Charging system, charging device, battery pack, and power tool

Abstract

To reduce the effort required for charging a battery pack of an electric tool. [Solution] The charging system (1) includes a battery pack (80), a charging device main body (20), and a holding unit (40). The charging device main body (20) holds a power supply terminal (TA1) and a guide unit (32). The power supply terminal (TA1) is connected to a charging circuit that receives power from an external power source and supplies a charging current to the battery pack (80). The holding unit (40) guides and holds a head unit (62) that houses a motor in a power tool (60). When the holding unit (40) holds the head unit (62), the guide unit (32) guides the battery pack (80) to a position where the power receiving terminal of the battery pack (80) is connected to the power supply terminal (TA1). When the holding unit (40) holds the head unit (62) and the power receiving terminal of the battery pack (80) is connected to the power supply terminal (TA1), a charging circuit (53) supplies a charging current to the battery pack (80) via the power supply terminal (TA1) and the power receiving terminal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging system, a charging device, a battery pack, and a power tool. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a charging system for charging a battery pack that is a power source for a portable power tool, a charging device, a battery pack charged by the charging device, and a power tool to which the battery pack is attached. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a charging system for a power tool.

[0003] The power tool includes a tool body and a battery pack that is detachable from the tool body. The power tool performs tasks such as screw tightening by rotating an electric motor with power supplied from the battery pack.

[0004] The charging system includes a charger main body, which charges the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the power tool and attached to the charger main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-115691 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the charging system described in Patent Document 1, the battery pack is removed from the power tool body and attached to the charger body, and the battery pack is charged. Then, when charging of the battery pack is completed, the battery pack is removed from the charger body and attached to the power tool body, and work using the power tool is performed. As such, when charging the battery pack of the power tool, it is necessary to take the time to attach and detach the battery pack to the power tool body, which has been a problem in that it is time-consuming to charge the battery pack of the power tool.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging system, a charging device, a battery pack, and a power tool that can reduce the effort required when charging a battery pack of a power tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A charging system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery pack, a charging device main body, and a holder. The battery pack is capable of supplying power to a drive circuit of a power tool. The power tool has a motor and the drive circuit that drives the motor. The charging device main body holds a power supply terminal and a guide. The power supply terminal is connected to a charging circuit that receives power from an external power source and supplies a charging current to the battery pack. The holder guides and holds a head portion that houses the motor in the power tool. When the holder holds the head portion, the guide portion guides the battery pack to a position where a power receiving terminal provided on the battery pack is connected to the power supply terminal. When the holder holds the head portion and the power receiving terminal of the battery pack is connected to the power supply terminal, the charging circuit supplies a charging current to the battery pack via the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal.

[0009] A charging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the charging device main body and the holding section provided in the charging system.

[0010] A battery pack according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a battery pack included in the charging system.

[0011] In the power tool according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the battery pack included in the charging system is detachable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the effort required to charge a battery pack of a power tool. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, seen from behind, of a charging device included in a charging system of the present disclosure before the charging device holds an electric power tool. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charging device as seen from the front before the power tool is held by the charging device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the charging device as viewed from behind, showing a state in which the power tool is held in the charging device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the charging device as viewed from the front, showing a state in which the power tool is held by the charging device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the charging system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the charging device with the holding unit removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a YZ cross-sectional view of the charging device in a state where the power tool is held by the charging device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the power tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a charging system according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, each diagram described in the following embodiment is a schematic diagram, and the dimensional ratio of the size of each component does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. Furthermore, the configuration described in the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0015] (Embodiment) (1) Overview As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the charging system 1 of this embodiment includes a battery pack 80, a charging device main body 20, and a holding section 40.

[0016] The battery pack 80 can supply power to a drive circuit 72 of the power tool 60. The power tool 60 has a motor 71 and a drive circuit 72 that drives the motor 71.

[0017] The charging device main body 20 holds the power supply terminal portion TA1 and the guide portion 32.

[0018] The power supply terminal section TA1 is connected to a charging circuit 53 that is capable of supplying a charging current to the battery pack 80 by receiving power from an external power source PS1.

[0019] The holding portion 40 guides and holds the head portion 62 that houses the motor 71 in the power tool 60 .

[0020] When the holding part 40 holds the head part 62, the guide part 32 guides the battery pack 80 to a position where the power receiving terminal part TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal part TA1.

[0021] When the holding portion 40 holds the head portion 62 and the power receiving terminal portion TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal portion TA1, the charging circuit 53 supplies a charging current to the battery pack 80 via the power supply terminal portion TA1 and the power receiving terminal portion TB1.

[0022] In this charging system 1, when charging the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60, the head 62 of the power tool 60 is held in the holder 40, whereby the battery pack 80 is guided by the guide 32 and the power receiving terminal TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1. That is, when the head 62 of the power tool 60 is held in the holder 40 of the charging device main body 20, the power receiving terminal TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1, and the battery pack 80 can be charged by the charging circuit 53. Therefore, the user only needs to place the power tool 60 in a position where the head 62 is held in the holder 40 and the battery pack 80 is guided by the guide 32, thereby reducing the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0023] The charging device 10 of this embodiment also includes the charging device main body 20 and the holding unit 40 that are included in the charging system 1. When charging the battery pack 80 with this charging device 10, the user simply places the power tool 60 in a position where the head unit 62 is held by the holding unit 40 and the battery pack 80 is guided by the guide unit 32. This reduces the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0024] The battery pack 80 of this embodiment is a battery pack 80 included in the charging system 1. Since the battery pack 80 is charged by the charging system 1, the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60 can be reduced.

[0025] Furthermore, the power tool 60 of this embodiment is capable of detachably mounting the battery pack 80 provided in the charging system 1. The charging system 1 can charge the battery pack 80 while it is attached to the power tool 60, thereby reducing the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0026] The battery pack 80 is detachable from the power tool 60, and the power tool 60 and the battery pack 80 detachable from the power tool 60 constitute the power tool system 2. In other words, the power tool system 2 includes the power tool 60 and the battery pack 80 detachable from the power tool 60.

[0027] (2)Details Hereinafter, a charging system 1 according to this embodiment, a charging device 10 included in the charging system 1, and a power tool system 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0028] The charging system 1 of this embodiment is used to charge the battery pack 80 of a power tool 60. The power tool 60 is used, for example, on a production line such as an automobile assembly plant. The charging device main body 20 is installed, for example, in a position where a worker working on the production line can hold the power tool 60 between tasks. The charging device main body 20 is installed, for example, on a workbench or wagon placed in the work area where the worker works.

[0029] In the following description, the X-axis direction in Figure 1 and other figures is defined as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-rear direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction. Furthermore, the positive direction in the X-axis direction is defined as the right side, the positive direction in the Y-axis direction as the front side, and the positive direction in the Z-axis direction as the up side. However, these directions are merely examples and are not intended to limit the directions when using the charging system 1 and the power tool 60. Furthermore, the arrows indicating the various directions in the drawings are merely shown for explanatory purposes and do not have any substance.

[0030] (2.1) Power Tool System A power tool system 2 including a power tool 60 and a battery pack 80 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] As described above, the power tool 60 includes the motor 71 and the drive circuit 72. The power tool 60 further includes a control unit 70 and an operation unit 73.

[0032] The power tool 60 further includes a tool body 61 that houses a control unit 70, a motor 71, a drive circuit 72, an operation unit 73, and the like.

[0033] The power tool 60 is a portable tool such as an impact driver that can be held by a user (operator) in one hand.

[0034] The tool body 61 of the power tool 60 has a cylindrical head portion 62 , a grip portion 63 , and a battery attachment portion 64 .

[0035] The head unit 62 houses at least the motor 71. The head unit 62 also houses a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational torque of the motor 71 to the output shaft 711. The transmission mechanism includes an impact mechanism that generates an impact force based on the power of the motor 71.

[0036] An output shaft 711 is provided at one end of the cylindrical head portion 62 in the direction of the central axis (the direction indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 7 ), to which impact force is transmitted via an impact mechanism. A socket portion 92 of the tool bit 90 can be attached to the output shaft 711. The tip portion of the output shaft 711 is formed, for example, in the shape of a square pillar, and a square hole into which the tip portion of the output shaft 711 is fitted is formed in the socket portion 92. The tool bit 90 is attached to the output shaft 711 by fitting the tip portion of the output shaft 711 into the socket portion 92. The tool bit 90 is provided with, for example, a box wrench socket 91 for tightening a hexagonal bolt. When the output shaft 711 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the motor 71, the tool bit 90 attached to the output shaft 711 rotates. For example, when a hex bolt attached to the box wrench socket 91 is placed against a bolt hole in an object, rotating the motor 71 rotates the output shaft 711, tightening the hex bolt attached to the box wrench socket 91 into the bolt hole in the object. As the hex bolt is tightened, the tightening torque increases and exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the impact mechanism generates an impact force that is transmitted to the hex bolt, tightening the hex bolt into the bolt hole in the object with the desired torque value. Note that the tip tool 90 is not limited to the box wrench socket 91 and can be changed as appropriate depending on the work content.

[0037] The grip portion 63 protrudes from a part of the outer peripheral surface of the head portion 62 in a direction diagonally intersecting the central axis direction of the head portion 62. The grip portion 63 is a portion to be held by a user of the power tool 60. A user of the power tool 60 holds the grip portion 63 to perform work using the power tool 60. A first end of the grip portion 63 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the head portion 62, and a second end of the grip portion 63 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the battery mounting portion 64.

[0038] The battery mounting portion 64 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery mounting portion 64 is connected to the second end of the grip portion 63. In other words, the head portion 62 and the battery mounting portion 64 are connected via the grip portion 63. In this embodiment, the battery mounting portion 64 is provided integrally with the head portion 62 and the grip portion 63. A first connecting portion to which the battery pack 80 can be attached and detached is provided at the bottom of the battery mounting portion 64. When the battery pack 80 is attached to the battery mounting portion 64, power is supplied from the battery pack 80 to the control portion 70, the drive circuit 72, etc.

[0039] The grip portion 63 is provided with an operation unit 73 for adjusting the amount of rotation of the output shaft 711. The operation unit 73 includes, for example, a trigger switch having an operation button arranged on the grip portion 63. When the user pulls in the operation button arranged on the grip portion 63, the trigger switch outputs an operation signal to the control unit 70, the signal having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of pulling of the operation button.

[0040] The drive circuit 72 rotates the motor 71 at a rotation speed according to a control command from the control unit 70, for example.

[0041] The control unit 70 includes, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and a memory. At least some of the functions of the control unit 70 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0042] The control unit 70 controls the drive circuit 72 in response to an operation signal input from the operation unit 73, for example, to rotate the motor 71 at a desired rotation speed and rotate the tool bit 90 at a rotation speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor 71. The power tool 60 may be provided with a torque sensor that detects the torque applied to the output shaft 711, and the control unit 70 may control the rotation of the motor 71 based on the detection result of the torque sensor.

[0043] The battery pack 80 includes a case 81 made of synthetic resin and formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery pack 80 has an all-solid-state battery 88. The case 81 houses the all-solid-state battery 88 and a monitoring unit 89 that monitors the charging state of the all-solid-state battery 88. The monitoring unit 89 monitors, for example, the charging rate or temperature of the all-solid-state battery 88. Note that the monitoring unit 89 may monitor both the charging rate and temperature of the all-solid-state battery 88, or may monitor other indicators that indicate the charging state of the all-solid-state battery 88.

[0044] A second connecting portion is provided at the top of the case 81, and is detachable from a first connecting portion provided at the bottom of the battery mounting portion 64. When the second connecting portion of the battery pack 80 is connected to the first connecting portion of the battery mounting portion 64, power is supplied from the solid-state battery 88 to the control unit 70, drive circuit 72, etc. of the power tool 60.

[0045] Two grooves 82 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front surface of the case 81. The two grooves 82 extend upward from the lower end of the case 81. Each of the two grooves 82 is provided with a power receiving terminal 83 that protrudes forward from the bottom surface of the groove 82. One of the two power receiving terminals 83 is connected to the positive electrode of the all-solid-state battery 88, and the other of the two power receiving terminals 83 is connected to the negative electrode of the all-solid-state battery 88. Here, the two power receiving terminals 83 provided in the two grooves 82 constitute a power receiving terminal part TB1. In other words, the power receiving terminal part TB1 includes the two power receiving terminals 83 provided in the two grooves 82.

[0046] Furthermore, on the front surface of the case 81, a plate 84 made of a magnetic material (for example, iron) is arranged between the two grooves 82.

[0047] In addition, a second communication terminal unit TB2 connected to the monitoring unit 89 is disposed on the front surface of the case 81. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the second communication terminal unit TB2 is disposed on the upper side of the plate material 84, for example.

[0048] The all-solid-state battery 88 included in the battery pack 80 is a secondary battery that can be charged faster than lead-acid batteries and the like, so the user can charge the all-solid-state battery 88 in a short time by holding the power tool 60 on the charging device 10 between tasks. Therefore, the battery capacity of the all-solid-state battery 88 can be made smaller than when the battery pack 80 includes a lead-acid battery, and the battery pack 80 and the power tool system 2 can be made smaller.

[0049] (2.2) Charging device The charging device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] The charging device 10 includes a charging device main body 20 that holds the power supply terminal portion TA1 and the guide portion 32, a holding portion 40 attached to the charging device main body 20, and a charging circuit 53.

[0051] The charging device main body 20 holds the power supply terminal portion TA1 and the guide portion 32. In addition, the charging device main body 20 has a holding portion 40 that is detachable.

[0052] The charging device main body 20 includes a stand 21 and a tool holder 30 attached to the stand 21, and a guide portion 32 is attached to the tool holder 30.

[0053] The mount 21 is formed by combining, for example, aluminum frame materials. The mount 21 includes a rectangular frame body 22 formed by combining, for example, four aluminum frame materials, two pillars 23 projecting upward from two opposing sides of the frame body 22, and a beam 24 connecting the upper ends of the two pillars 23 together.

[0054] The tool holder 30 is attached to the beam 24. The tool holder 30 includes a main body 31 formed in the shape of a long, thin rectangular pillar made of, for example, a metal material, and a guide part 32 attached to the lower end of the main body 31. A holder 40 is attached to the upper end of the main body 31.

[0055] A fitting groove 310 into which the beam 24 is inserted is provided in the middle of the main body 31 in the longitudinal direction. The tool holder 30 is attached to the base 21 by hooking the main body 31 onto the beam 24 from above so that the beam 24 is inserted into the fitting groove 310 of the main body 31. The tool holder 30 is attached to the base 21 with the longitudinal direction of the tool holder 30 inclined obliquely with respect to the vertical direction.

[0056] The guide portion 32 is provided with a recess 33 into which the battery pack 80 attached to the power tool 60 is inserted. The guide portion 32 is provided with two side walls 34 that protrude diagonally upward and rearward from both the left and right sides of the recess 33. The opposing surfaces of the two side walls 34 are each provided with an inclined surface 35 that widens the distance between them as they approach the tip.

[0057] Furthermore, a power supply terminal portion TA1 is disposed at the bottom of the recess 33 of the guide portion 32. The power supply terminal portion TA1 includes two power supply terminals 36. A terminal holder 37 made of synthetic resin is disposed at the bottom of the recess 33. A rectangular window 331 is provided at the bottom of the recess 33, and the surface of the terminal holder 37 is exposed through the window 331. The terminal holder 37 is disposed so as to be movable along the normal to the surface of the terminal holder 37. The terminal holder 37 receives an elastic force from the back side toward the front side by an elastic member 39 (see FIG. 7 ) such as a coil spring disposed on the back side of the terminal holder 37. That is, the charging device main body 20 is provided with an elastic member 39 that presses the power supply terminal portion TA1 against the power receiving terminal portion TB1. Note that the range of movement of the terminal holder 37 is restricted by a portion of the terminal holder 37 contacting the edge of the window 331 from the back side, preventing it from moving further toward the front side.

[0058] The two power supply terminals 36 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the surface of the terminal holder 37. Two rectangular tube portions 371 are provided on the surface of the terminal holder 37, surrounding each of the two power supply terminals 36. In other words, the two rectangular tube portions 371 are provided on the surface of the terminal holder 37, and one power supply terminal 36 is arranged inside each of the two rectangular tube portions 371. Furthermore, two magnets 38 are arranged between the two power supply terminals 36 on the surface of the terminal holder 37.

[0059] 1, a first communication terminal TA2 is disposed on the surface of the terminal holder 37, for example, above the magnet 38. In this manner, in the charging system 1 of this embodiment, the charging device main body 20 further holds a first communication terminal TA2 for communication, and the battery pack 80 is further provided with a second communication terminal TB2 connected to the first communication terminal TA2.

[0060] The power supply terminal TA1 provided on the guide portion 32 is connected to a charging circuit 53 (see FIG. 5). The charging circuit 53 is housed inside a synthetic resin case 50, and the charging circuit 53 housed in the case 50 and the power supply terminal TA1 are connected via an electric wire CB1. An electric wire CB2 extends from the case 50 to connect the charging circuit 53 to an external power source PS1 such as a commercial AC power supply. When an attachment plug 55 provided on the electric wire CB2 is connected to a power outlet (not shown), the charging circuit 53 receives power from the external power source PS1 and is ready to supply a charging current to the battery pack 80. The charging circuit 53 converts the AC voltage supplied from the external power source PS1, such as a commercial AC power supply, into a DC voltage and outputs it to the power supply terminal TA1. When the power receiving terminal portion TB1 of the power tool 60 is connected to the power supply terminal portion TA1, a DC voltage is applied from the charging circuit 53 to the all-solid-state battery 88, and a charging current is supplied to the all-solid-state battery 88, thereby charging the all-solid-state battery 88.

[0061] The case 50 accommodates a communication unit 54 that communicates with a monitoring unit 89 that monitors the charging state of the all-solid-state battery 88, and a control unit 52.

[0062] With the power tool 60 held in the charging device main body 20, the communication unit 54 communicates with the monitoring unit 89 using an appropriate communication method via the first communication terminal unit TA2 held in the charging device main body 20 and the second communication terminal unit TB2 of the battery pack 80. The communication unit 54 acquires measurement data relating to the charging state of the all-solid-state battery 88 from the monitoring unit 89 (e.g., measurement data such as the charging rate and temperature).

[0063] The control unit 52 is mainly composed of a computer system having one or more processors and a memory. The functions of the control unit 52 are realized by the processor of the computer system executing a program recorded in the memory of the computer system. The program may be recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

[0064] The control unit 52 controls the current value of the charging current supplied to the battery pack 80 by the charging circuit 53 based on, for example, measurement data acquired by the communication unit 54 from the monitoring unit 89. Furthermore, the control unit 52 may control the charging circuit 53 to stop output from the charging circuit 53 when the temperature of the all-solid-state battery 88 exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature.

[0065] The holding portion 40 is, for example, a molded product made of synthetic resin. Note that the material of the holding portion 40 is not limited to synthetic resin, and may include metal.

[0066] The holding part 40 includes a support part 41 with a U-shaped groove 42 provided at the top. The U-shaped groove 42 is provided in the center in the left-right direction of the rectangular parallelepiped support part 41. The U-shaped groove 42 is provided from one end of the support part 41 to the other end along the front-rear direction. The support part 41 also includes two guide bars 43 that protrude diagonally upward and rearward from a position below the lower end of the U-shaped groove 42. The two guide bars 43 are provided on both the left and right sides of the support part 41. The support part 41 includes a semi-cylindrical abutment part 44 between the two guide bars 43, whose central axis is parallel to the left-right direction.

[0067] Furthermore, a rectangular plate-shaped fixing piece 45 that protrudes diagonally downward and rearward is provided at the center of the lower part of the support part 41 in the left-right direction. A pair of clamping pieces 311 that sandwich the fixing piece 45 from both left and right sides is provided at the top of the main body 31 of the tool holder 30. With the fixing piece 45 inserted between the pair of clamping pieces 311, the pair of clamping pieces 311 and the fixing piece 45 are fastened together with fastening members such as bolts, thereby fixing the holding part 40 to the main body 31 of the tool holder 30. In this way, the holding part 40 is detachable from the charging device main body 20.

[0068] (2.3) Operation explanation The charging operation of the charging system 1 of this embodiment to charge the battery pack 80 attached to the power tool 60 will be described below. It is assumed that a tool tip 90 such as a box wrench socket 91 is connected to the output shaft 711 of the power tool 60.

[0069] In the charging system 1 of this embodiment, a user places the power tool 60 on the charging device main body 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and charges the battery pack 80 during a rest period between tasks using the power tool 60.

[0070] When placing the power tool 60 on the charging device main body 20, the user aligns the power tool 60 with the holding part 40 so that the socket 92 of the tool tip 90 is inserted from above into the U-shaped groove 42 of the holding part 40 and the head part 62 is inserted between the two guide bars 43. The user then brings the power tool 60 close to the holding part 40, inserts the socket 92 into the U-shaped groove 42 from above, and inserts the head part 62 between the two guide bars 43. At this time, the socket 92 is inserted into the U-shaped groove 42 and the head part 62 is inserted between the two guide bars 43, and the power tool 60 is guided to a position where the center position of the power tool 60 in the left-right direction coincides with the center position of the holding part 40 in the left-right direction. The power tool 60 is guided to a position where the center position of the power tool 60 in the left-right direction coincides with the center position of the holding part 40 in the left-right direction, and the battery pack 80 moves to a position where it can contact the guide parts 32. That is, the holding portion 40 guides and holds the head portion 62 so that the battery pack 80 moves to a position where it can come into contact with the guide portion 32 .

[0071] In this manner, when the power tool 60 is brought closer to the holding part 40 while the head part 62 is guided by the holding part 40, the battery pack 80 attached to the power tool 60 is inserted between the two side walls 34 of the guide part 32. If the center position of the battery pack 80 in the left-right direction is shifted from the center position of the two side walls 34, the battery pack 80 moves while making contact with the inclined surface 35 provided on the side wall 34, and is guided to a position where the battery pack 80 can be inserted into the recess 33.

[0072] When the battery pack 80 is inserted into the recess 33 between the two side walls 34 and the front surface of the battery pack 80 contacts the bottom of the recess 33, the two rectangular tube portions 371 provided on the guide portion 32 are inserted into the two grooves 82 of the battery pack 80. At this time, the two power supply terminals 36 are connected to the two power receiving terminals 83, and the first communication terminal TA2 provided on the guide portion 32 is connected to the second communication terminal TB2 provided on the battery pack 80. Note that the insertion of the rectangular tube portions 371 into the grooves 82 positions the battery pack 80 in the left-right direction relative to the guide portion 32, and the contact of the upper end of the rectangular tube portion 371 with the upper end of the groove 82 positions the battery pack 80 in the up-down direction relative to the guide portion 32. Therefore, the power supply terminal TA1 and the first communication terminal TA2 provided on the guide portion 32 can be reliably connected to the power receiving terminal TB1 and the second communication terminal TB2 provided on the battery pack 80.

[0073] Furthermore, when the front surface of the battery pack 80 contacts the bottom of the recess 33, the magnet 38 provided on the guide portion 32 magnetically attracts the plate member 84 of the battery pack 80. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the power tool 60 while it is held in the charging device main body 20, such as when a person or object comes into contact with the power tool 60, the power supply terminal TA1 and the first communication terminal TA2 are unlikely to come off from the power receiving terminal TB1 and the second communication terminal TB2. Here, the magnet 38 provided on the guide portion 32 and the plate member 84 provided on the battery pack 80 form a magnetic coupling portion MC1. That is, the charging device main body 20 and the battery pack 80 are provided with the magnetic coupling portion MC1 that magnetically holds the power supply terminal TA1 in contact with the power receiving terminal TB1, thereby reducing the possibility that the power supply terminal TA1 will come off from the power receiving terminal TB1.

[0074] Furthermore, when the front surface of the battery pack 80 comes into contact with the bottom of the recess 33, the elastic member 39 arranged on the back side of the terminal holder 37 bends to absorb the impact, thereby reducing damage to the charging device 10.

[0075] (3) Variations The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and various modifications can be made to the above embodiment depending on the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0076] Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations. Hereinafter, the above embodiment may also be referred to as the basic configuration.

[0077] As described above, the holding unit 40 is detachable from the charging device main body 20. If there are multiple types of power tools 60, multiple types of holding units 40 corresponding to the multiple types of power tools 60 may be prepared, and the holding unit 40 corresponding to the type of power tool 60 to be used may be attached to the charging device main body 20. This allows the charging device main body 20 to be shared by multiple types of power tools 60, even when there are multiple types of power tools 60.

[0078] In the charging system 1 having the basic configuration, the power supply terminal TA1 may also serve as the first communication terminal TA2, and the power receiving terminal TB1 may also serve as the second communication terminal TB2. For example, if the communication unit 54 has a communication module that communicates with the monitoring unit 89 using the PLC communication method, the communication unit 54 can communicate with the monitoring unit 89 via the power supply terminal TA1 and the power receiving terminal TB1. In this case, the first communication terminal TA2 and the second communication terminal TB2 are not necessary, and the number of terminals can be reduced.

[0079] The battery pack 80 charged by the charging system 1 of the basic configuration is detachable from the power tool 60, but the case 81 of the battery pack 80 may be integrated with the tool body 61.

[0080] In the basic configuration, the case 50 housing the charging circuit 53 etc. is separate from the charging device main body 20, but the case 50 housing the charging circuit 53 etc. may also be integrated with the charging device main body 20.

[0081] In the basic configuration, only one tool holder 30 is attached to the base 21, but a plurality of tool holders 30 may be attached to the base 21.

[0082] Although the battery pack 80 includes an all-solid-state battery 88, the battery pack 80 may include a secondary battery other than the all-solid-state battery 88 (for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery).

[0083] The power tool 60 is not limited to an impact driver, but may be a drill driver or the like.

[0084] The charging device 10 may also include a detection unit for detecting whether the power receiving terminal TB1 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1. The detection unit may be, for example, a momentary pushbutton switch whose contact is on only while the power receiving terminal TB1 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1. The pushbutton of the pushbutton switch is, for example, located on the surface of the recess 33. When the battery pack 80 is inserted into the recess 33, the pushbutton switch is turned on when the battery pack 80 presses the pushbutton of the pushbutton switch. The charging circuit 53 may output a DC voltage to the power supply terminal TA1 only while the contact of the pushbutton switch is on, and the output of the charging circuit 53 may be stopped when the power receiving terminal TB1 is not connected to the power supply terminal TA1.

[0085] In the basic configuration, the holding portion 40 is detachably attached to the tool holder 30 , but the holding portion 40 may be provided integrally with the tool holder 30 .

[0086] Furthermore, the shapes and sizes of the guide portion 32, the holding portion 40, and the charging device main body 20 are examples, and the shapes and sizes of the guide portion 32, the holding portion 40, and the charging device main body 20 can be changed as appropriate depending on the shape and size of the power tool 60, etc.

[0087] In the above basic configuration, the external power supply PS1 may be a portable power supply that outputs a DC voltage. In this case, the charging circuit 53 may include a DC-DC converter that converts the DC voltage supplied from the external power supply PS1 into a DC voltage of a predetermined voltage value and outputs it to the power supply terminal unit TA1. The charging circuit 53 may convert the DC voltage supplied from the external power supply PS1 into a DC voltage of a predetermined voltage value and output it to the power supply terminal unit TA1.

[0088] (summary) The above-described embodiments and the like disclose the following aspects.

[0089] The charging system (1) of the first aspect includes a battery pack (80), a charging device main body (20), and a holding portion (40). The battery pack (80) is capable of supplying power to a drive circuit (72) of a power tool (60). The power tool (60) has a motor (71) and a drive circuit (72) that drives the motor (71). The charging device main body (20) holds a power supply terminal portion (TA1) and a guide portion (32). The power supply terminal portion (TA1) is connected to a charging circuit (53) that receives power from an external power source (PS1) and is capable of supplying a charging current to the battery pack (80). The holding portion (40) guides and holds a head portion (62) that houses the motor (71) in the power tool (60). When the holding part (40) holds the head part (62), the guide part (32) guides the battery pack (80) to a position where the power receiving terminal part (TB1) provided on the battery pack (80) is connected to the power supply terminal part (TA1). When the holding part (40) holds the head part (62) and the power receiving terminal part (TB1) of the battery pack (80) is connected to the power supply terminal part (TA1), the charging circuit (53) supplies a charging current to the battery pack (80) via the power supply terminal part (TA1) and the power receiving terminal part (TB1).

[0090] According to this embodiment, the power tool 60 and the battery pack 80 are held by the holding portion 40 and the guide portion 32, respectively, so that the power receiving terminal TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1, thereby reducing the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0091] In the charging system (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the charging device main body (20) and the battery pack (80) are provided with a magnetic coupling portion (MC1) that magnetically holds the power supply terminal portion (TA1) in contact with the power receiving terminal portion (TB1).

[0092] This embodiment has the advantage that the power supply terminal portion (TA1) is unlikely to come out of contact with the power receiving terminal portion (TB1).

[0093] In the charging system (1) of the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the charging device main body (20) further holds a first communication terminal unit (TA2) for communication. The battery pack (80) is further provided with a second communication terminal unit (TB2) connected to the first communication terminal unit (TA2).

[0094] According to this aspect, communication is possible via the first communication terminal unit (TA2) and the second communication terminal unit (TB2).

[0095] In the charging system (1) of the fourth aspect, the power supply terminal section (TA1) also serves as the first communication terminal section (TA2), and the power receiving terminal section (TB1) also serves as the second communication terminal section (TB2) in the third aspect.

[0096] According to this aspect, the number of terminal portions can be reduced.

[0097] In the charging system (1) of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the charging device body (20) is provided with an elastic member (39) that presses the power supply terminal portion (TA1) against the power receiving terminal portion (TB1).

[0098] According to this embodiment, the elastic member (39) can absorb the impact force generated when the power receiving terminal portion (TB1) comes into contact with the power supply terminal portion (TA1).

[0099] In the charging system (1) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the holding portion (40) is detachable from the charging device main body (20).

[0100] According to this embodiment, by attaching a holding portion (40) that matches the type of power tool (60) to the charging device main body (20), the charging device main body (20) can be shared by multiple types of power tools (60).

[0101] In the charging system (1) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the battery pack (80) includes an all-solid-state battery (88).

[0102] According to this embodiment, the battery pack (80) can be made smaller than when the battery pack (80) includes a lead-acid battery.

[0103] The charging device (10) of an eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the holding portion (40) guides and holds the head portion (62) so that the battery pack (80) moves to a position where it can come into contact with the guide portion (32).

[0104] According to this embodiment, the effort required to charge the battery pack (80) of the power tool (60) can be reduced.

[0105] The charging device (10) of the ninth aspect includes the charging device main body (20) and the holding part (40) included in the charging system (1) of any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0106] According to this embodiment, the power tool 60 and the battery pack 80 are held by the holding portion 40 and the guide portion 32, respectively, so that the power receiving terminal TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1, thereby reducing the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0107] The battery pack (80) of the tenth aspect is the battery pack (80) included in the charging system (1) of any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0108] According to this embodiment, the power tool 60 and the battery pack 80 are held by the holding portion 40 and the guide portion 32, respectively, so that the power receiving terminal TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1, thereby reducing the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0109] The power tool (60) of the eleventh aspect is detachably mountable to the battery pack (80) included in the charging system (1) of any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0110] According to this embodiment, the power tool 60 and the battery pack 80 are held by the holding portion 40 and the guide portion 32, respectively, so that the power receiving terminal TB1 of the battery pack 80 is connected to the power supply terminal TA1, thereby reducing the effort required to charge the battery pack 80 of the power tool 60.

[0111] The configurations according to the second to eighth aspects are not essential for the charging system (1) and can be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Charging System 10 Charging device 20 Charging device body 32 Guide section 39 Elastic member 40 Holding part 53 Charging circuit 60 Power tools 62 Head 71 Motor 72 Drive circuit 80 Battery Pack 88 All-solid-state battery MC1 Magnetic coupling part PS1 external power supply TA1 power supply terminal TA2 1st communication terminal TB1 power receiving terminal TB2 Second communication terminal

Claims

1. a battery pack capable of supplying power to a drive circuit of an electric power tool having a motor and a drive circuit that drives the motor; a charging device body that holds the power supply terminal portion and the guide portion; a holding portion, the power supply terminal is connected to a charging circuit that receives power from an external power source and is capable of supplying a charging current to the battery pack; The holding portion guides and holds a head portion that houses the motor in the power tool, the guide portion guides the battery pack to a position where a power receiving terminal provided on the battery pack is connected to the power supply terminal when the holding portion holds the head portion; the holding portion holds the head portion, and the power receiving terminal portion of the battery pack is connected to the power supply terminal portion, and the charging circuit supplies a charging current to the battery pack via the power supply terminal portion and the power receiving terminal portion. Charging system.

2. the charging device main body and the battery pack each include a magnetic coupling portion that uses magnetic force to maintain a state in which the power supply terminal portion is in contact with the power receiving terminal portion; The charging system of claim 1 .

3. the charging device main body further holds a first communication terminal portion for communication; The battery pack is further provided with a second communication terminal portion connected to the first communication terminal portion. The charging system of claim 1 .

4. the power supply terminal portion also serves as the first communication terminal portion, The power receiving terminal portion also serves as the second communication terminal portion. The charging system according to claim 3 .

5. The charging device main body is provided with an elastic member that presses the power supply terminal portion against the power receiving terminal portion. The charging system of claim 1 .

6. The holding portion is detachable from the charging device body. The charging system of claim 1 .

7. The battery pack includes an all-solid-state battery. The charging system of claim 1 .

8. the holding portion guides and holds the head portion so that the battery pack moves to a position where the battery pack can come into contact with the guide portion. The charging system of claim 1 .

9. The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 includes the charging device main body and the holding unit. Charging device.

10. A battery pack provided in the charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. The battery pack included in the charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is detachable. Power tools.

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