53 than the corresponding sub-version number 53 is connected, the main control unit 23 performs control over the discharge amount and the charging amount of the secondary battery 2 based on the latest battery characteristics described in the battery characteristic information of the secondary battery 2.

[0102] Note that the latest battery characteristic described in the battery characteristic information corresponds to the battery characteristic corresponding to the most significant minor version number 53. Therefore, when a secondary battery 2 with a minor version number 53 that is the same as or lower than the corresponding minor version number 53 is connected, the main control unit 23 performs control over the discharge amount and charge amount of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristic corresponding to the most significant minor version number 53 described in the battery characteristic information of the secondary battery 2.

[0103] Specifically, before setting the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2, the main control unit 23 first obtains the version number 51 from the battery characteristic information of the secondary battery 2 (step S11), and determines whether the major version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is consistent with the major version number 52 that the main unit can correspond to (step S12). When the major version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is specified by matching the interface of mechanical and electrical means, step S12 can be omitted. For example, in the main unit corresponding to version number "1.N" (N is any minor version number 53), if the major version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is "1", the determination of step S12 is affirmed, and if the major version number 52 is not "1", the determination of step S12 is negated.

[0104] If the main version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is inconsistent with the main version number 52 that can be matched by the main body (step S12 "No"), the main body control unit 23 terminates step S2 abnormally. In the case of abnormal termination of step S2, the main body control unit 23 does not operate the electric blower 6 regardless of the operation requirements of the input unit 27. Note that, preferably, steps S11 and S12 are performed by starting the main body control unit 23 with the power supplied from the secondary battery 2, regardless of whether the main version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is consistent with the main version number 52 that can be matched by the main body.

[0105] On the other hand, if the main version number 52 of the secondary battery 2 is the same as the main version number 52 that the main body can correspond to (step S12 "Yes"), the main body control unit 23 determines whether the secondary version number 53 of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the secondary version number 53 that the main body can correspond to (step S13). The secondary version number 53 that the main body can correspond to is synonymous with the upper limit of the secondary version number 53 that the main body can correspond to.

[0106] Then, if the subversion number 53 of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the subversion number 53 that the main body can correspond to (step S13 "Yes"), the main body control unit 23 sets a first threshold for controlling the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristics described in the battery characteristic information that correspond to the upper limit of the subversion number 53 that the main body can correspond to (step S14), and ends step S2. In this case, the battery characteristics described in the battery characteristic information that are associated with the subversion number 53 that is greater than the upper limit of the subversion number 53 that the main body can correspond to are not used for controlling the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2.

[0107] In other words, when a higher-version secondary battery 2 is installed in the main body corresponding to a lower-version battery, that is, when a version "1.1" secondary battery 2 is installed in the main body corresponding to version "1.0", the main body controls the version "1.1" secondary battery 2 only by using the battery characteristic information recorded in the version "1.1" secondary battery 2, which is the same as the upper limit that can be corresponding to the version "1.0" secondary battery 2.

[0108] like Figure 4 As shown, the battery characteristic information of the secondary battery 2 in version "1.1" includes "upper temperature limit" and "lower temperature limit". However, when the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" is installed in the main body corresponding to version "1.0" ( Figure 4 (A) In the figure, the main control unit 23 monitors the temperature of the secondary battery 2 and discharges or charges the secondary battery 2 in version "1.1" so that the temperature does not exceed the upper limit of the temperature, while not making a judgment involving the lower limit of the temperature.

[0109] On the other hand, if the minor version number 53 of the secondary battery 2 is a minor version number 53 or lower that the main unit can correspond to (step S13 "No"), the main unit control unit 23 sets a first threshold for controlling the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristics recorded in the battery characteristic information that correspond to the most significant minor version number 53 (step S15), and ends step S2. The battery characteristics recorded in the battery characteristic information that correspond to the most significant minor version number 53 are equivalent to the latest battery characteristics recorded in the battery characteristic information.

[0110] In other words, when the lower version of the secondary battery 2 is installed in the main body corresponding to the higher version, that is, when the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" is installed in the main body corresponding to version "1.1", the main body uses the battery characteristic information recorded in the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" to control the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0".

[0111] like Figure 4As shown, the battery characteristic information of the secondary battery 2 in version "1.0" includes an "upper temperature limit" but does not include a "lower temperature limit". This applies when the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" is installed in the main unit corresponding to version "1.1" ( Figure 4 (B) In the figure, the main control unit 23 monitors the temperature of the secondary battery 2 and discharges or charges the secondary battery 2 in version "1.0" so that the temperature does not exceed the upper limit of the temperature, while not making a judgment involving the lower limit of the temperature.

[0112] Note that the upper temperature limit of secondary battery 2 in version "1.0" may differ from that in version "1.1". In such cases, the latest information in the upper temperature limit value adapted from the version number 51 that corresponds to or is lower than the version number 51 of the main body should be used.

[0113] In addition, such as Figure 4 As illustrated, in the battery characteristic information, the larger the version number 51 of secondary battery 2, the more battery characteristics of secondary battery 2 are described. In the battery characteristic information, the larger the sub-version number 53, the more information is included that allows setting a first threshold corresponding to any of the battery characteristics of secondary battery 2.

[0114] Next, the action setting process of step S5 will be explained.

[0115] Figure 6 This is an example of a flowchart illustrating the operation setting process of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Figure 6 Detailed illustration Figure 3 Step S5 involves setting and processing the action. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, when the operation request of the input unit 27 is "operation", the main control unit 23 of the electrical device 1 sets the operation request of the input unit 27 to "no operation" (step S21 "yes").

[0117] Next, the main control unit 23 determines the operating state of the electric blower 6 (step S23). If the operating state of the electric blower 6 is "operating" (step S23 "Yes"), the main control unit 23 sets the operating state of the electric blower 6 to "stop" (step S24). If the operating state of the electric blower 6 is "stopped" (step S23 "No"), the main control unit 23 sets the operating state of the electric blower 6 to "operating" (step S25) and proceeds to the comparison processing of the secondary battery 2's sub-version number 53 (step S27).

[0118] Furthermore, if the operation request of the input unit 27 is "no operation" (step S21 "No") and the operation status of the electric blower 6 is "operating" (step S26 "Yes"), the main control unit 23 enters the comparison process of the secondary battery 2's sub-version number 53 (step S27). If the operation request of the input unit 27 is "no operation" (step S21 "No") and the operation status of the electric blower 6 is "stopped" (step S26 "No"), the main control unit 23 ends the operation setting process in step S5.

[0119] Next, the main control unit 23 determines whether the minor version number 53 of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the minor version number 53 that the main body can correspond to (step S27). If the minor version number 53 of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the minor version number 53 that the main body can correspond to (step S27 "Yes"), the main control unit 23 performs a comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold set in step S14 (step S28).

[0120] For example, in the case where the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" is installed in the main body corresponding to version "1.0" ( Figure 4 (A) As indicated by arrow A in the diagram, the main control unit 23 compares the temperature of the secondary battery 2, which is obtained from the battery state acquisition unit 42 as the state of the secondary battery 2, with the upper limit value of the secondary battery 2's temperature, which serves as a first threshold. If the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the upper limit value of the secondary battery 2's temperature, that is, if (temperature of secondary battery 2) > (upper limit value of secondary battery 2's temperature), the main control unit 23 affirms the comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S28 "Yes"), sets the operation state of the electric blower 6 to "Stop," and ends the operation setting process of step S5 (step S29). At this time, the main control unit 23 corresponding to version "1.0" does not utilize the "lower limit value" of the secondary battery 2 in version "1.1" during the comparison process.

[0121] When the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is below the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, that is, when (temperature of the secondary battery 2) ≤ (upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2), the main control unit 23 negates the comparison processing between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S28 "No"), maintains the operation state of the electric blower 6 in "operation", and ends the operation setting processing of step S5.

[0122] On the other hand, if the secondary battery 2's sub-version number 53 is a sub-version number 53 or lower that the main body can correspond to (step S27 "No"), the main body control unit 23 performs a comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold set in step S15 (step S30).

[0123] For example, when the secondary battery 2 of version "1.1" is installed in the main body corresponding to version "1.1", the main body control unit 23 compares the temperature of the secondary battery 2, which is obtained as the state of the secondary battery 2 via the battery state acquisition unit 42, with the lower limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, which is a first threshold. If the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is less than the lower limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, that is, if (temperature of secondary battery 2) < (lower limit of temperature of secondary battery 2), the main body control unit 23 affirms the comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S30 "Yes"), sets the operation state of the electric blower 6 to "Stop" (step S31), and ends the operation setting process in step S5.

[0124] Furthermore, regarding the main control unit 23, when the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is above the lower limit of the secondary battery 2, that is, when (temperature of secondary battery 2) ≥ (lower limit of secondary battery 2), the main control unit 23 compares the temperature of the secondary battery 2 with the upper limit of the secondary battery 2, which is another first threshold. This comparison process is the same as that of the main control unit 23 corresponding to version "1.0". When the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the upper limit of the secondary battery 2, that is, when (temperature of secondary battery 2) > (upper limit of secondary battery 2), the main control unit 23 affirms the comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S30 "Yes"), sets the operation state of the electric blower 6 to "Stop" (step S31), and ends the operation setting process in step S5.

[0125] Furthermore, when the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is below the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, that is, when (the temperature of the secondary battery 2) ≤ (the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2), the main control unit 23 negates the comparison processing between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S30 "No"), maintains the operation state of the electric blower 6 in "operation", and ends the operation setting processing in step S5.

[0126] Additionally, when the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" is installed in the main body corresponding to version "1.1" ( Figure 4(See arrow B) In this context, the main control unit 23 compares the temperature of the secondary battery 2, which is obtained from the battery state acquisition unit 42 as the state of the secondary battery 2, with the upper limit value of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, which is a first threshold. At this time, the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" does not contain a "lower temperature limit value" that can be utilized by the main control unit 23 corresponding to version "1.1" in the comparison process. Therefore, the main control unit 23 corresponding to version "1.1" does not utilize the "lower temperature limit value" that is not included in the secondary battery 2 of version "1.0" in the comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold.

[0127] In other words, when the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is greater than the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, that is, when (the temperature of the secondary battery 2) > (the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2), the main control unit 23 affirms the comparison processing between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S30 "Yes"), sets the operation state of the electric blower 6 to "Stop" (step S31) and ends the operation setting processing of step S5.

[0128] In addition, when the temperature of the secondary battery 2 is below the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2, that is, when (temperature of the secondary battery 2) ≤ (upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery 2), the main control unit 23 negates the comparison processing between the state of the secondary battery 2 and the first threshold (step S30 "No"), maintains the operation state of the electric blower 6 in "operation", and ends the operation setting processing in step S5.

[0129] Note that in steps S28 and S30, when the state of the secondary battery 2 deviates from the first threshold (temperature condition) set according to the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2, that is, the battery characteristic information obtained by the battery information acquisition unit 41, the operation state of the electric blower 6 is immediately set to "stop". However, the input of the electric blower 6 can be reduced stepwise, that is, the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 can be reduced stepwise, and the state of the secondary battery 2 can be continuously monitored. If the state of the secondary battery 2 deviates from the first threshold after a predetermined time, the electric blower 6, which is the load, is stopped. If the state of the secondary battery 2 converges within the first threshold, the electric blower 6, which is the load, is kept running.

[0130] In this embodiment, the main control unit 23, configured as described above, sets the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 based on a comparison process between the version number 51 of the secondary battery 2 and the version number 51 that the main unit can correspond to (step S2), and performs a comparison process between the state of the secondary battery 2 and its battery characteristics (step S5). In this comparison process, if the state of the secondary battery 2 deviates from the first threshold set based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2, i.e., the battery characteristic information obtained via the battery information acquisition unit 41, the main control unit 23 reduces the input of the electric blower 6 (which serves as a load) or stops the electric blower 6. If the state of the secondary battery 2 is within the first threshold, the main control unit 23 keeps the electric blower 6 (which serves as a load) running. In other words, the main control unit 23 uses the version number 51 and the first threshold obtained from the secondary battery 2 via the battery information acquisition unit 41 to control the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2. Even when battery characteristics such as the temperature range (consisting of the upper and lower temperature limits), the upper limit of discharge current, and the lower limit of discharge voltage are set as thresholds to control the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 (which is synonymous with the amount of power supplied to the load), such control can be performed in the same way. Furthermore, even when battery characteristics such as the temperature range, the upper limit of charging current, and the upper limit of charging voltage are set as the first thresholds to control the charging amount of the secondary battery 2, such control can be performed in the same way.

[0131] In other words, the main control unit 23 sets a first threshold for at least one of controlling the discharge amount and the charging amount of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristic information obtained from the secondary battery 2 via the battery information acquisition unit 41. If the state of the secondary battery 2 obtained by the battery state acquisition unit 42 exceeds the first threshold for discharge amount, the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 is reduced or the discharge is terminated. If the state of the secondary battery 2 obtained by the battery state acquisition unit 42 exceeds the first threshold for charging amount, the charging amount of the secondary battery 2 is reduced or the charging is terminated.

[0132] Next, other examples of the initial settings for step S2 will be explained.

[0133] In this example, the storage device 28 of the main control unit 23 stores a second threshold used in at least one of the control of the discharge amount and the control of the charging amount of the secondary battery 2.

[0134] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating other examples of the initial setup of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0135] like Figure 7As shown, when the same state quantity among the multiple state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery 2 exists at both a first threshold and a second threshold, the main control unit 23 of the electrical device 1 in this embodiment uses a threshold that is on the safe side for both the vacuum cleaner main body 12 and the secondary battery 2 to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2.

[0136] For example, imagine that the hypothetical storage device 28 stores the upper limit of the discharge current of the secondary battery 2 as the second threshold, and the battery characteristic information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 41 in step S1 includes the upper limit of the discharge current of the secondary battery 2 as the first threshold. In this case, the main control unit 23 compares the first threshold set based on the battery characteristic information with the second threshold stored in the storage device 28 during the initial setting (step S2) (step S41). Then, the main control unit 23 performs the initial setting using the first threshold and the second threshold that are safe for the secondary battery 2. Specifically, if the first threshold is less than the second threshold, that is, if (the first threshold set based on the battery characteristic information) < (the second threshold stored in the storage device 28), the main control unit 23 uses the first threshold that is safe for the secondary battery 2 for the initial setting (step S42); otherwise, if (the first threshold) ≥ (the second threshold), the main control unit 23 uses the second threshold that is safe for the vacuum cleaner body 12 for the initial setting (step S43). The threshold (first threshold or second threshold) used in this process is replaced by... Figure 6 The first threshold used in steps S28 and S30 is used.

[0137] The second threshold stored in storage device 28 is set based on the situation on the side of the electric vacuum cleaner 5. For example, there may be a situation where the allowable current value in the circuit of the electric blower 6, which acts as a load, and the circuit of the electric vacuum cleaner 5 connected to the secondary battery 2 is lower than the upper limit of the discharge current of the secondary battery 2. Under such conditions, if the first threshold is used for initial setting, there is a risk of damaging the circuit of the electric blower 6 and the electric vacuum cleaner 5. Therefore, the main control unit 23 stores the allowable current value of the circuit of the electric blower 6 and the electric vacuum cleaner 5 as the second threshold in storage device 28. If using the first threshold would cause damage to the circuit of the electric blower 6 and the electric vacuum cleaner 5, the second threshold is used instead of the version number 51 of the secondary battery 2 to prioritize the protection of the circuit of the electric blower 6 and the electric vacuum cleaner 5.

[0138] Note that when the same state quantity among the multiple state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery 2 exists at both a first threshold and a second threshold, the main control unit 23 may also use a threshold that prioritizes the safety of either the vacuum cleaner main body 12 or the secondary battery 2 to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2. In other words, when the same state quantity among the multiple state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery 2 exists at both a first threshold and a second threshold, the main control unit 23 may use either a threshold that is safe for the secondary battery 2 or a threshold that is safe for the vacuum cleaner main body 12 to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2.

[0139] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating other examples of the initial setup of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] like Figure 8 As shown, when the state quantity representing the state of the secondary battery 2 does not have a first threshold, the main control unit 23 of the electrical device 1 in this embodiment uses a second threshold to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2. In other words, when the first threshold cannot be obtained from the secondary battery 2 for the monitoring items of the secondary battery 2, the main control unit 23 uses the second threshold stored in the storage device 28 for initial setting.

[0141] For example, in hypothetical version "1.0", the storage device 28 stores the upper temperature limit value of the secondary battery 2 as the second threshold, and the battery characteristic information obtained by the battery information acquisition unit 41 in step S1 does not include the upper temperature limit value as the first threshold. In such a case, in the initial setting (step S2), there is no first threshold value of the upper temperature limit value set based on the battery characteristic information.

[0142] Therefore, the main control unit 23 determines whether a first threshold value corresponding to the monitoring item of the secondary battery 2 can be set based on battery characteristic information, that is, whether the battery characteristic information contains the first threshold itself or whether the battery characteristic information contains the basis information for calculating the first threshold (step S45). Then, if the battery characteristic information contains the first threshold itself or the basis information for calculating the first threshold (step S45 "Yes"), the main control unit 23 uses the first threshold for initial setting (step S46); otherwise, if the battery characteristic information does not contain the first threshold itself or the basis information for calculating the first threshold, it uses a second threshold for initial setting (step S47). The threshold (first threshold or second threshold) used in this process replaces the threshold value in the battery characteristic information. Figure 6 The first threshold used in steps S28 and S30 is used.

[0143] In the same type, such as lithium-ion secondary batteries, the conventional upper temperature limit is used in version "1.0". Therefore, there is an electrical device 1 that is shipped with the upper temperature limit not recorded in the battery characteristic information, but with the second threshold set initially. Suppose that a technological innovation has occurred, which has relaxed and increased the upper temperature limit. In such a case, by including the relaxed upper temperature limit in the battery characteristic information, the electrical device 1 can make good use of the secondary battery 2 with the latest lithium-ion secondary battery built in.

[0144] The battery-replaceable electrical device 1 of this embodiment, configured as described above, can utilize battery characteristic information to control the discharge and charging amounts of secondary batteries 2 having the same main version number 52. Furthermore, when a secondary battery 2 with a sub-version number 53 that is higher than the upper limit of the corresponding sub-version number 53 is connected, the device performs control over the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 corresponding to the upper limit of the corresponding sub-version number 53 as described in the battery characteristic information. Therefore, the electrical device 1 can appropriately obtain battery characteristics for charging and discharging from multiple types of secondary batteries 2 managed by version number 51 and assigned the same main version number 52. This version-corresponding electrical device 1 can easily and appropriately handle changes and additions to the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 without needing to pre-set an appropriate first threshold for the main control unit 23 based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2. In other words, the electrical device 1 allows for the replacement of the secondary battery 2 and can appropriately and easily utilize new secondary batteries 2 with different battery characteristics.

[0145] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the battery-replaceable electrical device 1, when the corresponding version number 51 matches the version number 51 of the secondary battery 2, performs control over the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery 2 based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 described in the battery characteristic information, which correspond to the most significant sub-version number 53. Therefore, the electrical device 1 provides the convenience of easily and freely using secondary batteries 2 with different version numbers 51, including products that allow replacement of the secondary battery 2 and can appropriately and easily utilize new secondary batteries 2 with different battery characteristics (version number 51, generation) and products with previous version numbers 51.

[0146] Furthermore, when the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 of this embodiment is connected to a secondary battery 2 having a lower sub-version number 53 than the corresponding sub-version number 53, it performs control over the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery 2 based on the latest battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 described in the battery characteristic information. Therefore, the electrical device 1 provides the convenience that the secondary battery 2 with a lower sub-version number 51 can be easily and freely used in a new device that allows for the replacement of the secondary battery 2 and can perform more up-to-date charge and discharge control.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the same state quantity among multiple state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery 2 exists at both a first threshold and a second threshold, the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 uses a threshold that is safe for both the vacuum cleaner body 12 and the secondary battery 2 to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2. Therefore, the electrical device 1 does not need to pre-set an appropriate first threshold for the main body control unit 23 based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2, and the secondary battery 2 can be utilized effectively even when the circuit on the main body side of the electrical device 1 does not have sufficient tolerance corresponding to the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2.

[0148] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the state quantity representing the state of the secondary battery 2 does not have a first threshold, the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 uses a second threshold stored in the storage device 28 to control the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2. Therefore, if the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 improve in the future, the electrical device 1 can utilize a secondary battery 2 with higher battery characteristics. In addition, if the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 are unknown, by pre-setting a second threshold that incorporates a sufficient safety factor, even a secondary battery 2 with unknown battery characteristics can be utilized.

[0149] Furthermore, the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 of this embodiment acquires battery characteristic information using the battery information acquisition unit 41. The larger the subversion number 53 in this battery characteristic information, the more information it contains that allows setting a first threshold corresponding to at least one of the following: the upper limit of temperature of the secondary battery 2, the lower limit of temperature of the secondary battery 2, the upper limit of discharge current of the secondary battery 2, the upper limit of charging current of the secondary battery 2, the lower limit of discharge voltage of the secondary battery 2, and the upper limit of charging voltage of the secondary battery 2. Therefore, the electrical device 1 can easily and appropriately respond to changes in the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2 without needing to pre-set an appropriate first threshold for the main control unit 23 based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery 2.

[0150] Therefore, according to the electrical device 1 of the present invention, various secondary batteries 2 with different battery characteristics and secondary batteries 2 of the same type but with different battery characteristics can be used with more appropriate settings, whether they are known or unknown at the time of shipment.

[0151] Some embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0152] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0153] 1…Electrical equipment, 2…Secondary battery, 3…Motor, 5…Electric vacuum cleaner, 6…Electric blower, 11…Handle, 12…Vacuum cleaner body, 15…Extension tube, 16…Suction inlet body, 17…Main body shell, 17a…Front part, 17b…Central part, 17c…Rear part, 19…Dust separation and collection part, 21…Battery mounting part, 22…Charging terminal, 23…Main body control part, 25…Main body connection port, 26…Exhaust port, 27…Input part, 28…Storage device, 29…Reporting part, 31…Suction inlet, 32…Rotating cleaning body, 33…Motor, 41…Battery information acquisition part, 42…Battery status acquisition part, 45…Single battery, 46…Information recording part, 51…Version number, 52…Major version number, 53…Minor version number.

Claims

1. A battery-replaceable electrical device, characterized in that, have: The battery mounting section allows for the installation and removal of secondary batteries; The load is driven by the power stored in the secondary battery installed in the battery mounting section; The battery information acquisition unit is capable of acquiring information related to the secondary battery from the secondary battery installed in the battery mounting unit; as well as The power control unit performs at least one of controlling the discharge amount and controlling the charging amount of the secondary battery based on the information acquired by the battery information acquisition unit. The information includes a version number associated with the battery characteristics of the secondary battery. The version number includes a major version number and a minor version number. The major version number is a version number identified by supplying power from the secondary battery installed in the battery mounting section to the power control section, or a version number recorded in the information acquired by the battery information acquisition section. The minor version number is a version number recorded in the information to identify changes in the battery characteristics of the secondary battery with the same major version number, as well as increases in the battery characteristics of the secondary battery. The information includes the battery characteristics of the secondary battery corresponding to the lower-order minor version number. The power control unit has a limitation on the version number it can correspond to, and can utilize the information in controlling the discharge and charging amounts of secondary batteries with the same major version number. On the other hand, the power control unit has an upper limit on the minor version number it can correspond to. When a secondary battery with a minor version number higher than the upper limit is connected, the power control unit performs the control of the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery corresponding to the minor version number with the upper limit as described in the information.

2. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the version number matches the version number of the secondary battery, the power control unit performs control over the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery based on the battery characteristics of the secondary battery corresponding to the most significant bit of the secondary version number as described in the information.

3. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When a secondary battery with a lower version number than the corresponding secondary version number is connected, the power control unit performs control over the discharge and charging amounts of the secondary battery based on the latest battery characteristics of the secondary battery described in the information.

4. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The battery-replaceable electrical device includes a storage unit that stores a second threshold used in at least one of the control of the discharge amount and the control of the charge amount of the secondary battery. The power control unit sets a first threshold based on the information for use in at least one of controlling the discharge amount and the charging amount of the secondary battery. On the other hand, when both the first threshold and the second threshold exist for the same state quantity among a plurality of state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery, the power control unit uses the second threshold to perform charging and discharging control of the secondary battery.

5. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The battery-replaceable electrical device includes a storage unit that stores a second threshold used in at least one of the control of the discharge amount and the control of the charge amount of the secondary battery. The power control unit sets a first threshold based on the information, which is used in at least one of the control of the discharge amount and the control of the charge amount of the secondary battery. On the other hand, when the same state quantity among a plurality of state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery exists in both the first threshold and the second threshold, the power control unit uses a threshold that is safe for the secondary battery to perform the control of the charge and discharge of the secondary battery.

6. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The battery-replaceable electrical device includes a storage unit that stores a second threshold used in at least one of the control of the discharge amount and the control of the charge amount of the secondary battery. The power control unit sets a first threshold based on the information for use in at least one of the control of the discharge amount and the control of the charge amount of the secondary battery. On the other hand, when the same state quantity among a plurality of state quantities representing the state of the secondary battery exists in both the first threshold and the second threshold, the power control unit uses a threshold that is safe for the electrical equipment to perform the control of the charge and discharge of the secondary battery.

7. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The information includes information that allows setting a first threshold corresponding to any one of the following six parameters: the upper limit of the temperature of the secondary battery, the lower limit of the temperature of the secondary battery, the upper limit of the discharge current of the secondary battery, the upper limit of the charging current of the secondary battery, the lower limit of the discharge voltage of the secondary battery, and the upper limit of the charging voltage of the secondary battery. The larger the sub-version number, the more types of parameters there are.

8. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The battery-replaceable electrical device is an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with an electric blower as the load.

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