Battery pack and adaptor

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of suppressing a conduction failure from occurring at a first terminal.SOLUTION: A battery pack can be attached / detached to / from an electric apparatus equipped with an apparatus-side terminal. The battery pack includes: an outer case; a battery cell received in the outer case; a circuit substrate received in the outer case; and a plurality of battery-side terminals. The plurality of battery-side terminals includes a first terminal. The first terminal has a clamp portion that is configured to receive the apparatus-side terminal and clamp the apparatus-side terminal from both sides; and a non-clamp portion that is provided at a position different from a position of the clamp portion. A surface inside the clamp portion is plated with a first metal. A surface of the non-clamp portion is not plated with the first metal. The first metal is a pure metal belonging to noble metals or a noble metal alloy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack that can be attached to and detached from an electrical device having a plurality of flat device-side terminals. The battery pack includes an outer case, a battery cell housed in the outer case, a circuit board housed in the outer case, and a plurality of battery-side terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 065688 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the battery pack described above, when the battery pack is attached to an electrical device, the battery terminal is maintained in contact with the device terminal of the electrical device. When minute vibrations are repeatedly applied to the battery terminal in this state, wear progresses partially on the surface of the battery terminal, and the metal wear powder on the surface of the battery terminal oxidizes and accumulates on the surface of the battery terminal. This phenomenon is called fretting corrosion. If the oxidized wear powder accumulates on the surface of the battery terminal, it may cause a poor electrical continuity of the battery terminal.

[0005] This specification provides a technique capable of suppressing the occurrence of poor electrical continuity in battery-side terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery pack disclosed in the present specification may be detachably attached to a plurality of device side terminals having a flat plate shape. The battery pack may include an outer case, a battery cell housed in the outer case, a circuit board housed in the outer case, and a plurality of battery side terminals. The plurality of battery side terminals may include a first terminal. The first terminal may include a clamping portion configured to receive the device side terminal and clamp the device side terminal from both sides, and a non-clamping portion provided at a position different from the clamping portion. An inner surface of the clamping portion may be plated with a first metal. A portion of the surface of the non-clamping portion may not be plated with the first metal. The first metal may be a pure metal belonging to precious metals or an alloy of precious metals.

[0007] The adapter disclosed in the present specification may be detachably attached to an electrical device having a plurality of flat device-side terminals. The adapter may include an outer case, a circuit board accommodated in the outer case, a connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board, and a plurality of adapter-side terminals. The plurality of adapter-side terminals may include a first terminal. The first terminal may include a clamping portion configured to receive the device-side terminal and clamp the device-side terminal from both sides, and a non-clamping portion provided at a position different from the clamping portion. An inner surface of the clamping portion may be plated with a first metal. A portion of the surface of the non-clamping portion may not be plated with the first metal. The first metal may be a pure metal belonging to precious metals or an alloy of precious metals.

[0008] In general, since precious metals are not easily oxidized, poor conduction caused by fretting corrosion is unlikely to occur. Conversely, since base metals are easily oxidized, poor conduction caused by fretting corrosion is likely to occur. Therefore, by plating the inner surface of the clamping portion of the first terminal with a pure metal belonging to the precious metals or an alloy of the precious metal, poor conduction caused by fretting corrosion can be suppressed. In addition, precious metals are generally expensive. According to the above configuration, the manufacturing costs of the battery pack and the adapter can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the first metal is also plated on a portion of the surface of the non-clamping portion of the first terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment, seen from above on the front right. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment attached to a power tool 200, as viewed from above on the front right. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment attached to a charger 300, as viewed from below and rear left. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module 12 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module 12 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the right. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of terminals 202 of a power tool 200 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charger 300 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from below and rear left. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of a first positive power supply terminal 60a according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a first connection detection terminal 62a according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 10] 4 is a diagram showing an outline of plating applied to a first positive power supply terminal 60a according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11]6 is a diagram showing an outline of plating applied to a first connection detection terminal 62a in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 6 is a diagram showing an outline of plating applied to a first charging control terminal 62b in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an adapter 400 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the adapter 400 from the front right above with the upper case 408 removed in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a perspective view of a signal terminal 562 according to the third embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a signal terminal 562 according to the third embodiment, as viewed from the left. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a signal terminal 562 according to an eighth modified example, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a signal terminal 562 according to an eighth modified example, as viewed from above and behind on the right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Representative and 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. Additionally, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or together with other features and inventions to provide further improved battery packs and adapters.

[0011] In addition, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for implementing the present invention in the broadest sense, but are specifically described only to illustrate representative embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following representative embodiments and the various features described in the claims do not have to be combined in the exact manner of the embodiments described herein or in the order listed in order to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] All features described in the 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.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may be detachably attached to a plurality of device side terminals having a flat plate shape. The battery pack may include an outer case, a battery cell housed in the outer case, a circuit board housed in the outer case, and a plurality of battery side terminals. The plurality of battery side terminals may include a first terminal. The first terminal may include a clamping portion configured to receive the device side terminal and clamp the device side terminal from both sides, and a non-clamping portion provided at a position different from the clamping portion. At least a portion of a surface of the clamping portion may be plated with a first metal. A portion of a surface of the non-clamping portion may not be plated with the first metal. The first metal may be a pure metal belonging to precious metals or an alloy of precious metals.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the adapter may be detachably attached to an electric device having a plurality of flat-plate-shaped device-side terminals. The adapter may include an outer case, a circuit board accommodated in the outer case, a connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board, and a plurality of adapter-side terminals. The plurality of adapter-side terminals may include a first terminal. The first terminal may include a clamping portion configured to receive the device-side terminal and clamp the device-side terminal from both sides, and a non-clamping portion provided at a position different from the clamping portion. At least a portion of a surface of the clamping portion may be plated with a first metal. A portion of a surface of the non-clamping portion may not be plated with the first metal. The first metal may be a pure metal belonging to a precious metal or an alloy of a precious metal.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the first terminal may be a signal terminal that transmits a signal to and from the electrical device.

[0016] Since poor electrical continuity due to fretting corrosion is unlikely to occur when a large voltage is applied but is likely to occur when a small voltage is applied, it is likely to occur in signal terminals. According to the above configuration, by plating the surface of the first terminal, which is a signal terminal, with a pure metal belonging to the precious metals or an alloy of precious metals, it is possible to suppress poor electrical continuity due to fretting corrosion.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of battery-side terminals may further include a second terminal that is a signal terminal for transmitting a signal between the battery-side terminal and the electrical device. The second terminal may not be plated with the first metal.

[0018] Among the signal terminals included in the battery pack, there are signal terminals that are susceptible to fretting corrosion and signal terminals that are less susceptible to fretting corrosion. The first terminal is a signal terminal that is more susceptible to fretting corrosion than the second terminal. According to the above configuration, the first metal is preferentially plated onto the first terminal that is more susceptible to fretting corrosion. Therefore, the effects of fretting corrosion can be suppressed and the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be reduced.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, when the electric device is a power tool, the multiple device-side terminals of the power tool may include a first device-side terminal. When the battery pack is attached to the power tool, the first terminal may be in contact with the first device-side terminal, and none of the multiple device-side terminals of the power tool may be in contact with the second terminal. When the electric device is a charger, the multiple device-side terminals of the charger may include a second device-side terminal and a third device-side terminal different from the second device-side terminal. When the battery pack is attached to the charger, the first terminal may be in contact with the second device-side terminal, and the third device-side terminal may be in contact with the second terminal.

[0020] Compared with a configuration in which a battery pack is attached to an electric power tool, when a battery pack is attached to a charger, minute vibrations are less likely to occur. Therefore, fretting corrosion is less likely to occur in the second terminal, which is in contact with the third device side terminal of the charger but not with the terminal of the electric power tool. That is, the second terminal is a signal terminal that is less susceptible to the effects of fretting corrosion than the first terminal. Therefore, there is less need to plate the second terminal with the first metal. According to the above configuration, the second terminal is not plated with the first metal. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the effects of fretting corrosion and reduce the manufacturing cost of the battery pack.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the first terminal may be a signal terminal for transmitting a discharge permission signal or a discharge non-permission signal between the electrical device and the first terminal.

[0022] The first terminal for transmitting a discharge permission signal or a discharge non-permission signal between the battery pack and an electric device is more susceptible to fretting corrosion than the second terminal. According to the above configuration, the first terminal, which is more susceptible to fretting corrosion, is preferentially plated with the first metal. Therefore, the effects of fretting corrosion can be suppressed and the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be reduced.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the outer surface of the clamping portion may not be plated with the first metal.

[0024] The inner surface of the clamping portion abuts against the device terminal, but the outer surface of the clamping portion does not abut against the device terminal. Therefore, fretting corrosion occurs on the inner surface of the clamping portion, but fretting corrosion does not occur on the outer surface of the clamping portion. According to the above configuration, by plating the first metal only on the inner surface of the clamping portion where fretting corrosion occurs, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the outer surface of the clamping portion is also plated with the first metal.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the first metal may be Ag.

[0026] The contact resistance of Ag is smaller than the contact resistance of Sn etc. Therefore, by plating with Ag, the contact resistance of the first terminal can be reduced.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack / adapter may be detachable from the electrical device by sliding it in a sliding direction along the device-side terminal. The battery-side terminal / adapter-side terminal may include a base and a pair of elastic clamping pieces extending upward from the base. The base may include a bottom plate portion extending along the sliding direction. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces may include an inclined portion and the clamping portion located above the inclined portion. The inclined portion may be inclined with respect to the bottom plate portion such that an angle formed between the inclined portion and the bottom plate portion is an acute angle. The base and the inclined portion may be part of the non-clamping portion.

[0028] According to the above configuration, each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces extends in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the above battery pack / adapter, in order to increase the contact area between the device side terminal and the battery side terminal / adapter side terminal, the width of the pair of elastic clamping pieces in the sliding direction may be increased. Usually, there is often ample space in the sliding direction inside the battery pack / adapter. Therefore, even if the width of the pair of elastic clamping pieces in the sliding direction is increased, the battery pack / adapter does not become larger. According to the above battery pack / adapter, the contact area between the device side terminal and the battery side terminal / adapter side terminal can be increased without increasing the size of the battery pack / adapter.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack / adapter may be detachable from the electrical device by sliding it in a sliding direction along the device-side terminal. The battery-side terminal / adapter-side terminal may include a pair of flat plate portions connected to the circuit board, and a pair of elastic clamping pieces formed integrally with the pair of flat plate portions, positioned above the circuit board, and extending in the sliding direction. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces may include the clamping portion. A portion of the pair of flat plate portions on the circuit board side may be a part of the non-clamping portion.

[0030] According to the above-mentioned configuration, each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces extends in the sliding direction, and thus the device-side terminal of the electric device can be easily slid between the pair of elastic clamping pieces.

[0031] (First embodiment) The battery pack 2 shown in FIG. 1 can be detachably attached to the power tool 200 (see FIG. 2) or the charger 300 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the power tool 200 is an electric screwdriver. The power tool 200 may be, for example, an electric drill, an electric grinder, an electric circular saw, an electric chain saw, an electric reciprocating saw, an electric lawn mower, an electric brush cutter, an electric blower, or the like. In the following description, the direction in which the power tool 200 is located as viewed from the battery pack 2 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the power tool 200 is referred to as the upper direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the lower direction. In addition, the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when the battery pack 2 is attached to the power tool 200 is referred to as the rearward direction, and the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when the battery pack 2 is detached from the power tool 200 is referred to as the forward direction.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the battery pack 2 includes an outer case 10 and a battery module 12 (see Fig. 4) housed in the outer case. The outer case 10 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and is divided into an upper case 14 and a lower case 16. The upper case 14 and the lower case 16 are fixed to each other by metal screws (not shown).

[0033] The upper case 14 is provided with slide rails 20, terminal receiving portions 22, and hooks 24. The slide rails 20 extend in the front-rear direction and are disposed on both left and right end portions of the upper portion of the upper case 14.

[0034] The terminal receiving portion 22 has a terminal opening 22a provided on the top surface 14a of the upper case 14. The terminal opening 22a is disposed between the left and right slide rails 20. The hook 24 is disposed on the front upper portion of the upper case 14. The hook 24 is a resin member. The hook 24 has an operating portion 24a and a protruding portion 24b. The hook 24 is held by the upper case 14 so as to be movable in the up and down direction. The hook 24 is biased upward by a compression spring (not shown), and moves downward when the operating portion 24a or the protruding portion 24b is pressed downward. For example, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the power tool 200 (see FIG. 2), the protruding portion 24b engages with an engagement groove (not shown) formed on the housing of the power tool 200 or the charger 300 to fix the battery pack 2 to the power tool 200 or the charger 300. When removing the battery pack 2 from the power tool 200 or the charger 300, the user presses the operation unit 24a downward, causing the protrusion 24b to move downward. In this state, the battery pack 2 can be slid to remove the battery pack 2 from the power tool 200 or the charger 300. The operation unit 24a has a shape that is recessed inward. Therefore, when the user places his / her finger on the operation unit 24a and presses it downward, the user can press the operation unit 24a down without the finger slipping.

[0035] A display unit 30 is provided on the front surface of the lower case 16. The display unit 30 includes a remaining charge display section 30a that displays the remaining charge of the battery pack 2 to the user, and a button 30b that switches the display of the remaining charge on and off.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the battery module 12 includes a cell case 40, a circuit board 42, a plurality of terminals 44, and an LED board 46. The cell case 40 is made of an insulating material, such as a resin material. The cell case 40 is divided into a right cell case 48 and a left cell case 50. The LED board 46 is fixed to the front side of the cell case 40.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 5, ten battery cells 52 are arranged in two upper and lower rows in the cell case 40. The battery cells 52 are substantially cylindrical secondary battery cells, such as lithium ion battery cells, with a positive electrode formed at one end and a negative electrode formed at the other end. As shown in Fig. 4, metallic lead plates 54a to 54f provided on the right side surface of the cell case 40 are electrically connected to the right end of each battery cell 52. A metallic lead plate (not shown) provided on the left side surface of the cell case 40 is connected to the left end of the battery cells 52.

[0038] The circuit board 42 is disposed above the cell case 40. The circuit board 42 is disposed along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The circuit board 42 is fixed to the cell case 40 via screws 56.

[0039] The terminals 44 are provided on the upper surface of the circuit board 42. The terminals 44 include a power terminal 60 and a signal terminal 62. The power terminal 60 includes a first positive power terminal 60a and a first negative power terminal 60b disposed to the right of the first positive power terminal 60a. The signal terminal 62 is disposed between the first positive power terminal 60a and the first negative power terminal 60b. The signal terminal 62 includes a first connection detection terminal 62a disposed adjacent to the right of the first positive power terminal 60a, a first charge control terminal 62b disposed adjacent to the right of the first positive power terminal 60a and in front of the first connection detection terminal 62a, a first discharge control terminal 62c disposed adjacent to the right of the first connection detection terminal 62a, and a first serial communication terminal 62d disposed adjacent to the right of the first charge control terminal 62b. As shown in FIG. 6, the power tool 200 includes a plurality of terminals 202. The multiple terminals 202 include a power terminal 204 and a signal terminal 206. The power terminal 204 and the signal terminal 206 have a flat plate shape. The power terminal 204 includes a second positive power terminal 204a corresponding to the first positive power terminal 60a (see FIG. 4) and a second negative power terminal 204b corresponding to the first negative power terminal 60b (see FIG. 4). The signal terminal 206 includes a second connection detection terminal 206a corresponding to the first connection detection terminal 62a (see FIG. 4), a second discharge control terminal 206b corresponding to the first discharge control terminal 62c (see FIG. 4), and a second serial communication terminal 206c corresponding to the first serial communication terminal 62d (see FIG. 4). That is, the signal terminal 206 does not include a signal terminal corresponding to the first charge control terminal 62b (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 7, the charger 300 includes multiple terminals 302. The multiple terminals 302 include a power terminal 304 and a signal terminal 306. The power terminal 304 and the signal terminal 306 have a flat plate shape. The power terminal 304 includes a third positive power terminal 304a corresponding to the first positive power terminal 60a (see FIG. 4) and a third negative power terminal 304b corresponding to the first negative power terminal 60b (see FIG. 4).The signal terminal 306 includes a third connection detection terminal 306a corresponding to the first connection detection terminal 62a (see FIG. 4), a third charge control terminal 306b corresponding to the first charge control terminal 62b (see FIG. 4), a third discharge control terminal 306c corresponding to the first discharge control terminal 62c (see FIG. 4), and a third serial communication terminal 306d corresponding to the first serial communication terminal 62d (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the first charge control terminal 62b (see FIG. 4) is connected to the third charge control terminal 306b of the charger 300, but is not connected to a terminal of the power tool 200 (see FIG. 5).

[0040] As shown in Fig. 4, in the battery pack 2 of this embodiment, the power supply terminals 60 are terminals of the same shape. In the following, the first positive power supply terminal 60a will be described in detail as an example, and a detailed description of the first negative power supply terminal 60b will be omitted. In addition, in the battery pack 2 of this embodiment, the signal terminals 62 are terminals of the same shape. In the following, the first connection detection terminal 62a will be described in detail as an example, and a detailed description of the first charging control terminal 62b, the first discharging control terminal 62c, and the first serial communication terminal 62d will be omitted.

[0041] The first positive power terminal 60a shown in Fig. 8 is manufactured by cutting and bending a flat metal plate. The first positive power terminal 60a includes a bottom plate portion 70, a lower curved portion 72, an inclined portion 74, a clamping portion 76, and an upper curved portion 78. The clamping portion 76 and the upper curved portion 78 are provided at a tip portion 79a of the first positive power terminal 60a, the inclined portion 74 is provided at a middle portion 79b of the first positive power terminal 60a, and the bottom plate portion 70 and the lower curved portion 72 are provided at a base portion 79c of the first positive power terminal 60a.

[0042] The bottom plate portion 70 is formed in a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction aligned with the front-rear direction of the battery pack 2. Fixing ribs 80 for fixing the first positive power terminal 60a to the circuit board 42 (see FIG. 4) are formed at the front and rear ends of the bottom plate portion 70. The fixing ribs 80 are formed in a shape that is bent downward from the front and rear ends of the bottom plate portion 70.

[0043] The lower curved portion 72 is formed on both sides of the bottom plate portion 70 in the left-right direction. The lower curved portion 72 is formed in a shape curved upward from both side ends of the bottom plate portion 70. The inclined portion 74 is formed in a flat plate shape extending from the upper end of the lower curved portion 72. The inclined portion 74 is inclined with respect to the bottom plate portion 70 so that the angle between the inclined portion 74 and the bottom plate portion 70 is an acute angle. The clamping portion 76 is formed in a flat plate shape extending from the upper end of the inclined portion 74 and bending slightly outward. The inclination angle of the clamping portion 76 is adjusted so that the clamping portion 76 comes into contact with the surface of the second positive power terminal 204a (see FIG. 6) of the power tool 200 or the third positive power terminal 304a (see FIG. 7) of the charger 300 when the first positive power terminal 60a is engaged with the second positive power terminal 204a. The upper curved portion 78 is formed in a shape that curves outward from the upper end portion of the clamping portion 76 .

[0044] A plurality of slits 82a are formed in the first positive power terminal 60a. Each slit 82a is formed in a U-shape that extends from the upper end of the upper curved portion 78 to the middle of the inclined portion 74. The inclined portion 74, the clamping portion 76, and the upper curved portion 78 that are arranged second and third from the rear are provided with a notch 82b recessed forward. The lower end of the notch 82b is located between the upper end and the lower end of the inclined portion 74. A rear rib 84a is connected to the rear end of the clamping portion 76 on the rearmost side. The rear rib 84a is formed in a shape curved toward the rear. A front rib 84b is connected to the front end of the clamping portion 76 on the rearmost side and the clamping portions 76 that are arranged second and third from the rear. The front rib 84b is formed in a shape curved toward the front. Hereinafter, the bottom plate portion 70 and the lower curved portion 72 may be collectively referred to as a base portion 86 of the first positive power terminal 60a. The inclined portion 74, the clamping portion 76, and the upper curved portion 78 may be collectively referred to as an elastic clamping piece pair 88 of the first positive power terminal 60a. That is, the first positive power terminal 60a includes a base portion 86 and a plurality of elastic clamping piece pairs 88 extending upward from the base portion 86.

[0045] When the second positive power terminal 204a (see FIG. 6) of the power tool 200 is inserted into the first positive power terminal 60a, the front edge of the second positive power terminal 204a enters the pair of elastic clamping pieces 88, which causes the pair of elastic clamping pieces 88 to open outward, and the second positive power terminal 204a is clamped by the pair of elastic clamping pieces 88. At this time, the clamping portion 76 is pressed against the second positive power terminal 204a by the elastic restoring force of the pair of elastic clamping pieces 88, so that the first positive power terminal 60a is mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the second positive power terminal 204a. That is, the clamping portion 76 receives the second positive power terminal 204a of the power tool 200 and clamps the second positive power terminal 204a from both sides. Conversely, when the second positive power terminal 204a of the power tool 200 is removed from the elastic clamping piece pair 88, the first positive power terminal 60a and the second positive power terminal 204a are mechanically disengaged and electrically disconnected from each other. Then, the elastic clamping piece pair 88 returns to its original position due to its elastic restoring force.

[0046] The first connection detection terminal 62a shown in Fig. 9 is manufactured by cutting and bending a flat metal plate. The first connection detection terminal 62a includes a bottom plate portion 100, a lower curved portion 102, an inclined portion 104, a clamping portion 106, and an upper curved portion 108. The clamping portion 106 and the upper curved portion 108 are provided in a tip portion 109a of the first connection detection terminal 62a, the inclined portion 104 is provided in a middle portion 109b of the first connection detection terminal 62a, and the bottom plate portion 100 and the lower curved portion 102 are provided in a base portion 109c of the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0047] The bottom plate portion 100 is formed in a rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction aligned with the front-rear direction of the battery pack 2. Fixing ribs 110 for fixing the first connection detection terminal 62a to the circuit board 42 (see FIG. 4) are formed at the front and rear ends of the bottom plate portion 100. The fixing ribs 110 are formed in a shape that is bent downward from the front and rear ends of the bottom plate portion 100.

[0048] The lower curved portion 102 is formed on both sides of the bottom plate portion 100 in the left-right direction. The lower curved portion 102 is formed in a shape curved upward from both side ends of the bottom plate portion 100. The inclined portion 104 is formed in a flat plate shape extending from the upper end of the lower curved portion 102. The inclined portion 104 is inclined with respect to the bottom plate portion 100 so that the angle between the inclined portion 104 and the bottom plate portion 100 is an acute angle. The clamping portion 106 is formed in a flat plate shape extending from the upper end of the inclined portion 104 and bending slightly outward. The inclination angle of the clamping portion 76 is adjusted so that the clamping portion 76 comes into contact with the surface of the second connection detection terminal 206a (see FIG. 6) of the power tool 200 when the second connection detection terminal 206a is engaged with the first connection detection terminal 62a. The upper curved portion 108 is formed in a shape curved outward from the upper end of the clamping portion 106. A rear rib 112a is connected to the rear end of the clamping portion 106. The rear rib 112a is formed in a shape curved toward the rear. A front rib 112b is connected to the front end of the clamping portion 106. The front rib 112b is formed in a shape curved toward the front. Hereinafter, the bottom plate portion 100 and the lower curved portion 102 may be collectively referred to as a base portion 114 of the first connection detection terminal 62a. In addition, the inclined portion 104, the clamping portion 106, and the upper curved portion 108 may be collectively referred to as an elastic clamping piece pair 116 of the first connection detection terminal 62a. That is, the first connection detection terminal 62a includes a base portion 114 and an elastic clamping piece pair 116 extending upward from the base portion 114.

[0049] When the second connection detection terminal 206a (see FIG. 6) of the power tool 200 is inserted into the first connection detection terminal 62a, the front edge of the second connection detection terminal 206a enters the elastic clamping piece pair 116, which causes the elastic clamping piece pair 116 to open outward and clamp the second connection detection terminal 206a. At this time, the elastic restoring force of the elastic clamping piece pair 116 presses the clamping portion 106 against the second connection detection terminal 206a, so that the first connection detection terminal 62a mechanically engages with and electrically connects to the second connection detection terminal 206a. That is, the clamping portion 106 receives the second connection detection terminal 206a of the power tool 200 and clamps the second connection detection terminal 206a from both sides. Conversely, when the second connection detection terminal 206a of the power tool 200 is removed from the elastic clamping piece pair 116, the first connection detection terminal 62a and the second connection detection terminal 206a are mechanically disengaged and electrically disconnected from each other. Then, the elastic clamping piece pair 116 returns to its original position due to its elastic restoring force.

[0050] The plating applied to the surfaces of the power terminals 60 and the signal terminals 62 of the battery pack 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] The first positive power terminal 60a shown in FIG. 10 has a base material 120 made of a Cu alloy. The entire surface of the first positive power terminal 60a is plated with Cu plating 122 as an undercoat, and Sn plating 124 is applied thereon. The first negative power terminal 60b is plated in the same manner as the first positive power terminal 60a. Instead of Sn plating, the first negative power terminal 60b may be plated with a pure metal such as Ni that belongs to the base metals, or with a pure metal such as Au that belongs to the noble metals other than Ag. Alternatively, the first negative power terminal 60b may be plated with an alloy that does not contain Ag.

[0052] When the battery pack 2 is used in a moisture-rich environment, the metal on the surface of the first positive power terminal 60a is ionized, moves on the circuit board 42 toward the first negative power terminal 60b, and precipitates again as metal on the surface of the first negative power terminal 60b. This phenomenon is called ion migration. If the metal precipitated on the first negative power terminal 60b grows on the circuit board 42, a short circuit may occur on the circuit board 42. Ion migration is most likely to occur with Ag. In addition, ion migration is likely to occur when a large voltage is applied and is unlikely to occur when a small voltage is applied, so that it is likely to occur on the power terminal 60 and unlikely to occur on the signal terminal 62. For this reason, as described above, by plating the first positive power terminal 60a and the first negative power terminal 60b with a pure metal other than Ag or an alloy not containing Ag, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit due to ion migration. In particular, by plating the surface of the first positive power terminal 60a with a pure metal other than Ag or an alloy not containing Ag, it is possible to suppress ionization of Ag on the surface of the first positive power terminal 60a, and to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit due to ion migration. Note that the above-mentioned pure metal other than Ag or alloy not containing Ag may be a pure metal other than Ag and Pb or an alloy not containing Ag and Pb, or may be a pure metal other than Ag, Pb and Cu or an alloy not containing Ag, Pb and Cu.

[0053] The first connection detection terminal 62a shown in FIG. 11 has a base material 130 made of a Cu alloy. The entire surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Cu 132 as a base plating. The inner surface of the tip portion 109a (i.e., the clamping portion 106 and the upper curved portion 108) of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Ag 134 on the base plating, and the inner surfaces of the middle portion 109b (i.e., the inclined portion 104) and the base portion 109c (i.e., the bottom plate portion 100 and the lower curved portion 102) of the first connection detection terminal 62a are not plated on the base plating. The outer surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is not plated on the base plating. The first discharge control terminal 62c and the first serial communication terminal 62d are plated in the same manner as the first connection detection terminal 62a. In addition, in place of the Ag plating 134, the tip portion 109a may be plated with a pure metal belonging to the noble metals such as Au or an alloy of the noble metal.

[0054] The first charging control terminal 62b shown in Fig. 12 has a base material 130 of a Cu alloy. The entire surface of the first charging control terminal 62b is coated with Cu plating 132 as an undercoat plating, and Sn plating 136 is coated on top of that. Note that instead of Sn plating, the terminal may be coated with a pure metal that belongs to the base metal category, such as Ni, or with a pure metal that belongs to the noble metal category other than Ag, such as Au. Alternatively, the terminal may be coated with an alloy that does not contain Ag.

[0055] When the battery pack 2 is attached to the power tool 200 (see FIG. 2), the signal terminal 62 is maintained in contact with the signal terminal of the power tool 200. When the power tool 200 is operated, minute vibrations are repeatedly applied to the signal terminal 62. In this case, wear progresses partially on the surface of the signal terminal 62, and metal wear powder on the surface of the signal terminal 62 oxidizes and accumulates on the surface of the signal terminal 62. This phenomenon is called fretting corrosion. When oxidized wear powder accumulates on the surface of the signal terminal 62, there is a risk of a continuity failure of the signal terminal 62. In general, since noble metals are not easily oxidized, a continuity failure due to fretting corrosion is not likely to occur. Conversely, since base metals are easily oxidized, a continuity failure due to fretting corrosion is likely to occur. In addition, a continuity failure due to fretting corrosion is not likely to occur when a large voltage is applied, but is likely to occur when a small voltage is applied, so that it is unlikely to occur in the power terminal 60 but is likely to occur in the signal terminal 62. Therefore, as described above, by plating the first connection detection terminal 62a, the first discharge control terminal 62c, and the first serial communication terminal 62d with a pure metal or a precious metal alloy, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor conduction due to fretting corrosion. Since the charger 300 (see FIG. 3) is used in a state where it is placed on the ground or the like, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the charger 300, minute vibrations are unlikely to act on the signal terminal 62. Therefore, fretting corrosion is unlikely to occur in the first charging control terminal 62b, which is connected to the third charging control terminal 306b (see FIG. 7) of the charger 300 but is not connected to the terminal of the power tool 200. Therefore, the first charging control terminal 62b is not plated with a pure metal or a precious metal alloy. In general, a pure metal or a precious metal alloy is expensive. Therefore, by reducing the area plated with a pure metal or a precious metal alloy, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2.

[0056] 11, since only the tip portion 109a of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Ag, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the tip portion 109a, the intermediate portion 109b, and the base portion 109c of the first connection detection terminal 62a are plated with Ag. Furthermore, the creeping distance between the first connection detection terminal 62a and the first discharge control terminal 62c and the first serial communication terminal 62d can be increased. Therefore, even if the metal (i.e., Ag) on ​​the surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is ionized, it is possible to suppress the metal from precipitating again on the surfaces of the first discharge control terminal 62c and the first serial communication terminal 62d. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ion migration.

[0057] As described above, the first connection detection terminal 62a is manufactured by cutting and bending a flat metal plate. The surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated on the flat metal plate before it is cut and bent. Specifically, first, the surface corresponding to the inner surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Cu plating 132. Next, the surface corresponding to the outer surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Cu plating 132. Then, the surface corresponding to the inner surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Ag plating 134 on a portion of the surface corresponding to the inner surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a that corresponds to the tip portion 109a (i.e., the clamping portion 106 and the upper curved portion 108). If the outer surface of the tip portion 109a is also plated with Ag, it is necessary to first plate the Ag plating 134 on the portion of the surface corresponding to the inner surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a that corresponds to the tip portion 109a, and then plate the Ag plating 134 on the portion of the surface corresponding to the outer surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a that corresponds to the tip portion 109a. In this embodiment, since the Ag plating 134 is not applied to the outer surface of the tip portion 109a, the manufacturing process of the first connection detection terminal 62a can be simplified.

[0058] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 is detachably attached to the power tool 200 (an example of an "electrical device") having a plurality of flat-plate-shaped terminals 202 (an example of "device-side terminals") or the charger 300 (an example of an "electrical device") having a plurality of flat-plate-shaped terminals 302 (an example of "device-side terminals"). The battery pack 2 includes an outer case 10, a battery cell 52 housed in the outer case 10, a circuit board 42 housed in the outer case 10, and a plurality of terminals 44 (an example of "battery-side terminals"). The plurality of terminals 44 includes a first connection detection terminal 62a (an example of a "first terminal"). The first connection detection terminal 62a includes a clamping portion 106 configured to receive the second connection detection terminal 206a or the third connection detection terminal 306a (an example of an "device-side terminal") and clamp the second connection detection terminal 206a or the third connection detection terminal 306a from both sides. An Ag plating 134 (an example of "plating of a first metal") is applied to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106. The Ag plating 134 is not applied to the surfaces of the base 114 of the first connection detection terminal 62a and the inclined portion 104 (an example of "part of a non-clamping portion").

[0059] In general, since noble metals are not easily oxidized, poor conduction due to fretting corrosion is not likely to occur. Conversely, since base metals are easily oxidized, poor conduction due to fretting corrosion is likely to occur. Therefore, by applying Ag plating 134 to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106 of the first connection detection terminal 62a, poor conduction due to fretting corrosion can be suppressed. In addition, noble metals are generally expensive. According to the above configuration, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which Ag plating 134 is also applied to the surfaces of the base portion 114 and the inclined portion 104 of the first connection detection terminal 62a. In addition, the contact resistance of Ag is smaller than the contact resistance of Sn, etc. Therefore, by applying Ag plating 134 to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106 of the first connection detection terminal 62a, the contact resistance of the first connection detection terminal 62a can be reduced.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the first connection detection terminal 62a is a signal terminal for transmitting signals between the power tool 200 / charger 300.

[0061] Since poor continuity due to fretting corrosion is unlikely to occur when a large voltage is applied but is likely to occur when a small voltage is applied, it is likely to occur in the signal terminal 62. According to the above configuration, by applying Ag plating 134 to the surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a, which is the signal terminal 62, it is possible to prevent poor continuity due to fretting corrosion.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of terminals 44 further includes a first charging control terminal 62b (an example of a "second terminal") that is a signal terminal 62 that transmits signals between the power tool 200 / charger 300. The first charging control terminal 62b is not plated with Ag plating 134.

[0063] Among the multiple signal terminals included in the battery pack 2, there are signal terminals that are susceptible to fretting corrosion and signal terminals that are not susceptible to fretting corrosion. The first connection detection terminal 62a is a signal terminal that is more susceptible to fretting corrosion than the first charging control terminal 62b. According to the above configuration, the first connection detection terminal 62a, which is more susceptible to fretting corrosion, is preferentially plated with Ag. Therefore, the effects of fretting corrosion can be suppressed and the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2 can be reduced.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the power tool 200, the second connection detection terminal 206a (an example of a "first device side terminal") of the power tool 200 abuts against the first connection detection terminal 62a, and none of the multiple terminals 202 of the power tool 200 abuts against the first charging control terminal 62b. When the battery pack 2 is attached to the charger 300, the third connection detection terminal 306a (an example of a "second device side terminal") of the charger 300 abuts against the first connection detection terminal 62a, and the third charging control terminal 306b (an example of a "third device side terminal") of the charger 300 abuts against the first charging control terminal 62b.

[0065] Compared with a configuration in which the battery pack 2 is attached to the power tool 200, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the charger 300, minute vibrations are less likely to occur. Therefore, fretting corrosion is less likely to occur in the first charging control terminal 62b, which is in contact with the third charging control terminal 306b of the charger 300 but not with the terminal of the power tool 200. That is, the first charging control terminal 62b is a signal terminal that is less susceptible to the effects of fretting corrosion than the first connection detection terminal 62a. Therefore, there is little need to apply Ag plating 134 to the first charging control terminal 62b. According to the above configuration, the first charging control terminal 62b is not applied with Ag plating 134. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the effects of fretting corrosion and reduce the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the outer surface of the jaw 76 is free of the Ag plating 134 .

[0067] The inner surface of the clamping portion 76 abuts against the second connection detection terminal 206a or the third connection detection terminal 306a, but the outer surface of the clamping portion 76 does not abut against the second connection detection terminal 206a or the third connection detection terminal 306a. For this reason, fretting corrosion occurs on the inner surface of the clamping portion 76, but fretting corrosion does not occur on the outer surface of the clamping portion 76. According to the above configuration, by applying Ag plating 134 only to the inner surface of the clamping portion 76 where fretting corrosion occurs, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which Ag plating 134 is also applied to the outer surface of the clamping portion 76.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from the power tool 200 by sliding it in a front-rear direction (an example of a "sliding direction") along the terminal 202. The first connection detection terminal 62a includes a base 114 and a pair of elastic clamping pieces 116 extending upward from the base 114. The base 114 includes a bottom plate portion 100 extending along the front-rear direction. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces 116 includes an inclined portion 104 and a clamping portion 106 located above the inclined portion 104. The inclined portion 104 is inclined with respect to the bottom plate portion 100 such that the angle formed between the inclined portion 104 and the bottom plate portion 100 is an acute angle. The base 114 and the inclined portion 104 are part of a non-clamping portion.

[0069] According to the above configuration, each of the elastic clamping piece pairs 116 extends in the up-down direction. Therefore, in the above battery pack 2, in order to increase the contact area between the second connection detection terminal 206a or the third connection detection terminal 306a and the first connection detection terminal 62a, the width of the elastic clamping piece pair 116 in the front-rear direction may be increased. Usually, there is often a large space in the front-rear direction inside the battery pack 2. Therefore, even if the width of the elastic clamping piece pair 116 in the front-rear direction is increased, the battery pack 2 does not become larger. According to the above battery pack 2, the contact area between the second connection detection terminal 206a or the third connection detection terminal 306a and the first connection detection terminal 62a can be increased without increasing the size of the battery pack 2.

[0070] (Second Example) The adapter 400 shown in Fig. 13 is a device for electrically connecting one or more battery packs 2 (see Fig. 1) and a power supply device (not shown) to the power tool 200 (see Fig. 2). Note that in the following, the same reference numerals are used to designate components common to the embodiments, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0071] The adapter 400 includes an outer case 402, a control unit 404 (see FIG. 14) housed in the outer case 402, and a cord 406. The outer case 402 is formed into a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and is divided into an upper case 408 and a lower case 410. The upper case 408 and the lower case 410 are fixed to each other by metal screws (not shown).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 404 includes a circuit board 420 and a plurality of terminals 422. The circuit board 420 is fixed to the lower case 410 via a screw 424. The plurality of terminals 422 include a power supply terminal 60 and a signal terminal 462. The signal terminal 462 includes a first connection detection terminal 62a arranged adjacent to the right of the first positive power supply terminal 60a, a first discharge control terminal 62c arranged adjacent to the right of the first connection detection terminal 62a, and a first serial communication terminal 62d arranged adjacent to the front of the first discharge control terminal 62c. That is, the signal terminal 462 of the adapter 400 does not include a terminal corresponding to the first charge control terminal 62b (see FIG. 4) of the battery pack 2 of the first embodiment. The cord 406 is electrically connected to the circuit board 420. One or more battery packs 2 (see FIG. 1) and a power supply device (not shown) are electrically connected to the adapter 400 via the cord 406.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 10, the first positive power terminal 60a of the adapter 400 of this embodiment has a base material 120 made of a Cu alloy, and the entire surface of the first positive power terminal 60a is plated with Cu plating 122 as an undercoat plating, and Sn plating 124 is applied thereon. The first negative power terminal 60b is plated in the same manner as the first positive power terminal 60a. Instead of Sn plating, the first negative power terminal 60b may be plated with a pure metal belonging to base metals such as Ni, or may be plated with a pure metal belonging to precious metals other than Ag such as Au. Alternatively, the first negative power terminal 60b may be plated with an alloy not containing Ag.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, the first connection detection terminal 62a of this embodiment has a base material 130 made of a Cu alloy, and the entire surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a is plated with Cu plating 132 as an undercoat. In the tip portion 109a of the inner surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a, Ag plating 134 is applied on the undercoat, and in the base portion 109c of the inner surface of the first connection detection terminal 62a, no plating is applied on the undercoat. The first discharge control terminal 62c and the first serial communication terminal 62d are plated in the same manner as the first connection detection terminal 62a. Note that the tip portion 109a may be plated with a pure metal belonging to precious metals such as Au or an alloy of precious metals instead of the Ag plating 134.

[0075] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the adapter 400 is detachably attached to the power tool 200 (an example of an "electrical device") that includes a plurality of terminals 202 (an example of a "device-side terminals") having a flat plate shape. The adapter 400 includes an outer case 402, a circuit board 420 accommodated in the outer case 402, a cord 406 (an example of a "connection section") electrically connected to the circuit board 420, and a plurality of terminals 422 (an example of a "multiple adapter-side terminals"). The multiple terminals 422 include a first connection detection terminal 62a (an example of a "first terminal"). The first connection detection terminal 62a has a clamping portion 106 that is configured to receive the second connection detection terminal 206a (an example of an "device-side terminal") and clamp the second connection detection terminal 206a from both sides. An Ag plating 134 (an example of a "first metal plating") is applied to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106. The Ag plating 134 is not applied to the surfaces of the base 114 and the inclined portion 104 (an example of a "part of the non-clamping portion") of the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0076] In general, since noble metals are not easily oxidized, poor conduction due to fretting corrosion is unlikely to occur. Conversely, since base metals are easily oxidized, poor conduction due to fretting corrosion is likely to occur. Therefore, by applying Ag plating 134 to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106 of the first connection detection terminal 62a, poor conduction due to fretting corrosion can be suppressed. In addition, noble metals are generally expensive. According to the above configuration, the manufacturing cost of the adapter 400 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which Ag plating 134 is also applied to the surfaces of the base portion 114 and the inclined portion 104 of the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0077] (Third Example) A signal terminal 562 of the battery pack of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Note that in Figures 15 and 16, the portion on which Ag plating 134 is applied is shown in gray.

[0078] The signal terminal 562 shown in Fig. 15 is manufactured by cutting and bending a flat metal plate. The signal terminal 562 includes a bottom plate portion 570, a right clamping piece 572, and a left clamping piece 574. The bottom plate portion 570 is formed in a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is along the front-rear direction of the battery pack 2. Fixing ribs 576 for fixing the signal terminal 562 to the circuit board 42 (see Fig. 4) are formed at the front and rear ends of the bottom plate portion 570. The fixing ribs 576 are formed in a shape bent downward from the front and rear ends of the bottom plate portion 570.

[0079] The left clamping piece 574 has a shape symmetrical to the right clamping piece 572. In the following, the right clamping piece 572 will be described, and a description of the left clamping piece 574 will be omitted.

[0080] The right clamping piece 572 includes an outer plate portion 580, a first rear curved portion 582, a rear plate portion 584, a second rear curved portion 586, an inclined portion 588, a clamping portion 590, and a front curved portion 592. The first rear curved portion 582, the rear plate portion 584, the second rear curved portion 586, the inclined portion 588, the clamping portion 590, and the front curved portion 592 are provided in a tip portion 594a of the signal terminal 562, and the bottom plate portion 570 is provided in a base portion 594b of the signal terminal 562. That is, the clamping portion 590 is provided in a part of the tip portion 594a.

[0081] The outer plate portion 580 extends upward from the right end of the bottom plate portion 570. The rear plate portion 584 is formed in a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is along the up-down direction of the battery pack. The first rear curved portion 582 is formed in a shape curved leftward from the rear end of the outer plate portion 580. The first rear curved portion 582 connects the rear end of the outer plate portion 580 and the right end of the rear plate portion 584. The second rear curved portion 586 is formed in a shape curved forward from the right end of the rear plate portion 584. The second rear curved portion 586 connects the left end of the rear plate portion 584 and the rear end of the inclined portion 588. The inclined portion 588 is inclined so that the front side is inclined leftward. The inclined portion 588 is inclined with respect to the rear plate portion 584 so that the angle between the inclined portion 588 and the rear plate portion 584 is an obtuse angle. The clamping portion 590 is formed in a flat plate shape that is bent slightly outward (to the right) from the front end of the inclined portion 588. For example, the inclination angle of the clamping portion 590 is adjusted so that the clamping portion 590 comes into contact with the surface of the second connection detection terminal 206a (see FIG. 6) of the power tool 200 when the second connection detection terminal 206a is engaged with the signal terminal 562. The front curved portion 592 is formed in a shape that is curved outward (to the right) from the upper end of the clamping portion 590. Hereinafter, the first rear curved portion 582, the rear plate portion 584, and the second rear curved portion 586 may be collectively referred to as a base portion 596 of the signal terminal 562. The inclined portion 588, the clamping portion 590, and the front curved portion 592 may be collectively referred to as a pair of elastic clamping pieces 598 of the signal terminal 562. That is, the signal terminal 562 includes a base 596 and a plurality of resilient clamping piece pairs 598 extending forward from the base 596 .

[0082] When the second connection detection terminal 206a (see FIG. 6) of the power tool 200 is inserted into the signal terminal 562, the front edge of the second connection detection terminal 206a enters the front end of the elastic clamping piece pair 598, which causes the elastic clamping piece pair 598 to open outward and clamp the second connection detection terminal 206a. At this time, the elastic restoring force of the elastic clamping piece pair 598 presses the clamping portion 590 against the second connection detection terminal 206a, so that the signal terminal 562 mechanically engages with and electrically connects to the second connection detection terminal 206a. That is, the clamping portion 590 receives the second connection detection terminal 206a of the power tool 200 and clamps the second connection detection terminal 206a from both sides. Conversely, when the second connection detection terminal 206a of the power tool 200 is pulled out of the elastic clamping piece pair 598, the signal terminal 562 and the second connection detection terminal 206a are mechanically disengaged and electrically disconnected from each other. Then, the elastic clamping piece pair 598 returns to its original position due to the elastic restoring force of the second rear curved portion 586 and the inclined portion 588.

[0083] Next, the plating applied to the surface of the signal terminal 562 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The entire surface of the signal terminal 562 is plated with Cu as an undercoat.

[0084] 16, in the tip side portion 109a of the signal terminal 562, Ag plating 134 is applied over the base plating on the surfaces of the inclined portion 588, the clamping portion 590, and the left side of the front curved portion 592 (i.e., the inside of the signal terminal 562). In the signal terminal 562, no plating is applied over the base plating on any surfaces other than the inclined portion 588, the clamping portion 590, and the inside surfaces of the front curved portion 592. Note that in the tip side portion 594a, plating of a pure metal belonging to precious metals such as Au or an alloy of precious metals may be applied instead of the Ag plating 134.

[0085] In this embodiment, the outer plate portion 580 and the base portion 596 are an example of a "part of the non-clamping portion."

[0086] The power terminal of the battery pack may have a shape similar to that of the signal terminal 562. Moreover, the signal terminal 562 may be used in an adapter.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from the power tool 200 by sliding it in the front-rear direction (an example of a "sliding direction") along the terminal 202. The first connection detection terminal 62a includes a pair of outer plate portions 580 (an example of a "pair of flat plate portions") connected to the circuit board 42, and a pair of elastic clamping pieces 598 formed integrally with the pair of outer plate portions 580, positioned above the circuit board 42, and extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces 598 includes a clamping portion 590. A base end side portion 594b (an example of a "circuit board side portion") of the pair of outer plate portions 580 is a part of the non-clamping portion.

[0088] According to the above configuration, each of the elastic clamping piece pairs 598 extends in the front-rear direction. According to such a configuration, the second connection detection terminal 206a of the power tool 200 can be easily slid between the elastic clamping piece pairs 598.

[0089] (First Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the first positive power supply terminal 60a and the first negative power supply terminal 60b may be plated with the same plating as that applied to the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0090] (Second Modification) In the first embodiment, the first charging control terminal 62b may be plated with the same plating as that applied to the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0091] (Third Modification) Ag plating 134 may be applied to the outer surface of the clamping portion 106 of the first connection detection terminal 62a, specifically, the outer surface of the tip portion 109a.

[0092] (Fourth Modification) The Ag plating 134 may be applied only to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106 of the first connection detection terminal 62a. In other words, the Ag plating 134 does not have to be applied to the inner surface of the upper curved portion 108 of the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0093] (Fifth Modification) Ag plating 134 may be applied to part of the inner surface of the inclined portion 104 of the first connection detection terminal 62a.

[0094] (Sixth Modification) In the first embodiment, the Ag plating 134 is applied to the inner surface of the clamping portion 106 of the first discharge control terminal 62c (an example of the "first terminal"), and the Ag plating 134 may not be applied to the first serial communication terminal 62d (an example of the "different terminal"). The first discharge control terminal 62c for transmitting a discharge permission signal or a discharge non-permission signal between the power tool 200 and the power tool 200 is more susceptible to fretting corrosion than the first serial communication terminal 62d. According to the above configuration, the Ag plating 134 is preferentially applied to the first discharge control terminal 62c, which is more susceptible to fretting corrosion. Therefore, the influence of fretting corrosion can be suppressed, and the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 2 can be reduced. In a further modification, the Ag plating 134 may not be applied to the first connection detection terminal 62a either. In other words, the Ag plating 134 may be applied only to the first discharge control terminal 62c.

[0095] (Seventh Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the Cu plating 132 may be applied as base plating only to the inner surface of the tip portion 109a (i.e., the clamping portion 106 and the upper curved portion 108) of the first connection detection terminal 62a. That is, the area where the Cu plating 132 is applied and the area where the Ag plating 134 is applied may be the same.

[0096] (Eighth Variation) In the tip portion 594a of the signal terminal 562 in FIG. 17, in addition to the inclined portion 588, the clamping portion 590, and the left surface of the front curved portion 592, the right surface of the upper part of the outer plate portion 580, the right surface of the first rear curved portion 582, the rear surface of the rear plate portion 584 (see FIG. 18), and the left surface of the second rear curved portion 586 (see FIG. 18) may also be coated with Ag plating 134 over the base plating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 2: Battery pack 10: Outer case 12: Battery module 14: Upper case 14a:Top surface 16: Lower case 20: Slide rail 22: Terminal receiving part 22a: Terminal opening 24: Hook 24a: Operation section 24b:Protrusion 30:Display section 30a: Remaining battery indicator 30b: Button 40: Cell case 42: Circuit board 44: Terminal 46: LED board 48: Right cell case 50: Left cell case 52: Battery cell 54a-54f: Reed plate 56: Screw 60: Power terminal 60a: First positive power supply terminal 60b: 1st negative power supply terminal 62: Signal terminal 62a: First connection detection terminal 62b: First charge control terminal 62c: First discharge control terminal 62d: First serial communication terminal 70: Bottom plate part 72: Lower curved part 74: Inclined part 76: Sandwiching part 78: Upper curved part 79a: Tip side part 79b: Middle part 79c: Proximal part 80: Fixed rib 82a: Slit 82b: Notch 84a: Rear rib 84b: Front rib 86: Base 88: Elastic clamping pair 100: Bottom plate part 102: Lower curved part 104: Inclined part 106: Sandwiching part 108: Upper curved part 109a: Tip side part 109b: Middle part 109c: Proximal part 110: Fixed rib 112a: Rear rib 112b: Front rib 114: Base 116: Elastic clamping pair 120: Base material 122: Cu plating 124: Sn plating 130: Base material 132: Cu plating 134: Ag plating 136: Sn plating 200:Power tools 202: Terminal 204: Power terminal 204a: Second positive power supply terminal 204b: 2nd negative power supply terminal 206: Signal terminal 206a: Second connection detection terminal 206b: Second discharge control terminal 206c: Second serial communication terminal 300: Charger 302: Terminal 304: Power terminal 304a: 3rd positive power supply terminal 304b: 3rd negative power supply terminal 306: Signal terminal 306a: 3rd connection detection terminal 306b: 3rd charge control terminal 306c: 3rd discharge control terminal 306d: 3rd serial communication terminal 400: Adapter 402: Outer case 404: Control unit 406: Code 408: Upper case 410: Lower case 420: Circuit board 422: Terminal 424: Screw 462: Signal terminal 562: Signal terminal 570: Bottom plate part 572: Right side clamping piece 574:Left side clamping piece 576: Fixed rib 580: Outer panel part 582: First rear curved section 584: Rear plate part 586: Second rear curved section 588: Inclined part 590: Sandwiching part 592: Front curved section 594a: Tip side part 594b: Proximal part 596: Base 598: Elastic clamping pair

Claims

1. A battery pack detachable from an electrical device comprising a plurality of device-side terminals having a flat plate shape, an outer case, a battery cell housed in the outer case, a circuit board housed in the outer case, and a plurality of battery-side terminals, the plurality of battery-side terminals including a first terminal, the first terminal including a clamping portion configured to receive the device-side terminal and clamp the device-side terminal from both sides, and a non-clamping portion provided at a position different from the clamping portion, a first metal plating is applied to the inner surface of the clamping portion, the first metal plating is not applied to a part of the surface of the non-clamping portion, the first metal is a pure metal belonging to a noble metal or an alloy of noble metals, the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal is a signal terminal for transmitting a signal between the electrical device.

3. The plurality of battery-side terminals further include a second terminal which is a signal terminal for transmitting a signal between the electrical device, the battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the second terminal is not plated with the first metal.

4. When the electrical device is a power tool, the plurality of device-side terminals of the power tool include a first device-side terminal, in a state where the battery pack is attached to the power tool, the first device-side terminal abuts on the first terminal, none of the plurality of device-side terminals of the power tool abuts on the second terminal, when the electrical device is a charger, the plurality of device-side terminals of the charger include a second device-side terminal and a third device-side terminal different from the second device-side terminal, in a state where the battery pack is attached to the charger, the second device-side terminal abuts on the first terminal, the battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the third device-side terminal abuts on the second terminal.

5. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the first terminal is a signal terminal for transmitting a discharge permission signal or a discharge non-permission signal between the electrical device.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first metal plating is not applied to the outer surface of the clamping portion.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first metal is Ag.

8. The battery pack is detachable from the electrical device by sliding it in a sliding direction along the device-side terminals. The battery-side terminal includes: a base portion; a pair of elastic clamping pieces extending upward from the base portion in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction; The base portion includes a bottom plate portion extending along the sliding direction; Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces includes an inclined portion and a clamping portion located above the inclined portion; The inclined portion is inclined with respect to the base portion such that an angle formed by the inclined portion and the bottom plate portion is an acute angle; The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the base portion and the inclined portion are part of the non-clamping portion.

9. The battery pack is detachable by sliding it in a sliding direction along the device-side terminal with respect to the electric device. The battery-side terminal includes: a pair of flat plate portions connected to the circuit board; a pair of elastic clamping pieces integrally formed with the pair of flat plate portions, located above the circuit board, and extending in the sliding direction; Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces includes the clamping portion; The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the pair of flat plate portions on the circuit board side is part of the non-clamping portion.

10. An adapter detachable from an electric device having a plurality of device-side terminals having a flat plate shape, the adapter comprising: an outer case; a circuit board housed in the outer case; a connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board; a plurality of adapter-side terminals; The plurality of adapter-side terminals include a first terminal; The first terminal includes a clamping portion configured to receive the device-side terminal and clamp the device-side terminal from both sides, and a non-clamping portion provided at a position different from the clamping portion; At least a part of the surface of the clamping portion is plated with a first metal; A part of the surface of the non-clamping portion is not plated with the first metal; The adapter, wherein the first metal is a pure metal belonging to a noble metal or an alloy of a noble metal.

11. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the first terminal is a signal terminal for transmitting a signal between the electric device and the adapter.

12. The plurality of battery-side terminals further include a second terminal that is a signal terminal for transmitting a signal between the electric device and the adapter. The adapter according to claim 11, wherein the second terminal is not plated with the first metal.

13. The adapter according to claim 12, wherein the first terminal is a signal terminal for transmitting a discharge permission signal or a discharge prohibition signal between the electric device and the adapter.

14. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the clamping portion is not plated with the first metal.

15. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the first metal is Ag.

16. The adapter is detachable by sliding it in the sliding direction along the device-side terminal with respect to the electrical device. The adapter-side terminal includes a base portion, and a pair of elastic clamping pieces extending upward from the base portion. The base portion includes a bottom plate portion extending along the sliding direction. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces includes an inclined portion and a clamping portion located above the inclined portion. The inclined portion is inclined with respect to the base portion such that the angle formed by the inclined portion and the base portion is an acute angle. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the base portion and the inclined portion are part of the non-clamping portion.

17. The adapter is detachable by sliding it in the sliding direction along the device-side terminal with respect to the electrical device. The adapter-side terminal includes a pair of flat plate portions connected to the circuit board, and a pair of elastic clamping pieces integrally formed with the pair of flat plate portions, located above the circuit board, and extending in the sliding direction. Each of the pair of elastic clamping pieces includes the clamping portion. The adapter according to claim 10, wherein the portion of the pair of flat plate portions on the circuit board side is part of the non-clamping portion.

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