Electric equipment

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving the visibility of a display part.SOLUTION: Electric equipment comprises a housing, a first light-emitting element and a display part. The housing comprises a lens fitting part. The display part comprises a lens which is fitted to the lens fitting part, and lit up by the first light-emitting element. The lens comprises a base part and an inside projection part. The inside projection part comprises a projection surface, a first connection surface which connects an end of the projection surface on a first side in a first direction to a surface of the base part on the side of the first light-emitting element, and a second connection surface which connects an end part of the projection surface on a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction to the surface of the base part on the side of the first light-emitting element. Viewing a cross section, including the first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and a second direction, of a center part of the projection surface in the second direction, the first connection surface and the second connection surface are inclined to the projection surface. An optical axis of the first light-emitting element passes the projection surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an electrical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a charger that includes a housing, a light-emitting element housed inside the housing, and a display unit provided on the housing. The housing includes a lens mounting groove. The display unit is attached to the lens mounting groove and includes a lens that is illuminated by the light-emitting element. The lens includes a base and a lower protrusion that protrudes from the underside of the base when the lens is attached to the lens mounting portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-44888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the charger of Patent Document 1, the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting element along the optical axis of the light-emitting element (hereinafter referred to as "light amount") may be less than the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting element in a direction inclined to the optical axis of the light-emitting element. In this case, the brightness of the area of ​​the lens illuminated by light irradiated in a direction along the optical axis of the light-emitting element and passing through the lower protrusion is lower than the brightness of the area illuminated by light irradiated in a direction inclined to the optical axis of the light-emitting element and passing through the lower protrusion. In this case, the visibility of the display unit is reduced.

[0005] This specification provides a technique that can improve the visibility of a display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electrical device disclosed in this specification may include a housing, a first light-emitting element accommodated inside the housing, and a display unit provided in the housing. The housing may include a lens mounting unit. The display unit may include a lens mounted on the lens mounting unit and illuminated by the first light-emitting element. The lens may include a base and an inner protrusion protruding from a surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element when the lens is mounted on the lens mounting unit. The inner protrusion may include a protruding surface spaced from the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element and extending in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first connection surface connecting an end of a first side of the protruding surface in the first direction to the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element, and a second connection surface connecting an end of a second side opposite to the first side of the protruding surface in the first direction to the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element. In a cross section including the first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface may be inclined with respect to the protruding surface at a central portion of the protruding surface in the second direction. An optical axis of the first light-emitting element may pass through the protruding surface.

[0007] According to the above configuration, light emitted from the first light-emitting element and incident on the first and second connecting surfaces of the lens can be refracted toward light that is emitted in a direction along the optical axis of the first light-emitting element and passes through the protruding surface. This increases the amount of light that is directed toward the area illuminated by the light that is emitted in a direction along the optical axis of the first light-emitting element and passes through the protruding surface, thereby increasing the brightness of the area. This improves the visibility of the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a charger 2 according to a first embodiment, viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a charger 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front. [Figure 3]3 is a diagram showing an outline of an LED 36 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lens 32 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lens 32 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the front left and below. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the charger 2 according to the first embodiment as seen from the left. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charger 2 in the first embodiment with the lens 32 removed, as viewed from above the front left. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of a lens according to a comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of the lens 32 according to the first example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a charger 202 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens 232 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens 232 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the front left below. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a charger 202 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the left. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a charger 202 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the front. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the charger 202 in the second embodiment, with the lens 232 removed, as viewed from above and on the front left. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Representative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is intended simply to provide those skilled in the art with details for implementing preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or in conjunction with other features and inventions to provide further improved electrical devices.

[0010] Furthermore, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential to practicing the invention in its broadest sense, but are described solely to specifically illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following exemplary embodiments and those described in the claims do not necessarily have to be combined in the exact embodiments described herein or in the exact order listed to provide additional and useful embodiments of the invention.

[0011] All features described in this specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed individually and independently of one another as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims, apart from the configuration of features described in the examples and / or claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges and group or aggregate descriptions are intended to disclose intermediate configurations thereof as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, an electrical device may include a housing, a first light-emitting element accommodated inside the housing, and a display unit provided in the housing. The housing may include a lens mounting unit. The display unit may include a lens mounted on the lens mounting unit and illuminated by the first light-emitting element. The lens may include a base and an inner protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element when the lens is mounted on the lens mounting unit. The inner protrusion may include a protruding surface that is spaced from the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element and extends in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first connection surface that connects an end of a first side of the protruding surface in the first direction to the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element, and a second connection surface that connects an end of a second side of the protruding surface opposite the first side in the first direction to the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element. In a cross section including the first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface may be inclined with respect to the protruding surface at a central portion of the protruding surface in the second direction. An optical axis of the first light-emitting element may pass through the protruding surface.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the optical axis of the first light emitting element may extend perpendicular to the protruding surface.

[0014] According to the above configuration, light incident on the protruding surface along the optical axis of the light-emitting element passes through the protruding surface without being refracted. In this case, the brightness of the area illuminated by light irradiated in a direction along the optical axis of the first light-emitting element can be increased compared to a configuration in which the optical axis of the first light-emitting element is inclined with respect to the protruding surface, i.e., a configuration in which light incident on the protruding surface along the optical axis of the light-emitting element is refracted.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, when viewed in the cross section, the optical axis of the first light-emitting element may pass through a central position between the first side end and the second side end of the protruding surface.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the amount of light emitted from the first light-emitting element that passes through the protruding surface, the first connecting surface, and the second connecting surface can be increased, which allows the lens to be illuminated more clearly and improves the visibility of the display unit.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, when viewed in the cross section, a first inclination angle of the first connecting surface relative to the protruding surface, which is the angle at which the first connecting surface inclines from the protruding surface toward the first side, and a second inclination angle of the second connecting surface relative to the protruding surface, which is the angle at which the second connecting surface inclines from the protruding surface toward the second side, may be the same.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the amount of light refracted by the first connecting surface can be made equal to the amount of light refracted by the second connecting surface. Therefore, the first side and the second side of the area illuminated by the light irradiated in a direction along the optical axis of the first light-emitting element and passing through the protruding surface can be uniformly illuminated. This further improves the visibility of the display unit.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, when the cross section is viewed, the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element when the lens is attached to the lens attachment portion may be inclined with respect to the optical axis of the first light-emitting element.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the lens can be attached to the housing with the lower surface of the base of the lens inclined with respect to the optical axis of the first light-emitting element, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in layout of the lens and the first light-emitting element.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the lens may have an outer protrusion that protrudes from the surface of the base opposite to the surface on the first light-emitting element side when the lens is attached to the lens attachment portion, and the outer protrusion protrudes outward beyond the outer surface of the housing.

[0022] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve visibility when the lens is lit.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, a first light emitting element may emit light in a first color, and the electrical device may further include a second light emitting element that emits light in a second color different from the first color.

[0024] According to the above configuration, a two-color lighting pattern can be realized on a single display unit, and more information can be presented to the user than in a configuration that realizes only a one-color lighting pattern.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may further include a third light-emitting element that emits light in a third color different from the first color and the second color.

[0026] According to the above configuration, a three-color lighting pattern can be realized on a single display unit, and more information can be presented to the user than with a configuration that realizes a one-color lighting pattern or a two-color lighting pattern.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may be a charger.

[0028] In a charger, a display unit is turned on to notify the user of the charger's status. By improving the visibility of the display unit, the user can more easily check the charger's status. The above configuration is useful because it can improve the visibility of the display unit.

[0029] (First Example) The charger 2 shown in FIG. 1 is used to charge a battery pack (not shown). The battery pack is a slide-type battery pack that is attached to, for example, a power tool such as a screwdriver or drill, or an electric work machine such as a brush cutter or blower. The battery pack has a built-in secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The charger 2 can charge the battery pack using power supplied from an external AC power source (not shown) via a power cord 4.

[0030] The charger 2 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a lower housing 12 that defines the outer shape of the lower portion of the housing 10, and an upper housing 14 that defines the outer shape of the upper portion of the housing 10. A battery attachment section 20 is provided on the right side of the upper housing 14. The portion of the top surface of the upper housing 14 where the battery attachment section 20 is provided slopes downward from the rear to the front. The battery pack can be attached to and detached from the charger 2 by sliding the battery pack into the battery attachment section 20.

[0031] A display unit 30 is provided on the left portion of the top surface of the upper housing 14. The left upper surface 14a of the top surface of the upper housing 14, on which the display unit 30 is provided, is substantially parallel to a plane including the left-right and front-rear directions. The display unit 30 includes a lens 32. As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board 34 and LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are housed inside the housing 10. The LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are, for example, bullet-shaped LEDs. As shown in FIG. 3, the LED 36 includes a transparent case 42, an LED chip 44, and an LED lens 46. The LED chip 44 and the LED lens 46 are housed within the case 42. An upper portion 42a of the case 42 has a hemispherical shape. The LED lens 46 has a shape that follows the outer shape of the upper portion 42a of the case 42. The thickness T of the LED lens 46 is thickest at the center and becomes thinner as it extends from the center to the outside. As shown in FIG. 2 , the circuit board 34 and the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are disposed below the display unit 30 (specifically, the lens 32). The lens 32 is illuminated by light emitted from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. In this embodiment, the LED 36 emits green light, the LED 38 emits blue light, and the LED 40 emits red light. Therefore, the lens 32 can be illuminated in any one of green, blue, and red. The upper end of the LED 36 is positioned lower than the upper ends of the LEDs 38 and 40, and the upper end of the LED 38 is positioned lower than the upper end of the LED 40. In the display unit 30, a label (not shown) is affixed to the outer surface of the upper housing 14. The label illustrates the correspondence between the illumination pattern of the lens 32 and the state of the charger 2. A user of the charger 2 can understand the state of the charger 2 from the illumination pattern of the lens 32.

[0032] In this embodiment, the circuit board 34 controls the operation of the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 depending on the state of the charger 2, thereby realizing the following lighting patterns of the lens 32: When a battery pack is not attached to the charger 2, the lens 32 alternately lights up and goes out in green for a long period of time; When a battery pack is attached to the charger 2 and charging of the battery pack has not yet begun, the lens 32 alternately lights up and goes out in blue for a long period of time; When charging the battery pack is in progress, the lens 32 alternates between lighting up and going out in blue for a short period of time; When charging the battery pack is completed to a usable level, the lens 32 continues to light up in blue; When charging the battery pack is completed to a full level, the lens 32 continues to light up in green; When charging the battery pack and an abnormality has occurred in the cooling system (not shown) housed in the housing 10, the lens 32 alternately lights up and goes out in red for a short period of time and then goes out in blue for a short period of time. When the battery pack is being charged and an abnormality occurs in the circuit board 34 or in the communication with the battery pack, the lens 32 remains lit in red.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the lens 32 includes a base 50, an upper protrusion 52, and a lower protrusion 54 (see FIG. 5). The base 50 has a flat plate shape. The base 50 extends in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions. Ribs 56 are provided on the front and left surfaces of the base 50. Although not shown, ribs are also provided on the right and rear surfaces of the base 50. The upper protrusion 52 protrudes upward from the top surface 50a of the base 50. The upper protrusion 52 has an octagonal shape in a cross section including the left-to-right and front-to-rear directions. The width of the upper protrusion 52 in the left-to-right direction is greater than the width of the upper protrusion 52 in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the base 50 further includes a peripheral wall 58 protruding downward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 50b of the base 50. The lower protrusion 54 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 50b of the base 50. The lower protrusion 54 is provided inside the peripheral wall 58. The lower protrusion 54 has a bottom surface 60, a front surface 62, a rear surface 64, a right surface 66, and a left surface 68. The bottom surface 60 is parallel to a plane including the front-rear and left-right directions. The bottom surface 60 is parallel to the lower surface 50b of the base 50 and the upper surface of the upper protrusion 52 (see FIG. 4). The bottom surface 60 is located below the lower surface 50b of the base 50. That is, the bottom surface 60 is spaced apart from the base 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface 60 is located below the lower end of the peripheral wall 58. As shown in FIG. 5, the front surface 62 connects the front end 60a of the bottom surface 60 to the lower surface 50b. The lower side of the front surface 62 is inclined rearward. As shown in FIG. 6, the front surface 62 is inclined at a first predetermined angle a1 with respect to the bottom surface 60. The rear surface 64 connects the rear end 60b of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The lower side of the rear surface 64 is inclined forward. The rear surface 64 is inclined at a second predetermined angle a2 with respect to the bottom surface 60. The first predetermined angle a1 and the second predetermined angle a2 are the same angle. In this embodiment, the first predetermined angle a1 and the second predetermined angle a2 are 40°.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the right surface 66 connects the right end 60c of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The lower side of the right surface 66 is inclined to the left. The right surface 66 is inclined at a third predetermined angle a3 with respect to the bottom surface 60. The left surface 68 connects the left end 60d of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The lower side of the left surface 68 is inclined to the right. The left surface 68 is inclined at a fourth predetermined angle a4 with respect to the bottom surface 60. The third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are the same angle. The third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are greater than the first predetermined angle a1 and the second predetermined angle a2 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are 70°.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper housing 14 is formed with a lens mounting portion 14b into which the base 50 (see FIG. 5) of the lens 32 fits. When the lens 32 (see FIG. 5) is mounted to the lens mounting portion 14b, the rib 56 (see FIG. 5) of the base 50 is pressed and deformed, thereby fixing the lens 32 (see FIG. 5) to the lens mounting portion 14b. An opening 14c is provided on the lower surface of the lens mounting portion 14b. As shown in FIG. 2, when the lens 32 is mounted to the lens mounting portion 14b, the right end of the wall defining the opening 14c is located to the right of a right connection point 60f between the right surface 66 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b, and the left end of the wall defining the opening 14c is located to the left of a left connection point 60g between the left surface 68 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lens 32 is attached to the lens mounting portion 14b, the front end of the wall defining the opening 14c is located forward of a front connection point 60h between the front surface 62 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b, and the rear end of the wall defining the opening 14c is located rear of a rear connection point 60i between the rear surface 64 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. In other words, when the lens 32 is attached to the lens mounting portion 14b, the wall defining the opening 14c is located outward of the connection point between the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. With the above configuration, light from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 is irradiated onto the entire surfaces of the lower protrusion 54 (i.e., the front surface 62, the rear surface 64, the right surface 66 (see FIG. 2), and the left surface 68 (see FIG. 2)). Therefore, for example, the amount of light directed toward an area illuminated by light emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 60 can be increased, thereby increasing the brightness of the area. In a modified example, when the lens 32 is attached to the lens mounting portion 14b, the left-right and front-rear positions of the wall defining the opening 14c may be the same as the left-right and front-rear positions of the connection between the lower protrusion 54 and the bottom surface 50b. The upper housing 14 further includes a light-shielding tube 14d extending downward from the lens mounting portion 14b to the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. The lower end of the light-shielding tube 14d is located above the upper end of the LED 38.The light-shielding tube 14d surrounds the optical path from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 to the lens 32, and prevents light from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 from leaking out to the surroundings.

[0036] The LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are mounted on the circuit board 34 via spacers 70, 72, and 74. The LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are held on the circuit board 34 so that the optical axes 36a, 38a, and 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are parallel to the vertical direction. Also in FIG. 6, the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are held on the circuit board 34 so that the optical axes 36a, 38a, and 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are parallel to the vertical direction. That is, the optical axes 36a, 38a, and 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are parallel to the vertical direction and extend in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 60 of the base 50. The optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 60 of the base 50 in the front-to-rear direction. The connection portion between the front surface 62 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located forward of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. The connection portion between the rear surface 64 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located rearward of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center in the left-right direction of the bottom surface 60 of the base 50. That is, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center 60e of the bottom surface 60 (see FIG. 5). The center 60e is the geometric center of the bottom surface 60. The connection portion between the right surface 66 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located left of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. The connection between the left surface 68 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located to the right of the point where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. As shown in FIG. 6 , the optical axes 38a, 40a of the LEDs 38, 40 do not pass through the lower protrusion 54 of the base 50.

[0037] The effect of the lens 32 (see FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution when a lens of a comparative example is used, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution when the lens 32 (see FIG. 1) is used. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the results when the green LED 36 (see FIG. 2) is lit. The lens of the comparative example has the same configuration as the lens 32 of this embodiment (see FIG. 1) except that it does not have the lower protrusion 54 of FIG. 5. In FIGS. 8 and 9, black indicates lower brightness.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 8, the brightness of region R1 in the lens of the comparative example is low. Region R1 is the region through which the optical axis 36a of LED 36 in Fig. 6 passes. As shown in Fig. 3, the thickness T of LED lens 46 of LED 36 is the thickest at the portion through which the optical axis 36a passes. For this reason, it is thought that the amount of light emitted from LED 36 along the optical axis 36a of LED 36 is less than the amount of light emitted from LED 36 in a direction inclined to the optical axis 36a of LED 36, which is why the brightness of region R1 is low.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 9, in the lens 32 of this embodiment, the brightness of the region R2 is higher than the brightness of the region R1 (see FIG. 8). The region R2 is the region through which the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 in FIG. 6 passes. In this embodiment, a portion of the light emitted from the LED 36 in a direction inclined to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 is incident on the front surface 62, rear surface 64, right surface 66 (see FIG. 5), and left surface 68 (see FIG. 5) of the lower protrusion 54. The light incident on the front surface 62, rear surface 64, right surface 66 (see FIG. 5), and left surface 68 (see FIG. 5) of the lower protrusion 54 is irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and refracted toward the light passing through the bottom surface 60. Therefore, the amount of light directed toward region R2 (see FIG. 9) illuminated by light emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of LED 36 and passing through bottom surface 60 can be increased, thereby increasing the brightness of region R2 (see FIG. 9). Note that the above phenomenon does not occur with LED 38, which emits blue light, and LED 40, which emits red light. This is presumably due to the wavelength of the light emitted from LEDs 36, 38, and 40. For this reason, in this embodiment, the positions of LED 36 and lower protrusion 54 are designed so that optical axis 36a of LED 36 passes through bottom surface 60 of lower protrusion 54 of base 50.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a charger 2 (an example of an "electrical device") includes a housing 10, an LED 36 (an example of a "first light-emitting element") housed inside the housing 10, and a display unit 30 provided on the housing 10. The housing 10 includes a lens mounting portion 14b. The display unit 30 is attached to the lens mounting portion 14b and includes a lens 32 that is illuminated by the LED 36. The lens 32 includes a base 50 and a lower protrusion 54 (an example of an "inner protrusion") that protrudes from a lower surface 50b of the base 50 (an example of a "surface of the base on the first light-emitting element side") when the lens 32 is attached to the lens mounting portion 14b. The lower protrusion 54 is spaced from the lower surface 50b of the base 50 and includes a bottom surface 60 (an example of a "protruding surface") extending in the front-rear direction (an example of a "first direction") and (an example of a "second direction"); a front surface 62 (an example of a "first connecting surface") connecting a front end 60a (an example of a "first side end") of the bottom surface 60 to the lower surface 50b of the base 50 in the front-rear direction; and a rear surface 64 (an example of a "second connecting surface") connecting a rear end 60b (an example of a "second side end") to the lower surface 50b of the base 50 in the front-rear direction. When viewed in a cross section (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "first cross section") including the front-rear direction and a vertical direction (an example of a "third direction") perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions at the center of the bottom surface 60 in the left-right direction, the front surface 62 and the rear surface 64 are inclined with respect to the bottom surface 60. An optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the bottom surface 60. According to the above configuration, of the light emitted from the LEDs 36, light that is incident on the front surface 62 and the rear surface 64 of the lens 32 can be refracted toward light that is emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LEDs 36 and passes through the bottom surface 60. This makes it possible to increase the amount of light that is directed toward the area illuminated by the light that is emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LEDs 36 and passes through the bottom surface 60, thereby increasing the brightness of the area. This therefore makes it possible to improve the visibility of the display unit 30.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 extends perpendicular to the bottom surface 60. According to the above configuration, light incident on the bottom surface 60 along the optical axis 36a of the light-emitting element passes through the bottom surface 60 without being refracted. In this case, the brightness of the area illuminated by light emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 can be increased compared to a configuration in which the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 is tilted with respect to the bottom surface 60, i.e., a configuration in which light incident on the bottom surface 60 along the optical axis 36a of the light-emitting element is refracted.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, as shown in Fig. 6, when viewed in the first cross section, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through a center position between the front end 60a and the rear end 60b of the bottom surface 60. With the above configuration, it is possible to increase the amount of light emitted from the LED 36 that passes through the bottom surface 60, the front surface 62, and the rear surface 64. This allows the lens 32 to be illuminated more clearly, thereby further improving the visibility of the display unit 30.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6 , when viewed in a first cross section, a first predetermined angle a1 (an example of a “first tilt angle”) of the front surface 62 relative to the bottom surface 60, which is an angle of tilt from the bottom surface 60 toward a first side, and a second predetermined angle a2 (an example of a “second tilt angle”) of the rear surface 64 relative to the bottom surface 60 may be the same. According to the above configuration, the amount of light refracted by entering the front surface 62 can be made the same as the amount of light refracted by entering the rear surface 64. Therefore, the front and rear sides of the area illuminated by light emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 60 can be uniformly illuminated. This further improves the visibility of the display unit 30.

[0044] 1, the lens 32 includes an upper protrusion 52 (an example of an "outer protrusion") that protrudes from the upper surface 50a of the base 50 (an example of the "surface opposite to the surface of the base on the first light-emitting element side") when the lens 32 is attached to the lens attachment portion 14b, and that protrudes outward beyond the upper surface 50a of the housing 10. This configuration can improve visibility when the lens 32 is lit.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the LED 36 emits green light. The charger 2 further includes an LED 40 (an example of a "second light-emitting element") that emits blue light. This configuration allows a two-color illumination pattern to be realized on a single display unit 30, thereby presenting more information to the user than when only a single-color illumination pattern is realized.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the charger 2 further includes an LED 40 (an example of a "third light-emitting element") that emits red light. With this configuration, a three-color lighting pattern can be realized on a single display unit 30, and more information can be presented to the user than when a one-color lighting pattern or a two-color lighting pattern is realized.

[0047] In the charger 2, the display unit 30 is turned on to notify the user of the status of the charger 2. By improving the visibility of the display unit 30, it becomes easier for the user to check the status of the charger 2. The above configuration is useful because it can improve the visibility of the display unit 30.

[0048] (Second Example) A charger 202 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15. Note that components common to the embodiments are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 10, the charger 202 includes a housing 210. The housing 210 includes a lower housing 212 that defines the outer shape of the lower portion of the housing 210, and an upper housing 214 that defines the outer shape of the upper portion of the housing 210. A display unit 230 is provided on the left portion of the top surface of the upper housing 214. Of the top surfaces of the upper housing 214, the left upper surface 214a on which the display unit 230 is provided is inclined downward from the rear to the front. The display unit 230 includes a lens 232.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11 , the lens 232 includes a base 250, an upper protrusion 252, and a lower protrusion 254 (see FIG. 12 ). The base 250 extends in a first inclination direction and a left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 13 , the first inclination direction is a direction in which the front side is inclined downward with respect to the front-rear direction. The first inclination direction is inclined at an angle of 8° with respect to the front-rear direction. That is, the base 250 is inclined at an angle of 8° with respect to a plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the first inclination direction and the left-right direction will be referred to as the “second inclination direction.” The upper protrusion 252 protrudes forward and upward (i.e., in the second inclination direction) from an upper surface 250 a of the base 250. The upper protrusion 252 has an octagonal cross-sectional shape. As shown in FIG. 12 , the base 250 further includes a peripheral wall 258 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface 250 b of the base 250. The lower protrusion 254 is provided on the inner side of the peripheral wall 258. The lower protrusion 254 protrudes rearward and downward (i.e., in the second inclined direction) from the lower surface 250b of the base 250. The lower protrusion 254 has a bottom surface 260, a front surface 262, a rear surface 264, a right surface 266, and a left surface 268. The bottom surface 260 extends in the first inclined direction and in the left-right direction. The bottom surface 260 is parallel to the lower surface 250b of the base 250 and the upper surface of the upper protrusion 252 (see FIG. 11). The bottom surface 260 is located lower than the lower surface 250b of the base 250. In other words, the bottom surface 260 is spaced apart from the base 250. The front surface 262 connects the front end 260a of the bottom surface 260 to the lower surface 250b. The lower side of the front surface 262 is inclined backward. As shown in FIG. 13 , the front surface 262 is inclined at a first predetermined angle a11 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The rear surface 264 connects the rear end 260b of the bottom surface 260 and the lower surface 250b. The lower side of the rear surface 264 is inclined forward. The rear surface 264 is inclined at a second predetermined angle a12 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The first predetermined angle a11 is larger than the second predetermined angle a12. The first predetermined angle a11 and the second predetermined angle a12 are approximately 50° and approximately 30°, respectively. The first predetermined angle a11 and the second predetermined angle a12 are set so that the amount of light refracted by incident on the front surface 262 is the same as the amount of light refracted by incident on the rear surface 264.Therefore, the light is emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36, and the front and back of the area illuminated by the light passing through the bottom surface 260 can be evenly illuminated, thereby improving the visibility of the display unit 230.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 14 , the right surface 266 connects the right end 260c of the bottom surface 260 and the lower surface 250b. The lower side of the right surface 266 is inclined to the left. The right surface 266 is inclined at a third predetermined angle a13 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The left surface 268 connects the left end 260d of the bottom surface 260 and the lower surface 250b. The lower side of the left surface 268 is inclined to the right. The left surface 268 is inclined at a fourth predetermined angle a14 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The third predetermined angle a13 and the fourth predetermined angle a14 are the same. In this embodiment, the third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are approximately 70°.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 15, the upper housing 214 is formed with a lens mounting portion 214b into which the base 250 (see Fig. 12) of the lens 232 fits. An opening 214c is provided in the lower surface of the lens mounting portion 214b. As shown in Fig. 14, when the lens 232 is mounted on the lens mounting portion 214b, the right end of the wall defining the opening 214c is located to the right of a right imaginary connection point 260f between a right surface 266 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b, and the left end of the wall defining the opening 214c is located to the left of a left imaginary connection point 260g between a left surface 268 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. Here, right-side imaginary connection point 260f is a connection point between an extension line of lower surface 250b and an extension line of a straight portion of right surface 266 of lower protrusion 254, and left-side imaginary connection point 260g is a connection point between an extension line of lower surface 250b and an extension line of a straight portion of left surface 268 of lower protrusion 254. As shown in Fig. 13, when lens 232 is attached to lens mount portion 214b, the front end of the wall defining opening 214c is located forward of front imaginary connection point 260h between front surface 262 of lower protrusion 254 and lower surface 250b, and the rear end of the wall defining opening 214c is located rearward of rear connection point 260i between rear surface 264 of lower protrusion 254 and lower surface 250b. Here, the front virtual connection point 260h is the connection point between an extension of the lower surface 250b and an extension of the straight portion of the front surface 262 of the lower protrusion 254. When the lens 232 is attached to the lens attachment portion 214b, the wall defining the opening 214c is provided outside the connection portion between the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. With the above configuration, light from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 is irradiated onto the entire surfaces of the lower protrusion 254 (i.e., the front surface 262, the rear surface 264, the right surface 266 (see FIG. 14), and the left surface 268 (see FIG. 14)). Therefore, for example, the amount of light directed toward an area illuminated by light irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 260 can be increased, thereby increasing the brightness of the area. The upper housing 214 further includes a light-shielding tube 214d that extends downward from the lens mounting portion 214b to the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. The lower end of the light-shielding tube 214d is located higher than the upper end of the LED 38.

[0053] In the cross-sectional view of the charger 202 seen from the left in FIG. 13 , the base 250 is inclined at an angle of 8° with respect to the optical axes 36 a, 38 a, and 40 a of the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. The optical axis 36 a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 260 of the base 250 in the first inclination direction. The connection between the front surface 262 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250 b of the base 250 is located forward of the point where the optical axis 36 a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 250. The connection between the rear surface 264 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250 b of the base 250 is located rearward of the point where the optical axis 36 a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 250. In the cross-sectional view of the charger 202 seen from the front in FIG. 14 , the optical axis 36 a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 260 in the left-right direction. That is, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center 260e (see FIG. 12) of the bottom surface 260. The center 260e (see FIG. 12) is the geometric center of the bottom surface 260. The optical axes 38a, 40a of the LEDs 38, 40 do not pass through the bottom surface 260 of the base 250.

[0054] 12 does not have the lower protrusion 254, the brightness of the area of ​​the lens 232 illuminated by light that is irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 (see FIG. 13) and passes through the bottom surface 260 is lower than the brightness of the area illuminated by light that is irradiated in a direction inclined to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 (see FIG. 13) and passes through the bottom surface 260. According to the above configuration, part of the light that is irradiated from the LED 36 of FIG. 13 in a direction inclined to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 is incident on the front surface 262, rear surface 264, right surface 266 (see FIG. 14), and left surface 268 (see FIG. 14) of the lower protrusion 254. Then, light incident on the front surface 262, rear surface 264, right surface 266 (see FIG. 14), and left surface 268 (see FIG. 14) of the lower protrusion 254 is irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and is refracted toward light passing through the bottom surface 260. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed toward the area illuminated by the light irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 260, thereby increasing the brightness of the area.

[0055] 13, when the lens 232 is attached to the lens attachment portion 214b, the lower surface 250b of the base 250 (an example of the "light-emitting element side surface of the base") is inclined with respect to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36. According to the above configuration, the lens 232 can be attached to the housing 210 with the base 250 of the lens 232 inclined with respect to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36. This increases the degree of freedom in the layout of the lens 232 and the LED 36.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first tilt direction, the left-right direction, and the second tilt direction are examples of the "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction," respectively.

[0057] (First Variant) "Electrical equipment" is not limited to chargers 2, 202, but may also be power tools such as screwdrivers and drills, power work machines such as lawnmowers and blowers, transport vehicles, robot vacuum cleaners, robot lawn mowers, rebar binding robots, lights, compressors, etc.

[0058] (Second Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 may pass through an area of ​​the bottom surface 60, 260 of the lower protrusion 54, 254 that is different from the center 60e, 260e.

[0059] (Third Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the lenses 32, 232 may not have the upper protrusions 52, 252.

[0060] (Fourth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the charger 2, 202 may not have at least one of the LEDs 38, 40.

[0061] (Fifth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the optical axis of at least one of the LEDs 38, 40 may pass through the bottom surfaces 60, 260 of the lower protrusions 54, 254.

[0062] (Sixth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the right faces 66, 266 and left faces 68, 268 of the lower protrusions 54, 254 do not have to be inclined relative to the bottom faces 60, 260.

[0063] (Seventh Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the lens mounting portion 14b, 214b may protrude from the outer surface of the housing 10, 210. In this modification, when the lens 32, 232 is mounted on the lens mounting portion 14b, 214b, the upper protrusion 52, 252 of the lens 32, 232 may protrude outward beyond the lens mounting portion 14b, 214b.

[0064] (Eighth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the chargers 2 and 202 may not be provided with the light-shielding tubes 14d and 214d. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 2: Charger 4: Power cord 10: Housing 12: Lower housing 14: Upper housing 14a: Upper left side 14b: Lens mounting part 14c: opening 14d: Light-shielding tube 20: Battery mounting section 30:Display section 32: Lens 34: Circuit board 36: LED 36a: Optical axis 38: LED 38a: Optical axis 40: LED 40a: Optical axis 42: Case 42a: Upper part 44: LED chip 46: LED lens 50: Base 50a:Top surface 50b: Bottom surface 52: Upper protrusion 54: Lower protrusion 56: Rib 58: Surrounding wall 60: Bottom 60a: Front end 60b: Rear end 60c: Right end 60d: Left end 60e: Center 60f: Right side connection point 60g: Left connection point 60h: Front connection point 60i: Rear connection point 62:Front 64: Rear 66: Right side 68:Left side 70: Spacer 72: Spacer 74: Spacer 202: Charger 210: Housing 214: Upper housing 214a: Upper left side 214b: Lens mounting part 214c :Aperture 214d: Light-shielding tube 230: Display section 232: Lens 250: Base 250a:Top surface 250b: Bottom surface 252: Upper protrusion 254: Lower protrusion 258: Surrounding wall 260: Bottom 260a: Front end 260b: rear end 260c :Right end 260d: Left end 260e: Center 260f: Right virtual connection point 260g: Left virtual connection point 260h: Front virtual connection point 260i: Rear connection point 262:Front 264: after 266: Right side 268: Left side R1: Domain R2: Domain T: thick a1, a11: Angles defined in section 1 a2, a12: Angles specified in section 2 a3, a13: Angles defined in section 3 a4, a14: Angles defined in section 4

Claims

1. An electrical device comprising: Housing and A first light emitting element accommodated inside the housing; A display unit provided on the housing, The housing comprises: Equipped with a lens attachment section, The display unit is a lens attached to the lens attachment portion and illuminated by the first light emitting element; The lens is A base and an inner protrusion protruding from a surface of the base portion on the first light emitting element side in a state in which the lens is attached to the lens attachment portion, The inner protrusion is a protruding surface that is spaced from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side and extends in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first connection surface that connects an end portion of the protruding surface on a first side in the first direction and a surface of the base portion on the first light emitting element side; a second connection surface that connects an end portion of the protruding surface on a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction and a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side, When a cross section including the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is viewed in a central portion of the protruding surface in the second direction, the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are inclined with respect to the protruding surface, The optical axis of the first light emitting element passes through the protruding surface. Electrical equipment.

2. The electrical device of claim 1 , wherein the optical axis of the first light emitting element extends perpendicular to the protruding surface.

3. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein, when viewed in the cross section, the optical axis of the first light-emitting element passes through a central position between an end portion on the first side and an end portion on the second side of the protruding surface.

4. 4. The electrical device of claim 3, wherein when viewed in cross section, a first inclination angle of the first connection surface relative to the protruding surface, which is an angle at which the first inclination angle is inclined from the protruding surface toward the first side, and a second inclination angle of the second connection surface relative to the protruding surface, which is an angle at which the second inclination angle is inclined from the protruding surface toward the second side, are the same.

5. 2. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein when viewed in cross section, the surface of the base facing the first light-emitting element when the lens is attached to the lens attachment portion is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the first light-emitting element.

6. 2. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein the lens has an outer protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base opposite to the surface of the first light-emitting element side when the lens is attached to the lens mounting portion, and the outer protrusion protrudes outward beyond the outer surface of the housing.

7. the first light emitting element emits light of a first color; The electrical device further comprises:

2. The electrical device of claim 1, comprising a second light emitting element emitting light in a second color different from the first color.

8. The electrical device further comprises: The electrical device of claim 7 , comprising a third light-emitting element that emits light in a third color different from the first color and the second color.

9. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical device is a charger.

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