Battery powered device
By integrating a wireless communication device into the terminal block of a battery-powered device, the device's appearance and usability are maintained, while enabling data communication with the battery pack, thus enhancing its value.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023109496
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
AI Technical Summary
The placement of a cover on the side of the handle in battery-powered devices with wireless communication modules can impair appearance and usability, and there is a risk of the cover contacting the user's hand during operation.
A battery-powered device with a mounting portion for a battery pack, an electrical load, a control unit, and a terminal block that houses a wireless communication device, allowing the wireless communication device to operate while minimizing appearance and usability issues by integrating it into the terminal block.
The solution enables the integration of a wireless communication device without compromising the appearance or usability of the battery-powered device, enhancing its value by allowing data communication with the battery pack.
Smart Images

Figure 2025007841000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to battery-powered devices. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a manual machine tool equipped with a wireless module. The wireless module operates by receiving power from a button battery. The wireless module can wirelessly communicate with an external interface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-537298 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the above-mentioned manual machine tool, a cup-shaped opening is provided in the handle, and the wireless module and the button battery are housed in this opening. A cover is attached to cover the opening. In other words, the cover is disposed on the side of the handle.
[0005] The placement of the cover on the side of the handle may cause problems in terms of appearance or usability, for example, it may impair the appearance, or, for example, it may increase the possibility that the cover will come into contact with the user's hands during use, which may affect the usability of the user.
[0006] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a battery-powered device that is provided with a wireless communication unit in a manner that reduces the impact on the appearance and the user's usability. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery-powered device including an attachment section, an electric load, a control section, and a terminal block. A battery pack including a first battery is removably attached to the attachment section. The electric load operates by receiving a first power of the first battery from the battery pack. The control section controls the operation of the electric load.
[0008] The terminal block includes a plurality of device side terminals, a storage section, and a wireless communication device. When the battery pack is mounted in the mounting section, the plurality of device side terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of battery side terminals in the battery pack, respectively. The plurality of device side terminals receive a first power via the plurality of battery side terminals. The storage section removably stores a second battery. The wireless communication device receives the second power from the second battery and performs wireless communication.
[0009] In such a battery-powered device, a terminal block for electrical connection to a battery pack is provided with a housing and a wireless communication device, so that the wireless communication device can be mounted in the battery-powered device while preventing deterioration of the appearance and usability of the battery-powered device.
[0010] Incidentally, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the manual machine tool is equipped with a wireless module. Therefore, if a useful function using the wireless module is provided, the added value of the manual machine tool is increased.
[0011] Therefore, it is an object of still another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a battery-powered device whose added value is enhanced by a wireless communication device. Specifically, the present disclosure includes the following items:
[0012] [Item A1] A mounting section configured to removably mount a battery pack including a first battery; an electric load configured to operate by receiving the first power of the first battery from the battery pack; A controller configured to control operation of the electrical load; A storage section configured to removably store a second battery; A first wireless communication device, receiving second power from the second battery and wirelessly communicating with a second wireless communication device; In response to the battery pack being attached to the attachment portion, data communication is performed with the battery pack using a communication method different from the wireless communication. A first wireless communication device configured as above; 1. A battery-powered device comprising:
[0013] In such a battery-powered device, the wireless communication device can perform data communication with the battery pack, making it possible to provide a battery-powered device with high added value.
[0014] [Item A2] The battery-powered device according to the above item A1, the first wireless communication device is configured to operate using the first power of the first battery while the battery pack is attached to the attachment portion; Battery-powered equipment.
[0015] [Item A3] The battery-powered device according to the above item A2, a power supply circuit configured to receive the first power while the battery pack is attached to the attachment section and to generate, from the first power, power supply power capable of operating the first wireless communication device; a communication power supply circuit configured to supply the power supply power generated by the power supply circuit to the first wireless communication device; Equipped with the first wireless communication device is configured to operate using the power from the power source while the power from the power source is being supplied; Battery-powered equipment.
[0016] [Item A4] A battery-powered device according to the above item A3, The communication power supply circuit includes: receiving the second power from the second battery; supplying the second power to the first wireless communication device while the power supply power is not being generated by the power supply circuit; supplying the power supply power to the first wireless communication device while the power supply circuit is generating the power supply power; It is configured as follows: Battery-powered equipment.
[0017] [Item A5] The battery-powered device according to any one of the above items A1 to A4, The first wireless communication device includes: storing the third information in response to receiving the third information from the second wireless communication device; transmitting the stored third information to the battery pack through the data communication in response to the battery pack being attached or being attached to the attachment portion; It is configured as follows: Battery-powered equipment.
[0018] [Item A6] The battery-powered device according to the above item A5, the battery pack is configured to be set to a first mode in which supply of a first power to the battery-powered device is forcibly prohibited; The battery pack set to the first mode is configured to cancel the first mode in response to receiving the third information. Battery-powered equipment.
[0019] Further aspects of the present disclosure include the following: [Item B1] A mounting section configured to removably mount a battery pack including a first battery; an electric load configured to operate by receiving the first power of the first battery from the battery pack; A controller configured to control operation of the electrical load; A storage section configured to removably store a second battery; A first wireless communication device, receiving second power from the second battery and wirelessly communicating with a second wireless communication device; performing data communication with the battery pack and the control unit using a communication method different from the wireless communication in response to the battery pack being or being attached to the attachment unit; A first wireless communication device configured as above; 1. A battery-powered device comprising:
[0020] In such a battery-powered device, the wireless communication device can perform data communication with the battery pack and the control unit, making it possible to provide a battery-powered device with high added value.
[0021] [Item B2] The battery-powered device according to item B1 above, the first wireless communication device is configured to operate using the first power of the first battery while the battery pack is attached to the attachment portion; Battery-powered equipment.
[0022] [Item B3] The battery-powered device according to the above item B1 or B2, The first wireless communication device is configured to selectively perform data communication with the battery pack and the control unit depending on whether the battery pack is attached or not attached to the attachment unit. Battery Powered Devices [Item B4] The battery-powered device according to item 3 above, a communication path used for data communication between the battery pack and the control unit; a first switch and a second switch that are provided in series on the communication path, each configured to connect or disconnect the communication path, the first switch being disposed closer to the battery pack than the second switch; Equipped with the first wireless communication device is connected between the first switch and the second switch in the communication path; The first wireless communication device includes: performing data communication with the battery pack via the first switch; performing data communication with the control unit via the second switch; It is configured as follows: Battery-powered equipment.
[0023] [Item B5] The battery-powered device according to item 4 above, The first wireless communication device includes: interrupting the communication path by the first switch and conducting the communication path by the second switch, and performing data communication with the control unit via the second switch; the first switch is used to connect the communication path and the second switch is used to disconnect the communication path, thereby performing data communication with the battery pack via the first switch; It is configured as follows: Battery-powered equipment.
[0024] Further aspects of the present disclosure include the following: [Item C1] A mounting section configured to removably mount a battery pack including a first battery; an electric load configured to operate by receiving the first power of the first battery from the battery pack; A controller configured to control operation of the electrical load; A storage section configured to removably store a second battery; A first wireless communication device, When the battery pack is not attached to the attachment section, the second power is received from the second battery and wireless communication is performed with the second wireless communication device. In response to the battery pack being attached to the attachment portion, data communication is performed with the control portion using a communication method different from the wireless communication; When the battery pack is not attached to the attachment portion, data communication with the control portion is not performed. A first wireless communication device configured as above; 1. A battery-powered device comprising:
[0025] In such a battery-powered device, the wireless communication device can perform data communication with the control unit, making it possible to provide a battery-powered device with high added value. [Item C2] The battery-powered device according to item C1 above, the first wireless communication device is configured to operate using the first power of the first battery while the battery pack is attached to the attachment portion; Battery-powered equipment.
[0026] [Item C3] A battery-powered device according to the preceding paragraph, The battery-powered device according to item C1 or C2 above, The first wireless communication device includes: storing the fourth information in response to receiving the fourth information from the second wireless communication device; transmitting the stored fourth information to the control unit through the data communication in response to the battery pack being attached or being attached to the attachment unit; It is configured as follows: Battery-powered equipment.
[0027] [Item C4] The battery-powered device according to item C3 above, The control unit is configured to be set to a second mode in which the operation of the electric load is forcibly stopped, The control unit, which is set to the second mode, is configured to cancel the second mode in response to receiving the fourth information. Battery-powered equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electric operating machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the working machine body from which the battery pack has been removed, as viewed from below. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal block as seen from above. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal block as seen from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the terminal block with the cover removed. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] IX-IX cross-sectional view of the terminal block in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric operating machine of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 5 is a flowchart showing a part of a process flow relating to an electronic lock in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the remaining part (continuation of FIG. 11) of the process flow relating to the electronic lock in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical configuration of an electric operating machine according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a part of a process flow relating to an electronic lock in the second embodiment. [Figure 15]16 is a flowchart showing another part of the process flow relating to the electronic lock in the second embodiment (continuation of FIG. 14). [Figure 16] 16 is a flowchart showing the remaining part (continuation of FIG. 15) of the process flow relating to the electronic lock in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] [1. Overview of the embodiment] An embodiment may provide a battery-powered device having at least one of the following features 1 to 9. Feature 1: A mounting section configured to removably mount a battery pack having a first battery. ·Feature 2: An electrical load configured to operate by receiving first power from a first battery from the battery pack. Feature 3: A control unit configured to control an operation of the electrical load. Feature 4: Terminal block. Feature 5: The terminal block has multiple device-side terminals. Feature 6: The plurality of device-side terminals are configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of battery-side terminals of the battery pack, respectively, in response to the battery pack being attached to the attachment portion. Feature 7: The device-side terminals are configured to receive the first power via the battery-side terminals. Feature 8: The terminal block includes an accommodation portion configured to removably accommodate the second battery. Feature 9: The terminal block is configured to receive the second power from the second battery and perform wireless communication.
[0030] In a battery-powered device having at least Features 1 to 9, the terminal block is provided with a housing and a wireless communication device. Therefore, the wireless communication device can be mounted in the battery-powered device while preventing deterioration of the appearance and usability of the battery-powered device.
[0031] The battery-powered device may include a housing. The housing may house a control unit. The housing may house an electrical load. The housing may have an opening. The mounting unit may be provided in the opening. The terminal block may be disposed in the opening so as to cover a part or all of the opening. When the battery pack is mounted on the mounting unit, the terminal block may be covered a part or all of the terminal block by the battery pack and cannot be seen from outside the battery-powered device.
[0032] An embodiment may include the following feature 10 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 9 described above. Feature 10: A holding member that holds the plurality of device side terminals. The holding member has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface corresponds to a reverse surface of the first surface. The second surface faces the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the attachment portion. The second surface has a terminal arrangement area in which the plurality of device side terminals are arranged.
[0033] An embodiment may include the following feature 11 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 10 described above. Feature 11: The storage section is provided on the second surface.
[0034] A battery-powered device having at least Features 1 to 11 allows the second battery to be easily accommodated in the accommodation portion and the second battery pack to be easily removed from the accommodation portion.
[0035] An embodiment may include the following feature 12 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 11 described above. Feature 12: The housing portion is provided in an area on the second surface that is different from the area where the terminals are arranged.
[0036] In a battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 12, the second surface of the terminal block is effectively utilized, which makes it possible to suppress or prevent an increase in size of the entire terminal block including the housing portion.
[0037] An embodiment may include at least one of the following features 13 to 14 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 12 described above. Feature 13: The mounting portion is configured so that the battery pack is mounted by sliding the battery pack into the mounting portion in a predetermined insertion direction. Feature 14: The storage section is provided at a position away from a position where the plurality of battery side terminals are present in a state where the battery pack is attached to the attachment section in the insertion direction.
[0038] A battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9 and 13 to 14 can suppress the storage section from affecting or interfering with the attachment and detachment of the battery pack. An embodiment may include the following feature 15 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 14 described above. Feature 15: The wireless communication device is located in a different location from the housing.
[0039] In a battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9 and 15, the storage section and the wireless communication device are disposed separately, so that the space in the terminal block can be used efficiently. An embodiment may include the following feature 16 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 15 described above. Feature 16: The wireless communication device is located on the first surface.
[0040] In a battery-powered device having at least Features 1 to 10 and 16, a wireless communication device is disposed on a first surface different from a second surface on which a plurality of device-side terminals are disposed, and therefore the wireless communication device can be protected from foreign matter such as dust, dirt, and water outside the battery-powered device.
[0041] An embodiment may include the following feature 17 or features 17 to 18 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 16 described above. Feature 17: The terminal block includes a cover configured to cover the housing portion. · Feature 18: The cover is configured to be fixed to the terminal block by a screw.
[0042] A battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9 and 17 can properly accommodate the second battery in the accommodating portion. In addition to the above-mentioned feature 17, an embodiment may include at least one of the following features 19 to 20. Feature 19: The cover or the portion of the terminal block facing the cover is provided with a sealing member. Feature 20: The sealing member is configured to come into close contact with both the cover and the terminal block when the accommodation portion is covered with the cover, thereby sealing the accommodation portion together with the cover.
[0043] The sealing member may be provided in an annular shape on or near the outer periphery of the surface of the cover that faces the terminal block, in which case, when the housing is covered with the cover, the annular sealing member comes into close contact with the terminal block, thereby sealing the housing.
[0044] Conversely, the sealing member may be provided in an annular shape, for example, on the terminal block. Specifically, the sealing member may be provided in an annular shape on the housing portion (for example, on the opening of the housing portion). In this case, when the housing portion is covered with a cover, the annular sealing member comes into close contact with the cover, thereby sealing the housing portion.
[0045] A battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9, 17, 19, and 20 can suppress or prevent foreign matter such as dust, dirt, and water from entering the housing. An embodiment may include at least one of the following features 21-22 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1-20 described above. Feature 21: The wireless communication device is configured to execute an operation disable setting process, in response to receiving the first information via wireless communication, forcibly setting the battery-powered device to an operation disable state in which the electric load cannot be operated. Feature 22: The wireless communication device is configured to execute a release process, which releases the inoperable state in response to receiving second information via wireless communication when the battery-powered device is in an inoperable state.
[0046] A battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9, 21, and 22 can use wireless communication to set the battery-powered device to an inoperable state as needed. An embodiment may include at least one of the following features 23 to 25 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 22 described above. Feature 23: The plurality of device-side terminals include an information input terminal configured to receive permission information indicating permission to operate the electric load from the battery pack. Feature 24: The control unit is configured to operate the electric load in response to receiving an instruction to operate the electric load and receiving permission information via the information input terminal. Feature 25: The inoperable setting process includes blocking input of permission information to the control unit.
[0047] A battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9 and 21 to 25 can easily set the battery-powered device to an inoperable state. An embodiment may include at least one of the following features 26 to 29 in addition to or instead of at least one of the features 1 to 25 described above. Feature 26: The terminal block includes an information transmission path configured to transmit the permission information input to the information input terminal to the control unit. Feature 27: The terminal block includes a switch configured to connect or disconnect the information transmission path. Feature 28: The disable setting process includes cutting off an information transmission path with a switch. Feature 29: The release process includes making the information transmission path conductive by a switch.
[0048] A battery-powered device having at least the features 1 to 9 and 21 to 29 can easily set the battery-powered device to an inoperable state, and can easily release the inoperable state.
[0049] In some embodiments, the above features 1 to 29 may be combined in any manner. In some embodiments, any of the above features 1-29 may be omitted. Examples of the battery-powered devices include various on-site electric devices that are used at work sites such as DIY, manufacturing, gardening, and construction sites and are configured to be powered by batteries, specifically, power tools for masonry, metalworking, and woodworking, gardening machines, and devices for improving the environment at work sites, more specifically, electric blowers, electric hammers, electric hammer drills, electric drills, electric drivers, electric wrenches, electric grinders, electric circular saws, electric reciprocating saws, electric jigsaws, electric cutters, electric chainsaws, electric cans, and electric hoists. electric nail guns (including tackers), electric hedge trimmers, electric lawnmowers, electric lawn clippers, electric brush cutters, electric cleaners, electric sprayers, electric spreaders, electric dust collectors, laser distance meters (or laser distance measuring devices), laser marks, laser mark receivers, wall scanners, radios, televisions, speakers, lights (i.e. lighting devices), electric refrigerators / heaters, electric kettles, coffee machines (or coffee makers, or coffee distillers), microwave ovens, a robotic vacuum (or a robot vacuum), battery powered pushcarts, battery powered bicycles, fan vests, and heated jackets.
[0050] In an embodiment, the control unit may be in the form of a control circuit, which may be integrated into a single electronic unit or a single electronic device or a single circuit board. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be a combination of two or more electronic circuits, two or more electronic units, or two or more electronic devices that are provided separately within the electric operating machine.
[0051] In one embodiment, the control circuitry may comprise a microcomputer (or microcontroller or microprocessor), hard-wired logic, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application specific general purpose product (ASSP), a programmable logic device (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), discrete electronic components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0052] In some embodiments, the switch may be a semiconductor switch or a mechanical relay. Examples of the semiconductor switch include a field effect transistor (FET), a bipolar transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a bidirectional buffer, and a solid state relay (SSR).
[0053] 2. SPECIFIC EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. [2-1. First embodiment] (2-1-1) Configuration of electric work machine An electric operating machine 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is in the form of, for example, an impact driver. Impact drivers are used for tightening or loosening screws, bolts, nuts, etc., to or from objects.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric work machine 1 includes a work machine body 2 and a battery pack 10. The battery pack 10 is detachably attached to the work machine body 2. The battery pack 10 includes a first battery 16 (see FIG. 10). The first battery 16 supplies a first power to the work machine body 2. The first battery 16 is repeatedly rechargeable. The first battery 16 may be, for example, a lithium ion battery. The first battery 16 may be a primary battery.
[0055] The work machine body 2 includes a housing 3. The housing 3 includes a motor accommodating portion 3a, a grip 3b, a chuck sleeve 4, a trigger 5, a battery mounting portion 3c, a forward / reverse switch 6, and an operation panel .
[0056] The motor housing portion 3a houses a motor 50 (see FIG. 10) and a transmission mechanism (not shown), which will be described later. The grip 3b is disposed below the motor housing 3a and is shaped so that a user of the electric operating machine 1 can hold it with one hand.
[0057] The chuck sleeve 4 is disposed in front of the motor housing 3a. Various driven tools are releasably attached to the chuck sleeve 4. The various driven tools may include, for example, a driver bit, a socket bit, and / or a drill bit.
[0058] The trigger 5 is disposed at the upper front of the grip 3b. The trigger 5 is operated by a user. In this embodiment, the trigger 5 is displaced, for example, in response to manual operation by the user. The electric work machine 1 can be driven by manually operating the trigger 5. The trigger 5 is formed so that a user holding the grip 3b can pull (or push) it with the user's finger.
[0059] The battery mounting section 3c is disposed at the lower end of the grip 3b. The battery pack 10 is removably mounted on the battery mounting section 3c. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery mounting section 3c includes two rails 3d mechanically connected to the battery pack 10. The two rails 3d extend in the front-rear direction. The battery pack 10 includes two insertion members (not shown) configured to be inserted into the two rails 3d, respectively. The two insertion members also extend in the front-rear direction to correspond to the two rails 3d. The two insertion members are inserted into the two rails 3d from the front and slid rearward, whereby the two insertion members are mechanically connected to the two rails 3d, and the battery pack 10 is mounted on the battery mounting section 3c.
[0060] The forward / reverse switch 6 is disposed at the upper end of the grip 3b. The forward / reverse switch 6 is operated by the user. In response to the operation of the forward / reverse switch 6, the rotation direction of the chuck sleeve 4 is switched between the forward direction and the reverse direction. The forward direction is a direction in which screws, bolts, etc. can be tightened. The reverse direction is a direction in which tightened screws, bolts, etc. can be loosened.
[0061] The operation panel 7 is provided in the battery mounting section 3c. The operation panel 7 includes operation buttons and a display section. 2, the work machine body 2 further includes a terminal block 20. The terminal block 20 is provided at the lower end of the battery attachment section 3c. When the battery pack 10 is not attached to the work machine body 2, the terminal block 20 is exposed to the outside. When the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 2, the terminal block 20 is covered (blocked) by the battery pack 10 and cannot be seen from the outside.
[0062] The terminal block 20 includes an equipment positive terminal 21, an equipment negative terminal 22, a first equipment signal terminal 23, an equipment communication terminal 24, and a second equipment signal terminal 25. When the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 2, the equipment positive terminal 21, the equipment negative terminal 22, the first equipment signal terminal 23, the equipment communication terminal 24, and the second equipment signal terminal 25 are electrically connected to the battery pack 10 (see FIG. 10).
[0063] The battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 2 by sliding the battery pack 10 from the front to the rear relative to the battery attachment portion 3c. Conversely, the battery pack 10 attached to the work machine body 2 can be detached from the work machine body 2 by sliding the battery pack 10 forward.
[0064] (2-1-2) Terminal block configuration The configuration of the terminal block 20 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. The terminal block 20 includes a holding member 30. The holding member 30 serves to hold each part of the terminal block 20. The device positive terminal 21, the device negative terminal 22, the first device signal terminal 23, the device communication terminal 24, and the second device signal terminal 25 are supported and fixed at specified positions by the holding member 30. The holding member 30 of the first embodiment is integrally formed as a whole from an insulating member containing resin.
[0065] The upper surface of the holding member 30 faces the internal space of the work machine body 2. Therefore, the upper surface of the holding member 30 is not visible or is difficult to see from outside the work machine body 2. The lower surface of the holding member 30 faces the battery pack 10. Therefore, when the battery pack 10 is not attached to the work machine body 2, the lower surface of the holding member 30 can be seen from the outside, but when the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 2, the lower surface of the holding member 30 is covered by the battery pack 10 and cannot be seen from outside the electric work machine 1.
[0066] The holding member 30 has a first holding portion 31 and a second holding portion 32. The first holding portion 31 corresponds to a front half of the entire holding member 30. The second holding portion 32 corresponds to a rear half of the entire holding member 30, other than the first holding portion 31.
[0067] The first holding portion 31 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape. The first holding portion 31 has a first surface 31a and a second surface 31b. The first surface 31a and the second surface 31b are on the front and back sides of each other. The first surface 31a corresponds to a part of the upper surface of the holding member 30. The second surface 31b corresponds to a part of the lower surface of the holding member 30.
[0068] The second holding portion 32 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The second holding portion 32 has a first surface 32a and a second surface 32b. The first surface 32a and the second surface 32b are on the front and back sides of each other. The first surface 32a corresponds to a part of the upper surface of the holding member 30. The second surface 32b corresponds to a part of the lower surface of the holding member 30.
[0069] The majority of each of the device positive terminal 21, the device negative terminal 22, the first device signal terminal 23, the device communication terminal 24 and the second device signal terminal 25, including their front ends (including the portions that contact the battery pack 10), are fixed onto the second surface 31b of the first holding portion 31 (see Figures 4, 6, etc.).
[0070] Substantially all (or all) of the rear ends of the device positive terminal 21, the device negative terminal 22, the first device signal terminal 23, the device communication terminal 24 and the second device signal terminal 25 are disposed within the second holding portion 32.
[0071] The terminal block 20 includes a main board 33. In the first embodiment, the main board 33 is disposed on the first surface 31a of the first holding portion 31. More specifically, the main board 33 is disposed on the front end side of the first surface 31a of the first holding portion 31. A recess for disposing the main board 33 is formed at the front end of the first surface 31a of the first holding portion 31. The main board 33 is disposed in the recess.
[0072] The terminal block 20 includes a wireless communication device 42. The wireless communication device 42 is mounted on the main board 33. The wireless communication device 42 can perform wireless communication with an external communication system according to a predetermined wireless communication method. The external communication system includes a manufacturer-side system (see FIG. 11) described later.
[0073] Any wireless communication method may be used for wireless communication by the wireless communication device 42. The wireless communication method in the first embodiment is, for example, a method conforming to the Bluetooth Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as "BLE") communication standard. Note that "Bluetooth" is a registered trademark. In the following description, "wireless communication" refers to wireless communication conforming to BLE unless otherwise specified.
[0074] The terminal block 20 includes a relay board 36. In the first embodiment, the relay board 36 is disposed on the first surface 32a of the second holding portion 32. More specifically, the relay board 36 is disposed in a substantially central portion in the left-right direction on the first surface 32a of the second holding portion 32. A recess for disposing the relay board 36 is formed in a substantially central portion of the first surface 32a of the second holding portion 32. The relay board 36 is disposed in the recess.
[0075] The relay board 36 relays the electrical connection between the battery pack 10 and the main board 33, and the electrical connection between the work machine body 2 and the main board 33. The relay board 36 is electrically connected to the main board 33 by a relay wiring group 37. Therefore, more specifically, the main board 33 is electrically connected to the battery pack 10 and the work machine body 2 via the relay wiring group 37 and the relay board 36.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal block 20 includes a first terminal block relay terminal 26 and a second terminal block relay terminal 27. The first terminal block relay terminal 26 is electrically connected to the device positive terminal 21. The first terminal block relay terminal 26 may be a part (for example, a rear end) of the device positive terminal 21. The first terminal block relay terminal 26 is connected to a first internal relay terminal 51 (see FIG. 10) of the working machine body 2, as described later. The second terminal block relay terminal 27 is electrically connected to the device negative terminal 22. The second terminal block relay terminal 27 may be a part (for example, a rear end) of the device negative terminal 22. The second terminal block relay terminal 27 is connected to a second internal relay terminal 52 (see FIG. 10) of the working machine body 2, as described later.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 9, the terminal block 20 includes a third terminal block relay terminal 43, a fourth terminal block relay terminal 44, and a fifth terminal block relay terminal 45. The third terminal block relay terminal 43 is electrically connected to the first device signal terminal 23 via the relay board 36. The third terminal block relay terminal 43 may be a part (for example, a rear end) of the first device signal terminal 23. The fourth terminal block relay terminal 44 is electrically connected to the device communication terminal 24 via the relay board 36. The fourth terminal block relay terminal 44 may be a part (for example, a rear end) of the device communication terminal 24. The fifth terminal block relay terminal 45 is electrically connected to the second device signal terminal 25 via the relay board 36 and the main board 33.
[0078] The lower surface (second surface 32b) of the second holding portion 32 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9. A battery accommodating portion 40 is provided on the second surface 32b of the second holding portion 32. The battery accommodating portion 40 is open toward the lower surface side. The battery accommodating portion 40 has a space in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
[0079] The opening of the battery accommodating section 40 is closed by a cover 38. The cover 38 is removable. In this first embodiment, the cover 38 is fixed to the second surface 32b by four screws 39. The cover 38 may be attached and detached in any manner. The cover 38 may be attached by a method other than the four screws 39. For example, the cover 38 may be attached by one to three or five or more screws. The cover 38 may also be attached by a method other than the screws.
[0080] 7, a seal member 38a is provided in the area of the cover 38 facing the battery accommodating portion 40. Specifically, the seal member 38a in the first embodiment is provided in an annular shape on and / or in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the cover 38. The four screw holes in the cover 38, through which the four screws 39 respectively pass, are provided to pass through the seal member 38a.
[0081] A cover receiving surface 40a is provided in an area of the terminal block 20 facing the seal member 38a. In the first embodiment, the cover receiving surface 40a is provided in an annular shape at the opening of the battery accommodating portion 40. The four screw holes in the terminal block 20 into which the four screws 39 are respectively screwed are provided in the cover receiving surface 40a.
[0082] When the cover 38 is attached to the battery accommodating section 40 with the four screws 39, the seal member 38a comes into close contact with the cover receiving surface 40a. This causes the battery accommodating section 40 to be sealed by the cover 38 and the seal member 38a. Note that even if the cover 38 is attached by a method other than the four screws 39, the battery accommodating section 40 is sealed by the cover 38 and the seal member 38a in response to the attachment.
[0083] The sealing member 38a may include any material, for example, the sealing member 38a may include rubber as a main component. The seal member 38a may be provided on the cover 38 in any manner. The seal member 38a may be provided on the cover 38 by, for example, an adhesive, or by, for example, two-color molding. Two-color molding is also called double molding. Two-color molding is a molding method in which two different types of members (both made of resin, for example) are combined and integrated.
[0084] The seal member 38a may be provided on the terminal block 20. Specifically, the seal member 38a may be provided in an annular shape on the cover receiving surface 40a. The battery housing section 40 houses a second battery 41. The second battery 41 has a rated voltage of, for example, 3V. The second battery 41 supplies a second power to the wireless communication device 42. The wireless communication device 42 operates by receiving the second power from the second battery 41. The second battery 41 may be a battery in any form. The second battery 41 may be a primary battery that cannot be repeatedly charged, or may be a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged. In the first embodiment, the second battery 41 is a primary battery. More specifically, the second battery 41 is in the form of a coin battery.
[0085] (2-1-3) Electrical configuration of electric work machine The electrical configuration of the electric work machine 1 will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 10. As described above, the electric work machine 1 includes the work machine body 2 and the battery pack 10. The work machine body 2 includes a terminal block 20. Fig. 10 shows a state in which the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 2.
[0086] The battery pack 10 includes the first battery 16 and a battery management unit (hereinafter, abbreviated as "BMU") 17. The first battery 16 includes a plurality of cells connected in series to each other. The BMU 17 monitors various states of the battery pack 10, such as the voltage of each cell of the first battery 16, the temperature of the first battery 16, the discharge current from the first battery 16, the charge current to the first battery 16, and the temperature of the BMU 17. Then, based on the results of these monitoring, it determines whether to permit / prohibit discharging and whether to permit / prohibit charging. Furthermore, it transmits and receives various signals to and from the work machine main body 2, and performs data communication with the work machine main body 2.
[0087] The battery pack 10 includes a positive electrode connection terminal 11, a negative electrode connection terminal 12, a first battery signal terminal 13, a battery communication terminal 14, and a second battery signal terminal 15. The positive electrode connection terminal 11 is connected to the positive electrode of a first battery 16. The negative electrode connection terminal 12 is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery 16. The first battery signal terminal 13, the battery communication terminal 14, and the second battery signal terminal 15 are connected to a BMU 17.
[0088] The BMU 17 receives a start signal and a connection signal from the work machine body 2 via the first battery signal terminal 13. The start signal indicates whether or not the trigger 5 is operated. By receiving the connection signal, the BMU 17 can recognize that the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 2. By receiving the start signal, the BMU 17 can recognize that the trigger 5 is operated.
[0089] The BMU 17 is capable of performing data communication with the work machine main body 2 (more specifically, with a work machine controller 53, which will be described later) via the battery communication terminal 14. In the first embodiment, the data communication is, for example, serial communication.
[0090] The BMU 17 outputs a charge permission signal or a charge prohibition signal to the work machine controller 53 via the second battery signal terminal 15 according to the above-mentioned monitoring result. When the BMU 17 determines that the battery pack 10 is in a state in which discharging from the first battery 16 to the work machine body 2 is possible, the BMU 17 outputs a discharge permission signal. The discharge permission signal permits the work machine controller 53 to drive the motor 50. When the BMU 17 determines that the battery pack 10 is in an abnormal state in which discharging from the first battery 16 to the work machine body 2 should not be performed, the BMU 17 outputs a discharge prohibition signal. The discharge prohibition signal instructs the work machine controller 53 to prohibit driving of the motor 50. Examples of the abnormal state include an overdischarge state in which the remaining charge of the first battery 16 is lower than a specified lower limit value, an overheat state in which the temperature of the first battery 16 is higher than a specified upper limit temperature, and the like.
[0091] The working machine body 2 includes a motor 50, a working machine controller 53, and a trigger 5. The motor 50 is driven by receiving power supply from the working machine controller 53. The motor 50 in the first embodiment is in the form of a three-phase brushless motor. However, the motor 50 may be in a form other than a three-phase brushless motor. The rotation of the motor 50 is transmitted to the chuck sleeve 4 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). When the motor 50 rotates, the driven tool attached to the chuck sleeve 4 rotates together with the chuck sleeve 4. This enables various operations to be performed by the driven equipment.
[0092] The work machine main body 2 includes a first internal relay terminal 51, a second internal relay terminal 52, a third internal relay terminal 55, a fourth internal relay terminal 56, and a fifth internal relay terminal 57. The first internal relay terminal 51, the second internal relay terminal 52, the third internal relay terminal 55, the fourth internal relay terminal 56, and the fifth internal relay terminal 57 are connected to a work machine controller 53.
[0093] The first internal relay terminal 51 is connected to the first terminal block relay terminal 26. The first internal relay terminal 51 may be detachably connected to the first terminal block relay terminal 26. The first internal relay terminal 51 is electrically connected to the positive electrode connection terminal 11 of the battery pack 10 via the first terminal block relay terminal 26.
[0094] The second internal relay terminal 52 is connected to the second terminal block relay terminal 27. The second internal relay terminal 52 may be detachably connected to the second terminal block relay terminal 27. The second internal relay terminal 52 is electrically connected to the negative electrode connection terminal 12 of the battery pack 10 via the second terminal block relay terminal 27.
[0095] The third internal relay terminal 55 is connected to the third terminal block relay terminal 43. The third internal relay terminal 55 may be detachably connected to the third terminal block relay terminal 43. The third internal relay terminal 55 is electrically connected to the first battery signal terminal 13 of the battery pack 10 via the third terminal block relay terminal 43.
[0096] The fourth internal relay terminal 56 is connected to the fourth terminal block relay terminal 44. The fourth internal relay terminal 56 may be detachably connected to the fourth terminal block relay terminal 44. The fourth internal relay terminal 56 is electrically connected to the battery communication terminal 14 of the battery pack 10 via the fourth terminal block relay terminal 44.
[0097] The fifth internal relay terminal 57 is connected to the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45. The fifth internal relay terminal 57 may be detachably connected to the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45. The fifth internal relay terminal 57 is electrically connected to the second battery signal terminal 15 of the battery pack 10 via the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45. In addition, in the first embodiment, more specifically, a switch circuit 46 is provided between the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45 and the second device signal terminal 25. Therefore, the fifth internal relay terminal 57 is electrically connected to the second battery signal terminal 15 of the battery pack 10 via the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45, the switch circuit 46, and the second device signal terminal 25.
[0098] With this configuration, the work machine controller 53 receives the first electric power of the first battery 16 via the first internal relay terminal 51 and the second internal relay terminal 52. Then, the work machine controller 53 converts the first electric power and supplies it to the motor 50, thereby driving the motor 50.
[0099] The work machine controller 53 drives the motor 50 when (i) a discharge permission signal is input from the battery pack 10 and (ii) the trigger 5 is operated. The work machine controller 53 does not drive the motor 50 when (i) a discharge permission signal is not input from the battery pack 10, (ii) a discharge prohibition signal is input from the battery pack 10, or (iii) the trigger 5 is not operated.
[0100] Next, the electrical configuration of the terminal block 20 will be described. The terminal block 20 includes a board portion 20a. The board portion 20a includes the above-mentioned main board 33 and relay board 36. That is, in order to simplify the description, the main board 33 and relay board 36 are collectively referred to as the board portion 20a in the drawings in FIG. 10.
[0101] The first device signal terminal 23 is electrically connected to the third terminal block relay terminal 43 via a first signal path 23a in the board portion 20a. The first signal path 23a is mainly arranged on the relay board 36, and is not arranged on the main board 33.
[0102] The device communication terminal 24 is electrically connected to the fourth terminal block relay terminal 44 via a communication path 24a in the board portion 20a. The communication path 24a is mainly arranged on the relay board 36, and is not arranged on the main board 33.
[0103] The second device signal terminal 25 is electrically connected to the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45 via a second signal path 25a in the board portion 20a. The second signal path 25a is arranged from the relay board 36 through the relay wiring group 37 to the main board 33.
[0104] A switch circuit 46 is provided on the second signal path 25a. The switch circuit 46 makes the second signal path 25a conductive or cuts it off. A first end of the switch circuit 46 is connected to the second device signal terminal 25. A second end of the switch circuit 46 is connected to the fifth terminal block relay terminal 45.
[0105] The switch circuit 46 of the first embodiment includes a switch 47 on the second signal path 25a. The switch 47 connects or disconnects the second signal path 25a. A first end of the switch 47 electrically corresponds to the first end of the switch circuit 46, and a second end of the switch 47 electrically corresponds to the second end of the switch circuit 46.
[0106] The switch 47 may take any form. In the first embodiment, the switch 47 may take the form of, for example, a semiconductor switching element (for example, a MOSFET). The terminal block 20 includes the wireless communication device 42. The wireless communication device 42 includes an antenna 42a, and wirelessly communicates with a manufacturer-side system and an unlocking system (see FIG. 11), which will be described later, via the antenna 42a. The wireless communication device 42 receives the second power from the second battery 41 to operate.
[0107] The wireless communication device 42 and the switch circuit 46 are provided to electronically lock the electric operating machine 1 and to release the electronic lock. In the first embodiment, before the electric working machine 1 is sold at a dealer, the manufacturer-side system electronically locks the electric working machine 1 via the wireless communication device 42. The manufacturer-side system is owned, for example, by the manufacturer of the electric working machine 1 or an affiliated company thereof.
[0108] The electronic lock means that the motor 50 is not driven even if the trigger 5 is operated. In the first embodiment, the electronic lock is applied by turning off the switch circuit 46 and interrupting the second signal path 25a. When the second signal path 25a is interrupted, the discharge permission signal from the battery pack 10 is not transmitted to the work machine body 2. Therefore, the motor 50 is not driven even if the trigger 5 is operated.
[0109] The electronic lock is released by an unlocking system at the store when a customer actually purchases the electric operating machine 1 at the store (for example, after payment). The unlocking system may be provided, for example, at a cash register at the store where a cash register for accepting payment (settlement) is located or in its vicinity. The unlocking system may be connected to the cash register or may be built into the cash register. Conversely, the cash register may be built into the unlocking system.
[0110] The unlocking system unlocks the electronic lock by wirelessly transmitting an unlocking signal to the wireless communication device 42. Upon receiving the unlocking signal, the wireless communication device 42 turns on the switch circuit 46 to make the second signal path 25a conductive, thereby unlocking the electronic lock.
[0111] (2-1-4) Electronic lock and unlocking Next, an example of the flow from when the electronic lock is applied to when it is released will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12, focusing on the control of the switch 47 by the wireless communication device 42. In this first embodiment, the work machine body 2 is shipped with the battery pack 10 attached. However, the work machine body 2 may be shipped alone.
[0112] As shown in Fig. 11, before shipping the electric working machine 1, a locking process is performed to apply an electronic lock. Specifically, the manufacturer's system wirelessly communicates with the wireless communication device 42 of the electric working machine 1 to be processed to request a unique ID (S110). The unique ID is a unique identifier possessed by the wireless communication device 42. The unique ID may be a so-called UUID (Universally Unique Identifier).
[0113] In the first embodiment, requesting a unique ID from a wireless communication device 42 that is not performing electronic lock processing includes requesting an electronic lock. Note that a request for an electronic lock may be made separately from a request for a unique ID. For example, a request for an electronic lock may be made by transmitting a lock command.
[0114] When the wireless communication device 42 is requested by the manufacturer's system to transmit the unique ID, the wireless communication device 42 transmits the unique ID stored therein to the manufacturer's system by wireless communication (S210). The manufacturer's system receives and stores the unique ID transmitted from the wireless communication device 42 (S120). Then, a barcode including the unique ID and the product serial number is printed (S130). The product serial number is a number assigned to the electric operating machine 1 to be processed for management purposes. In FIG. 11, the product serial number is abbreviated to "serial number." The same applies to FIGS. 14 and 15, which will be described later.
[0115] Once the barcode has been printed, the printed medium (for example, a sticker with adhesive) is affixed to a packaging box by an operator. The electric operating machine 1 is then packed in the packaging box and shipped. At this time, the unique ID indicated by the barcode affixed to the packaging box matches the unique ID held by the wireless communication device 42 of the electric operating machine 1 inside the packaging box. The shipped electric operating machine 1 is received by a retailer, and sales at the retailer begin.
[0116] On the other hand, the wireless communication device 42 that has received the request for the unique ID executes an electronic lock process in response to receiving the request for the unique ID (i.e., in response to receiving a request for electronic lock) (S220). Specifically, the switch 47 is turned off to apply the electronic lock. This blocks the second signal path 25a, and the discharge permission signal is no longer input to the work machine controller 53.
[0117] In the first embodiment, wireless communication is performed according to the wireless communication standard of BLE. Therefore, the wireless communication device 42 starts advertising after the electronic lock process is performed. The wireless communication device 42 also performs advertising before the process of S210 is performed. In addition, a request for a unique ID from the manufacturer's system is also made after the manufacturer's system scans the advertising packet and establishes a wireless connection with the wireless communication device 42 using the packet as a starting point.
[0118] At a dealer, when a customer who wishes to purchase the electric operating machine 1 brings the electric operating machine 1 (more specifically, the packaging box containing the electric operating machine 1) to the cash register and pays for it, the unlocking process begins.
[0119] Specifically, the cashier operates the unlocking system to read the barcode attached to the packaging box (S310), which allows the unlocking system to obtain the product serial number and unique ID that have been barcoded.
[0120] When the unlocking system reads the barcode, it performs processing (transmission and reception of necessary data) to establish a wireless connection with the wireless communication device 42 in the packaging box (S320). At this time, the wireless communication device 42 also performs processing (including transmission and reception of necessary data) required for wireless connection in accordance with a request from the unlocking system, etc. (S230). As a result, a wireless connection is established between the unlocking system and the wireless communication device 42 (S320, S230).
[0121] 12, when a wireless connection is established, the unlocking system wirelessly requests the wireless communication device 42 to transmit a unique ID (S330). When the wireless communication device 42 receives a request for the unique ID from the unlocking system, the wireless communication device 42 transmits the unique ID stored therein to the unlocking system via wireless communication (S240).
[0122] The lock release system receives and stores the unique ID transmitted from the wireless communication device 42 (S340). It then determines whether the stored unique ID matches the unique ID read from the barcode (S350). If the stored unique ID does not match the unique ID of the barcode, an error process is performed (S380) and processing related to the electronic lock is terminated. The error process may include, for example, notifying the operator at the checkout counter that the unique IDs do not match (and thus that the electronic lock cannot be released).
[0123] If the stored unique ID matches the unique ID of the barcode, the unlocking system transmits an unlocking signal to the wireless communication device 42 via wireless communication (S360). When the wireless communication device 42 receives an unlock signal wirelessly transmitted from the unlocking system (S250), it executes an unlock process (S260). Specifically, the wireless communication device 42 releases the electronic lock by turning on the switch 47. This makes the second signal path 25a conductive, and allows a discharge permission signal to be input to the work machine controller 53.
[0124] After transmitting the unlocking signal, the unlocking system releases the wireless connection with the wireless communication device 42 (S370), which causes the wireless communication device 42 to also release the wireless connection with the unlocking system (S270).
[0125] (2-1-5) Correspondence of terms The work machine body 2 is an example of a battery-powered device in the generalization of the embodiment. The work machine controller 53 corresponds to an example of a control unit in the generalization of the embodiment. The motor 50 corresponds to an example of an electric load in the generalization of the embodiment. The device positive terminal 21, the device negative terminal 22, the first device signal terminal 23, the device communication terminal 24, and the second device signal terminal 25 correspond to an example of a plurality of device side terminals in the generalization of the embodiment. The positive electrode connection terminal 11, the negative electrode connection terminal 12, the first battery signal terminal 13, the battery communication terminal 14, and the second battery signal terminal 15 correspond to an example of a plurality of battery side terminals in the generalization of the embodiment. The second surface 31b of the first holding portion 31 corresponds to an example of a terminal arrangement area in the generalization of the embodiment. The electronically locked state corresponds to an example of an inoperable state in the generalization of the embodiment. The request for a unique ID from the manufacturer's system (S110) corresponds to an example of first information in the generalization of the embodiment. The unlocking signal from the unlocking system corresponds to an example of second information in the generalization of the embodiment. The second device signal terminal 25 or the device communication terminal 24 corresponds to an example of an information input terminal in the summary of the embodiments. The discharge permission signal corresponds to an example of permission information in the summary of the embodiments. The second signal path 25a or the communication path 24a corresponds to an example of an information transmission path in the summary of the embodiments.
[0126] [2-2. Second embodiment] (2-2-1) Overview of differences from the first embodiment As shown in Fig. 13, in the electric work machine 101 of the second embodiment, the structure and function of a terminal block 200 in the work machine body 102 is partially different from that of the terminal block 20 of the work machine body 2 of the first embodiment. Other than the terminal block 200, the electric work machine 101 of the second embodiment is basically configured in the same way as the electric work machine 1 of the first embodiment. In Fig. 13, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the main board 33 and the relay board 36 are collectively illustrated as a board part 200a.
[0127] The terminal block 200 of the second embodiment is structurally (that is, externally) substantially the same as the terminal block 20 of the first embodiment. The terminal block 200 of the second embodiment differs from the terminal block 20 of the first embodiment basically in the circuit configuration of the main board 33 and in that the device positive terminal 21 is connected to the main board 33.
[0128] In the second embodiment, the function of the wireless communication device 91 is partially different from that of the wireless communication device 42 in the first embodiment. The wireless communication device 91 in the second embodiment has a function of communicating data with a work machine main body 102 and / or a battery pack 10. The data communication with the work machine main body 102 is, more specifically, communication with a work machine controller 53, and the data communication with the battery pack 10 is, more specifically, communication with a BMU 17.
[0129] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the method of electronic locking is different from that in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, as described later, the wireless communication device 91 requests the work machine controller 53 and / or the BMU 17 to electronically lock the vehicle by data communication. In other words, the work machine controller 53 and / or the BMU 17 performs the electronic locking.
[0130] The following description will focus on the configuration and functions that differ from the first embodiment. (2-2-2) Electrical configuration of the terminal block 13, in the second embodiment, the fourth terminal block relay terminal 44 is electrically connected to the device communication terminal 24 via the relay board 36 and the main board 33. The fifth terminal block relay terminal 45 is electrically connected to the second device signal terminal 25 via the relay board 36. The fifth terminal block relay terminal 45 may be a part of the second device signal terminal 25 (for example, the rear end portion).
[0131] The terminal block 200 includes a power supply switching circuit 80, a communication switching circuit 90, and a wireless communication device 91. In the second embodiment, the power supply switching circuit 80, the communication switching circuit 90, and the wireless communication device 91 are mounted on the main board 33.
[0132] The power supply switching circuit 80 is connected to the device positive terminal 21. When the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102, the first power of the first battery 16 is input to the power supply switching circuit 80 via the device positive terminal 21. The power supply switching circuit 80 generates a first control voltage Vc1 and a second control voltage Vc2 from the first power of the first battery 16, as described later. The second control voltage Vc2 is input to the communication switching circuit 90.
[0133] Furthermore, the power supply switching circuit 80 receives the second power from the second battery 41. When the battery pack 10 is not attached to the work machine body 102, the power supply switching circuit 80 supplies the second power of the second battery 41 to the wireless communication device 91 as a power supply voltage Vble for the wireless communication device 91. The wireless communication device 91 operates on the power supply voltage Vble. When the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102, the power supply switching circuit 80 supplies the second control voltage Vc2 to the wireless communication device 91 as the power supply voltage Vble.
[0134] The communication switching circuit 90 is provided on the communication path 24a. The communication switching circuit 90 connects or disconnects the communication path 24a. In the second embodiment, the second signal path 25a is not provided with a switch circuit.
[0135] The wireless communication device 91 is connected to the communication switching circuit 90. The communication switching circuit 90 is controlled by the wireless communication device 91. The wireless communication device 91 can perform data communication with the work machine controller 53 or the BMU via the communication switching circuit 90. The work machine controller 53 and the BMU can perform data communication with each other via the communication switching circuit 90.
[0136] A more detailed description will be given of the power supply switching circuit 80. The power supply switching circuit 80 includes a first power supply circuit 81 and a second power supply circuit . The first power supply circuit 81 receives the battery voltage VB of the first battery 16 via the device positive terminal 21. The first power supply circuit 81 generates a first control voltage Vc1 from the battery voltage VB. The first control voltage Vc1 is a DC voltage, for example, 5 V. In the second embodiment, the first control voltage Vc1 is greater than the second voltage V2 of the second battery 41.
[0137] The second power supply circuit 82 generates a second control voltage Vc2 from the first control voltage Vc1 generated by the first power supply circuit 81. The second control voltage Vc2 is a DC voltage lower than the first control voltage Vc1, for example, 3.3V. In the second embodiment, the magnitude of the second control voltage Vc2 is the same as or close to the second voltage V2 of the second battery 41. The second voltage V2 is, for example, 3V. The power supply switching circuit 80 includes a first switching element Q1 and a second switching element Q2. In the second embodiment, the first switching element Q1 is in the form of a p-channel MOSFET. In the second embodiment, the second switching element Q2 is in the form of an n-channel MOSFET.
[0138] The drain of the first switching element Q1 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery 41. The gate of the first switching element Q1 is connected to the first control power line, the first end of the first resistor R1, and the first end of the second resistor R2. The first control power line is electrically connected to the output terminal of the first control voltage Vc1 in the first power supply circuit 81, and the first control voltage Vc1 is supplied to the first control power line. The second end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the source of the first switching element Q1 and the drain of the second switching element Q2. The second end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the ground line. In the second embodiment, the resistance value of the first resistor R1 is sufficiently larger than the resistance value of the second resistor R2. For example, the resistance value of the first resistor R1 may be 4.7 MΩ and the resistance value of the second resistor R2 may be 1 MΩ.
[0139] The gate of the second switching element Q2 is connected to the first control power supply line and a first end of the third resistor R3. The second end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the source of the second switching element Q2 and the second control power supply line. The second control power supply line is electrically connected to the output terminal of the second control voltage Vc2 in the second power supply circuit 82, and the second control voltage Vc2 is supplied to the second control power supply line.
[0140] The second control power supply line is connected to the wireless communication device 91. Therefore, when the second control voltage Vc2 is generated, the second control voltage Vc2 is input to the wireless communication device 91. The source of the first switching element Q1 (in other words, electrically, the drain of the second switching element Q2) is connected to the wireless communication device 91.
[0141] The power supply switching circuit 80 configured in this manner operates differently depending on whether or not the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102. Each operation will be explained below. Note that the following explanation is based on the premise that the second battery 41 is attached.
[0142] First, the operation of the power supply switching circuit 80 when the battery pack 10 is not attached to the work machine body 102 will be described. In this case, the second voltage V2 of the second battery 41 is supplied to the wireless communication device 91 as the power supply voltage Vble of the wireless communication device 91 via the first switching element Q1. Strictly speaking, when the second battery 41 is attached, the first switching element Q1 is off, so the second voltage V2 is first supplied to the wireless communication device 91 as the power supply voltage Vble via the parasitic diode of the first switching element Q1. The second voltage V2 via the parasitic diode is divided by the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. The divided voltage is applied to the gate of the first switching element Q1. This turns on the first switching element Q1. Thereafter, the second voltage V2 is supplied to the wireless communication device 91 as the power supply voltage Vble via the entire first switching element Q1. This allows the wireless communication device 91 to operate even when the battery pack 10 is not attached.
[0143] At this time, the divided voltage is applied to the first control power supply line. However, each circuit connected to the first control power supply line is basically configured to operate with the first control voltage Vc1. The divided voltage is sufficiently lower than the second voltage V2. Therefore, each circuit connected to the first control power supply line does not operate even if the divided voltage is supplied.
[0144] Next, the operation of the power supply switching circuit 80 when the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102 will be described. When the battery pack 10 is attached, a first control voltage Vc1 and a second control voltage Vc2 are generated. This turns off the first switching element Q1 and turns on the second switching element Q2. Therefore, the second control voltage Vc2 is supplied to the wireless communication device 91 as the power supply voltage Vble via the second switching element Q2.
[0145] In other words, when the battery pack 10 is not attached to the work machine body 102, the wireless communication device 91 operates using the second power of the second battery 41, and when the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102, the wireless communication device 91 operates using the second control voltage Vc2.
[0146] The second control voltage Vc2 generated by the second power supply circuit 82 is input to a battery detection terminal of the wireless communication device 91. When the second control voltage Vc2 is input, the wireless communication device 91 detects that the battery pack 10 has been attached to the work machine body 102. When the wireless communication device 91 detects that the battery pack 10 has been attached, it performs a predetermined process related to the electronic lock.
[0147] A more detailed description will be given of the communication switching circuit 90. The communication switching circuit 90 includes a first switch circuit 92 and a second switch circuit 93. The first switch circuit 92 is provided on the communication path 24a and turns on or off the communication path 24a. A first end of the first switch circuit 92 is connected to the device communication terminal 24. A second end of the first switch circuit 92 is connected to a first end of the second switch circuit 93.
[0148] The first switch circuit 92 of the second embodiment includes a first switch 94 on the communication path 24a. The first switch 94 connects or disconnects the communication path 24a. A first end of the first switch 94 electrically corresponds to the first end of the first switch circuit 92, and a second end of the first switch 94 electrically corresponds to the second end of the first switch circuit 92.
[0149] The second switch circuit 93 is provided on the communication path 24a and turns on or off the communication path 24a. A first terminal of the second switch circuit 93 is connected to a second terminal of the first switch circuit 92. A second terminal of the second switch circuit 93 is connected to the fourth terminal block relay terminal 44.
[0150] The second switch circuit 93 of the second embodiment includes a second switch 95 on the communication path 24a. The second switch 95 connects or disconnects the communication path 24a. A first end of the second switch 95 electrically corresponds to a first end of the second switch circuit 93, and a second end of the second switch 95 electrically corresponds to a second end of the second switch circuit 93.
[0151] The communication path 24 a between the first switch circuit 92 and the second switch circuit 93 is connected to the wireless communication device 91 . The wireless communication device 91 controls the first switch circuit 92 and the second switch circuit 93 (specifically, the first switch 94 and the second switch 95). In the second embodiment, turning the first switch circuit 92 on / off is synonymous with turning the first switch 94 on / off, and turning the second switch circuit 93 on / off is synonymous with turning the second switch 95 on / off.
[0152] The wireless communication device 91 can individually turn on or off the first switch 94 and the second switch 95. When the first switch 94 and the second switch 95 are turned on, the BMU 17 and the work machine controller 53 can communicate with each other via the communication path 24a. When the first switch 94 is turned off and the second switch 95 is turned on, the wireless communication device 91 and the work machine controller 53 can communicate with each other via the second switch 95. When the second switch 95 is turned off and the first switch 94 is turned on, the wireless communication device 91 and the BMU 17 can communicate with each other via the first switch 94.
[0153] The wireless communication device 91 basically turns on the first switch 94 and the second switch 95. The first switch 94 and the second switch 95 may be configured to be on when not controlled. That is, in the second embodiment, the first switch 94 and the second switch 95 are normally on, and therefore the BMU 17 and the work machine controller 53 can communicate with each other via the communication path 24a. At this time, communication data between the two is also input to the wireless communication device 91 via the communication path 24a. Therefore, the wireless communication device 91 can monitor the communication between the two.
[0154] On the other hand, when the wireless communication device 91 needs to communicate with the BMU 17 or the work machine controller 53, the wireless communication device 91 turns on only one of the first switch 94 and the second switch 95 to communicate with the communication partner.
[0155] (2-2-3) Electronic lock and unlocking Next, an example of a flow from when the electronic lock is applied to when it is released will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16, focusing on the control of the communication switching circuit 90 by the wireless communication device 91. FIG.
[0156] Note that the processes in Figures 14 to 16 are partially the same as the processes in Figures 12 to 13 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the following mainly describes the points that differ from the first embodiment. 14 and 15, the "equipment side system" refers to the work machine controller 53 and / or the BMU 17. As described above, in the second embodiment, the electronic lock is substantially realized by the work machine controller 53 and / or the BMU 17. The electronic lock may be performed by only one of these two. However, in the following explanation, an example in which the electronic lock is performed by both of these will be given.
[0157] As shown in FIG. 14, when the manufacturer system receives and stores the unique ID from the wireless communication device 91 via wireless communication in S120, it transmits the product serial number via wireless communication to the wireless communication device 91 (S125).
[0158] When the wireless communication device 91 receives and stores the product serial number from the manufacturer's system (S221), it executes a switch changeover process (S222). Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 turns off the first switch 94 and turns on the second switch 95. After executing the switch changeover process, the wireless communication device 91 transmits the product serial number stored in S221 to the work machine controller 53 via the communication changeover circuit 90 (more specifically, via the second switch 95) (S223). After the process of S223, the wireless communication device 91 transmits an electronic lock command to the work machine controller 53 via the communication changeover circuit 90 (more specifically, via the second switch 95) (S224).
[0159] After transmitting the electronic lock command to the work machine controller 53, the wireless communication device 91 also performs the processes of S222 to S224 for the BMU 17 in the same manner. Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 turns on the first switch 94 and turns off the second switch 95 (S222). Then, the wireless communication device 91 transmits the product serial number and the electronic lock command to the BMU 17 via the communication switching circuit 90 (more specifically, via the first switch 94) (S223 to S224). Note that, conversely to the above, transmission to the BMU 17 may be performed before transmission to the work machine controller 53. When the wireless communication device 91 has completed transmission of the electronic lock command, it resumes advertising.
[0160] When the equipment-side system (here, the work machine controller 53 and the BMU 17) receives the product serial number from the wireless communication device 91, it stores the product serial number (S410). Next, when the equipment-side system receives an electronic lock command from the wireless communication device 91 (S420), it executes electronic lock processing (S430).
[0161] Specifically, the work machine controller 53 stores the received product serial number and locks itself. Specifically, the work machine controller 53 sets itself so that the motor 50 will not be driven even if the trigger 5 is operated while the discharge permission signal is input. In other words, the electronic lock is applied by software processing. Note that the work machine controller 53 may achieve the electronic lock by other methods. The same applies to the electronic lock by the BMU 17 described later.
[0162] The BMU 17 stores the received product serial number and locks itself so that the first power of the first battery 16 is not supplied to the work machine body 102. The electronic lock in the battery pack 10 may be realized in any manner. In the second embodiment, for example, the BMU 17 sets itself so that it does not output a discharge permission signal (or outputs a discharge prohibition signal) even if discharge from the first battery 16 is possible. As a result, even if the trigger 5 is operated in the work machine body 102, the work machine controller 53 does not drive the motor 50 because the discharge permission signal has not been input.
[0163] Next, the processing after S250 in the wireless communication device 91 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. In the second embodiment, when the wireless communication device 91 receives an unlocking signal from the unlocking system (S250), it determines whether or not the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102 (S280). This determination may be made in any manner. For example, this determination may be made based on whether or not the second control voltage Vc2 is input to the wireless communication device 91. If the second control voltage Vc2 is input, it can be determined that the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102.
[0164] When it is determined that the battery pack 10 is attached to the work machine body 102, the wireless communication device 91 executes a switch changeover process (S282). Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 turns off the first switch 94 and turns on the second switch 95.
[0165] After the switch changeover process is executed, the wireless communication device 91 requests the product serial number from the work machine controller 53 and receives the product serial number from the work machine controller 53 (S283).
[0166] Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 transmits a serial number transmission command to the work machine controller 53 via the communication switching circuit 90 (more specifically, via the second switch 95). The serial number transmission command requests the work machine controller 53 to transmit the product serial number stored in the work machine controller 53 to the wireless communication device 91.
[0167] When the work machine controller 53 receives a request for the product serial number from the wireless communication device 91 in S283, it transmits the product serial number stored in the work machine controller 53 to the wireless communication device 91 (S440). The transmitted product serial number is received by the wireless communication device 91 via the communication switching circuit 90 in the terminal block 200 (more specifically, via the second switch 95) (S283).
[0168] After receiving the product serial number, the wireless communication device 91 transmits an unlock command to the work machine controller 53 via the communication switching circuit 90 (specifically, via the second switch 95) (S284). The unlock command requests that the electronic lock be released.
[0169] The wireless communication device 91 further executes a switch changeover process (S285). Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 turns on both the first switch 94 and the second switch 95. After performing the processes of S282 to S285 on the work machine controller 53 in this manner, the wireless communication device 91 also performs the processes of S282 to S285 on the BMU 17 in the same manner. Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 turns on the first switch 94 and turns off the second switch 95 (S282). Then, the wireless communication device 91 communicates with the BMU 17 via the communication switching circuit 90 (more specifically, via the first switch 94) (S283 to S285).
[0170] Conversely, the unlock command may be sent to the BMU 17 prior to the work machine controller 53 . After performing the processes of S282 to S285 on the work machine controller 53 and the BMU 17, the wireless communication device 91 disconnects the wireless connection with the unlocking system (S270).
[0171] If it is determined in S280 that the battery pack 10 is not attached to the work machine body 102, the wireless communication device 91 stores release request data for the work machine controller 53 and release request data for the BMU 17 (S281). This release request data indicates that the electronic lock may be unlocked.
[0172] After receiving the product serial number in S283, the wireless communication device 91 may check whether or not the received product serial number matches the product serial number stored in the wireless communication device 91. If the received product serial number matches the product serial number stored in the wireless communication device 91, the wireless communication device 91 may transmit an unlock command in S284. If the received product serial number does not match the product serial number stored in the wireless communication device 91, the wireless communication device 91 may not transmit an unlock command, but may store unlock request data targeted at the device-side system that is the transmission source of the product serial number, and proceed to S285.
[0173] When the work machine controller 53 and the BMU 17 receive an unlock command from the wireless communication device 91 (S450), they execute an unlock process (S460). Specifically, the work machine controller 53 releases the electronic lock applied to itself. More specifically, the work machine controller 53 sets itself so that it drives the motor 50 if the trigger 5 is operated while a discharge permission signal is input. The BMU 17 releases the electronic lock applied to itself. Specifically, the BMU 17 sets itself so that it outputs a discharge permission signal when discharge from the first battery 16 is possible.
[0174] After the wireless communication device 91 has released the wireless connection with the unlocking system in S270, as shown in FIG. 16, it determines whether or not the battery pack 10 has been attached to the work machine body 102 (S290).
[0175] When the battery pack 10 is attached, the wireless communication device 91 determines whether or not the release request data is stored therein (S291). If the release request data is not stored, the process ends. If the release request data is not stored, this means that the electronic locks of both the work machine controller 53 and the BMU 17 have already been unlocked.
[0176] If release request data intended for the work machine controller 53 is stored, the wireless communication device 91 performs a switch changeover process (S292). Specifically, the wireless communication device 91 controls the communication changeover circuit 90 so as to enable communication with the work machine controller 53. If release request data intended for the BMU 17 is stored, the wireless communication device 91 controls the communication changeover circuit 90 so as to enable communication with the BMU 17 in S292.
[0177] Here, the explanation will be continued assuming that the target device of the release request data is the work machine controller 53. In this case, in S292, the wireless communication device 91 turns off the first switch 94 and turns on the second switch 95. After executing the switch changeover process, the wireless communication device 91 requests the product serial number from the work machine controller 53 and receives the product serial number from the work machine controller 53 (S293). The process of S293 is the same as S283. Upon receiving the request from the wireless communication device 91, the work machine controller 53 transmits the product serial number to the wireless communication device 91 (S470). The process of S470 is the same as S440.
[0178] The wireless communication device 91 checks (S294) whether the received product serial number matches the product serial number stored in the wireless communication device 91. If they match, the wireless communication device 91 transmits an unlock command to the work machine controller 53 via the communication switching circuit 90 (S295).
[0179] After transmitting the unlock command in S295, the wireless communication device 91 clears the release request data intended for the work machine controller 53. When the electronic lock is normally released, the work machine controller 53 may notify the wireless communication device 91 of this. When the wireless communication device 91 receives this notification from the work machine controller 53, it may clear the release request data.
[0180] If the received product serial number does not match the product serial number stored in the wireless communication device 91 in S294, the wireless communication device 91 proceeds to S296 without transmitting an unlock command.
[0181] In S296, the wireless communication device 91 executes a switch changeover process. Specifically, similarly to S285, the first switch 94 and the second switch 95 are both turned on. If the target device of the release request data determined to be stored in S291 is the BMU 17, the wireless communication device 91 performs the processes of S292 to S296 in the same manner for the BMU 17. Note that, if both release request data for the work machine controller 53 and release request data for the BMU 17 are stored in S291, the wireless communication device 91 performs the processes of S292 to S296 for each of the release request data.
[0182] When the work unit controller 53 and / or the BMU 17 receives the unlock command transmitted from the wireless communication device 91 in S295 (S480), it executes the unlock process (S490). The unlock process in S490 is the same as that in S460.
[0183] Note that cases in which it is determined in S280 that the battery pack 10 is not attached include, for example, when the battery pack 10 is not actually physically attached, or when it is attached but the remaining charge of the first battery 16 is insufficient. In this case, a customer who has purchased the electric working machine 1 will take the electric working machine 1 home with the electronic lock not released. After that, when a battery pack 10 with sufficient remaining charge is attached, an unlock command is sent (S295) through the processes of S291 to S294, and the unlock process is executed (S490).
[0184] At this time, there is a possibility that a battery pack different from the battery pack 10 that is included with the purchased product (here, the electric work machine 101) is attached to the work machine body 102. In this case, a negative determination is made in S294, and the unlock command is not sent in S295. Therefore, the release request data for the BMU 17 is not cleared.
[0185] (2-2-4) Correspondence of terms Serial communication is an example of a "communication method different from wireless communication" in the present disclosure. The second control voltage Vc2 is an example of power source power in the present disclosure. The power source switching circuit 80 is an example of a communication power supply circuit in the present disclosure. The wireless communication device 91 is an example of a first wireless communication device in the present disclosure. The manufacturer system and the lock release system are an example of a second wireless communication device in the present disclosure. The release request data (see S281) is an example of the third information and the fourth information in the present disclosure. A state in which the BMU 17 is electronically locked is an example of a first mode in the present disclosure. A state in which the work machine controller 53 is electronically locked is an example of a second mode in the present disclosure.
[0186] 3. Other embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.
[0187] (3-1) In the first embodiment, the main board 33 is not limited to being disposed on the tip side of the first holding portion 31, and may be disposed anywhere on the terminal block 20. For example, the main board 33 may be disposed on a side other than the tip side of the first holding portion 31 (for example, on the rear end side), or may be disposed on the second holding portion 32. The same applies to the second embodiment.
[0188] (3-2) The wireless communication device 42 may be mounted on a board (e.g., relay board 36) different from the main board 33. That is, the wireless communication device 42 may be provided at any location in the terminal block 20. The wireless communication device 42 may be mounted on the relay board 36, for example, or may be provided at a location other than the board. The wireless communication device 42 may be disposed on the second surface 31b of the first holding portion 31 or the second surface 32b of the second holding portion 32.
[0189] (3-3) The battery accommodating section 40 may be provided anywhere in the terminal block 20. For example, the battery accommodating section 40 may be provided on the first surface 32a of the second holding section 32 so that the second battery 41 can be attached and detached from the first surface 32a side. Alternatively, the battery accommodating section 40 may be provided on the first surface 31a of the first holding section 31 so that the second battery 41 can be attached and detached from the first surface 31a side.
[0190] (3-4) The cover 38 that covers the battery housing section 40 does not have to be provided. (3-5) In the first embodiment, the electronic lock may be realized, for example, by cutting off the communication path 24a. That is, in the first embodiment, a switch circuit similar to the first switch circuit 92 in the second embodiment may be provided on the communication path 24a. Then, the electronic lock may be applied by turning off the switch circuit to cut off the communication path 24a. In this case, the requirement for being able to drive the motor 50 may be that the work machine controller 53 is able to perform predetermined data communication with the BMU 17. That is, for example, when the trigger 5 is operated, the work machine controller 53 attempts predetermined data communication with the BMU 17, and drives the motor 50 if the data communication is performed normally, and if the data communication is not performed normally, it may not be necessary to drive the motor 50 even if a discharge permission signal is input.
[0191] In the first embodiment, the electronic lock may be realized, for example, by cutting off the path between the device positive terminal 21 and the first terminal block relay terminal 26, or the path between the device negative terminal 22 and the second terminal block relay terminal 27. In this case, too, the electronic lock can be realized by providing a switch in the path to be cut off and turning off the switch.
[0192] (3-6) The first switch 94 and the second switch 95 in the second embodiment may have any form that can connect or disconnect the communication path 24a. The first switch 94 and the second switch 95 may have the form of, for example, a so-called bidirectional buffer.
[0193] (3-7) The power supply switching circuit 80 of the second embodiment may be mounted on the terminal block 20 of the first embodiment. That is, even in the first embodiment, the wireless communication device 42 may be configured to operate by the second control voltage Vc2 when the battery pack 10 is attached.
[0194] (3-8) In the second embodiment, the power supply switching circuit 80 may be omitted. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 91 may operate with the second power of the second battery 41 even when the battery pack 10 is attached.
[0195] (3-9) In the terminal block 20, some or all of the terminals 23 to 25 other than the device positive terminal 21 and the device negative terminal 22 may be omitted, or other terminals may be provided instead of or in addition to these.
[0196] (3-10) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]
[0197] 1,101...electric work machine, 2,102...work machine body, 5...trigger, 5...feature, 10...battery pack, 11...positive connection terminal, 12...negative connection terminal, 13...first battery signal terminal, 14...battery communication terminal, 15...second battery signal terminal, 16...first battery, 20,200...terminal block, 21...equipment positive terminal, 22...equipment negative terminal, 23...first equipment signal terminal, 23a...first signal Path, 24...equipment communication terminal, 24a...communication path, 25...second equipment signal terminal, 25a...second signal path, 30...holding member, 31...first holding portion, 31a, 32a...first surface, 31b, 32b...second surface, 32...second holding portion, 33...main board, 36...relay board, 38...cover, 39...screw, 40...battery accommodating portion, 41...second battery, 42...wireless communication device, 47...switch, 50...motor.
Claims
1. a mounting portion configured to removably mount a battery pack including a first battery; an electric load configured to operate by receiving the first power of the first battery from the battery pack; A controller configured to control operation of the electrical load; A terminal block, a plurality of device-side terminals that are electrically connected to a plurality of battery-side terminals in the battery pack in response to the battery pack being attached to the attachment portion, and that receive the first power via the plurality of battery-side terminals; a housing portion configured to removably house the second battery; a wireless communication device configured to receive second power from the second battery and perform wireless communication; A terminal block comprising:
1. A battery-powered device comprising:
2. 2. The battery-powered device of claim 1, a holding member which holds the plurality of device-side terminals, the holding member having a first surface and a second surface corresponding to a back surface of the first surface, the second surface facing the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the attachment portion, and the second surface having a terminal arrangement region in which the plurality of device-side terminals are arranged; 1. A battery-powered device comprising:
3. 3. The battery-powered device of claim 2, The storage portion is provided on the second surface. Battery-powered equipment.
4. 4. The battery-powered device of claim 3, The housing portion is provided in a region of the second surface that is different from the terminal arrangement region. Battery-powered equipment.
5. The battery-powered device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the mounting portion is configured so that the battery pack is mounted by sliding the battery pack relative to the mounting portion in a predetermined insertion direction, the storage portion is provided at a position away from a position where the plurality of battery side terminals are present in a state in which the battery pack is attached to the attachment portion in the insertion direction. Battery-powered equipment.
6. The battery-powered device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The wireless communication device is disposed in a location different from the housing portion. Battery-powered equipment.
7. The battery-powered device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The wireless communication device is disposed on the first surface. Battery-powered equipment.
8. The battery-powered device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The terminal block includes a cover configured to cover the housing portion. Battery-powered equipment.
9. 9. The battery-powered device of claim 8, The cover is configured to be fixed to the terminal block by a screw. Battery-powered equipment.
10. 10. A battery-powered device according to claim 8 or claim 9, the cover or a portion of the terminal block facing the cover is provided with a seal member; The sealing member is configured to be in close contact with both the cover and the terminal block when the accommodation portion is covered with the cover, thereby sealing the accommodation portion together with the cover. Battery-powered equipment.
11. The battery-powered device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The wireless communication device includes: a process of forcibly setting the battery-powered device to an inoperable state in which the electric load cannot be operated in response to receiving the first information through the wireless communication; a release process for releasing the inoperable state of the battery-powered device in response to receiving second information via the wireless communication while the battery-powered device is in the inoperable state; is configured to run Battery-powered equipment.
12. 12. The battery-powered device of claim 11, the plurality of device-side terminals include an information input terminal configured to receive permission information indicating permission for operation of the electric load from the battery pack; the control unit is configured to operate the electric load in response to receiving an instruction to operate the electric load and receiving the permission information via the information input terminal, The inoperable setting process includes blocking input of the permission information to the control unit. Battery-powered equipment.
13. 13. The battery-powered device of claim 12, The terminal block includes: an information transmission path configured to transmit the permission information input to the information input terminal to the control unit; a switch configured to connect or disconnect the information transmission path; Equipped with the inoperable setting process includes cutting off the information transmission path by the switch, The release process includes conducting the information transmission path by the switch. Battery-powered equipment.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Manual machine tools and tool systems
JP2018537298A