Battery-driven portable device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, while a battery-driven potable device driven by an all-solid battery has a wide available temperature range, it requires a technology for both heating and dissipating heat since the necessity arises to control temperature of a component having an operation failure caused by low temperature (component requiring heating) and a component having an operation failure caused by high temperature (component requiring depressing heat) for normal operation.SOLUTION: A battery-driven portable device includes a battery pack incorporating an all-solid battery cell, and a device body that enables attaching / detaching the battery pack. The battery pack and / or the device body store a plurality of components. The plurality of components are to be arranged in a low-temperature layout at low temperature and to be arranged in a high-temperature layout at high temperature. At low temperature in which a component requiring heating needs to be heated, heat radiation from a heat radiation member is prevented, and at high temperature in which a component requiring heat radiation needs to dissipate heat, heat is depressed from the heat radiation member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technology applicable to battery-powered (cordless) portable tools, such as, but not limited to, (handheld) cordless power tools used in a state supported by a user. Examples of cordless handheld power tools include battery-powered drills, battery-powered screwdrivers, battery-powered chainsaws, battery-powered circular saws, battery-powered handheld vacuum cleaners, and battery-powered illuminators (flashlights). The technology disclosed in this specification is also applicable to battery-powered portable tools carried by a user and used at the location where the tool is carried, such as, but not limited to, battery-powered miter saws, battery-powered table saws, battery-powered lawnmowers, and battery-powered vacuum cleaners used in a state supported on a floor surface, etc. This specification also discloses a technology related to a battery pack that is detachable from the tool body of any of the battery-powered portable tools described above or below, and that includes at least one all-solid-state battery cell. [Background technology]

[0002] Battery-powered (cordless) portable tools have become widespread due to their convenience and ability to be used in a variety of work environments. In the past, such battery-powered portable tools have been powered by rechargeable batteries based on battery chemistries such as nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, and lithium ion. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose examples of battery-powered portable tools that utilize lithium ion batteries. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-129986 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-21657 A

[0004] Recently, lithium-ion batteries have been widely used for batteries that drive battery-powered portable devices because it is preferable that the discharge capacity (or storage capacity) per unit weight or unit volume is large and / or that the output per unit weight or unit volume is high. In lithium-ion batteries, an electrolyte (which may be electrolytic gel) is filled between the positive and negative electrodes, and lithium ions move between the positive and negative electrodes via the electrolyte or electrolytic gel during charging and discharging. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolyte or viscous liquid electrolyte gel, so they do not work well in low-temperature environments where the electrolyte or electrolyte gel freezes. In fact, when the temperature of the electrolyte or electrolyte gel drops, the internal resistance of the battery increases and the battery output drops. For this reason, portable tools powered by lithium-ion batteries may become unusable even in low-temperature environments where the electrolyte or electrolyte gel does not freeze. Conversely, if the temperature of the electrolyte or electrolyte gel becomes too high, problems occur such as the pressure inside the cell increasing too much due to gas caused by the electrolyte or electrolyte gel, causing the cell to break down. Portable tools powered by lithium-ion batteries need to be controlled in high-temperature environments by limiting the battery output so that the battery does not overheat. Tools powered by lithium-ion batteries may become unusable in high-temperature environments.

[0006] As described above, the battery-powered portable tool has a problem that it cannot be used in a low-temperature environment where the internal resistance of the battery increases, and a problem that it cannot be used in a high-temperature environment where the pressure inside the cell becomes excessive. One objective of the technology disclosed in this specification (although not limited thereto) is to expand the temperature range in which the battery-powered portable tool can be used.

[0007] In addition to or instead of the above, there is a problem in the case of battery-powered (cordless) portable tools that the maximum output varies greatly depending on the environmental temperature. For example, it is possible to design the tool so that sufficient maximum output can be obtained in a high-temperature environment, but such a design may result in a problem that the maximum output decreases (becomes insufficient) in a low-temperature environment, resulting in a decrease in work efficiency. Conventional battery-powered portable tools have a problem that the variation in maximum output due to temperature is too large. One objective of the technology disclosed in this specification (although not limited thereto) is to provide a battery-powered portable tool with a small variation in maximum output due to temperature change.

[0008] In order to expand the usable temperature range of a battery-powered portable tool, a temperature measurement technique that expands the temperature range that can be accurately measured is required. One objective of the technique disclosed in this specification (without being limited thereto) is to expand the temperature range that can be accurately measured by a temperature measurement circuit mounted on a battery-powered portable tool. The temperature measurement circuit may be mounted in the tool body of the battery-powered portable tool, or in a battery pack that is detachable from the tool body, and the temperature measurement circuit may be completed when the battery pack is attached to the tool body. The temperature measurement technique disclosed in this specification can be applied to measuring the temperature of a battery, the temperature of a component in a battery-powered portable tool, or the temperature of a component in a battery pack or a charging device that charges the battery pack.

[0009] By using a battery that can be used at low temperatures, it is possible to obtain the necessary power from the battery even at low temperatures. However, a problem may occur in that the electronic device (a component in a battery-powered portable tool) that is driven by the power is too cold to operate normally. In order to address this problem, this specification discloses a technique for warming up an electronic device that does not operate normally because it is too cold to a temperature at which the electronic device operates normally. A battery-powered portable tool may be used in a high-temperature environment, and may include electrical equipment (a component of the battery-powered portable tool) that requires cooling in a high-temperature environment, and may require a heat dissipation device to cool the electrical equipment. The component that requires heat dissipation may be a component that requires heating at low temperatures, or the component that requires heating and the component that requires heat dissipation may be separate components. The technique disclosed in this specification provides a technique designed to warm up an electronic device to a temperature at which it operates normally, and a technique designed to dissipate heat so that the electrical equipment does not become abnormally hot. The heating and heat dissipation technologies disclosed herein can be used separately, or can be incorporated into the same portable battery-powered device so that both technologies are compatible (one does not interfere with the other). Note that the electronic device that needs to be heated at low temperatures and the electrical device that needs to be cooled at high temperatures may be the same device or different devices.

[0010] In another aspect of the present teachings, a battery-powered portable tool is powered by an all-solid-state battery that does not use an electrolyte or electrolytic gel, but instead uses a solid electrolyte or solid conductor between the positive and negative electrodes. The all-solid-state battery extends the temperature range in which the battery-powered portable tool can be used due to the fact that the electrolyte or conductor remains solid in all temperature environments in which the battery-powered portable tool powered by the all-solid-state battery may be used. In addition, in the case of an all-solid-state battery, the wiring inductance in the battery pack can be kept low compared to other types of batteries due to the structure of the battery. To take advantage of this advantage, the wiring inductance in the tool body, where the battery pack is detachable, must also be kept low. This specification also discloses a technology for keeping the wiring inductance in the tool body low.

[0011] Solid-state batteries that do not use electrolytes or electrolytic gels can be safely charged (without damaging the battery cells) at higher currents than lithium-ion batteries. Such solid-state batteries can be charged during tool operation using regenerative current (regenerative power) generated when a tool bit or other tool accessory is braked. That is, when the motor of a battery-powered portable tool is operating as a generator and generating current, the current can be used to charge the solid-state battery. The present teachings also provide techniques designed to charge solid-state batteries using regenerative power while the battery-powered portable tool is in operation, without damaging the battery.

[0012] In battery packs that use batteries with electrolyte or electrolytic gel, it is necessary to ensure a cooling air passage within the battery pack to prevent overheating and damage when used in a high-temperature environment. This makes the internal shape of the battery pack housing complex, making the battery pack heavy and large. If a battery pack is constructed using all-solid-state batteries, it becomes unnecessary to introduce cooling air into the battery pack, making it possible to reduce the weight and size of the battery pack. The technology described in this specification has made it possible to realize a lightweight and small battery pack with a discharge capacity of 200Wh / kg or more per unit weight of the battery pack. A discharge capacity of 200Wh / kg or more is a value that was impossible with conventional technology, making it possible to design a battery-powered portable tool that significantly reduces the burden on workers. The discharge capacity (or storage capacity) is indicated by the amount of power and is indicated by the multiplication of the watts and time that can be discharged. If the rated voltage is fixed, the current value can be used instead of watts. Wh is 1 watt multiplied by 1 hour, and is equivalent to 3600 joules.

[0013] Some battery-powered portable tools have a battery pack attached to the worker's waist, but not to the tool body held by the worker. In this case, a cord connects the battery pack attached to the worker's waist and the tool body held by the worker. This type of tool reduces the weight that the worker must support with his or her hands during work, reducing the worker's fatigue. In this case, as disclosed in JP 2018-129986 A and JP 2020-21657 A, a connector is required to connect the cord to the tool body, and the connector weighs about 250 grams. If the above-mentioned discharge capacity of 200 Wh / kg or more can be secured, a discharge capacity of 50 Wh can be secured by a battery pack that is lighter than the connector. If a discharge capacity of 50 Wh can be secured, it becomes possible to complete most of the work using the battery-powered portable tool without replacing the battery pack. For users who wear a battery pack on their waist to reduce the weight of their hands and reduce the burden, it is possible to eliminate the need to attach the battery pack to their waist.

[0014] Furthermore, the technology of this specification has made it possible to realize a small battery pack with a discharge capacity of 300Wh / L or more per unit volume, which was not possible with conventional technology. This has made it possible to reduce the volume of the battery pack with a discharge capacity of 50Wh mentioned above to about 170mL. If the volume of the battery pack is about 170mL, it will be possible to store the battery pack inside the grip (handle) of a battery-powered portable tool.

[0015] All-solid-state battery cells do not need to be cooled during charging and discharging. In a battery pack using all-solid-state battery cells, there is no need to introduce cooling air into the battery pack, and the battery pack housing can reliably shield and waterproof the battery cells from the outside world. It is possible to strongly protect the battery cells from rainwater and dust, improving their weather resistance. The battery pack can be made lighter and smaller, improving the weather resistance of the battery cells. This significantly improves the usability and reliability of battery-powered portable tools used outdoors, such as blowers, lawnmowers, chainsaws, pruners, and hedge trimmers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In a first embodiment disclosed in this specification, the usable temperature range of a battery-powered portable tool is expanded by expanding the temperature range that can be measured (accurately measured) by a temperature measurement circuit mounted on the battery-powered portable tool.

[0017] The battery-powered portable tool of the first embodiment includes a built-in temperature measurement circuit. The temperature measurement circuit may be included in the tool body and / or the battery pack. The temperature measurement circuit may be completed by attaching the battery pack to the tool body. The temperature measurement circuit includes a high-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range and outputs less accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range, and a low-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range and outputs less accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range. The temperature measurement circuit may include a switch, and the temperature measurement circuit may be switched between the high-temperature measurement circuit and the low-temperature measurement circuit by switching the switch. In other words, one of the high-temperature measurement circuit and the low-temperature measurement circuit may appear depending on the time. The temperature measurement circuit outputs the output of the low-temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the high-temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range, and outputs the output of the high-temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the low-temperature measurement circuit falls within the abnormal range. In other words, the temperature measurement circuit determines the temperature based on the output of the low temperature measurement circuit (or uses the output of the low temperature measurement circuit) when the output value of the high temperature measurement circuit falls within the abnormal range, and determines the temperature based on the output of the high temperature measurement circuit (or uses the output of the high temperature measurement circuit) when the output value of the low temperature measurement circuit falls within the abnormal range. The abnormal range of the high temperature measurement circuit and the abnormal range of the low temperature measurement circuit may be different or may partially overlap. This temperature measurement circuit can be applied to a battery temperature measurement circuit or a component temperature measurement circuit.

[0018] The abnormal range here means a range in which the measurement results are considered to be too inaccurate or unreliable to be used to determine the operating state of the tool body and / or the battery pack. For example, in the case of a high temperature measurement circuit described later with reference to FIG. 4, when the output voltage of the temperature measurement circuit (the voltage read by the microcontroller) is in the range of 1.8 to 4.0 V, the output voltage and the thermistor temperature are in a linear relationship, and the temperature calculated from the output voltage is highly accurate. On the other hand, when the output voltage is 1.8 V or less or 4.0 V or more, the linear relationship is not obtained, and the temperature calculated from the output voltage is likely to be inaccurate and unreliable. In this example, the abnormal range is 1.8 V or less and 4.0 V or more. Details will be described later.

[0019] The battery-powered portable device and / or battery pack according to this embodiment makes it possible to effectively use all-solid-state batteries that can be used over a wide temperature range, thereby realizing a battery-powered portable device that can be used over a wide temperature range.

[0020] Some battery-powered portable tools house battery cells or battery packs in the tool body, i.e., battery cells are always housed in the tool body (except for exceptional cases such as disassembly and repair). In this case, the present technology can be applied to a battery temperature measurement circuit arranged in the tool body. Alternatively, some battery packs containing battery cells can be detached from an attachment part formed on the tool body. In the latter case, the present technology can be applied to a battery temperature measurement circuit built into the battery pack, or to a battery temperature measurement circuit built into the tool body, or to a system in which the battery temperature measurement circuit is completed by attaching the battery pack to the tool body.

[0021] Additionally, the term battery as used herein is synonymous with battery and may refer to a cell, a battery cell, or a battery pack. Unless otherwise indicated, the present teachings are not limited to either a battery pack (battery cartridge) or a battery cell. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] A diagram showing a representative, non-limiting example of a battery pack using an all-solid-state battery cell according to the present teachings and a representative, non-limiting example of a tool body according to the present teachings. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between various temperature ranges. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detection section of a conventional temperature measurement circuit. [Figure 4] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltage output by the detection unit in FIG. 3 and the thermistor temperature. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between charging current and battery temperature of a battery pack using an all-solid-state battery cell according to the present teachings. [Figure 6] 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltage output by the detection unit in FIG. 7 and the thermistor temperature. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detection portion of a temperature measurement circuit according to a first embodiment of the present teaching. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltage output by the detection unit in FIG. 9 and the thermistor temperature. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a detection portion of a temperature measurement circuit according to the present teachings. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the charging current and the battery temperature of a battery pack using an all-solid-state battery cell according to the present teachings (another example than that shown in FIG. 5 ). [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the component layout (relative positions) of the first embodiment in a low temperature environment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the component layout (relative positions) of the first embodiment in a high temperature environment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the component layout (relative positions) of the second embodiment in a low temperature environment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the component layout (relative position arrangement) of the second embodiment in a high temperature environment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a component layout (relative position arrangement) of the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a component layout (relative position arrangement) of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a component layout (relative position arrangement) of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a component layout (relative position arrangement) of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a parts layout (relative position arrangement) of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a parts layout (relative position arrangement) of the eighth embodiment. [Figure 21] 1 illustrates an electrical circuit for an example battery-powered portable device according to the present teachings. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wiring according to the first embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a wiring according to a second embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a wiring according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a representative, non-limiting example of a battery pack structure that insulates and waterproofs both the battery cells and the control circuit board from the atmosphere. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Major, non-limiting features of the embodiments described below are listed first.

[0024] (Feature 1) A battery-powered portable tool that is used while supported by a worker or placed at a location where the worker brought it in. A battery pack including an all-solid-state battery cell (at least one all-solid-state battery cell); A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device includes an actuator that operates using power supplied by the battery pack, is housed within the device body, and is connected or connectable to the all-solid-state battery. Unless otherwise specified, when it is said that the battery pack is detachable from the tool body, this includes cases where the battery pack is attached to the outer surface of the tool body (where most of the outer surface of the battery pack (other than the attachment portion) is exposed), where the battery pack is housed inside the tool body (where the outer surface of the battery pack is not exposed from the tool body), and where part of the battery pack is housed inside the tool body and another part of the battery pack is exposed from the tool body.

[0025] Unlike other types of batteries, solid-state batteries are not restricted to use in low-temperature environments where the electrolyte freezes, nor are they restricted to use in high-temperature environments where the electrolyte-derived gas pressure increases excessively and irreparably damages the battery. By using solid-state batteries to power (drive) the actuators of the portable tool, the temperature range in which the battery-powered portable tool can be used is significantly expanded. As described above, it is also possible to achieve a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200 Wh / kg or more and / or a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300 Wh / L or more, making the battery pack small and lightweight. This reduces the burden on the user of the battery-powered portable tool.

[0026] The all-solid-state battery referred to here includes a lithium-ion battery in which the electrolyte or gel has been replaced with a solid electrolyte. That is, it includes a battery in which the electrolyte has been replaced with a solid electrolyte in any temperature range in which the battery-powered portable tool can be used (usually between -40°C and +60°C). Alternatively, it refers to a battery in which all of the materials connecting the positive and negative electrodes and the positive and negative electrodes constituting the battery cell are solid at all temperatures between -30°C and +125°C. For example, all-solid-state batteries described in International Publication WO2018 / 092370, International Publication WO2018 / 092484, or JP2019-29317A can be used. JP201-299317A discloses a battery with a liquid electrolyte, a battery with a gel electrolyte, and a battery with a solid electrolyte, and a battery using a solid electrolyte is an example of an all-solid-state battery referred to in this specification. An all-solid-state battery that does not use an electrolyte can also be used. For example, an all-solid-state battery can be obtained by a laminated structure in which an ITO substrate is used as a positive electrode, a p-type semiconductor layer is formed thereon, an insulating layer is formed thereon, an n-type semiconductor layer is formed thereon, and a negative electrode is formed thereon. A so-called all-solid-state semiconductor battery that uses such a laminated structure is also a type of all-solid-state battery. In this embodiment, an all-solid-state secondary battery that can repeatedly perform charging and discharging cycles is used.

[0027] The actuator referred to here is not limited to motors that convert the power supplied by the battery pack into motion (rotation or linear motion). Actuators can also include devices that convert power into heat (heaters that generate heat through resistance or Pellicer elements), cooling devices (Pellicer elements), devices that convert power into light (LEDs, etc.), devices that convert power into sound (speakers), and devices that convert power into radio waves.

[0028] (Feature 2) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device further includes an actuator that is operated by power supplied from the battery pack and is housed within the device body, The relationship of the actuator is "maximum output at -20°C / maximum output at +50°C>0.5". If the maximum output can be maintained at half the maximum output at +50°C even in a low-temperature environment of -20°C, it is often possible to actually carry out work in low-temperature environments. This increases the temperature range in which battery-powered portable tools can be used. It is preferable that the above battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200Wh / kg or more, or a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300Wh / L or more. With an all-solid-state battery, the above discharge capacity can be ensured and the relationship of "maximum output at -20°C / maximum output at +50°C>0.5" can be obtained. With a battery pack that meets both requirements, most of the tasks using portable tools required in low-temperature environments can be performed. In the above battery pack, it is preferable that the battery cells are housed in a space sealed from the outside world by a sealed housing (or an internal housing housed within the housing). All-solid-state batteries can be used at high temperatures, making it unnecessary to introduce cooling air into the battery pack housing. By using a sealed housing, it is possible to prevent rainwater from entering the battery pack, and it is also possible to prevent dust and the like from entering. By using a battery pack that has the above-mentioned relationship between discharge capacity and output and in which the battery cells are housed in a sealed housing, it becomes possible to work in bad weather. There is no need to worry about accidents such as the battery cells shorting out or breaking down due to the entry of foreign objects.

[0029] (Feature 3) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device further includes an actuator that is operated by power supplied from the battery pack and is housed within the device body, The actuator operates even when the environmental temperature is below freezing, as long as it is above -30°C. By using solid-state batteries, it is possible to create battery-powered portable equipment that can be used even when the ambient temperature is below freezing, as long as it is above -30°C. In this case as well, it is preferable that the battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200 Wh / kg or more, or an output per unit volume of 300 W / L or more.

[0030] (Feature 4) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device further includes an actuator that is operated by power supplied from the battery pack and is housed within the device body, The actuator operates as long as the battery temperature is +100°C or lower even when the environmental temperature is +50°C or higher. Conventional battery-powered portable tools require control so that the battery temperature does not rise above +80°C, and various restrictions come into effect when the ambient temperature rises above +50°C, resulting in reduced work efficiency. When solid-state batteries are used, the allowable temperature for the battery rises to around +100°C or higher, making it possible to continue operation without restrictions even if the battery temperature rises above +80°C. Portable tools powered by solid-state batteries eliminate the need for various restrictions to prevent battery overheating. In this case as well, it is preferable that the battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200 Wh / kg or more, or a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300 Wh / L or more.

[0031] (Feature 5) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack containing an all-solid-state battery cell, A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device includes a battery temperature measurement circuit housed in the battery pack and / or the device body, the battery temperature measurement circuit includes a low temperature measurement circuit and a high temperature measurement circuit; At low temperatures (below a predetermined temperature threshold), the battery temperature is determined based on the output of the low temperature measurement circuit, and at high temperatures (above a predetermined temperature threshold), the battery temperature is determined based on the output of the high temperature measurement circuit. This technology can be applied when the battery temperature measurement circuit is housed in the battery pack, or when the battery temperature measurement circuit is completed by attaching the battery pack to the tool body. In the latter case, a part of the battery temperature measurement circuit is housed in the battery pack, and another part is housed in the tool body. The battery temperature measurement circuit can also be housed in the tool body by arranging a member with a high thermoelectric coefficient for transferring the battery temperature inside the tool. The technology of using both a low temperature measurement circuit and a high temperature measurement circuit is not limited to measuring the battery temperature, but can also be used to measure the temperature of a charging circuit (or components in the charging circuit).

[0032] (Feature 6) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack containing an all-solid-state battery cell, A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device includes a battery temperature measurement circuit housed in the battery pack or the device body, The battery temperature measurement circuit is a high-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range; a low-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range; a switching device that activates the low temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the high temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range (e.g., switches the battery temperature measurement circuit to output the output of the low temperature measurement circuit) and activates the high temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the low temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range (e.g., switches the battery temperature measurement circuit to output the output of the high temperature measurement circuit); It is equipped with:

[0033] The high-temperature measurement circuit has a temperature range in which it can accurately measure the temperature, and if the temperature is within that temperature range, the output value of the high-temperature measurement circuit is within a specified range. The abnormal range here means outside the specified range. If it is outside the specified range, it is known that the temperature is outside the range in which the high-temperature measurement circuit can accurately measure the temperature. In this case, the low-temperature measurement circuit is switched to. Accurate here means that the temperature measurement result falls within an error of ±5°C, and preferably within an error of ±3°C. If the temperature can be detected with that accuracy, the solid-state battery can be accurately controlled depending on the temperature of the solid-state battery. The temperature here may be the battery temperature, the environmental temperature, or the temperature of an element that constitutes a charging circuit. Whatever the temperature, the present technology will produce useful results.

[0034] Similarly, the low temperature measurement circuit has a temperature range in which it can accurately measure temperature, and if the output value of the low temperature measurement circuit is within that temperature range, it is within a predetermined range (which may not coincide with the predetermined range of the high temperature measurement circuit). The abnormal range here refers to being outside the predetermined range of the low temperature measurement circuit. If it is outside the predetermined range, it is clear that the temperature is outside the range in which it can be accurately measured by the low temperature measurement circuit. In this case, it switches to the high temperature measurement circuit. That is, temperature measurement is performed by the high temperature measurement circuit.

[0035] According to the above aspect, a required temperature can be measured with required accuracy without using a temperature sensor that has a wide measurement range but is expensive.

[0036] This feature is that at least a high-temperature measurement circuit and a low-temperature measurement circuit are used in combination, and other features such as an intermediate temperature measurement circuit are not excluded. The technology of using a high-temperature measurement circuit and a low-temperature measurement circuit in combination can be applied to a temperature measurement circuit in a battery pack, to a temperature measurement circuit in a tool body, or to a temperature measurement circuit completed by attaching a battery pack to a tool body. The technology of using a high-temperature measurement circuit, an intermediate temperature measurement circuit, and a low-temperature measurement circuit in combination can be applied to measuring the battery temperature, the environmental temperature, and the temperature of elements that make up a charging circuit.

[0037] (Feature 7) A battery-powered portable tool according to feature 5 or 6, the high temperature measurement circuit includes a series circuit of a thermistor and a first voltage dividing resistor for high temperature; The low temperature measurement circuit includes a series circuit of the thermistor (same as the thermistor in the high temperature measurement circuit) and a second voltage dividing resistor for low temperature. Each of the first voltage dividing resistor and the second voltage dividing resistor may be a single resistor or a combination of two or more resistors. The high temperature measurement circuit and the low temperature measurement circuit share one thermistor, and the required temperature can be measured with the required accuracy using one thermistor.

[0038] (Feature 8) A battery-powered portable tool according to feature 7, wherein the resistance value of the first voltage dividing resistor for high temperatures is lower than the resistance value of the second voltage dividing resistor for low temperatures. According to the above, the voltage range output by the high temperature measurement circuit and the voltage range output by the low temperature measurement circuit are close to each other or at least partially overlap each other. When the voltage range output by the high temperature measurement circuit and the voltage range output by the low temperature measurement circuit are close to each other or overlap each other, the processing circuit for the output voltage of the high temperature measurement circuit and the output voltage of the low temperature measurement circuit can be shared.

[0039] (Feature 9) A battery-powered portable tool according to feature 5, feature 6, feature 7, or feature 8, The lower limit temperature at which the high temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result is higher than the upper limit temperature at which the low temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result.

[0040] For example, if the measurement range required for a temperature measurement circuit is -30°C to +120°C, there is no temperature measurement circuit that can measure the range from -30°C to +120°C with high accuracy, and even if there was, it would be very expensive. Therefore, the measurement range is divided into two by using a low-temperature measurement circuit with a measurement range from -30°C to about +45°C (measurement width 75°C) and a high-temperature measurement circuit with a measurement range from about +45°C to +120°C (measurement width 75°C). However, in the case of this type of battery-powered portable tool, there are times when it is not necessary to measure the temperature while it is in the temperature range of, for example, +20°C to +60°C. Therefore, the measurement range of the low-temperature measurement circuit can be set to -30°C to +20°C (measurement width 50°C), and the measurement range of the high-temperature measurement circuit can be set to +60°C to +120°C (measurement width 60°C). By narrowing the measurement width, the measurement resolution can be finer and the measurement accuracy can be improved. In the above example, it is sufficient to know that the temperature range is +20 to +60°C, and it may not be necessary to specify the temperature within that range. It may not be a problem if there is a temperature range between the low temperature measurement circuit and the high temperature measurement circuit where the temperature cannot be measured accurately.

[0041] (Feature 10) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack containing an all-solid-state battery cell, A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; The device includes a battery pack and / or a plurality of components housed within the device body, The plurality of components are arranged in a low-temperature layout at low temperatures, and arranged in a high-temperature layout at high temperatures. The low-temperature layout and the high-temperature layout are different from each other.

[0042] The technique for switching between low and high temperature layouts can be applied to components in a battery pack, to components in a tool body, or to components obtained by attaching a battery pack to a tool body. The components are preferably designed to automatically switch from the high temperature layout to the low temperature layout or vice versa in response to a change in temperature, for example by a bimetal or bimetal strip, or by an actuator controlled by a temperature measurement circuit (via a controller or microprocessor, if necessary). The temperature at which the layout is changed can be a preset value determined, for example, by the material properties of the bimetal or bimetal strip, or can be a preset value programmed or configured, for example, in the temperature measurement circuit or controller (e.g., microprocessor). The preset temperature value can be selected from any temperature within the range of, for example, -5 to +50°C.

[0043] (Feature 11) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; Parts that need to be heated when the temperature is low (5℃ or below, 0℃ or below, or -5℃ or below) Components that require heat dissipation at high temperatures (50°C or higher, 60°C or higher, or 70°C or higher) A heater for heating a part requiring heating; A substrate on which at least one of a component requiring heating, a component requiring heat dissipation, and a heater is mounted; A heat dissipation member; It has a bimetal or bimetal strip, the bimetal changes shape between a first shape and a second shape in dependence on temperature; At low temperatures (5°C or below, 0°C or below, or -5°C or below), the bimetal takes on the first shape, keeping the heat-dissipating components and the heat-dissipating member out of contact. At high temperatures (50° C. or higher, 60° C. or higher, or 70° C. or higher), the bimetal assumes the second shape, bringing the component requiring heat dissipation into contact with the heat dissipation member.

[0044] At high temperatures, the heat dissipation component and the heat dissipation member come into contact with each other, and heat is dissipated from the heat dissipation component. On the other hand, the heat dissipation component and the heat dissipation member are not in contact with each other when the temperature is low. Therefore, according to this feature, at low temperatures, the heat of the heater is prevented or inhibited from being dissipated by the heat dissipation member via the substrate and the heat dissipation component. The heat of the heater is efficiently transferred to the heating component.

[0045] This feature can be applied to the tool body, the battery pack, or both. That is, the parts requiring heating, the parts requiring heat dissipation, the heater, the substrate, the heat dissipation member, and the bimetal may be housed in the battery pack or in the tool body. Alternatively, both the battery pack and the tool body may house the parts requiring heating, the parts requiring heat dissipation, the heater, the substrate, the heat dissipation member, and the bimetal in accordance with the present teachings. In this case, when the battery-powered portable tool is used in a low-temperature environment, the parts requiring heating in the battery pack and the parts requiring heating in the tool body are automatically heated if necessary. Also, at high temperatures, the parts requiring heat dissipation in the battery pack and the heat dissipation member come into contact with each other, and the parts requiring heat dissipation in the tool body and the heat dissipation member come into contact with each other.

[0046] (Feature 12) A battery-powered portable tool with feature 11. The bimetal deforms so as to switch between a contact state and a non-contact state at a boundary temperature between a state where the heat dissipation-requiring component does not need to dissipate heat and a state where the heat dissipation-requiring component needs to dissipate heat, the boundary temperature being within a temperature range of 50 to 70°C. The minimum temperature at which the heat dissipation-requiring component must dissipate heat is 50°C, 52°C, 54°C, 56°C, or 58°C, depending on the component, and the maximum allowable temperature is 70°C, 68°C, 66°C, 64°C, 62°C, or 60°C, depending on the component. The switching temperature is set between the minimum temperature at which heat dissipation is required and the maximum allowable temperature for the component, depending on the component.

[0047] (Feature 13) A battery-powered portable tool with feature 11. The bimetal deforms so as to switch between a contact state and a non-contact state at a boundary temperature between a state in which the heating-requiring component does not need to be heated and a state in which the heating-requiring component needs to be heated. The boundary temperature is within a temperature range of -5 to 5°C. The minimum temperature at which a component that requires heating is -5°C, -4°C, -3°C, -2°C or -1°C, depending on the component, and the minimum temperature at which heating is no longer necessary is 5°C, 4°C, 3°C, 2°C, 1°C or 0°C, depending on the component. The switching temperature of the bimetal is set between the minimum temperature at which heating is required and the minimum temperature at which heating is no longer necessary, depending on the component.

[0048] (Feature 14) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; Parts that need to be heated when they are cold, Components that require heat dissipation when they are hot, Equipped with a heater to heat parts that require heating. The thermal resistance between the part requiring heating and the heater is lower than the thermal resistance between the part requiring heat dissipation and the heater. Only either the battery pack or the device body may be provided with the parts requiring heating, the parts requiring heat dissipation, and the heater. If the amount of heat transferred from the heater to the component requiring heating is equal to or greater than the amount of heat transferred from the heater to the component requiring heat dissipation, the component requiring heating can be heated efficiently, and the time required to heat the component requiring heating to a temperature at which it can operate normally can be shortened.

[0049] (Feature 15) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; Parts that need to be heated when they are cold, Components that require heat dissipation when they are hot, Equipped with a heater to heat parts that require heating. The thermal resistance between the component requiring heating and the heater is lower than the thermal resistance between the component requiring heating and the component requiring heat dissipation. Only either the battery pack or the device body may be provided with the parts requiring heating, the parts requiring heat dissipation, and the heater. This feature makes it difficult for the heat transferred from the heater to the parts requiring heating to be transferred from the parts requiring heating to the parts requiring heat dissipation. This allows the parts requiring heating to be heated efficiently, and shortens the time it takes to heat them up to a temperature at which they can operate normally.

[0050] (Feature 16) Feature 14 or 15, the battery-powered portable tool; At least the parts requiring heating, the heater, and the substrate in the area between the parts requiring heating and the heater are covered with a solid insulating material that insulates these members from the surrounding atmosphere. According to this feature, the insulating material suppresses heat radiation from the heater to the atmosphere, heat radiation from the component requiring heating to the atmosphere, and heat radiation from the substrate in the area between the component requiring heating and the heater to the atmosphere.

[0051] (Feature 17) It is a battery-powered portable device, The equipment is equipped with a heating device to heat electronic components when the equipment is used in a low-temperature environment (below 5°C, below 0°C, or below -5°C) where normal operation of the electronic components is not guaranteed.

[0052] (Feature 18) It is a battery-powered portable device, The device contains an all-solid-state battery inside the device body.

[0053] (Feature 19) It is a battery-powered portable device, A battery pack containing an all-solid-state battery cell, The battery pack includes a detachable tool body. The battery pack has a discharge capacity density of 200 Wh / kg and / or 300 Wh / L or more, and the battery cells are housed in a housing that is shielded from the outside. The housing may be an outer housing in which connection terminals with the battery and signal terminals are formed, or it may be an inner housing at least a part (or the whole) of which is housed in the outer housing. In this specification, being shielded from the outside world or being sealed from the outside world refers to preventing the intrusion of water and foreign matter. Typically, it refers to closing so as to prevent foreign matter or water droplets of 5 nm, 2 nm, 1 nm, 8 angstroms, 6 angstroms, or 5 angstroms or less from entering the storage space of the battery cell from the outside world. Therefore, as long as it prevents the intrusion of the above foreign matter or water droplets, it is included in the sealing referred to here, even if it allows gas to enter and exit between the outside world and the storage space of the battery cell. It also includes those that prevent the intrusion of not only foreign matter and water droplets but also gas. The seal itself may have an opening of a size that allows water droplets to pass through. One form of shielding or sealing referred to here is one in which the contact angle on the surface of the member that forms the opening is large (for example, 90 degrees or more at 25°C, preferably 125 degrees or more) and the size of the water droplets attached to the surface is large, making it impossible for the water droplets to pass through the opening.

[0054] (Feature 20) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; The battery pack includes a detachable tool body, the tool body includes a positive terminal that contacts a positive electrode of the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the tool body, a negative terminal that contacts a negative electrode of the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the tool body, a positive wire extending from the positive terminal, a negative wire extending from the negative terminal, and a control device connected to the positive wire and the negative wire, The positive wiring and the negative wiring extend in parallel while being insulated from each other.

[0055] (Feature 21) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; A motor within the tool body, The battery pack outputs an electrical signal to the tool body indicating whether or not the battery pack is in a state that allows charging with regenerative power generated by the motor. In one embodiment, the battery pack includes a status detection circuit, such as a microprocessor-based controller, that detects the status of the at least one solid-state battery and generates the electrical signal based on the detected status.

[0056] (Feature 22) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, It has a built-in all-solid-state battery cell. The battery pack has a discharge capacity density of 200Wh / kg or 300Wh / L or more, and the battery cells are contained within a housing that is shielded from the outside world. The term shield is interpreted the same as feature 19.

[0057] (Feature 23) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, It has a built-in all-solid-state battery cell, The relationship is "output when battery temperature is -20°C / output when battery temperature is +50°C > 0.5". It has a discharge capacity density of 200Wh / kg or 300Wh / L or more. The battery cells are contained within a housing that is shielded from the outside world. The term shield is interpreted the same as feature 19.

[0058] (Feature 24) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, It has a built-in solid-state battery cell and electrical circuit, the electrical circuit includes a low temperature measurement circuit and a high temperature measurement circuit; At low temperatures (when the temperature of the at least one solid-state battery is 10°C or less, or 20°C or less, or 30°C or less), the output of the low temperature measurement circuit is used to determine the temperature of the solid-state battery, and at high temperatures (when the temperature of the at least one solid-state battery is 50°C or more, or 60°C or more, or 70°C or more), the output of the high temperature measurement circuit is used to determine the temperature of the solid-state battery.

[0059] (Feature 25) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, It contains at least one solid-state battery cell and a battery temperature measurement circuit. The battery temperature measurement circuit is A high temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in high temperature ranges (50°C or higher, 60°C or higher, or 70°C or higher) but outputs less accurate measurement results in low temperature ranges (10°C or lower, 20°C or lower, or 30°C or lower); a low-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range; A switching device is provided which detects the battery temperature based on the output of the low temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the high temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range, and which detects the battery temperature based on the output of the high temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the low temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range.

[0060] (Feature 26) The battery temperature measurement circuit of feature 25 has any one of features 7 to 9.

[0061] (Feature 27) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, It has a built-in solid-state battery cell and multiple components. The multiple components are arranged in a low temperature layout at low temperatures (5° C. or less, or 0° C. or less, or -5° C. or less), and are arranged in a high temperature layout at high temperatures (50° C. or more, or 60° C. or more, or 70° C. or more). The high temperature layout is different from the low temperature layout.

[0062] (Feature 28) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, The tool is equipped with a heating device to heat electronic components when the tool is used at low temperatures (below 5°C, below 0°C, or below -5°C) and normal operation of the electronic components cannot be guaranteed.

[0063] (Feature 29) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, the battery pack comprising: Parts that need to be heated when the temperature is low (5℃ or below, 0℃ or below, or -5℃ or below) Components that require heat dissipation at high temperatures (50°C or higher, 60°C or higher, or 70°C or higher) A heater for heating a part requiring heating; A substrate on which a component requiring heating, a component requiring heat dissipation, and a heater are mounted; A heat dissipation member; It has a bimetal The bimetal deforms depending on the temperature, bringing the component requiring heat dissipation and the heat dissipation member into contact at high temperatures and keeping the component requiring heat dissipation and the heat dissipation member out of contact at low temperatures.

[0064] (Feature 30) The bimetal of feature 29 has the features of features 12 or 13.

[0065] (Feature 31) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, Parts that need to be heated when they are cold, Components that require heat dissipation when they are hot, Equipped with a heater to heat parts that require heating. The thermal resistance between the part requiring heating and the heater is lower than the thermal resistance between the part requiring heat dissipation and the heater.

[0066] (Feature 32) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, Parts that need to be heated when they are cold, Components that require heat dissipation when they are hot, Equipped with a heater to heat parts that require heating. The thermal resistance between the component requiring heating and the heater is lower than the thermal resistance between the component requiring heating and the component requiring heat dissipation. Feature 32 can be applied to Feature 15.

[0067] (Feature 33) Feature 31 or 32, the battery pack; At least the parts requiring heating, the heater, and the substrate in the area between the parts requiring heating and the heater are covered with a solid insulating material that insulates these members from the surrounding atmosphere.

[0068] (Feature 34) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, Contains at least one solid-state battery cell, The solid-state battery cell is provided with a terminal that outputs a signal indicating whether or not it is in a state in which it can be discharged without being damaged (i.e., a state in which it is possible for the battery cell to supply current to the tool).

[0069] (Feature 35) A battery pack that is detachable from a battery-powered portable tool body, Contains at least one solid-state battery cell, The solid-state battery cell is provided with a terminal that outputs a signal indicating whether or not it is in a rechargeable state.

[0070] In features 34 or 35, the battery pack may further include a controller, such as a microprocessor, configured or programmed to evaluate the condition / status of the battery cells and generate a corresponding signal. For example, in one embodiment including feature 34, a state detection circuit is provided in the battery pack, which may be, for example, a control device using a microprocessor connected to the at least one solid-state battery and a signal output terminal, which detects the state of the at least one solid-state battery, detects whether the battery is in a state in which it can be discharged based on the detected state, and generates an electrical signal in response thereto. In one embodiment including feature 35, a status detection circuit is included in the battery pack, which is, for example, a control device using a microprocessor connected to the at least one solid-state battery and a signal output terminal, which detects a status of the at least one solid-state battery, detects whether the battery is in a chargeable state based on the detected status, and generates an electrical signal in response thereto.

[0071] (Feature 36) The battery-powered portable tool body, It has a part (battery mounting part) to which a battery pack containing an all-solid-state battery cell or a group of all-solid-state battery cells can be attached (electrically and mechanically connected), The portion (battery attachment portion) includes a terminal for outputting or inputting a signal indicating whether the all-solid-state battery cell is in a dischargeable state.

[0072] (Feature 37) The battery-powered portable tool body, It has a part (battery mounting part) to which a battery pack containing an all-solid-state battery cell or a group of all-solid-state battery cells can be attached (electrically and mechanically connected), The portion (battery mounting portion) includes a terminal for outputting or inputting a signal indicating whether the all-solid-state battery cell is in a rechargeable state.

[0073] In features 36 or 37, the tool body may further include a controller, such as, for example, a microprocessor, configured or programmed to evaluate the condition / status of the battery cells and generate a corresponding signal. For example, in one embodiment including feature 36, the tool body includes a status detection circuit, which may be, for example, a microprocessor-based control device connectable to the at least one solid-state battery and connected to a signal output terminal, which detects the status of the at least one solid-state battery, detects whether the battery is in a state in which it can be discharged based on the detected status, and generates an electrical signal accordingly. In one embodiment including feature 37, the tool body includes a status detection circuit, which is, for example, a microprocessor-based control device connectable to the at least one solid-state battery and connected to a signal output terminal, detects the status of the at least one solid-state battery, detects whether the battery is in a chargeable state based on the detected status, and generates an electrical signal accordingly.

[0074] (Feature 38) The tool body according to feature 37, The regenerative charging prohibition device prohibits charging with regenerative power while the all-solid-state battery is outputting or inputting a signal indicating that the all-solid-state battery is in a non-rechargeable state. The regenerative charging inhibiting device may be part of the state detection circuit. A program or algorithm stored in the microprocessor may inhibit regenerative charging. The regenerative charging inhibiting device may also be provided separately from the state detection circuit.

[0075] (Feature 39) Any of the above-mentioned tool bodies or battery packs, The battery pack includes a plurality of solid-state battery cells, the solid-state battery cells including a conductor between a positive electrode and a negative electrode that is solid at temperatures above 100° C., the conductor may be a semiconductor, a conductive ceramic, a conductive glass, a conductive polymer, or a solid electrolyte. For example, the conductor may be a silicon-based semiconductor or a ceramic such as ITO, IZO, or AZO.

[0076] (Feature 40) A battery pack comprising at least one solid-state battery cell, at least one circuit board, at least one terminal, and a housing; The solid-state battery cell and circuit board are housed in a housing. The terminals extend from the inside to the outside of the housing, The terminals are insert molded into the housing. The housing waterproofs the space within the housing from the space outside the housing. According to the above, the all-solid-state battery cell (and therefore its electrodes) is housed in a space that prevents the intrusion of water droplets and foreign matter, and it is possible to prevent foreign matter or water droplets from entering between the electrodes and causing a short circuit in the battery cell. The housing that prevents the intrusion of water droplets and foreign matter may also serve as the housing of the battery pack, or may be housed inside the housing. In conventional technologies that require a cooling air passage within the battery pack, it is not possible to confine the battery cell within a sealed space, and foreign matter may adhere to the electrodes of the battery cell, causing the electrodes to wear out early or cause a short circuit. This feature solves this problem. (Feature 41) Features 40 battery packs, The solid-state battery cells are connected to a circuit board within the housing. One end of the terminal is connected to the circuit board within the housing, The ends of the terminals outside the housing are in contact with terminals fixed to the tool body. (Feature 42) 42. The battery pack of claim 41, further comprising a cover secured to the housing; The cover has a hole through which the terminal fixed to the device body passes, The outer ends of the terminals are retained within the cover. (Feature 43) A battery pack according to any one of features 40 to 42, comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and at least one signal terminal. (Feature 44) A battery pack according to features 40 to 43, The housing includes a lower housing and an upper housing, and the terminals are insert-molded into the upper housing. (Feature 45) Feature 44 battery pack, Either or both of the circuit board and the upper housing are formed with positioning features that define the relative positional relationship between them. (Feature 46) Feature 44 or 45 battery pack; A seal member is disposed between the cover and the upper housing, which closes the gap between the cover and the upper housing watertightly when the cover is fixed to the lower housing. EXAMPLES

[0077] FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a battery pack 174 incorporating a plurality of all-solid-state battery cells (cell group 171 in FIG. 21, or battery cells 12, 14, 16, and 18 in FIG. 25), and the appearance of a tool body 180 to which the battery pack 174 can be detached. The battery pack referred to here is the same as other terms commonly used in the field of power tools, such as a battery cartridge, a rechargeable battery, or simply a battery, and any term may be used. The battery pack 174 may be detachable from the outer surface of the tool body 180, or may be detachable such that all or a part of the battery pack 174 is housed inside the tool body 180. The appearance of the battery pack 174 (i.e., the plastic housing and the terminal portion) is almost the same as a battery pack using a lithium-ion battery that uses a liquid or gel (not solid) electrolyte at normal operating temperatures (0 to 50°C). The characteristics (internal resistance, voltage, current output, etc.) of the all-solid-state battery cells do not deteriorate significantly even at high temperatures, so there is little need for cooling, and the cells can be arranged in close contact with each other. As a result, the volume of the battery pack 174 using the all-solid-state battery is smaller than that of a battery pack using a lithium-ion battery with the same performance. In addition, the packaging material that shields each battery cell from moisture can be simplified or omitted, so the weight of the battery pack 174 using the all-solid-state battery is lighter than that of a battery pack using a lithium-ion battery with the same performance. The battery pack 174 incorporating the all-solid-state battery cell is detachable from various tool main bodies 180 (particularly the battery attachment part), such as a tool main body used in a state supported by a worker, or a tool main body used in a state placed on a surface provided by the ground, a workbench, a workpiece, etc. The battery-powered portable tool 1 is completed by attaching the battery pack 174 to the tool main body 180. This battery-powered portable tool 1 is portable, and can be carried by the user to a necessary work location.

[0078] Lithium ion batteries that use liquid or gel electrolytes need to be cooled, and therefore require a cooling air passage within the battery pack. The housing of the battery pack has a complex shape. In contrast, solid-state batteries do not need to be cooled, and therefore do not require a cooling air passage within the battery pack 174. The housing of the battery pack 174 makes it easy to seal the cells 12, 14, 16, and 18 from the outside world. The battery pack 174 of the embodiment is lightweight, compact, and has excellent weather resistance.

[0079] Figure 2 shows the ambient temperature and the temperature of parts that need to be measured because their characteristics change depending on the temperature. The temperature of the parts differs from the ambient temperature due to the effects of heating, heat generation, heat dissipation, etc. Note that Figure 2 is just an example and is not limited to the example shown.

[0080] 2 (1) shows the environmental temperature range for which the manufacturer of the battery-powered portable tool of the embodiment guarantees normal operation. (0) shows the normal operation guaranteed temperature range of a conventional battery-powered portable tool (usually about 0°C to +40°C). The normal operation guaranteed temperature range of the battery-powered portable tool of the embodiment is expanded both on the low temperature side and the high temperature side.

[0081] (2) in FIG. 2 shows the range of change in battery temperature when used at the environmental temperature of (1). The low-temperature side of the normal operation guaranteed temperature range shown in (1) corresponds to the freezing temperature if an electrolyte is used. The battery (battery cell) generates heat during charging and discharging, and may become warmer than the environmental temperature. When an electrolyte is used, if the battery temperature rises, the pressure inside the cell may increase due to gas derived from the electrolyte, which may damage the cell. Therefore, when an electrolyte is used, it is necessary to prevent the pressure of the gas derived from the electrolyte from rising excessively, and it is necessary to suppress the discharge so that the battery temperature does not rise to 80°C or higher. In the battery-powered portable tool of the embodiment, the upper limit of the battery temperature is increased to about 100°C, and the temperature range that requires control to suppress discharge and prevent overheating is shifted to the higher temperature side.

[0082] Figure 2 (3) shows the temperature of a control system electronic component that runs on low power, such as a microprocessor. Since the amount of heat generated by the control system electronic component is small, the temperature is basically almost equal to the environmental temperature. (3a) in Figure 2 shows the temperature range in which the control system electronic components operate normally. The minimum temperature of the normal operation guaranteed temperature range shown in (1) is lower than the minimum temperature of the temperature range in which the control system electronic components operate normally. There is a need for technology that allows battery-powered portable tools to operate normally even in environments that are lower than the lower limit of the temperature range in which the control system electronic components operate normally.

[0083] (4) in Figure 2 shows the temperature of power system electrical components (for example, transistors that control an inverter for a motor, or transistors in a battery pack that protect the battery by prohibiting charging and discharging) that generate heat when in operation, and the temperature rises above the ambient temperature. Power system electrical components have an upper limit temperature at which they can operate normally, so technology is required to protect these electrical components from exceeding this upper limit temperature by dissipating heat.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional temperature measurement circuit, which uses a series circuit of a pull-up resistor R and a thermistor TM. The end of the pull-up resistor R is connected to a constant voltage (e.g., 5V), and the end of the thermistor TM is grounded. At the connection point between the pull-up resistor R and thermistor TM, the voltage is divided by the resistance of the pull-up resistor R and the resistance of thermistor TM, and changes depending on the thermistor temperature. Since the resistance of the thermistor TM changes depending on the temperature, the divided voltage mentioned above changes depending on the temperature. If the divided voltage is input into a microcontroller, the temperature of the thermistor TM can be measured.

[0085] Figure 4 shows the relationship between the thermistor temperature on the horizontal axis and the divided voltage on the vertical axis. The divided voltage is equal to the read voltage of the microcontroller. As the thermistor resistance value decreases as the thermistor temperature increases, the divided voltage decreases as the thermistor temperature increases. Due to the temperature characteristics of the thermistor TM, the temperature range in which the divided voltage changes linearly with the thermistor temperature is limited. In the case of Figure 4, the linear relationship described above is established between +60°C and +120°C. However, in the temperature range in which the thermistor temperature is below +60°C, the linear relationship described above cannot be obtained, and the thermistor temperature calculated from the divided voltage deviates from the actual thermistor temperature.

[0086] Figure 5 shows the relationship between the temperature of an all-solid-state battery (battery cell) and the allowable charging current for an all-solid-state battery. If a charging current exceeding the allowable value is applied to an all-solid-state battery, problems such as a decrease in battery life will occur. Figure 5 also clearly shows that the allowable value of the charging current switches at -30°C, 0°C, +60°C, and +80°C, so it is necessary to accurately measure the battery temperature near each of -30°C, 0°C, +60°C, and +80°C. For example, if the accuracy of temperature measurement near -30°C is low, problems will occur such as prohibiting charging even though the temperature is at a temperature at which the charging current can flow, or, conversely, charging even though the temperature is at a temperature at which the charging current cannot flow (charging at that temperature would damage the battery cell). The temperature measurement circuit with the characteristics shown in Figure 4 cannot accurately measure temperatures near -30°C and 0°C, and the battery cannot be charged properly in this temperature range.

[0087] In the curve A of FIG. 6, the above-mentioned linear relationship is established in the range of +60°C to +120°C, and in the curve B, the linear relationship is established in the range of -30°C to +20°C. FIG. 7 shows a temperature measurement circuit or temperature detection circuit having both a circuit that provides a divided voltage of curve A and a circuit that provides a divided voltage of curve B. Two pull-up resistors 61, 62 are connected in parallel, and a transistor 63 is inserted between one of the pull-up resistors 62 and a constant voltage power supply. The transistor 63 is turned on and off by a microcomputer, which will be described later. A thermistor 64 is connected in series to the parallel circuit of the pull-up resistors 61, 62. The voltage divided by the pull-up resistor and thermistor is input to the microcomputer. In this embodiment, the pull-up resistor 61 is 82KΩ and the pull-up resistor 62 is 1.5KΩ.

[0088] When transistor 63 is turned on, the effective pull-up resistance becomes 1.47 KΩ, which is formed by connecting resistor 61 of 82 KΩ and resistor 62 of 1.5 KΩ in parallel, and the divided voltage becomes graph A in Figure 6. When transistor 63 is turned off, the effective pull-up resistance becomes resistor 61 of 82 KΩ, and the divided voltage becomes graph B in Figure 6.

[0089] The divided voltage is input to a microcomputer, which controls the on / off of transistor 63. If the voltage input to the microcomputer is 4V or higher when transistor 63 is on, it is known (the microcomputer judges this to be the case) that the thermistor temperature is below +60°C, and the microcomputer switches transistor 63 off to achieve the relationship shown in graph B. The voltage dividing resistance of the series circuit of resistor 61 and thermistor 64 obtained by turning off transistor 63 has the relationship shown in graph B. If the thermistor temperature is in the range of -30°C to +20°C, the thermistor temperature can be accurately measured using the linear relationship shown in graph B. If the voltage input to the microcomputer when transistor 63 is off is 1.2V or less, it is known that the thermistor temperature is +20°C or higher (the microcomputer judges this to be the case), and the microcomputer turns on transistor 63 to switch to the relationship shown in graph A. If transistor 63 is turned on, a voltage dividing circuit is obtained in which the thermistor 64 is connected in series to the resistor formed by connecting resistors 61 and 62 in parallel, and the divided voltage has the relationship shown in graph A. If the thermistor temperature is in the range of +60°C to +120°C, the thermistor temperature can be accurately measured using the linear relationship shown in graph A.

[0090] The circuit when the transistor 63 is on is an example of a high temperature measurement circuit that accurately measures a temperature range of +60 to +120°C. If the battery temperature is in the temperature range of +60 to +120°C, the high temperature measurement circuit accurately detects the battery temperature to within ±5°C (preferably within 3°C). If the battery temperature is in the temperature range of +60 to +120°C where it can be accurately measured, the high temperature measurement circuit detects a voltage of 4V or less. If the output of the high temperature measurement circuit when the transistor 63 is on becomes 4V or more, the microcontroller determines that the battery temperature is outside the range that can be accurately measured by the high temperature measurement circuit. A voltage of 4V or more can be said to be an abnormal value in the high temperature measurement circuit. If the high temperature measurement circuit measures a voltage of 4V or more, it can be said to be measuring an abnormal value, in which case the transistor 63 turns off and switches to the low temperature measurement circuit.

[0091] The circuit when the transistor 63 is off is an example of a low-temperature measurement circuit that accurately measures a temperature range of -30 to +20°C. If the battery temperature is in the temperature range of -30 to +20°C, the low-temperature measurement circuit accurately detects the battery temperature to within ±5°C (preferably within 3°C). If the battery temperature is in the temperature range of -30 to +20°C where it can be accurately measured, the low-temperature measurement circuit detects a voltage of 1.2V or more. If the output of the low-temperature measurement circuit when the transistor 63 is off is 1.2V or less, the microcontroller determines that the battery temperature is outside the range that can be accurately measured by the low-temperature measurement circuit. A voltage of 1.2V or less can be said to be an abnormal value in the low-temperature measurement circuit. If the low-temperature measurement circuit measures a voltage of 1.2V or less, it can be said to be measuring an abnormal value, and in this case, the transistor 63 is turned on to switch to the high-temperature measurement circuit.

[0092] If the voltage input to the microcomputer when the transistor 63 is on is 4V or more, and if the voltage input to the microcomputer when the transistor 63 is off is 1.2V or less, it is found that the thermistor temperature is +20°C or more and +60°C or less (the microcomputer judges it as such), but it cannot be measured with higher accuracy than that. However, this is not a problem. The reason is that, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, when the battery temperature is in the range of +20°C to +60°C, temperature-dependent control is not necessary and there is no need to measure the temperature. If it is in the low temperature region, it is necessary to perform heating control to deal with low temperatures, and if it is in the high temperature region, it is necessary to perform heat dissipation control to deal with high temperatures, whereas if it is in the central region, temperature-dependent control is not necessary.

[0093] When it is necessary to measure temperatures in the range of -30 to +120°C, it is common to divide the measurement range into two, using a low-temperature measurement circuit with a measurement range of -30°C to +45°C (measurement width 75°C) and a high-temperature measurement circuit with a measurement range of about +45°C to +120°C (measurement width 75°C). In this embodiment, focusing on the fact that there is no need to accurately measure temperatures in the range of 20 to 60°C, a low-temperature measurement circuit with a measurement range of -30°C to +20°C (measurement width 50°C) and a high-temperature measurement circuit with a measurement range of about +60°C to +120°C (measurement width 60°C) are used. Comparing a measurement circuit with a measurement width of 75°C and a measurement circuit with a measurement width of 50 to 60°C, the latter can measure temperatures with higher accuracy than the former. In this embodiment, the lower limit temperature (+60°C) at which the high temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result is higher than the upper limit temperature (+20°C) at which the low temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result, thereby narrowing the temperature range that can be measured by each of the high temperature measurement circuit and the low temperature measurement circuit, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

[0094] In the present embodiment, the battery temperature may fluctuate between -30°C and +120°C depending on the environmental temperature and operating conditions. The temperature measurement circuit of Fig. 3, which has the characteristics of Fig. 4, does not have a sufficient range for measuring temperatures. In contrast, by using the circuit of Fig. 7, which can switch characteristics between graphs A and B of Fig. 6, the battery temperature can be accurately measured both in the low temperature range (-30 to +20°C) and in the high temperature range (+60 to +120°C).

[0095] In this embodiment, the temperature of one or more control system electronic components (which may rise above the ambient temperature due to the heat generated by the power system electronic components) may fluctuate between -30°C and +120°C, similar to the power system electrical components.

[0096] If the thermistor 64 is placed in an environment where the temperature is equal to the battery temperature, the present technology can accurately measure the battery temperature even if the battery is in a low temperature region or a high temperature region. Similarly, if the thermistor 64 is placed in an environment where the temperature is equal to the control system electronic components, the present technology can accurately measure the temperature of the control system electronic components even if the control system electronic components are in a low temperature region or a high temperature region. Similarly, if the thermistor 64 is placed in an environment where the temperature is equal to the power system electrical components, the present technology can accurately measure the temperature of the power system electrical components even if the power system electrical components are in a low temperature region or a high temperature region. By using the temperature measurement circuit of FIG. 7, the temperature of each component with a large temperature change range can be accurately measured. The technology of using a combination of a high temperature measurement circuit and a low temperature measurement circuit is not limited to measuring the battery temperature, but can be applied to measuring the temperature of electronic components and components in the main body of the tool. For example, it can be used to measure the temperature of a microprocessor or a switching element such as a FET that controls current.

[0097] The temperature detection circuit (temperature measurement circuit) in Figure 7 may be implemented within the tool body, or may be implemented within the battery pack, or the temperature measurement circuit may be completed when the battery pack is attached to the tool body.

[0098] In this embodiment, the temperature measurement circuit is provided with a high temperature measurement circuit and a low temperature measurement circuit, but the usefulness of the technology of preparing a high temperature circuit and a low temperature circuit and selecting and using one of them is not limited to temperature measurement. For example, there are cases where a technology of selectively using a high temperature protection circuit and a low temperature protection circuit is useful.

[0099] 7, the end on the constant resistor side is connected to a constant voltage (e.g., 5V) and the end on the thermistor side is grounded, but conversely, the end on the constant resistor side may be grounded and the end on the thermistor side may be connected to a constant voltage. In other words, the constant resistor may be a pull-up resistor or a pull-down resistor.

[0100] The circuits (temperature measurement circuits) in Figures 6 and 7 switch between a high-temperature measurement circuit and a low-temperature measurement circuit, and the measurement accuracy decreases when measuring medium temperatures, where a linear relationship does not hold between voltage and temperature. In order to measure the medium temperature (room temperature) range with high accuracy, it is sufficient to add characteristic C, which establishes a linear relationship between voltage and temperature in the medium temperature (room temperature) range, as shown in Figure 8, for example. Figure 9 shows an example of a temperature detection circuit (temperature measurement circuit) that provides the three characteristics A, B, and C in Figure 8. The resistance value of the first resistor 65 is 75KΩ, the resistance value of the second resistor 66 is 8.2KΩ, and the resistance value of the third resistor 67 is 1.5KΩ. The first resistor 65 and the second resistor 66 are connected in series, and the third resistor 67 is connected in parallel to the series circuit of the first resistor 65 and the second resistor 66. When both the transistor switches Q1 and Q2 are turned off, the pull-up (or pull-down resistance) becomes about 83KΩ, and the circuit is switched to the low temperature measurement circuit described above. When both the transistor switches Q1 and Q2 are turned on, the pull-up (or pull-down resistance) becomes about 1.5KΩ, and the circuit is switched to the high temperature measurement circuit described above. When the transistor switch Q1 is turned on and the transistor switch Q2 is turned off, the pull-up (or pull-down resistance) becomes about 8.2KΩ, and the circuit is switched to the room temperature (medium temperature) measurement circuit.

[0101] FIG. 10 shows another example of the "temperature of the solid-state battery and the charging current allowed for the solid-state battery" shown in FIG. 5, showing the case where the charging current is changed around 10°C and around 50°C. In the circuit of FIG. 7, which has the characteristics of FIG. 6, the measurement accuracy around 50°C decreases. In order to realize the relationship of FIG. 10, it is preferable to adopt the circuit of FIG. 9, which provides the characteristics of FIG. 8.

[0102] FIG. 25 shows an example of a battery pack 174' that insulates the all-solid-state battery cells 12, 14, 16, 18 and the control circuit board 20 from the atmosphere (outside world) and makes them waterproof. The lower housing 50 houses four battery cells 12, 14, 16, 18 connected in series. Each battery cell 12, 14, 16, 18 has a structure in which a solid electrolyte is disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Other types of all-solid-state batteries may be used. The positive terminal 22 is connected by solder 24 to a wiring pattern formed on the upper surface of the board 20 through the board 20. The negative terminal 26 is connected by solder 28 to another wiring pattern formed on the upper surface of the board 20 through the board 20. Reference numeral 30 denotes an upper housing that insulates the battery cells 12, 14, 16, 18 and the control circuit board 20 from the atmosphere, and a positive terminal 32 and a negative terminal 38 are insert-molded into the upper housing 30. The positive terminal 32 and the negative terminal 38 penetrate the upper housing 30. Reference numerals 34 and 40 indicate the insert-molded parts, and water does not penetrate along the contact surface between the positive terminal 32 and the upper housing 30 and the contact surface between the negative terminal 38 and the upper housing 30. The lower end side of the positive terminal 32 penetrates the board 20 and is connected to a wiring pattern formed on the lower surface of the board 20 by solder 36. The lower end side of the negative terminal 38 penetrates the board 20 and is connected to another wiring pattern formed on the lower surface of the board 20 by solder 42. The upper end of the positive terminal 32 protrudes above the upper housing 30, and an end portion 33 is formed. The upper end of the negative terminal 38 protrudes above the upper housing 30, and an end portion 39 is formed. The upper surface of the upper housing 30 is formed with a convex stripe 31 that goes around along the periphery. The lower surface of the upper housing 30 is formed with a boss 29 that determines the relative positional relationship between the upper housing 30 and the control circuit board 20. The boss 29 ensures a certain distance between the lower surface of the upper housing 30 and the upper surface of the control circuit board 20. Reference numeral 44 denotes a cover, in which holes 46 and 48 are formed. Reference numeral 51 denotes a positive terminal fixed to the tool body, and when the battery pack 174' is attached to the tool body 180, the positive terminal 51 passes through the hole 46 and is inserted into the end 33 of the positive terminal 32 for electrical continuity.Reference number 52 indicates a negative terminal fixed to the tool body side, and when the battery pack 174' is attached to the tool body 180, the negative terminal 52 passes through a hole 48 and is inserted into the end 39 of the negative terminal 38 for electrical continuity. A waterproof member (seal) 45 is fixed to the underside of the cover 44, running along the periphery. The cover 44 and the lower housing 50 are engaged and fixed in this engaged state. At this time, the protruding strip 31 compresses the waterproof member 45, and the gap between the cover 44 and the upper housing 30 is sealed watertight. Furthermore, water does not enter through the contact portion between the cover 44 and the lower housing 50.

[0103] 25, water entering through the holes 46, 48 of the cover 44 is stopped by the waterproof member 45, the ridges 31, and the upper housing 30, and does not enter the storage space of the control circuit board 20 and the battery cells 12, 14, 16, 18. When the battery pack 174' is attached to the tool body 180, the end 33 of the positive terminal 32 contacts the positive terminal 51 (a member equivalent to the terminal 182 in FIG. 21) on the tool body 180 side, and the end 39 of the negative terminal 38 contacts the negative terminal 52 (a member equivalent to the terminal 183 in FIG. 21) on the tool body 180 side. A conductor (corresponding to the terminal 182 in FIG. 21) that transmits signals between the control circuit board 20 and the tool body 180 may be insert-molded into the upper housing 30, similar to the positive terminal 32 and the negative terminal 38. 25, the battery pack 174' is moved upward to attach the battery pack to the tool body 180, but the battery pack 174 may also be slid left and right to attach the battery pack 174 to the tool body 180, as shown in Fig. 1. In this case, the holes 46, 48 provided in the cover 44 are made to be long in the left and right direction (long horizontally).

[0104] According to the structure in Fig. 25, the lower housing 50, the upper housing 30, and a part of the cover 44 form a housing that separates the inside and outside in a watertight manner, and the all-solid-state battery cells 12, 14, 16, 18 and the circuit board 20 are accommodated inside the housing. The positive terminal 32 and the negative terminal 38 extend from the inside to the outside of the housing. The ends 33, 39 are located inside the cover 44, preventing a user from accidentally touching the ends 33, 39. The convex strip 31 and the waterproof member 45 seal the gap between the cover 44 and the upper housing 30 in a watertight manner, making the inside and outside of the housing waterproof.

[0105] As explained with reference to FIG. 2, the battery-powered portable tool 1 may be used in an environment with a temperature lower than the lower limit at which the control system electronic components normally operate. In this case, it is necessary to heat the control system electronic components so that the temperature is within the temperature range at which the control system electronic components normally operate. Also, as explained with reference to FIG. 2, the power system electric components generate heat when they operate, so it is necessary to dissipate the heat to prevent overheating. Here, the former is called a component requiring heating, and the latter is called a component requiring heat dissipation. When components requiring heating and components requiring heat dissipation are mixed, a technology is required to make both a heating device and a heat dissipation device compatible (so that one does not interfere with the other). If a heating device and a heat dissipation device are used together carelessly, a problem occurs in that the heat from the heating device is dissipated to the heat dissipation device, making it impossible to heat the components requiring heating.

[0106] FIG. 11 shows the layout (relative positional relationship of parts) of the motor control circuit housed in the tool body. Reference numeral 71 denotes a spring, reference numeral 79 denotes a circuit board, reference numeral 72 denotes a housing, reference numeral 81 denotes a heat dissipation member, reference numeral 82 denotes a screw for fixing the heat dissipation member 81 to the housing 72, reference numeral 73 denotes a part to be heated, reference numeral 74 denotes a heater for heating, reference numeral 75 denotes a part to be heat dissipated, reference numeral 76 denotes a heat transfer block with high thermal conductivity, reference numeral 77 also denotes a heat transfer block with high thermal conductivity, and reference numeral 78 denotes a bimetal. FIG. 11 shows the layout (positional relationship of parts) when the bimetal 78 is at a low temperature (lower than the lower limit temperature at which the part to be heated operates normally). FIG. 12 shows the layout when the bimetal 78 is at a high temperature (when the temperature rises to a temperature at which it is necessary to dissipate heat from the part to be heat dissipated to prevent overheating). In FIG. 11, the spring 71 raises the substrate 79, blocking the connection between the heat transfer block 76 and the heat dissipation member 81. In FIG. 12, the bimetal 78 extends, causing the substrate 79 to lower, bringing the heat transfer block 76 and the heat dissipation member 81 into contact. The housing 72 is made of a resin with low thermal conductivity (approximately 0.5 W / mk or less, more preferably 0.3 W / mk or less), and insulates the bimetal 78 and the like from the surroundings. The heat dissipation member 81 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity (approximately 200 W / mk or more, more preferably 300 W / mk or more). In the layout of FIG. 12, heat from the heat transfer block 76 is dissipated to the atmosphere via the heat dissipation member 81.

[0107] The heating-requiring component 73 and the heating heater 74 are attached to the front and back of the substrate 79. When the heating heater 74 is energized, the heat passes through the substrate 79 to reach the heating-requiring component 73 and heat the heating-requiring component 73. The housing 72 insulates the surroundings of the heating-requiring component 73 and the heating heater 74 from the atmosphere, and the housing 72 prevents the heat of the heating heater 74 from being taken away by the atmosphere. The substrate 79 serves as a path for the heat of the heating heater 74 to be transferred to the heat transfer block 76 via the heat dissipation component 75. When the positional relationship of FIG. 12 is reached while the heating heater 74 is operating to heat the heating-requiring component 73, the heat of the heating heater 74 moves to the heat dissipation member 81 via the heat dissipation component 75 and the heat transfer block 76, and the heating-requiring component 73 cannot be sufficiently heated. At low temperatures where the component requiring heating 73 needs to be heated, there is no need to dissipate heat from the component requiring heat dissipation 75, and so the layout shown in Fig. 11 is used. With the layout shown in Fig. 11, the heat from the heater 74 does not transfer to the heat dissipation member 81 via the component requiring heat dissipation 75 and the heat transfer block 76, and the component requiring heating 73 can be sufficiently heated.

[0108] The heater 74 is turned off when the temperature of the part 73 to be heated rises to +5° C. or higher by energizing it, and is turned on when the temperature of the part 73 to be heated falls to 0° C. or lower by turning it off.

[0109] When the temperature of the heat-dissipating component 75 rises and reaches a temperature at which heat dissipation is required, the bimetal 78 expands, and the layout is switched from that of FIG. 11 to that of FIG. 12. Then, the heat-dissipating component 75 comes into contact with the heat-dissipating member 81 via the heat-transfer block 76. The heat of the heat-dissipating component 75 is transferred to the heat-dissipating member 81 via the heat-transfer block 76, and the heat-dissipating component 75 is prevented from overheating. The heat-transfer block 77 links the temperature of the heat-dissipating component 75 and the temperature of the bimetal 78. The housing 72 has a low thermal conductivity and does not take away heat from the bimetal 78. By switching between FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the heating device and the heat-dissipating device can be used together. One does not impair the operation of the other.

[0110] The temperature at which the component requiring heating 73 needs to be heated < the temperature at which the component requiring heat dissipation 75 needs to dissipate heat is in the relationship, and the switching temperatures in Figures 11 and 12 may be between these. In other words, the switching temperature may be the boundary temperature that distinguishes whether or not the component requiring heating 73 needs to be heated, or the switching temperature may be the boundary temperature that distinguishes whether or not the component requiring heat dissipation 75 needs to dissipate heat. The boundary temperature that distinguishes whether or not the component requiring heating 73 needs to be heated < the switching temperature in Figures 11 and 12 < the boundary temperature that distinguishes whether or not the component requiring heat dissipation 75 needs to dissipate heat is in the relationship.

[0111] Due to layout constraints on the circuit board, it may be difficult for the temperature of the heat-requiring component 75 to be transferred to the bimetal 78. In this case, as shown in Fig. 13, a configuration is adopted in which a heater 80 is added to heat and deform the bimetal 78. The heater 80 is controlled in one of the following ways. (1) When the temperature of the component 73 requiring heating has risen to a temperature at which heating is not required, power is supplied to the heater 80. (2) When the temperature of the heat dissipation-requiring component 75 rises to a temperature at which heat dissipation is required, the heater 80 is energized. (3) Power is applied to the heater 80 at an intermediate temperature between (1) and (2). Simply choose from (1) to (3). FIG. 13 shows the layout before power is applied to the heater 80, and FIG. 14 shows the layout when power is applied to the heater 80.

[0112] The present technology can be applied to dissipate heat from transistors constituting an inverter 195, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 21, and to warm the microcomputer 193. That is, the present technology can be applied to the tool body 180. The battery pack 174 may incorporate a transistor (a power electronic component that requires heat dissipation) that inhibits the flow of discharge current and a microcomputer (battery controller 172 that requires heating) that controls the transistor. In this case, the above-described techniques shown in Figs. 11 to 14 can be applied to the battery packs 174, 174'.

[0113] 15 to 17 show the relationship between the component 73 requiring heating, the heater 74, the component 75 requiring heat dissipation, the substrate 79, and the heat dissipation member 81, and the heat of the component 75 requiring heat dissipation is dissipated to the heat dissipation member 81. In this embodiment, the relationship is set such that the thermal resistance between the component 73 requiring heating and the heater 74 is smaller than the thermal resistance between the heater 74 and the component 75 requiring heat dissipation. This ensures that the heat of the heater 74 is mainly consumed in heating the component 73 requiring heating, and is not consumed in heating the component 75 requiring heat dissipation.

[0114] When heat from heater 74 is radiated to the surrounding atmosphere, the ability to heat component 73 requiring heating decreases. In Fig. 15, heater 74 and component 73 requiring heating are housed in housing 120 to prevent heat radiation to the atmosphere. In Fig. 16, heat radiation to the atmosphere is prevented by using hardened adhesive 140 instead of housing 120. As shown in Fig. 17, the inside of housing 83 may be filled with resin molded body 160.

[0115] 18 to 20, the relationship is "thermal resistance between component 73 requiring heating and heater 74" < "thermal resistance between component 73 requiring heating and component 75 requiring heat dissipation." This reduces the amount of heat transferred from heater 74 to component 75 requiring heat dissipation via component 73 requiring heating, allowing component 73 requiring heating to be heated effectively.

[0116] In Fig. 18, heater 74 and parts requiring heating 73 are housed in housing 130 to prevent heat loss to the atmosphere. In Fig. 19, heat loss to the atmosphere is prevented by hardened adhesive 150 instead of housing 130. As shown in Fig. 20, the inside of housing 83 may be filled with resin molded body 170.

[0117] 18 to 20, not only is the relationship "thermal resistance between component 73 requiring heating and heater 74" < "thermal resistance between component 73 requiring heating and component 75 requiring heat dissipation," but also the relationship is "thermal resistance between component 73 requiring heating and heater 74" < "thermal resistance between heater 74 and component 75 requiring heat dissipation." By satisfying both relationships, the efficiency of heating the component requiring heating by heater 74 is increased.

[0118] 21 shows an electric circuit completed when the battery pack 174 (or 174') is attached to the tool body 180, that is, an electric circuit built into the completed battery-powered portable tool 1. The battery pack 174 incorporates a cell group 171 in which a plurality of all-solid-state battery cells are connected, and a battery controller 172 that measures and controls the state of the cell group. When the battery pack 174 (or 174') is attached to the tool body 180, the positive electrode of the battery pack 174 and the positive electrode wire 184 in the tool body 180 come into contact with the positive electrode terminal 181, and the negative electrode of the battery pack 174 and the negative electrode wire 185 in the tool body 180 come into contact with the negative electrode terminal 183, enabling signal transmission between the battery controller 172 and the microcomputer 193 via the signal terminal 182. The battery controller 172 sends to the microcontroller 193 a voltage indicating the battery temperature (the divided voltage described in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9), a signal (CS) indicating whether the battery is in a state where it can be charged with regenerative power, and a signal (DS) indicating whether the battery is in a state where it can be discharged.

[0119] Reference numeral 191 denotes a constant voltage power supply that generates a constant voltage to be supplied to a microcomputer 193 and the like, and 192 denotes a surge killer capacitor (also called a surge suppression or surge inhibition capacitor).

[0120] This tool body 180 incorporates a brushless motor 196 and a sensor circuit 197 that detects the operating state of the motor 196, and the detected value is input to a microcomputer 193. The microcomputer 193 controls the operation of an inverter 195 based on signals from the battery pack 174 (or 174') and signals from the sensor circuit 197, etc. The microcomputer 193 outputs a control signal to a gate driver 194, and the gate driver 194 controls the gate voltages of six transistors incorporated in the inverter 195 based on the control signal from the microcomputer 193, thereby controlling the on / off of the six transistors. The brushless motor 196 is inverter-controlled by the microcomputer 193.

[0121] Reference numeral 198 denotes a circuit that rectifies the voltage generated by the brushless motor 196 continuing to rotate due to inertia (during braking of the motor), and 199 denotes a regenerative brake (a circuit that charges a battery with regenerative power during braking of the motor), which is connected to the CS terminal via a wire 200. If the battery controller 172 permits charging using regenerative power, operation of the regenerative brake 199 is permitted, and power is generated while decelerating the rotation due to inertia of the brushless motor 196, and the battery cell group 171 is charged with the generated power. If the battery controller 172 does not permit charging using regenerative power, operation of the regenerative brake 199 is prohibited. This prevents the group 171 of battery cells 12, 14, 16, and 18 from being inadvertently charged (for example, charging even though the battery temperature is too high for charging) and thus reducing the battery life. When the battery is in a state where it cannot be discharged (for example, the battery temperature is too high or the remaining capacity is too low), the battery controller 172 outputs a signal and the microcomputer 193 stops the operation of the inverter 195 to prevent a decrease in battery life, etc.

[0122] In inverter control, a transistor constituting inverter 195 instantaneously turns on and off the current flowing through the inductance component that is parasitic to a battery, etc., generating a surge voltage. In order to prevent the occurrence of adverse effects due to the surge voltage, a surge killer capacitor 192 is provided. The capacity required for surge killer capacitor 192 is determined by the inductance, and if the inductance is large, the capacity required for surge killer capacitor 192 also becomes large, resulting in a large capacitor.

[0123] In the case of an all-solid-state battery, the inductance can be made smaller than that of a lithium-ion battery. If the inductance in the tool body is large, the advantage of the all-solid-state battery being able to reduce the inductance cannot be utilized. In this embodiment, a technique is adopted to reduce the inductance in the tool body 180. As shown in FIG. 21, the tool body 180 is elongated. A wire 184 connecting the positive terminal 181 and the positive electrode of the controller 190, and a wire 185 connecting the negative terminal 183 and the negative electrode of the controller 190 extend parallel to each other while facing each other. FIG. 22 shows a cross-sectional view of the wires 184 and 185, illustrating that the flat surfaces of the flat metal bars (rectangular wires) 184 and 185 extend facing each other. Inductances are cancelled out by currents flowing in opposite directions through the conductors extending in parallel, and the effective inductance is reduced. A coaxial wire may be used as shown in FIG. 23, or parallel vinyl wires may be used as shown in FIG. 24.

[0124] In the case of solid-state batteries, the cell voltage varies depending on the type of electrode material. Depending on the type of electrode material, the cell voltage when fully charged ranges from about 3.6V to 6.0V. The minimum cell voltage to prevent overdischarge also varies depending on the type of electrode material, but the range is small, generally around 2.0V. When using an all-solid-state battery with a cell voltage of about 6.0V when fully charged, measures are required for battery-powered portable tools to allow them to be used without problems even if the cell voltage varies from 6.0V to 2.0V. Regardless of the magnitude of the battery voltage, a circuit is required for constant speed or constant torque operation while the operation switch (often a trigger switch) is on, or a circuit for constant speed or constant torque operation while the amount of operation of the trigger switch is constant. Since the range of fluctuation in battery voltage required to maintain constant speed or constant torque operation is significantly wider than before, circuit technology that can deal with this is required. In addition, even if the battery pack voltage when fully charged is the same, the over-discharge prohibition voltage can differ. For example, a battery pack with a fully charged voltage of 18V can be obtained by connecting three cells with a cell voltage of 6V in series, or by connecting four cells with a cell voltage of 4.5V in series, or by connecting five cells with a cell voltage of 3.6V in series. In this case, if the cell voltage at which over-discharge needs to be prohibited is 2 V, a tool for installing three 6 V battery packs requires technology that can handle 18 V to 6 V, a tool for installing four 4.5 V battery packs requires technology that can handle 18 V to 8 V, and a tool for installing five 3.6 V battery packs requires technology that can handle 18 V to 10 V. Even though the maximum voltage is the same for each tool, technology is required to individually adjust the minimum voltage that can be handled.

[0125] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

[0126] Additionally, while the present teachings have been primarily described as power tools used in a user-supported (handheld) configuration, the present teachings are equally applicable to portable battery-powered tools used in a surface-mounted configuration, such as miter saws, sliding compound miter saws, lawn mowers, inflators, compressors, and the like.

[0127] As described above, a solid-state battery is characterized primarily by the fact that the electrolyte (or conductor, semiconductor) that conducts current between two electrodes is solid. The electrolyte is preferably solid at temperatures of 100° C. or higher, 150° C. or higher, 200° C. or higher, or 300° C. or higher. The electrolyte in the battery cell remains solid even during high-temperature operation of a power tool, such as at 100° C. or higher.

[0128] The composition of the solid electrolyte or solid conductor is not particularly limited and may be a conductive semiconductor material, a conductive ceramic (e.g., oxide, sulfide, phosphate), a conductive glass, or a conductive solid polymer. In one example, the solid electrolyte may include or consist of one or more semiconductor materials or hydride lithium superionic conductors that are solid electrolytes that conduct lithium ions. In another example, the solid electrolyte may include or consist of a conductive ceramic, such as indium tin oxide (ITO). IZO (indium zinc oxide) and AZO (aluminum zinc oxide) are also possible solid electrolytes according to the present teachings. The anode electrode of the solid-state battery may be, for example, composed of or include lithium metal or lithium alloy. The cathode electrode of the solid-state battery may be, for example, composed of or include lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or ITO.

[0129] The technology disclosed herein includes, but is not limited to, the following examples. Example 1 It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; A battery temperature measurement circuit is provided in at least one of the battery pack and the tool body, The battery temperature measurement circuit is a high-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range; a low-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range; a switching device which outputs a signal indicating the battery temperature (a signal for determining the battery temperature) based on the output of the low temperature measurement circuit (from an output) when the output value of the high temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range, and which outputs a signal indicating the battery temperature (a signal for determining the battery temperature) based on the output of the high temperature measurement circuit (from an output) when the output value of the low temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range; It is equipped with: The abnormal range of the output of the high temperature measurement circuit and the abnormal range of the output of the low temperature measurement circuit may be different or may not overlap, but may overlap. Example 2 A battery-powered portable tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention. the high temperature measurement circuit includes a series circuit of a thermistor and a high temperature voltage dividing resistor, The low-temperature measurement circuit includes a series circuit of the thermistor and a low-temperature voltage dividing resistor. Example 3 A battery-powered portable tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The resistance value of the high temperature voltage dividing resistor is lower than the resistance value of the low temperature voltage dividing resistor. Example 4 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, The tool body includes the high temperature measurement circuit and the low temperature measurement circuit. Example 5 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, The battery pack includes the high temperature measurement circuit and the low temperature measurement circuit. Example 6 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, The lower limit temperature at which the high temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result is higher than the upper limit temperature at which the low temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result. Example 7 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, an actuator that is operated by power supplied by the battery pack and is housed within the tool body; The actuator's maximum output at -20°C / maximum output at +50°C is >0.5. Example 8 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, an actuator that is operated by power supplied by the battery pack and is housed within the tool body; The actuator operates even when the environmental temperature is below freezing, as long as it is above -30°C. Example 9 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, an actuator that is operated by power supplied by the battery pack and is housed within the tool body; The actuator operates as long as the battery temperature is +100°C or lower even when the environmental temperature is +50°C or higher. Example 10 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200 Wh / kg or more. Example 11 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300 Wh / L or more. Example 12 A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, The battery temperature measurement circuit determines a temperature of the at least one battery cell based on the signal indicative of the battery temperature selected by the switching device. (Example 13) A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, A controller is provided for determining a temperature of the at least one battery cell based on the signal indicative of the battery temperature selected by the switching device. Example 14 A battery-powered portable tool according to Example 13, The controller is located within the battery pack. Example 15 A battery-powered portable tool according to Example 13, The controller is disposed within the tool body. (Example 16) A battery pack that is attached to the device body, When attached to the tool body, the battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is completed. (Example 17) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; The battery pack includes a detachable tool body, The battery pack has a housing that seals the space containing the all-solid-state battery cells from the outside, has no cooling air passages, and has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200Wh / kg or more. In the battery pack, it is preferable that the space housing the all-solid-state battery cells is completely sealed watertight from the outside. (Example 18) The battery-powered portable tool according to Example 17, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300 Wh / L or more. (Example 19) It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; The battery pack includes a detachable tool body, At least one of the battery pack and the tool body includes a part requiring heating, a heater for heating the part requiring heating, a part requiring heat dissipation, and a heat dissipation part for dissipating heat from the part requiring heat dissipation. (Example 20) The battery-powered portable tool according to Example 19, The components requiring heating, the heater, the components requiring heat dissipation, and the heat dissipation components are arranged in a low temperature layout at low temperatures, and in a high temperature layout at high temperatures. Example 21 The battery-powered portable tool according to Example 20, The bimetal allows the components requiring heating, the heater, and the components requiring heat dissipation to be switched between a low-temperature layout and a high-temperature layout. Example 22 The battery-powered portable tool according to Example 20 or 21, It can be switched between low temperature and high temperature layouts within the temperature range of -5℃ to 70℃. (Example 23) The battery-powered portable tool according to Example 21 or 22, The bimetal changes shape within the temperature range of 50℃ to 70℃. Example 24 The battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 20 to 23, In the low temperature layout, the components requiring heat dissipation are not in contact with the heat dissipation member, whereas in the high temperature layout, the components requiring heat dissipation are in contact with the heat dissipation member. (Example 25) The battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 19 to 24, Parts that require heating require heating when the temperature is low (for example, below 5°C, below 0°C, or below -5°C). (Example 26) The battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 19 to 25, Components that require heat dissipation need to dissipate heat when they are at high temperatures (for example, 50° C. or higher, 60° C. or higher, or 70° C. or higher). Example 27 The battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 19 to 26, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200Wh / kg or more and a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300Wh / L or more. (Example 28) The battery-powered portable tool according to any one of Examples 19 to 27, The battery cells are sealed from the outside by the battery pack housing without any gaps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1: Battery-powered portable equipment 12, 14, 16, 18: Battery cells 20: Control circuit board 22: Positive terminal 24, 28, 36, 42: Solder 26: Negative terminal 29: Positioning boss 30: Upper housing 31: Convex stripe 32: Positive terminal 33: End 38: Negative terminal 39: End 34, 40: Insert molding section 44: Cover 45: Waterproofing materials 46,48: Hole 50: Lower housing 51, 52: Tool body side end 61: Voltage divider resistor 62: Voltage divider resistor 63: Transistor 64: Thermistor 71: Spring 72: Housing 73: Parts requiring heating (control electronic parts) 74: Heater 75: Parts that require heat dissipation (electrical power components) 76: Heat transfer block 77: Heat transfer block 78: Bimetal 79: Substrate 80: Bimetal heater 81: Heat dissipation material 82: Screws for fixing the heat sink to the housing 171: All-solid-state battery cell group 172: Battery controller 174, 174': Battery pack 180: Equipment body 181: Positive terminal 182: Signal terminal group 183: Negative terminal 184: Positive wiring 185: Negative wiring 190: Equipment body controller 191: Constant voltage power supply 192: Surge suppressor capacitor 193: Microcomputer 194: Gate driver 195: Inverter 196: Motor 197: Sensor circuit 198: Full wave rectifier circuit 199: Regenerative braking / regenerative charging circuit

Claims

1. It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; A tool body to which the battery pack can be detached; a battery temperature measurement circuit at least a portion of which is disposed within the battery pack; The battery temperature measurement circuit is a high-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range; a low-temperature measurement circuit that outputs accurate measurement results in a low-temperature range but outputs less accurate measurement results in a high-temperature range; a switching device which outputs or adopts a value for determining the battery temperature or a value indicating the battery temperature from the measurement result of the low temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the high temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range, and which outputs or adopts a value for determining the battery temperature or a value indicating the battery temperature from the measurement result of the high temperature measurement circuit when the output value of the low temperature measurement circuit falls within an abnormal range; It is equipped with:

2. 2. The battery-powered portable tool of claim 1, the high temperature measurement circuit includes a series circuit of a thermistor and a high temperature voltage dividing resistor, The low-temperature measurement circuit includes a series circuit of the thermistor and a low-temperature voltage dividing resistor.

3. The battery-powered portable tool of claim 2, The resistance value of the high temperature voltage dividing resistor is lower than the resistance value of the low temperature voltage dividing resistor.

4. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The device body includes a portion of the high temperature measurement circuit and a portion of the low temperature measurement circuit.

5. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The battery pack includes the high temperature measurement circuit and the low temperature measurement circuit.

6. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The lower limit temperature at which the high temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result is higher than the upper limit temperature at which the low temperature measurement circuit outputs an accurate measurement result.

7. The battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an actuator that is operated by power supplied from the battery pack and is housed within the tool body, The maximum output of the actuator at −20° C. / maximum output at +50° C. is >0.

5.

8. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an actuator that is operated by power supplied by the battery pack and is housed within the tool body; The actuator operates even when the environmental temperature is below freezing, as long as it is above -30°C.

9. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an actuator that is operated by power supplied by the battery pack and is housed within the tool body; The actuator operates even when the environmental temperature is +50° C. as long as the battery temperature is +100° C. or lower.

10. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200 Wh / kg or more.

11. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300 Wh / L or more.

12. A battery pack that is attached to the device body, When attached to the tool body, the battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is completed.

13. It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; The battery pack includes a detachable tool body, The battery pack includes a housing that seals a space that contains the all-solid-state battery cells from the outside, does not have a cooling air passage, and has a discharge capacity per unit weight of 200 Wh / kg or more.

14. 14. The battery-powered portable tool according to claim 13, The battery pack has a discharge capacity per unit volume of 300 Wh / L or more.

15. It is a battery-powered portable device, a battery pack including at least one solid-state battery cell; The battery pack includes a detachable tool body, At least one of the battery pack and the tool body includes a part requiring heating, a heater for heating the part requiring heating, a part requiring heat dissipation, and a heat dissipation part for dissipating heat from the part requiring heat dissipation.

16. 16. The battery-powered portable tool according to claim 15, The components requiring heating, the heater, the components requiring heat dissipation, and the heat dissipation components are arranged in a low temperature layout at low temperatures, and in a high temperature layout at high temperatures.

17. 17. The battery-powered portable tool of claim 16, wherein the bimetal is adapted to switch between the cold layout and the hot layout.

18. The battery-powered portable tool according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the layout can be switched between a low temperature layout and a high temperature layout within a temperature range of -5°C to 70°C.

19. A battery-powered portable tool according to any one of claims 16 to 18, In the low temperature layout, the heat dissipation components are not in contact with the heat dissipation material. In the high temperature layout, the components requiring heat dissipation are brought into contact with the heat dissipation member.

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