Battery pack

Abstract

The battery pack may include a housing, battery cells, a circuit board, an engaging member, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that biases the engaging member upward. At least a part of the circuit board may also be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. The engaging member may also include an engaging portion that protrudes outside the housing. The engaging portion may have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position that is behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position that is behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] A battery pack is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The battery pack is detachable by sliding relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device. The direction in which the battery pack slides when detached from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack slides when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rear direction, and in a state where the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upward direction, and the opposite direction of the upward direction is defined as the downward direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing, battery cells housed inside the housing, a circuit board housed inside the housing, an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a biasing member that biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member includes: an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the housing. The engaging portion has: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0272516 Summary of the Invention

[0006] When using a battery pack as described above in a dusty environment, dust may sometimes enter the gap between the engaging member and the housing. Therefore, when the engaging member moves in the vertical direction relative to the housing, if the engaging member is in a tilted state relative to the housing, the engaging member may get caught on the housing, and the engaging member may not be able to move smoothly relative to the housing. In this specification, a technology is provided that enables the engaging member to move smoothly relative to the housing even when the battery pack is used in a dusty environment.

[0007] The battery pack disclosed in this specification can also be detachably attached by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. When the battery pack is detached from the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides can be defined as the front direction, and when the battery pack is attached to the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides can be defined as the rear direction. In the state where the battery pack is attached to the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged when viewed from the battery pack can be defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction can be defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; battery cells housed inside the housing; a circuit board housed inside the housing; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is arranged separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. At least a part of the circuit board can be arranged between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. The engaging member can also include: an engaging portion that protrudes outside the housing. The engaging portion can also have: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface can be arranged at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface can also be arranged at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member.

[0008] According to the above structure, since the first biasing member and the second biasing member arranged separately from each other in the left-right direction bias the engaging member upward, it is possible to obtain: the balance of the acting force on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing the inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing in the left-right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member in the front-rear direction close to the position of the engaging portion in the front-rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member and the housing and causes the engaging portion to be caught by the housing, it is possible to cause the acting forces of the first biasing member and the second biasing member to act on the engaging member in a manner that eliminates the catching. And, according to the above structure, since at least a part of the circuit board is arranged between the first biasing member and the second biasing member, it is possible to make full and effective use of the space between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

[0009] Another battery pack disclosed in this specification can also be loaded and unloaded by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. The direction in which the battery pack slides when removed from the battery pack mounting portion can be defined as the front direction, and the direction in which the battery pack slides when installed in the battery pack mounting portion can be defined as the rear direction. In the state where the battery pack is installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack can be defined as the upward direction, and the opposite direction of the upward direction can be defined as the downward direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; battery cells housed inside the housing; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may include: an engaging portion protruding outside the housing. The engaging portion may have: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the engaging surface. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

[0010] According to the above structure, the first biasing member and the second biasing member disposed separately from each other in the left-right direction bias the engaging member upward. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing the inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing in the left-right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member in the front-rear direction can be made closer to the position of the engaging portion in the front-rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member and the housing and causes the engaging portion to be caught by the housing, the acting forces of the first biasing member and the second biasing member can act on the engaging member in a manner that eliminates the catch. Moreover, according to the above structure, since a wide interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured, it is easy to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing in the left-right direction.

[0011] Another battery pack disclosed in this specification can also be loaded and unloaded by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device having device-side terminals. The direction in which the battery pack slides when removed from the battery pack mounting portion can be defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack slides when installed in the battery pack mounting portion can be defined as the rear direction, and in a state where the battery pack is installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack can be defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction can be defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; battery cells housed inside the housing; battery-side terminals that are mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the device-side terminals; an engaging member that is held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may include: an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the housing. The engaging portion may have: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0012] According to the above structure, since the first biasing member and the second biasing member, which are disposed separately from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member upward, it is possible to obtain: a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing the inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing in the left-right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member in the front-rear direction closer to the position of the engaging portion in the front-rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member and the housing and causes the engaging portion to be caught by the housing, it is possible to cause the acting forces of the first biasing member and the second biasing member to act on the engaging member in a manner that eliminates the catching. Moreover, according to the above structure, since a wide interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured, it is easy to obtain: a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing in the left-right direction.

[0013] Another battery pack disclosed in this specification can also be detachably attached by sliding it relative to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. The battery pack may also include: a housing; an engaging member having an engaging portion protruding outside the housing; and an operating member having an operating surface exposed outside the housing. When the operating surface is pressed, the engaging portion may move toward the inside of the housing. The operating surface may be formed with an anti-slip portion composed of regularly arranged convex shapes and / or concave shapes. The anti-slip portion may be disposed on the operating surface and closer to the engaging portion. In addition, the engaging member and the operating member described herein may be an integrated member or separate members from each other.

[0014] According to the above structure, when the user detaches the battery pack installed in the battery pack mounting portion, it can prompt the user to touch the anti-slip portion disposed on the operating surface closer to the engaging portion with the fingertips to press the operating surface. Therefore, the pressing force when the user presses the operating surface can act on a position closer to the engaging portion, so that the engaging member can move smoothly relative to the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the upper right front.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the electrical device 4 equipped with the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the upper right front.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the vicinity of the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4 equipped with the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the lower right rear.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the battery cell unit 22 of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the upper right front.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the battery cell unit 22 of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the power terminal 38 of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the lower right rear.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a right view of the power terminal 38 of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the signal terminal 40 of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the lower right rear.

[0023] Figure 9It is a right view of the signal terminal 40 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 10 It is a top view of the battery cell unit 22 and the lower housing 24 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1.

[0025] Figure 11 It is a perspective view of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 observed from the lower left rear.

[0026] Figure 12 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the front protection portion 52 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1.

[0027] Figure 13 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the rear protection portion 54 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the engaging member 76 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 observed from the upper right front.

[0029] Figure 15 It is a perspective view of the engaging member 76 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 observed from the lower right rear.

[0030] Figure 16 It is a perspective view of the front part of the upper housing 26 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 observed from the lower right rear.

[0031] Figure 17 In the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1, it is a perspective view of the front part of the upper housing 26 in a state where the engaging member 76 and the operating member 78 are mounted on the upper housing 26, observed from the lower right rear.

[0032] Figure 18 It is a perspective view of the operating member 78 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 observed from the upper right front.

[0033] Figure 19 It is a perspective view of the operating member 78 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 observed from the lower right rear.

[0034] Figure 20 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the portion where the engaging member 76 and the operating member 78 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1 are in contact.

[0035] Figure 21 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the compression springs 80 and 82 of the battery pack 2 in Embodiment 1.

[0036] Figure 22 It is a perspective view of the battery pack 102 in Embodiment 2 observed from the upper right front.

[0037] Figure 23It is a perspective view of the battery cell unit 108 of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2 as viewed from the upper right front.

[0038] Figure 24 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2.

[0039] Figure 25 It is a top view of the battery cell unit 108 and the lower housing 110 of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2.

[0040] Figure 26 It is a perspective view of the engaging member 122 of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2 as viewed from the upper right front.

[0041] Figure 27 It is a perspective view of the engaging member 122 of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2 as viewed from the lower right rear.

[0042] Figure 28 It is a perspective view of a part in front of the upper housing 112 of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2 as viewed from the lower right rear.

[0043] Figure 29 In the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2, it is a perspective view of a part in front of the upper housing 112 in a state where the engaging member 122 is mounted on the upper housing 112 as viewed from the lower right rear.

[0044] Figure 30 It is a longitudinal sectional view near the engaging member 122 of the battery pack 102 of Embodiment 2.

[0045] Figure 31 It is a perspective view near the operation member 78 of the battery pack 2 of the modified example of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the upper right front. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, representative and non - limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail. This detailed description is only intended to show those skilled in the art the details of the preferred examples for implementing the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, the disclosed additional features, and the invention can be used separately or together with other features and inventions in order to provide a further improved battery pack.

[0047] In addition, the features or combinations of steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not necessary in the broadest sense for implementing the present invention, and are particularly described only for illustrating the representative specific examples of the present invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following representative specific examples, and the various features of the content recited in the claims are not necessarily combined as in the specific examples described herein, or in the order listed, when providing additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] All the features described in this specification and / or the claims are defined in addition to the features described in the embodiments and / or the claims, with respect to the disclosure at the time of filing the application and the specific matters described in the claims, and are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other. In addition, the descriptions related to all numerical ranges and groups or sets are defined with respect to the disclosure at the time of filing the application and the specific matters described in the claims, and are intended to disclose the intermediate configurations thereof.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, it may also be detachable by sliding with respect to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. The direction in which the battery pack slides when the battery pack is detached from the battery pack mounting portion may be defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack slides when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion may be defined as the rear direction, and in the state where the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack may be defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction may be defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; battery cells received inside the housing; a circuit board received inside the housing; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. At least a part of the circuit board may be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. The engaging member may include: an engaging portion protruding to the outside of the housing. The engaging portion may have: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the engaging surface. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

[0051] According to the above structure, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wide, it is possible to ensure a wide space for mounting components or wiring in the circuit board. In addition, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wide, it is easy to obtain the balance of the acting force on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the left-right inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the left end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the engaging surface. In the left-right direction, the right end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

[0053] According to the above structure, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wider, it is possible to ensure a wider space for mounting components or wiring in the circuit board. In addition, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wider, it is easier to obtain the balance of the acting force on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby more effectively suppressing the left-right inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack mounting portion may also include a device-side terminal. The circuit board may also include a battery-side terminal that is mechanically engaged and electrically connected to the device-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0055] According to the above structure, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wide, it is possible to ensure a wide space for mounting components or wiring in the circuit board. In addition, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member in the left-right direction is ensured to be wide, it is easy to obtain the balance of the acting force on the engaging member in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the left-right inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the left end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the right end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0057] According to the above structure, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wider, it is possible to ensure a wider space for mounting components or wiring in the circuit board. In addition, since the interval between the first biasing member and the second biasing member is ensured to be wider, it is easier to obtain the balance of the acting force on the engaging member in the left-right direction, so that it is possible to more effectively suppress the inclination of the engaging member relative to the housing in the left-right direction.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the circuit board may also include a power path through which a current for discharging to the electrical device and / or charging from the electrical device flows. The power path may pass between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

[0059] According to the above structure, since the power path is provided in the circuit board between the first biasing member and the second biasing member, other parts of the circuit board can be effectively utilized as a space for mounting other components or wiring.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the circuit board may also include a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the battery pack. The microcontroller may be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

[0061] According to the above structure, since the microcontroller is provided in the circuit board between the first biasing member and the second biasing member, other parts of the circuit board can be effectively utilized as a space for mounting other components or wiring.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include an operating member that is rotatably held by the housing and has an operating surface operated by a user. When the operating surface is pressed by the user, the operating member may rotate in a direction of pressing the engaging member downward.

[0063] According to the above structure, compared with the structure in which the engaging member and the operating member are integrated, when the engaging member moves up and down relative to the housing, the engaging member is less likely to tilt relative to the housing, so that the engaging member is less likely to get caught on the housing.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the operating surface may be disposed on the front upper surface of the housing.

[0065] According to the above structure, when the user removes the battery pack installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the user touches the lower surface of the battery pack with the four fingers of one hand except the thumb, and presses the operation surface with the thumb. The user can hold the battery pack while maintaining the state of pressing the operation surface, and slide the battery pack forward, so that the operation when the user removes the battery pack can be made simple.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the operating member may also be held by the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction.

[0067] According to the above structure, when the user presses the operation surface, the operation surface can be prevented from tilting in the left-right direction.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the engaging member may also include an abutting portion. The operating member may also include: an abutting portion disposed above the abutting portion. In the front-rear direction, the position where the abutting portion abuts against the abutting portion may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the position where the abutting portion abuts against the abutting portion may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member.

[0069] According to the above structure, the position of the action point of the downward force acting on the engaging member from the operating member in the front-rear direction can be made close to: the position of the action point of the upward force acting on the engaging member from the first biasing member and the second biasing member in the front-rear direction. Thereby, tilting of the engaging member in the front-rear direction can be suppressed.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, the abutting portion may also include: a rod-shaped portion extending along the left-right direction. The abutting portion may also include: an abutting piece disposed above the rod-shaped portion.

[0071] According to the above structure, the structures of the operating member and the engaging member can be simplified.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the housing may further include: a guiding portion that prohibits movement of the engaging member in the front-rear direction but allows movement of the engaging member in the up-down direction. In the front-rear direction, the first biasing member may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the guiding portion and in front of the rear end of the guiding portion. In the front-rear direction, the second biasing member may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the guiding portion and in front of the rear end of the guiding portion.

[0073] According to the above structure, it is possible to make the position in the front-rear direction of the acting point of the acting forces applied to the engaging member by the first biasing member and the second biasing member closer to: the position in the front-rear direction of the guiding portion. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the engaging member in the front-rear direction.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may also be detachable by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. The direction in which the battery pack slides when the battery pack is detached from the battery pack mounting portion may be defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack slides when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion may be defined as the rear direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion may be defined as the upward direction when viewed from the battery pack, and the opposite direction of the upward direction may be defined as the downward direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; battery cells housed inside the housing; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the up-down direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may also include: an engaging portion that protrudes outside the housing. The engaging portion may have: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the up-down direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the engaging surface. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack can also be detachably attached by sliding it relative to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. The direction in which the battery pack slides when it is detached from the battery pack mounting portion can be defined as the front direction, and the direction in which the battery pack slides when it is attached to the battery pack mounting portion can be defined as the rear direction. In the state where the battery pack is attached to the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack can be defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction can be defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; battery cells housed inside the housing; battery-side terminals that are mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the device-side terminals; an engaging member that is held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member can also include: an engaging portion that protrudes outside the housing. The engaging portion can also have: an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface can be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface can be disposed at a position: behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member can be disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member can be disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack can also be detachably attached by sliding it relative to the battery pack mounting portion of the electrical device. The battery pack can also include: a housing; an engaging member that has an engaging portion protruding outside the housing; and an operating member that has an operating surface exposed outside the housing. When the operating surface is pressed, the engaging portion can move toward the inside of the housing. The operating surface can also be formed with: an anti-slip portion composed of regularly arranged convex shapes and / or concave shapes. The anti-slip portion can also be disposed on the operating surface closer to the engaging portion.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the anti-slip portion can also be composed of a plurality of convex stripes and / or concave stripes that extend along a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the battery pack slides when it is detached from the battery pack mounting portion.

[0078] According to the above structure, when the user touches the anti-slip portion with a fingertip to press the operation surface in order to remove the battery pack installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the sliding of the fingertip from the anti-slip portion can be effectively suppressed.

[0079] (Embodiment 1)

[0080] Figure 1 The battery pack 2 of the present embodiment shown is installed in Figure 2 the electrical device 4 shown and is used. The electrical device 4 is an electrical device that operates by the power supplied from the battery pack 2. The electrical device 4 can be, for example, a power tool with a motor such as a driver or a drill as a power source, or a power working machine with a motor such as a lawn mower or a blower as a power source. Alternatively, the electrical device 4 can be an electrical device without a motor such as a lamp, a radio, or a speaker. Alternatively, the electrical device 4 can be a charger that supplies power to the battery pack 2. The rated voltage of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 36V. The rated capacity of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 5.0Ah. The weight of the battery pack 2 is, for example, in the range of 1.0 kg to 2.0 kg. More specifically, the weight of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 1.33 kg or 1.9 kg.

[0081] As Figure 2 shown, the electrical device 4 includes a battery pack mounting portion 6. The battery pack 2 can be installed in the battery pack mounting portion 6 by sliding in a predetermined sliding direction with respect to the battery pack mounting portion 6. Hereinafter, when installing the battery pack 2 in the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack 2 slides is called the rear direction, and when removing the battery pack 2 from the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack 2 slides is called the front direction. In addition, when observing from the battery pack 2 in the state where the battery pack 2 is installed in the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is located is called the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is called the lower direction. And, the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is called the left-right direction.

[0082] As Figure 3As shown, on the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4, there are provided a device-side terminal 8, a device-side rail 10, and an engaging groove 12. The device-side terminal 8 includes: two power terminals 14 for charging and discharging power between the battery pack 2, and three signal terminals 16 for communicating signals between the battery pack 2. In addition, the number of signal terminals 16 is not limited to three. The electrical device 4 may have one or two signal terminals 16, or may have four signal terminals 16. The power terminals 14 are arranged at positions left and right of the signal terminals 16. The device-side rail 10 and the engaging groove 12 are formed at the lower end portion of the housing 18 of the electrical device 4. The device-side rail 10 is arranged at positions left and right of the device-side terminal 8 and extends in the front-rear direction. The engaging groove 12 is arranged at a position in front of the device-side terminal 8 and is recessed upward. In the engaging groove 12, there is provided an engaging surface 12a arranged along the vertical and horizontal directions and facing rearward.

[0083] As Figure 1 shown, the battery pack 2 includes: a housing 20, and a battery cell unit 22 (refer to Figure 4 ) housed inside the housing 20. The housing 20 includes: a lower housing 24 and an upper housing 26.

[0084] As Figure 4 shown, the battery cell unit 22 includes: a battery cell 28, a resin monomer protection frame 30 for holding the battery cell 28, a control circuit board 32 held above the monomer holding frame 30 and held by the monomer holding frame 30, lead plates 34 arranged on the left and right side surfaces of the monomer holding frame 30 and electrically connecting the battery cell 28 and the control circuit board 32, and battery-side terminals 36 provided on the upper surface of the control circuit board 32. The battery-side terminals 36 include: two power terminals 38 arranged corresponding to the power terminals 14 of the electrical device 4, and four signal terminals 40 arranged corresponding to the signal terminals 16 of the electrical device 4.

[0085] As Figure 5As shown, the battery cells 28 are arranged in four layers in the vertical direction. Each battery cell 28 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery cell. Each battery cell 28 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged with its longitudinal direction along the left-right direction. The shape of each battery cell 28 is, for example, the 18650 type, with a diameter of 18 mm and a dimension in the longitudinal direction of 65 mm. In the first layer from the bottom, four battery cells 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction. Among the battery cells 28 in the first layer from the bottom, the first battery cell 28 counted from the front and the first battery cell 28 counted from the back are arranged at positions slightly above the other battery cells 28. In the second layer from the bottom, five battery cells 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the centers of the battery cells 28 in the second layer from the bottom are arranged so as not to overlap with the centers of the battery cells 28 in the first layer from the bottom. Among the battery cells 28 in the second layer from the bottom, the first battery cell 28 counted from the front and the first battery cell 28 counted from the back are arranged at positions slightly below the other battery cells 28. In the third layer from the bottom, six battery cells 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the centers of the battery cells 28 in the third layer from the bottom are arranged so as not to overlap with the centers of the battery cells 28 in the second layer from the bottom. Among the battery cells 28 in the third layer from the bottom, the second battery cell 28 counted from the front and the second battery cell 28 counted from the back are arranged at positions slightly below the other battery cells 28. In the fourth layer from the bottom, that is, the first layer from the top, five battery cells 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the centers of the battery cells 28 in the fourth layer from the bottom are arranged so as not to overlap with the centers of the battery cells 28 in the third layer from the bottom. The battery cells 28 in the fourth layer from the bottom are arranged such that their positions in the vertical direction are substantially the same.

[0086] As Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, each power terminal 38 includes: a base portion 38a; a clamping portion 38b that bends upward from the left and right ends of the base portion 38a; a front end support portion 38c that bends downward from the front end of the base portion 38a; a rear end support portion 38d that bends downward from the rear end of the base portion 38a; and a central support portion 38e that bends downward from the left end near the center in the front-rear direction of the base portion 38a. When the battery pack 2 is mounted on the electrical device 4, the clamping portion 38b elastically clamps the power terminal 14 of the electrical device 4 from the left and right directions. Thereby, the power terminal 38 is mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the power terminal 14 of the electrical device 4. The front end support portion 38c, the rear end support portion 38d, and the central support portion 38e are welded to the control circuit board 32 in a state of being inserted into the holes formed in the control circuit board 32. Thereby, the power terminal 38 is mechanically fixed to the control circuit board 32 and electrically connected.

[0087] As Figure 8 , Figure 9 shown, each signal terminal 40 includes: a base portion 40a; a clamping portion 40b that bends upward from the left and right ends of the base portion 40a; a front end support portion 40c that bends downward from the front end of the base portion 40a; and a rear end support portion 40d that bends downward from the rear end of the base portion 40a. When the battery pack 2 is mounted on the electrical device 4, the clamping portion 40b elastically clamps the signal terminal 16 of the electrical device 4 from the left and right directions. Thereby, the signal terminal 40 is mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the signal terminal 16 of the electrical device 4. The front end support portion 40c and the rear end support portion 40d are welded to the control circuit board 32 in a state of being inserted into the holes formed in the control circuit board 32. Thereby, the signal terminal 40 is mechanically fixed to the control circuit board 32 and electrically connected.

[0088] Since a larger current flows through the power terminal 38 than through the signal terminal 40, the temperature rise due to heat generation is also larger. Therefore, assuming that the power terminal 38 is configured in the same manner as the signal terminal 40 and does not have the central support portion 38e but only has the front end support portion 38c and the rear end support portion 38d, a relatively large current will flow through the front end support portion 38c and the rear end support portion 38d respectively, and the temperature rise due to heat generation will become very large. As Figure 6 , Figure 7 shown, in the battery pack 2 of the present embodiment, the power terminal 38 is electrically connected to the control circuit board 32 via the front end support portion 38c, the rear end support portion 38d, and the central support portion 38e. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the current flowing through the front end support portion 38c, the rear end support portion 38d, and the central support portion 38e respectively, and thus it is possible to suppress the temperature rise due to heat generation.

[0089] As Figure 4As shown, in order to suppress short circuits between the power terminals 38, between the signal terminals 40, and between the power terminal 38 and the signal terminal 40, a resin bracket 42 is provided on the upper surface of the control circuit board 32. Further, a metal conductive member 44 is provided on the upper surface of the control circuit board 32. The conductive member 44 extends in the front-rear direction at a position spaced upward from the control circuit board 32. The front end is bent downward and fixed to the control circuit board 32, and the rear end is also bent downward and fixed to the control circuit board 32. The conductive member 44 is electrically disposed on the current path between the battery cell 28 and the power terminal 38. By providing the conductive member 44, compared with the case where the entire current path between the battery cell 28 and the power terminal 38 is a printed wiring on the control circuit board 32, heat generation of the control circuit board 32 can be suppressed. Further, by dissipating heat from the conductive member 44 to the surrounding air, a temperature rise of the control circuit board 32 can be suppressed.

[0090] As Figure 10 shown, the upper surface of the control circuit board 32 has circuit element regions 46, 48 where various circuit elements are mounted. The circuit element region 46 is disposed at a position forward of the battery-side terminal 36. The circuit element region 48 is disposed at a position rearward of the battery-side terminal 36. A microcontroller 50 for controlling the operation of the battery pack 2 is mounted in the circuit element region 46.

[0091] As Figure 11 shown, front protection portions 52 that project forward and downward are formed at the front lower right end and the front lower left end of the lower housing 24. Rear protection portions 54 that project rearward and downward are formed at the rear lower right end and the rear lower left end of the lower housing 24. In the case where the battery pack 2 accidentally drops, the front protection portion 52 or the rear protection portion 54 collides with the ground or the floor. As Figure 12 shown, the front protection portion 52 is configured to face the cell holder 30 that straddles two battery cells 28 close to the front protection portion 52, and a gap of 13.0 mm or more is ensured between the surface of the cell holder 30 and the front protection portion 52. Therefore, even when the front protection portion 52 is deformed due to the collision, damage to the battery cell 28 can be suppressed. Further, as Figure 13 shown, the rear protection portion 54 is configured to face the cell holder 30 that straddles two battery cells 28 close to the rear protection portion 54, and a gap of 9.0 mm or more is ensured between the surface of the cell holder 30 and the rear protection portion 54. Therefore, even when the rear protection portion 54 is deformed due to the collision, damage to the battery cell 28 can be suppressed.

[0092] As Figure 11As shown, the lower housing 24 and the upper housing 26 are fixed to each other by two bolts 56 in front of the battery pack 2 and two bolts 58 behind the battery pack 2. As Figure 5 shown, the bolt 56 penetrates from below through a bolt receiving portion 60 formed near the front end of the lower housing 24 and is screwed into a bolt hole 62 formed near the front end of the upper housing 26. The head 56a of the bolt 56 is disposed at a position below the lower end of the foremost battery cell 28 among the plurality of battery cells 28 (in this embodiment, the first battery cell 28 from the front in the third layer from below). By setting the structure in this way, the bolt 56 can be disposed close to the plurality of battery cells 28, and the size of the battery pack 2 in the front-rear direction can be miniaturized. In addition, the bolt 58 penetrates from below through a bolt receiving portion 64 formed near the rear end of the lower housing 24 and is screwed into a bolt hole 66 formed near the rear end of the upper housing 26. The head 58a of the bolt 58 is disposed at a position below the lower end of the rearmost battery cell 28 among the plurality of battery cells 28 (in this embodiment, the first battery cell 28 from the rear in the third layer from below). By setting the structure in this way, the bolt 58 can be disposed close to the plurality of battery cells 28, and the size of the battery pack 2 in the front-rear direction can be miniaturized.

[0093] As Figure 1 shown, a terminal opening 68, a battery-side rail 70, a fitting opening 72, and an operation opening 74 are formed on the upper surface of the upper housing 26. The terminal opening 68 is disposed at a position corresponding to the battery-side terminal 36 (see Figure 4 ). When the battery pack 2 is installed in the electrical device 4, the device-side terminal 8 of the electrical device 4 (see Figure 3 ) enters the inside of the upper housing 26 through the terminal opening 68. Thereby, the device-side terminal 8 is mechanically fitted and electrically connected to the battery-side terminal 36. The battery-side rail 70 extends in the front-rear direction at positions to the left and right of the terminal opening 68. When the battery pack 2 is installed in the electrical device 4, the battery-side rail 70 is fitted to the device-side rail 10 of the electrical device 4 (see Figure 3 ) so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The fitting opening 72 is disposed at a position in front of the terminal opening 68. A fitting member 76 is installed in the fitting opening 72. The operation opening 74 is disposed at a position in front of the fitting opening 72. An operation member 78 is installed in the operation opening 74.

[0094] As Figure 14As shown, the engaging member 76 includes: a base portion 76a, an engaging portion 76b protruding upward from the base portion 76a, a right support portion 76c disposed on the right side of the base portion 76a, and a left support portion 76d disposed on the left side of the base portion 76a. The base portion 76a includes: a right wall 76e disposed at the right end of the base portion 76a along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction; a left wall 76f disposed at the left end of the base portion 76a along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction; a central wall 76g disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the base portion 76a along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction; a rear wall 76h disposed along the left-right direction and the up-down direction and connecting the rear portions of the right wall 76e, the left wall 76f, and the central wall 76g; an upper wall 76i disposed along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction and connecting the upper rear portions of the right wall 76e, the left wall 76f, and the central wall 76g; a right beam 76j extending in the left-right direction and connecting the lower portion at the center in the front-rear direction of the right wall 76e and the lower portion at the center in the front-rear direction of the central wall 76g; and a left beam 76k extending in the left-right direction and connecting the lower portion at the center in the front-rear direction of the left wall 76f and the lower portion at the center in the front-rear direction of the central wall 76g. The engaging portion 76b includes: a right engaging portion 76l disposed at the right end of the engaging portion 76b; a left engaging portion 76m disposed at the left end of the engaging portion 76b; and a connecting portion 76n connecting the right engaging portion 76l and the left engaging portion 76m. The right engaging portion 76l includes: a right engaging surface 76o disposed along the left-right direction and the up-down direction and facing forward; and a right inclined surface 76p disposed at a position rearward of the right engaging surface 76o and facing rearward and upward and inclined so as to incline from above toward below as going from the front toward the rear. The left engaging portion 76m includes: a left engaging surface 76q disposed along the left-right direction and the up-down direction and facing forward; and a left inclined surface 76r disposed at a position rearward of the left engaging surface 76q and facing rearward and upward and inclined so as to incline from above toward below as going from the front toward the rear.

[0095] As Figure 15 shown, the right support portion 76c includes: a substantially cylindrical spring receiving groove 76s opening downward. The left support portion 76d includes: a substantially cylindrical spring receiving groove 76t opening downward. A compression spring 80 (see Figure 4 ) is installed in the spring receiving groove 76s. A compression spring 82 (see Figure 4 ) is installed in the spring receiving groove 76t. As Figure 4As shown, a spring support portion 84 for supporting the compression spring 80 and a spring support portion 86 for supporting the compression spring 82 are formed on the upper portion of the single-piece cage 30. The control circuit board 32 includes a cutout 88 extending leftward from the right edge and a cutout 90 extending rightward from the left edge. The spring support portion 84 passes through the cutout 88 and protrudes upward. The spring support portion 86 passes through the cutout 90 and protrudes upward. The compression springs 80 and 82 bias the engagement member 76 upward relative to the single-piece cage 30.

[0096] As Figure 16 shown, a right guide portion 92 and a left guide portion 94 are formed on the inner surface near the engagement opening 72 of the upper housing 26. The right guide portion 92 receives the right support portion 76c of the engagement member 76 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and not movable in the front-rear direction and the right direction. The left guide portion 94 receives the left support portion 76d of the engagement member 76 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and not movable in the front-rear direction and the left direction. As Figure 17 shown, the engagement member 76 is mounted on the upper housing 26 such that the engagement portion 76b protrudes from the engagement opening 72 to the outside of the upper housing 26, the right support portion 76c is received in the right guide portion 92, and the left support portion 76d is received in the left guide portion 94.

[0097] As Figure 18 , Figure 19 shown, the operation member 78 includes an operation portion 78a, a support portion 78b disposed below and in front of the operation portion 78a, and an abutment portion 78c disposed behind the operation portion 78a. The operation portion 78a includes a substantially planar operation surface 78d that is pressed by the user. A plurality (e.g., six) of protrusions 78h protruding outward from the operation surface 78d are formed on the operation surface 78d. The plurality of protrusions 78h are arranged parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The plurality of protrusions 78h constitute an anti-slip portion 78i that inhibits the user's fingertips from slipping. In addition, the number of the plurality of protrusions 78h may also be two, three, four, five, or seven or more. In addition, the anti-slip portion 78i may include a plurality (e.g., six) of recesses (not shown) in addition to or instead of the plurality of protrusions 78h. Alternatively, the anti-slip portion 78i may be constituted by other regularly arranged convex shapes and / or concave shapes such as a plurality of convex portions or a plurality of concave portions disposed at the intersections of a grid. As Figure 1 shown, the anti-slip portion 78i is disposed on the operation surface 78d on the side closer to the engagement member 76. In other words, the center of the plurality of protrusions 78h in the front-rear direction is offset rearward (i.e., the side closer to the engagement member 76) from the center of the operation surface 78d in the front-rear direction. As Figure 18 , Figure 19As shown, the support portion 78b includes a rotation shaft 78e extending in the left - right direction. The abutting portion 78c includes a right abutting piece 78f extending rearward and a left abutting piece 78g extending rearward. The right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g are arranged side - by - side in the left - right direction.

[0098] As Figure 16 shown, on the inner surface near the front end of the upper housing 26, a shaft holding portion 96 is formed. The shaft holding portion 96 holds the right end and the left end of the rotation shaft 78e of the operation member 78 so as to be rotatable. As Figure 17 shown, the operation member 78 is installed in the upper housing 26 in such a manner that the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g are inserted into the base portion 76a of the engaging member 76, the operation surface 78d of the operation portion 78a is exposed to the outside of the upper housing 26 through the operation opening 74, and the rotation shaft 78e of the support portion 78b is held by the shaft holding portion 96.

[0099] As Figure 20 shown, in a state where the engaging member 76 and the operation member 78 are installed in the upper housing 26, the right abutting piece 78f of the operation member 78 is disposed above the right beam 76j of the engaging member 76, and the left abutting piece 78g of the operation member 78 is disposed above the left beam 76k of the engaging member 76. Therefore, the engaging member 76 is urged upward with respect to the single cage 30 by the compression springs 80, 82, the engaging member 76 is pressed against the upper housing 26, and the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g of the operation member 78 are pushed upward by the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k of the engaging member 76, and the operation member 78 is also pressed against the upper housing 26.

[0100] Refer to Figure 21 , the operation of the engaging member 76 when the battery pack 2 is installed in the electrical device 4 will be described. When the battery pack 2 is installed in the electrical device 4, the outer shell 18 of the electrical device 4 (refer to Figure 3 ) abuts against the right inclined surface 76p and the left inclined surface 76r of the engaging member 76 and moves from the rear to the front, whereby the engaging member 76 is pressed downward against the acting force of the compression springs 80, 82. After that, when the engaging groove 12 of the electrical device 4 (refer to Figure 3 ) moves above the engaging portion 76b of the engaging member 76, the engaging member 76 is pushed upward by the acting force of the compression springs 80, 82, and the engaging portion 76b enters the engaging groove 12. In this state, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q of the engaging member 76 are disposed opposite to the engaging surface 12a of the electrical device 4 (refer to Figure 3 ), and thus, sliding the battery pack 2 forward with respect to the electrical device 4 is prohibited. Thereby, detaching the battery pack 2 from the electrical device 4 is prohibited.

[0101] Reference Figure 20 will be described with reference to Figure 20 . When the battery pack 2 is detached from the electrical device 4, the user presses the operation surface 78d of the operation member 78. By this operation, the operation member 78 rotates about the rotation shaft 78e, and the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k of the engagement member 76 are pressed downward by the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g of the operation member 78, and the engagement member 76 is pressed downward against the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82. As a result, the engaging portion 76b of the engaging member 76 disengages from the engaging groove 12 of the electrical device 4, allowing the battery pack 2 to slide forward relative to the electrical device 4. From this state, the user can detach the battery pack 2 from the electrical device 4 by sliding the battery pack 2 forward relative to the electrical device 4.

[0102] In addition, in the battery pack 2, the operation surface 78d of the operation member 78 may also be formed into Figure 31 the shape shown. In the example shown in Figure 31 , the operation surface 78d includes: a substantially flat first operation surface 78j, and a substantially flat second operation surface 78k that curves forward and downward from the front end of the first operation surface 78j. A non-slip portion 78i formed of a plurality of ridges 78h is formed on the first operation surface 78j. A wide finger contact portion 78l that protrudes outward from the second operation surface 78k is formed on the second operation surface 78k. In the example shown in Figure 31 , when the user presses the operation surface 78d with the finger of the hand holding the battery pack 2, the non-slip portion 78i can be pressed with the fingertip (the distal phalanx of the finger) while the proximal phalanx or the middle phalanx of the finger touches the finger contact portion 78l, so that the pressing operation of the operation surface 78d can be performed more easily. In the example shown in Figure 31 , the non-slip portion 78i is arranged on the operation surface 78d closer to the engagement member 76. In other words, the center of the plurality of ridges 78h in the front-rear direction is arranged to be offset rearward (i.e., closer to the engagement member 76) than the center of the operation surface 78d in the front-rear direction.

[0103] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 is detachable by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4. The direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rear direction, and in the state where the battery pack 2 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is disposed when viewed from the battery pack 2 is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack 2 includes: a housing 20; a battery cell 28 housed inside the housing 20; a control circuit board 32 (an example of a circuit board) housed inside the housing 20; an engaging member 76 held by the housing 20 so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 76 upward; and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed separately from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 76 upward. At least a part of the control circuit board 32 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82. The engaging member 76 includes: an engaging portion 76b that protrudes to the outside of the housing 20. The engaging portion 76b has: a right engaging surface 76o and a left engaging surface 76q (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4 along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82.

[0104] According to the above structure, the compression springs 80 and 82 disposed separately from each other in the left-right direction bias the engaging member 76 upward, so that: the balance of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction can be obtained, and thus the inclination of the engaging member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction can be suppressed. In addition, according to the above structure, the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the front-rear direction can be made close to: the position of the engaging portion 76b in the front-rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member 76 and the housing 20 and the engaging portion 76b is caught by the housing 20, the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can act on the engaging member 76 in a manner that eliminates the catching. Furthermore, according to the above structure, at least a part of the control circuit board 32 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, so that the space between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 can be utilized sufficiently and effectively.

[0105] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 76o. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the left engagement surface 76q.

[0106] According to the above structure, since a wider gap between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is possible to ensure a wider space for mounting components or wiring in the control circuit board 32. In addition, since a wider gap between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is easy to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engagement member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the tilting of the engagement member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction.

[0107] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 76o. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the left engagement surface 76q.

[0108] According to the above structure, since an even wider gap between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is possible to ensure an even wider space for mounting components or wiring in the control circuit board 32. In addition, since an even wider gap between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is easier to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engagement member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby more effectively suppressing the tilting of the engagement member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction.

[0109] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack mounting portion 6 includes the device-side terminal 8. The control circuit board 32 includes: a battery-side terminal 36 that is mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the device-side terminal 8. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0110] According to the above structure, since a wider gap between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is possible to ensure a wider space for mounting components or wiring in the control circuit board 32. In addition, since a wider gap between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is easy to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engagement member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the tilting of the engagement member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction.

[0111] In one or more embodiments, in the left - right direction, the left end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery - side terminal 36. In the left - right direction, the right end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery - side terminal 36.

[0112] According to the above - described structure, since a wider space between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is possible to ensure a wider space for mounting components or wiring in the control circuit board 32. In addition, since a wider space between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is easier to obtain the balance of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the left - right direction, and thus it is possible to more effectively suppress the tilting of the engaging member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left - right direction.

[0113] In one or more embodiments, the control circuit board 32 includes a conductive member 44 (an example of an electric - power path) through which a current for discharging to the electrical device 4 and / or charging from the electrical device 4 flows. The conductive member 44 passes between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82.

[0114] According to the above - described structure, since the conductive member 44 passes between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, other parts of the control circuit board 32 can be effectively utilized as a space for mounting other components or wiring.

[0115] In one or more embodiments, the control circuit board 32 includes a microcontroller 50 for controlling the operation of the battery pack 2. The microcontroller 50 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82.

[0116] According to the above - described structure, since the microcontroller 50 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, other parts of the control circuit board 32 can be effectively utilized as a space for mounting other components or wiring.

[0117] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 further includes an operation member 78 which is rotatably held by the housing 20 and has an operation surface 78d operated by a user. When the operation surface 78d is pressed by the user, the operation member 78 rotates in a direction to press the engaging member 76 downward.

[0118] According to the above - described structure, compared with the structure in which the engaging member 76 and the operation member 78 are integrated, when the engaging member 76 moves up and down relative to the housing 20, the engaging member 76 is less likely to tilt relative to the housing 20, and thus it is possible to make the engaging member 76 less likely to get stuck on the housing 20.

[0119] In one or more embodiments, the operation surface 78d is disposed on the front upper surface of the housing 20.

[0120] According to the above structure, when the user removes the battery pack 2 mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, the user touches the lower surface of the battery pack 2 with the four fingers of one hand other than the thumb, and presses the operation surface 78d with the thumb. Thus, the user can hold the battery pack 2 while maintaining the state of pressing the operation surface 78d, and slide the battery pack 2 forward. This can simplify the operation when the user removes the battery pack 2.

[0121] In one or more embodiments, the operation member 78 is held by the housing 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left - right direction.

[0122] According to the above structure, when the user presses the operation surface 78d, the inclination of the operation surface 78d in the left - right direction can be suppressed.

[0123] In one or more embodiments, the engaging member 76 includes a right beam 76j and a left beam 76k (examples of the abutted portions). The operation member 78 includes a right abutting piece 78f and a left abutting piece 78g (examples of the abutting portions) disposed above the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k. In the front - rear direction, the positions where the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g abut against the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k are disposed at positions behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 80. In the front - rear direction, the positions where the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g abut against the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k are disposed at positions behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82.

[0124] According to the above structure, the position of the action point of the downward force acting on the engaging member 76 from the operation member 78 in the front - rear direction can be made close to the position of the action point of the upward force acting on the engaging member 76 from the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 in the front - rear direction. Thereby, the inclination of the engaging member 76 in the front - rear direction can be suppressed.

[0125] In one or more embodiments, the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k (examples of the rod - shaped portions) have a rod - shaped shape extending along the left - right direction. The right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g (examples of the abutting pieces) are disposed above the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k.

[0126] According to the above structure, the structures of the operation member 78 and the engaging member 76 can be simplified.

[0127] In one or more embodiments, the housing 20 further includes a right guide portion 92 and a left guide portion 94 (examples of guide portions) that prohibit movement of the engagement member 76 in the front-rear direction but allow movement of the engagement member 76 in the up-down direction. In the front-rear direction, the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position that is rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94. In the front-rear direction, the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position that is rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94.

[0128] According to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the action point of the acting force on the engagement member 76 from the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 closer to the position of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94 in the front-rear direction. Thereby, tilting of the engagement member 76 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed.

[0129] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 is detachable by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4. The direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when it is detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when it is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rear direction, and in the state where the battery pack 2 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is disposed when viewed from the battery pack 2 is defined as the up direction, and the opposite direction of the up direction is defined as the down direction. In this case, the battery pack 2 includes: a housing 20; battery cells 28 housed inside the housing 20; an engagement member 76 held by the housing 20 so as to be movable in the up-down direction; a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engagement member 76 upward; and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed separately from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engagement member 76 upward. The engagement member 76 includes an engagement portion 76b that protrudes to the outside of the housing 20. The engagement portion 76b has a right engagement surface 76o and a left engagement surface 76q (examples of engagement surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4 along the up-down direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 76o and the left engagement surface 76q are disposed at a position that is rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 76o and the left engagement surface 76q are disposed at a position that is rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position that is rightward of the right end of the right engagement surface 76o. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position that is leftward of the left end of the left engagement surface 76q.

[0130] According to the above structure, the compression springs 80 and 82 arranged separately from each other in the left-right direction apply an upward force to the engaging member 76. Therefore, it is possible to achieve: the balance of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing the inclination of the engaging member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member 76 closer in the front-back direction to: the position of the engaging portion 76b in the front-back direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member 76 and the housing 20 and the engaging portion 76b is caught by the housing 20, it is possible to apply the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 to the engaging member 76 in a manner that eliminates the catching. Moreover, according to the above structure, since a relatively wide interval is ensured between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, it is easy to achieve: the balance of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the inclination of the engaging member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction.

[0131] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 is detachable by sliding with respect to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4 having the device-side terminal 8. The direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the front direction, and the direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when attached to the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rear direction. In the state where the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is disposed when viewed from the battery pack 2 is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack 2 includes: a housing 20; battery cells 28 housed inside the housing 20; a battery-side terminal 36 that mechanically engages with and is electrically connected to the device-side terminal 8; an engaging member 76 that is held by the housing 20 so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 76 upward; and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed separately from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 76 upward. The engaging member 76 includes: an engaging portion 76b that protrudes to the outside of the housing 20. The engaging portion 76b has: a right engaging surface 76o and a left engaging surface 76q (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4 along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0132] According to the above structure, compression springs 80 and 82 disposed separately from each other in the left-right direction apply an upward force to the engaging member 76. Therefore, it is possible to achieve: balance of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing tilting of the engaging member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member 76 closer in the front-back direction to: the position of the engaging portion 76b in the front-back direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member 76 and the housing 20 and the engaging portion 76b is caught by the housing 20, it is possible to apply the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 to the engaging member 76 in a manner that eliminates the catch. Moreover, according to the above structure, since a wide interval between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is easy to achieve: balance of the acting force on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing tilting of the engaging member 76 relative to the housing 20 in the left-right direction.

[0133] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 is detachable by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4. The battery pack 2 includes: a housing 20; an engaging member 76 having an engaging portion 76b protruding to the outside of the housing 20; and an operating member 78 having an operating surface 78d exposed to the outside of the housing 20. When the operating surface 78d is pressed, the engaging portion 76b moves toward the inside of the housing 20. An anti-slip portion 78i formed of a plurality of regularly arranged ridges 78h (examples of convex shapes and / or concave shapes) is formed on the operating surface 78d. The anti-slip portion 78i is disposed on the operating surface 78d on the side closer to the engaging portion 76b.

[0134] According to the above structure, when the user detaches the battery pack 2 mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, it is possible to prompt the user to touch the anti-slip portion 78i disposed on the operating surface 78d on the side closer to the engaging portion 76b with a fingertip to press the operating surface 78d. Therefore, it is possible to make the pressing force when the user presses the operating surface 78d act on a position closer to the engaging portion 76b, thereby enabling the engaging member 76 to move smoothly relative to the housing 20.

[0135] In one or more embodiments, the anti-slip portion 78i is formed of a plurality of ridges 78h extending along a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction (e.g., the front direction) in which the battery pack 2 slides when the battery pack 2 is detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6.

[0136] According to the above structure, when the user touches the anti-slip portion 78i with a fingertip to press the operating surface 78d in order to detach the battery pack 2 mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, it is possible to effectively prevent the fingertip from sliding off the anti-slip portion 78i.

[0137] (Example 2)

[0138] Figure 22 The battery pack 102 of this embodiment shown is used in the same way as the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1, and is installed in the electrical device 4 (refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 ). The battery pack 102 can be installed in the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4 by sliding in a predetermined sliding direction with respect to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4. Hereinafter, when the battery pack 102 is installed in the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack 102 slides is called the rear direction, and when the battery pack 102 is removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack 102 slides is called the front direction. In addition, when viewed from the battery pack 102 in the state where the battery pack 102 is installed in the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is located is called the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is called the lower direction. And, the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is called the left-right direction. In addition, in the following description, the same structural components as those of the battery pack 2 of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The rated voltage of the battery pack 102 is, for example, 36V. The rated capacity of the battery pack 102 is, for example, 4.0 Ah. The weight of the battery pack 102 is 1.0 kg or less, for example, 1.0 kg.

[0139] The battery pack 102 includes: a housing 106, and a battery cell unit 108 housed inside the housing 106 (refer to Figure 23 ). The housing 106 includes: a lower housing 110 and an upper housing 112. The lower housing 110 and the upper housing 112 are fixed to each other by four bolts (not shown).

[0140] As Figure 23 shown, the battery cell unit 108 includes: a battery cell 114 (refer to Figure 24 ), a resin monomer holder 116 that holds the battery cell 114, a control circuit board 118 that is held above the monomer holder 116, lead plates 120 disposed on the left and right side surfaces of the monomer holder 116 and electrically connecting the battery cell 114 and the control circuit board 118, and battery-side terminals 36 provided on the upper surface of the control circuit board 118.

[0141] As Figure 24As shown, the battery cells 114 are arranged in two layers in the vertical direction. Each battery cell 114 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery cell. Each battery cell 114 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged with its longitudinal direction along the left-right direction. The shape of each battery cell 114 is, for example, the 21700 type, with a diameter of 21 mm and a longitudinal dimension of 70 mm. In the lower layer, five battery cells 114 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The battery cells 114 in the lower layer are arranged such that their positions in the vertical direction are substantially the same. In the upper layer, five battery cells 114 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The positions of the centers of the battery cells 114 in the upper layer in the front-rear direction are arranged to be substantially coincident with the positions of the centers of the battery cells 114 in the lower layer in the front-rear direction. The battery cells 114 in the upper layer are arranged such that their positions in the vertical direction are substantially the same.

[0142] As Figure 23 shown, on the upper surface of the control circuit board 118, a bracket 42 is provided to suppress a short circuit between the battery-side terminals 36. As Figure 25 shown, the upper surface of the control circuit board 118 has circuit element regions 46, 48. A microcontroller 50 is mounted in the circuit element region 46.

[0143] As Figure 22 shown, on the upper surface of the upper case 112, there are formed: a terminal opening 68, a battery-side rail 70, a fitting opening 72, and an operation opening 74. A fitting member 122 is mounted in the fitting opening 72 and the operation opening 74.

[0144] As Figure 26As shown, the engaging member 122 includes: a base portion 122a; an engaging portion 122b that protrudes upward from the rear portion of the base portion 122a; a right support portion 122c that is disposed on the right side of the base portion 122a; a left support portion 122d that is disposed on the left side of the base portion 122a; an operation portion 122e that extends forward and downward from the base portion 122a; and a support portion 122f that extends downward from near the front end of the operation portion 122e. The engaging portion 122b includes: a right engaging portion 122g that is disposed at the right end of the engaging portion 122b; a left engaging portion 122h that is disposed at the left end of the engaging portion 122b; and a connecting portion 122i that connects the right engaging portion 122g and the left engaging portion 122h. The right engaging portion 122g includes: a right engaging surface 122j that is disposed along the left-right direction and the up-down direction and faces forward; and a right inclined surface 122k that is disposed at a position behind the right engaging surface 122j and faces rearward and upward, and is inclined so as to face downward from above as it goes from the front to the rear. The left engaging portion 122h includes: a left engaging surface 122l that is disposed along the left-right direction and the up-down direction and faces forward; and a left inclined surface 122m that is disposed at a position behind the left engaging surface 122l and faces rearward and upward, and is inclined so as to face downward from above as it goes from the front to the rear. As Figure 27 shown, the right support portion 122c includes: a substantially cylindrical spring receiving groove 122n that opens downward. A compression spring 80 (see Figure 23 ) is installed in the spring receiving groove 122n. The left support portion 122d includes: a substantially cylindrical spring receiving groove 122o that opens downward. A compression spring 82 (see Figure 23 ) is installed in the spring receiving groove 122o. As Figure 26 shown, the operation portion 122e includes: an operation surface 122p that is pressed by a user. The support portion 122f includes: a right guide projection 122q that protrudes rightward from the right end of the support portion 122f and extends along the up-down direction; and a left guide projection 122r that protrudes leftward from the left end of the support portion 122f and extends along the up-down direction.

[0145] As Figure 23 shown, on the upper portion of the single cage 116, there are formed: a spring support portion 124 for supporting the compression spring 80, and a spring support portion 126 for supporting the compression spring 82. The control circuit board 118 includes: a through hole 128 disposed near the right end of the control circuit board 118, and a through hole 130 disposed near the left end of the control circuit board 118. The spring support portion 124 protrudes upward through the through hole 128. The spring support portion 126 protrudes upward through the through hole 130. The compression springs 80, 82 bias the engaging member 122 upward with respect to the single cage 116.

[0146] As Figure 28 shown, on the inner surface near the engagement opening 72 of the upper housing 112, a right guide portion 132 and a left guide portion 134 are formed. The right guide portion 132 houses the right support portion 122c of the engagement member 122 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and not movable in the front-rear direction and the right direction. The left guide portion 134 houses the left support portion 122d of the engagement member 122 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and not movable in the front-rear direction and the left direction. In addition, on the inner surface near the front end of the upper housing 112, a right front guide portion 136 and a left front guide portion 138 are formed. The right front guide portion 136 holds the right guide projection 122q of the engagement member 122 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and not movable in the front-rear direction and the right direction. The left front guide portion 138 holds the left guide projection 122r of the engagement member 122 so as to be movable in the vertical direction and not movable in the front-rear direction and the left direction. As Figure 29 shown, the engagement member 122 is mounted on the upper housing 112 in the following manner: the engagement portion 122b projects upward from the engagement opening 72 to the outside of the upper housing 112, the operation surface 122p of the operation portion 122e is exposed to the outside of the upper housing 112 through the operation opening 74, the right support portion 122c is housed in the right guide portion 132, the left support portion 122d is housed in the left guide portion 134, the right guide projection 122q is held in the right front guide portion 136, and the left guide projection 122r is held in the left front guide portion 138.

[0147] As Figure 30 shown, in a state where the engagement member 122 is mounted on the upper housing 112, compression springs 80 and 82 apply an upward force to the engagement member 122 relative to the single cage 116, so that the engagement member 122 is pressed against the upper housing 112.

[0148] When the battery pack 102 is mounted on the electrical device 4, the outer shell 18 of the electrical device 4 (see Figure 3 ) abuts against the right inclined surface 122k and the left inclined surface 122m of the engagement member 122 and moves from the rear to the front, whereby the engagement member 122 is pressed downward against the acting force of the compression springs 80 and 82. After that, when the engagement groove 12 of the electrical device 4 (see Figure 3 ) moves above the engagement portion 122b of the engagement member 122, the engagement member 122 is pushed upward by the acting force of the compression springs 80 and 82, and the engagement portion 122b enters the engagement groove 12. In this state, the right engagement surface 122j and the left engagement surface 122l of the engagement member 122 and the engagement surface 12a of the electrical device 4 (see Figure 3)They are arranged opposite to each other, so that it is prohibited for the battery pack 102 to slide forward relative to the electrical device 4. Accordingly, it is prohibited to remove the battery pack 102 from the electrical device 4.

[0149] When removing the battery pack 102 from the electrical device 4, the user presses the operation surface 122p of the engaging member 122. By this operation, the engaging member 122 is pressed downward against the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82. Accordingly, the engaging portion 122b of the engaging member 122 disengages from the engaging groove 12 of the electrical device 4, thereby allowing the battery pack 102 to slide forward relative to the electrical device 4. From this state, the user can remove the battery pack 102 from the electrical device 4 by sliding the battery pack 102 forward relative to the electrical device 4.

[0150] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 102 can be loaded and unloaded by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4. The direction in which the battery pack 102 slides when removing the battery pack 102 from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the front direction, and the direction in which the battery pack 102 slides when mounting the battery pack 102 to the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rear direction. It is provided that, in a state where the battery pack 102 is mounted to the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is disposed when viewed from the battery pack 102 is defined as the upper direction, and the direction opposite to the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack 102 includes: a housing 106; battery cells 114 that are housed inside the housing 106; a control circuit board 118 (an example of a circuit board) that is housed inside the housing 106; an engaging member 122 that is held by the housing 106 so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 122 upward; and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed separately from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 122 upward. At least a part of the control circuit board 118 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82. The engaging member 122 includes: an engaging portion 122b that protrudes to the outside of the housing 106. The engaging portion 122b has: a right engaging surface 122j and a left engaging surface 122l (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4 along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82.

[0151] According to the above structure, the compression springs 80 and 82 arranged separately from each other in the left-right direction apply an upward force to the engaging member 122. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing the tilting of the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction relative to the housing 106. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member 122 closer to the position of the engaging portion 122b in the front-rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member 122 and the housing 106 and the engaging portion 122b is caught by the housing 106, the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to the engaging member 122 in a manner that eliminates the catching. Moreover, according to the above structure, at least a part of the control circuit board 118 is arranged between the compression springs 80 and 82. Therefore, the space between the compression springs 80 and 82 can be utilized fully and effectively.

[0152] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is arranged at a position to the right of the right end of the right engaging surface 122j. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is arranged at a position to the left of the left end of the left engaging surface 122l.

[0153] According to the above structure, since a wider interval between the compression springs 80 and 82 is ensured, a wider space for mounting components or wiring can be ensured in the control circuit board 118. In addition, since a wider interval between the compression springs 80 and 82 is ensured, it is easier to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the tilting of the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction relative to the housing 106.

[0154] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 80 is arranged at a position to the right of the right end of the right engaging surface 122j. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 82 is arranged at a position to the left of the left end of the left engaging surface 122l.

[0155] According to the above structure, since an even wider interval between the compression springs 80 and 82 is ensured, an even wider space for mounting components or wiring can be ensured in the control circuit board 118. In addition, since an even wider interval between the compression springs 80 and 82 is ensured, it is even easier to obtain a balance of the acting forces on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, thereby more effectively suppressing the tilting of the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction relative to the housing 106.

[0156] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack mounting portion 6 includes a device-side terminal 8. The control circuit board 118 includes: a battery-side terminal 36 that is mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the device-side terminal 8. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0157] According to the above structure, since a wider space is ensured between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, a wider space for mounting components or wiring can be ensured in the control circuit board 118. In addition, since a wider space is ensured between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, it is easy to obtain a balance of the force acting on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the left-right tilt of the engaging member 122 relative to the housing 106.

[0158] In one or more embodiments, in the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0159] According to the above structure, since an even wider space is ensured between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, an even wider space for mounting components or wiring can be ensured in the control circuit board 118. In addition, since an even wider space is ensured between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, it is even easier to obtain a balance of the force acting on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, thereby more effectively suppressing the left-right tilt of the engaging member 122 relative to the housing 106.

[0160] In one or more embodiments, the control circuit board 118 includes: a microcontroller 50 that controls the operation of the battery pack 102. The microcontroller 50 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82.

[0161] According to the above structure, since the microcontroller 50 is provided on the control circuit board 118 between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82, other parts of the control circuit board 118 can be effectively utilized as a space for mounting other components or wiring.

[0162] In one or more embodiments, the housing 106 further includes a right guide portion 132 and a left guide portion 134 (examples of guide portions) that prohibit movement of the engagement member 122 in the front-rear direction but allow movement of the engagement member 122 in the up-down direction. In the front-rear direction, the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position that is rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134. In the front-rear direction, the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position that is rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134.

[0163] According to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the action point of the force acting on the engagement member 122 from the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 closer to the position of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134 in the front-rear direction. Thereby, tilting of the engagement member 122 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed.

[0164] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 102 is detachable by sliding relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4. The direction in which the battery pack 102 slides when detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack 102 slides when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rear direction, and in the state where the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is disposed when viewed from the battery pack 102 is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack 102 includes: a housing 106; a battery cell 114 housed inside the housing 106; an engaging member 122 held by the housing 106 so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 122 upward; and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed separately from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 122 upward. The engaging member 122 includes: an engaging portion 122b that protrudes outside the housing 106. The engaging portion 122b has: a right engaging surface 122j and a left engaging surface 122l (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4 along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the right engaging surface 122j. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the left engaging surface 122l.

[0165] According to the above structure, since the compression springs 80 and 82 arranged separately from each other in the left - right direction apply an upward force to the engaging member 122, it is possible to obtain a balance of the acting force on the engaging member 122 in the left - right direction, thereby suppressing the inclination of the engaging member 122 relative to the housing 106 in the left - right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member 122 closer to the position of the engaging portion 122b in the front - rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member 122 and the housing 106 and the engaging portion 122b is caught on the housing 106, the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can act on the engaging member 122 in a manner that eliminates the catching. Furthermore, according to the above structure, since a wide interval between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured, it is easy to obtain a balance of the acting force on the engaging member 122 in the left - right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the inclination of the engaging member 122 relative to the housing 106 in the left - right direction.

[0166] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 102 is detachable by sliding with respect to the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4 having the device-side terminal 8. The direction in which the battery pack 102 slides when detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the front direction, the direction in which the battery pack 102 slides when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rear direction, and in the state where the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is disposed when viewed from the battery pack 102 is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack 102 includes: a housing 106; battery cells 114 housed inside the housing 106; a battery-side terminal 36 that mechanically engages with and is electrically connected to the device-side terminal 8; an engaging member 122 that is held by the housing 106 so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 122 upward; and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed separated from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 122 upward. The engaging member 122 includes: an engaging portion 122b that protrudes outside the housing 106. The engaging portion 122b has: a right engaging surface 122j and a left engaging surface 122l (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4 along the vertical direction and the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are disposed at positions: behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. The right end of the compression spring 80 is disposed at a position: to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is disposed at a position: to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0167] According to the above structure, the compression springs 80 and 82 arranged separately from each other in the left - right direction apply an upward force to the engaging member 122. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a balance of the acting force on the engaging member 122 in the left - right direction, thereby suppressing the inclination of the engaging member 122 relative to the housing 106 in the left - right direction. In addition, according to the above structure, it is possible to make the position of the acting point of the acting force on the engaging member 122 in the front - rear direction closer to the position of the engaging portion 122b in the front - rear direction. Thus, even when dust enters the gap between the engaging member 122 and the housing 106 and the engaging portion 122b is caught by the housing 106, the acting forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can act on the engaging member 122 in a manner that eliminates the catch. And, according to the above structure, since the interval between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82 is ensured to be wide, it is easy to obtain a balance of the acting force on the engaging member 122 in the left - right direction, thereby effectively suppressing the inclination of the engaging member 122 relative to the housing 106 in the left - right direction.

[0168] (Modification example)

[0169] In the above - described embodiment, although the case where the spring support portions 84, 86, 124, 126 are formed on the single - piece cages 30, 116 and the compression springs 80, 82 apply an upward force to the engaging members 76, 122 relative to the single - piece cages 30, 116 has been described as an example, it may also be configured such that the spring support portions 84, 86, 124, 126 are formed on the upper housings 26, 112 or the lower housings 24, 110, and the compression springs 80, 82 apply an upward force to the engaging members 76, 122 relative to the upper housings 26, 112 or the lower housings 24, 110.

[0170] In the above - described embodiment, although the case where the first biasing member is the compression spring 80 has been described as an example, the first biasing member may be other types of springs such as a tension spring or a torsion spring, or may be an elastic member other than a spring, or may be a biasing member other than an elastic member. Similarly, in the above - described embodiment, although the case where the second biasing member is the compression spring 82 has been described as an example, the second biasing member may be other types of springs such as a tension spring or a torsion spring, or may be other types of elastic members other than a spring, or may be other types of biasing members other than an elastic member.

[0171] In the above-described embodiments, although the case where the circuit board is the control circuit boards 32 and 118 having the battery-side terminals 36 has been described as an example, the circuit board may not have the battery-side terminals 36. Alternatively, the circuit board may be a terminal circuit board that does not have the microcontroller 50 but has the battery-side terminals 36. Alternatively, the circuit board may not have both the battery-side terminals 36 and the microcontroller 50. For example, the circuit board may be an operation circuit board having a switch that accepts an operation input from a user, or may be a display circuit board having a display lamp for displaying to the user.

[0172] In the above-described embodiments, although the case where the battery cells 28 and 114 are lithium-ion battery cells has been described, the battery cells 28 and 114 may be other types of secondary battery cells. Further, in the above-described embodiments, although the case where the battery cells 28 and 114 have a substantially cylindrical shape has been described, the battery cells 28 and 114 may have other shapes. The number of battery cells 28 and 114 included in the battery packs 2 and 102 may also be different from the number in the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. A battery pack that can be loaded and unloaded by sliding relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device, wherein when the battery pack is detached from the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides is defined as the front direction, when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides is defined as the rear direction, and when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; a battery cell received inside the housing; a circuit board received inside the housing; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward, at least a part of the circuit board is disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member, the engaging member includes an engaging portion that protrudes outside the housing, the engaging portion has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction, in the front-rear direction, the engaging surface is disposed at a position behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member, in the front-rear direction, the engaging surface is disposed at a position behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein in the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the engaging surface, in the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein in the left-right direction, the left end of the first biasing member is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the engaging surface, in the left-right direction, the right end of the second biasing member is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery pack mounting portion includes a device-side terminal, the circuit board includes: a battery-side terminal that mechanically engages and is electrically connected to the device-side terminal, in the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal, in the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein in the left-right direction, the left end of the first biasing member is disposed at a position to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal, in the left-right direction, the right end of the second biasing member is disposed at a position to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

6. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the circuit board includes: a power path through which current for discharging to the electrical device and / or charging from the electrical device flows, the power path passes between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

7. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the circuit board includes: a microcontroller for controlling the operation of the battery pack, the microcontroller is disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

8. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the battery pack further includes an operation member, which is rotatably held by the housing and has an operation surface for user operation, when the operation surface is pressed by the user, the operation member rotates in a direction of pressing the engaging member downward.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein, the operation surface is disposed on the front upper surface of the housing.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein, the operation member is rotatably held by the housing about a rotation axis along the left-right direction.

11. The battery pack according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, the engaging member includes: a portion to be abutted, the operation member includes: an abutting portion disposed above the portion to be abutted, in the front-rear direction, the position where the abutting portion abuts against the portion to be abutted is disposed at a position behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member, in the front-rear direction, the position where the abutting portion abuts against the portion to be abutted is disposed at a position behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein, the portion to be abutted includes: a rod-shaped portion extending along the left-right direction, the abutting portion includes: an abutting piece disposed above the rod-shaped portion.

13. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, the housing further includes: a guiding portion that prohibits the movement of the engaging member in the front-rear direction but allows the movement of the engaging member in the up-down direction, in the front-rear direction, the first biasing member is disposed at a position behind the front end of the guiding portion and in front of the rear end of the guiding portion, in the front-rear direction, the second biasing member is disposed at a position behind the front end of the guiding portion and in front of the rear end of the guiding portion.

14. A battery pack that can be loaded and unloaded by sliding relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device, wherein, When the battery pack is removed from the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides is defined as the front direction. When the battery pack is installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides is defined as the rear direction. In a state where the battery pack is installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; a battery cell accommodated inside the housing; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward, the engaging member includes an engaging portion protruding outside the housing, the engaging portion has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction, in the front-rear direction, the engaging surface is disposed at a position that is behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member; in the front-rear direction, the engaging surface is disposed at a position that is behind the front end of the second biasing member and in front of the rear end of the second biasing member; in the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member is disposed at a position that is to the right of the right end of the engaging surface; in the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member is disposed at a position that is to the left of the left end of the engaging surface.

15. A battery pack that can be loaded and unloaded by sliding relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device having a device-side terminal, wherein when the battery pack is removed from the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides is defined as the front direction. When the battery pack is installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack slides is defined as the rear direction. In a state where the battery pack is installed in the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is disposed when viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction of the upper direction is defined as the lower direction. In this case, the battery pack includes: a housing; a battery cell accommodated inside the housing; a battery-side terminal that mechanically engages and is electrically connected to the device-side terminal; an engaging member held by the housing so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; and a second biasing member that is disposed separately from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward, the engaging member includes an engaging portion protruding outside the housing, the engaging portion has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device along the vertical direction and the left-right direction, in the front-rear direction, the engaging surface is disposed at a position that is behind the front end of the first biasing member and in front of the rear end of the first biasing member; In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface is disposed at a position that is rearward of the front end of the second biasing member and forward of the rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member is disposed at a position that is rightward of the right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member is disposed at a position that is leftward of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

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