Adapter and Battery System

Abstract

To provide an adapter and a battery system hard to drop off from a battery.SOLUTION: An adapter 6 is attached to a battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment part 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment part 62 is attached to the battery 5 to maintain the predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 to the battery 5. A connection part 91 of electrical equipment 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in a connection direction. The attachment part 62 has a movement restriction part 69 that restricts the attached adapter 6 from moving in a disconnection direction D22 that is a direction opposite the connection direction D21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter and a battery system, and more particularly to an adapter that is attached to a battery and a battery system that includes the adapter and the battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an adapter that draws power from the battery pack of an electrically assisted bicycle. The adapter described in Patent Document 1 has two connection terminals that are positioned to correspond to the relative positions of the two power output sockets on the battery pack so that the adapter can be inserted into the two power output sockets.

[0003] The adapter described in Patent Document 1 further includes an erroneous connection prevention unit. The erroneous connection prevention unit does not interfere with the battery pack housing when the two connection terminals are correctly inserted into the power output receptacles to which they should be inserted. The erroneous connection prevention unit also interferes with the battery pack housing when the two connection terminals are inserted into a receptacle other than the power output receptacle to which they should be inserted. This prevents the adapter's connection terminals from being inserted into a receptacle other than the power output receptacle to which they should be inserted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-081754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The adapter described in Patent Document 1 has a USB socket on the side as an external device connection section for inserting and connecting a USB terminal. When removing the USB terminal inserted into the USB socket, the adapter receives a force in the direction of removing the USB terminal, which can cause the adapter to move and become detached from the battery pack.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an adapter and a battery system in which an adapter attached to a battery is less likely to come off the battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An adapter according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: Has a shaft An adapter is attached to a battery. The adapter includes an attachment portion and a connection port. The attachment portion is attached to the battery to maintain a predetermined attachment state of the adapter to the battery. A connection portion of an electrical device is inserted into the connection port in a connection direction. The attachment portion includes a movement restriction portion that restricts movement of the adapter in the attached state in a removal direction, which is the opposite direction to the connection direction. and a shaft insertion portion into which the shaft is inserted. The shaft insertion portion includes a guide surface that receives the shaft and guides it to rotate about the shaft when the shaft insertion portion is attached to the battery and assumes the mounted state.

[0008] A battery system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the adapter and the battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the adapter and battery system of the present disclosure, the adapter attached to the battery is unlikely to come off the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery in the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the battery in the embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery in the above embodiment, seen from above, with the adapter attached in a predetermined attachment state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adapter in the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from above illustrating attachment of the adapter to the battery in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view seen from above illustrating attachment of the adapter to the battery in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Embodiment) (1) Overview As shown in Fig. 4, the adapter 6 is attached to the battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion and a connection port. The attachment portion is attached to the battery 5 and maintains the adapter 6 in a predetermined attachment state relative to the battery 5. A connection portion of an electrical device is inserted into the connection port in a connection direction D21. The attachment portion has a movement restriction portion 69 that restricts movement of the attached adapter 6 in a removal direction D22, which is the direction opposite to the connection direction D21.

[0012] The adapter 6 attached to the battery 5 is difficult to remove from the battery 5 because the movement restricting portion 69 makes it difficult for the adapter 6 to move in the removal direction D22.

[0013] (2) Details The adapter 6 according to this embodiment is an adapter 6 that is attached to the battery 5 of the electric bicycle 1. The electric bicycle 1, the battery 5, the adapter 6, and the battery system will be described below.

[0014] (2.1) Overall structure 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle 1 according to this embodiment. The electric bicycle 1 has a frame 2. A drive unit 3 is attached to the frame 2. The drive unit 3 includes at least a battery device 4 and a motor unit 30.

[0015] The battery device 4 is a device that supplies power to the motor unit 30. In this embodiment, the battery device 4 includes a battery 5 and a battery mounting portion 41.

[0016] The electric bicycle 1 is a bicycle that can be propelled using electrical power. In this embodiment, the electric bicycle 1 is an electrically assisted bicycle that uses a motor to assist the user's pedaling force (sometimes referred to as "pedal force"), but in the present disclosure, it may also be a bicycle that can be propelled by itself using only the motor. In short, the electric bicycle 1 may be an electrically assisted bicycle, or a bicycle that can be propelled by itself using only the motor. The electric bicycle 1 includes a frame 2, multiple wheels 11, a drive unit 3, a handlebar 14, a saddle 15, cranks 16, and pedals 17. The drive unit 3 includes a motor unit 30 and a battery device 4. The multiple wheels 11 include a front wheel 12 and a rear wheel 13.

[0017] In this disclosure, the direction in which the electric bicycle 1 moves is defined as the "forward direction," and the opposite direction is defined as the "rearward direction." Additionally, the direction parallel to the forward and rearward directions (both directions) is defined as the "forward-rearward direction," and the direction perpendicular to the forward-rearward direction and along the horizontal plane (both directions) is defined as the "left-right direction."

[0018] The frame 2 is a framework capable of holding at least the front wheel 12, the rear wheel 13, and the battery 5. In this embodiment, the frame 2 is made of an aluminum alloy containing aluminum as its main component. However, in this disclosure, the frame 2 is not limited to being made of an aluminum alloy, and may be made of a metal such as iron, chromium molybdenum steel, high-tensile steel, or titanium, or carbon.

[0019] The frame 2 includes a plurality of pipes. In this embodiment, the frame 2 includes a down pipe 20, a vertical pipe 21, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) chain stays 22, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) seat stays 23, a head pipe 25, and a front fork 26. The frame 2 further includes a motor bracket 27.

[0020] Here, the term "pipe" in this disclosure refers to an elongated hollow member, and the cross-sectional shape is not particularly limited. For example, pipes include not only circular cross-sections such as a perfect circle or an oval cross-section (including an ellipse), but also polygonal cross-sections such as a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, and a hexagonal cross-section.

[0021] The motor bracket 27 is a portion where at least the lower end of the down pipe 20 and the front end of the chain stay 22 are connected. In this embodiment, the lower end of the upright pipe 21 is connected to the motor bracket 27 in addition to the down pipe 20 and the chain stay 22. In this embodiment, the motor unit 30 is attached to the motor bracket 27. When the motor unit 30 is attached to the motor bracket 27, the motor bracket 27 supports the motor unit 30.

[0022] The lower pipe 20 is a pipe that connects the motor bracket 27 and the head pipe 25. The lower pipe 20 extends from the front end of the motor bracket 27 to the head pipe 25, and is inclined in its longitudinal direction so that it is positioned higher as it goes forward.

[0023] The standpipe 21 is a pipe that holds the saddle 15. In this embodiment, the standpipe 21 connects the motor bracket 27 and the seat stay 23. In this embodiment, the standpipe 21 extends from the upper end of the motor bracket 27 to the seat stay 23, and is inclined in its longitudinal direction so that it is positioned higher in the rearward direction. The standpipe 21 holds the saddle 15 so that it can move along the longitudinal direction of the standpipe 21.

[0024] The multiple chainstays 22 are pipes that connect the motor bracket 27 and the seat stays 23. Each chainstay 22 extends from the rear end of the motor bracket 27 to the rear end of the seat stay 23. In this embodiment, there are two chainstays 22 spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the rear wheel 13 is disposed between the two chainstays 22. A bearing (not shown) to which the axle of the rear wheel 13 (rear wheel axle 131) is attached is formed at the rear end of the chainstay 22, and the rear wheel 13 is attached so that it can rotate.

[0025] The multiple seat stays 23 are pipes that connect the upper end of the standpipe 21 and the chain stays 22. Each seat stay 23 extends from the upper end of the standpipe 21 to the rear end of the chain stay 22, and its longitudinal direction is inclined so that it is positioned lower as it goes rearward. The "upper end of the standpipe 21" here refers to a portion that has a certain range from the upper tip of the standpipe 21 to a portion that is positioned a certain distance downward along the longitudinal direction of the standpipe 21. In this embodiment, there are two seat stays 23, spaced apart in the left-right direction, and they are connected to the two chain stays 22 in a one-to-one relationship.

[0026] The head pipe 25 is a pipe to which the front end of the lower pipe 20 is connected. The head pipe 25 supports a front fork 26 and the handlebars 14 so that they can rotate about the central axis of the head pipe 25.

[0027] The front fork 26 is a pipe to which the front wheel 12 is attached so as to be rotatable around the axis of the front wheel 12 (front wheel axle 121). The front fork 26 has a pair of legs 261 that support the front wheel axle 121, and a steering column (not shown) that extends upward from the upper ends of the legs 261 along the central axis of the head pipe 25. The front fork 26 is attached to the head pipe 25 by fitting the steering column into the head pipe 25. The handlebars 14 are attached to the upper end of the steering column. As a result, when the handlebars 14 rotate around the central axis of the head pipe 25, the front fork 26 rotates around the central axis of the head pipe 25, and the front wheel 12 rotates around the central axis of the head pipe 25.

[0028] The front wheel 12 is the front wheel 11 of the two wheels 11 aligned in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front wheel 12 is supported by the front fork 26 so as to be rotatable around the front wheel axle 121. The longitudinal direction of the front wheel axle 121 is parallel to the left-to-right direction. In this embodiment, the front wheel 12 is the wheel 11 that does not receive power transmitted from the motor unit 30.

[0029] The rear wheel 13 is the rear wheel 11 of the two wheels 11 lined up in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the rear wheel 13 is supported by two chain stays 22 so as to be rotatable about a rear wheel axle 131. The longitudinal direction of the rear wheel axle 131 is parallel to the left-to-right direction. In this embodiment, the rear wheel 13 has a rear sprocket 132 (here, a cassette sprocket), and is connected to a drive sprocket 32 ​​of the motor unit 30 via a power transmission body 18 (here, a chain). In this way, the power of the motor unit 30 can be transmitted to the rear wheel 13.

[0030] (2.2) Drive unit The drive unit 3 is a device that generates electric power in the electric bicycle 1. The power generated by the drive unit 3 is transmitted to the wheel 11. The drive unit 3 has a motor unit 30 and a battery device 4.

[0031] (2.2.1) Motor unit The motor unit 30 generates a driving assist output when a pedaling force is input from the pedal 17. Note that, in this disclosure, "driving assist output" refers to a force that uses a motor to supplement the pedaling force. In this embodiment, when a pedaling force is input from the pedal 17 and the crank 16, the motor unit 30 detects the input value of the pedaling force, and outputs a driving assist output to the power transmission body 18 when the input value is equal to or less than a certain value.

[0032] The motor unit 30 has a motor and a drive sprocket 32 ​​around which the power transmission body 18 is hooked. The motor operates by receiving power from the battery device 4. The drive sprocket 32 ​​is provided to transmit power to the rear wheel 13 via the power transmission body 18. The drive sprocket 32 ​​rotates with the rotation of the crank 16 and can receive the output of the motor. In other words, the motor unit 30 according to this embodiment is a so-called single-shaft motor unit that transmits the pedaling force transmitted via the pedals 17 and the crank 16 and the output of the motor to the drive sprocket 32, and then transmits the power to the power transmission body 18. However, in the present disclosure, the motor unit may be a so-called two-shaft motor unit that transmits the pedaling force to the power transmission body 18 and the output of the motor to the power transmission body 18.

[0033] (2.2.2) Battery device The battery device 4 is a device that supplies power to at least the motor. However, in the present disclosure, the battery device 4 may be configured to supply power to a headlight, a motor ON / OFF operation unit, etc. in addition to the motor. The battery device 4 includes a battery 5 and a battery mounting unit 41.

[0034] The battery 5 is a secondary battery that stores electrical energy to be supplied to the motor. The battery 5 is held in a state where it is attached to the battery attachment section 41, and in this state is electrically connected to the motor. This allows the battery 5 to supply power to the motor.

[0035] The battery 5 includes a casing 50 and a plurality of cells. The casing 50 is the outer shell of the battery 5, and in this embodiment, the battery 5 houses a plurality of cells. However, in the present disclosure, the battery 5 may also house a single cell.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 50 of the battery 5 is formed by fitting together an upper case 501 and a lower case 502. The up-down direction with respect to the battery 5 is defined as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Note that the up-down direction shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is for convenience's sake. For example, when the battery 5 is attached to the battery attachment section 41 of the electric bicycle 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the up-down direction of the battery 5 differs from the up-down direction in FIGS. 2 and 3. The longitudinal direction D1 of the casing 50 is defined as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The casing 50 of the battery 5 has an attachment section 51 at one end in the longitudinal direction D1. The casing 50 of the battery 5 has a handle section 52 at the other end in the longitudinal direction D1. A user can attach the battery 5 to the battery attachment section 41 of the electric bicycle 1 by grasping the handle section 52 and inserting the attachment section 51 into the battery attachment section 41 shown in FIG. 1. Devices are stored inside the casing 50.

[0037] An indicator 504 for indicating the remaining power of the battery 5 is provided on the top surface 503 of the casing 50.

[0038] The mounting portion 51 has a protruding end surface 53 and a protruding side surface 54 adjacent to the protruding end surface 53. The mounting portion 51 is part of the casing 50. That is, the internal space of the mounting portion 51 constitutes part of the internal space of the casing 50. In this embodiment, the protruding end surface 53 has a rectangular shape. The normal direction D3 of the protruding end surface 53 faces one side of the longitudinal direction D1 (the side toward which the mounting portion 51 is located in the casing 50).

[0039] The protruding end surface 53 is provided with a terminal connection portion 531 to which a terminal (not shown) of the battery mounting portion 41 is connected. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of terminal connection portions 531 are provided. Each terminal connection portion 531 has a slot, and a partition wall is provided between adjacent slots. The terminal connection portion 531 has a terminal member (not shown) therein that is electrically connected to the terminal of the battery mounting portion 41 or the connection portion 91 of the electrical device 9.

[0040] An end surface recess 56 is formed on the protruding end surface 53. The end surface recess 56 is formed above the terminal connection portion 531. The end surface recess 56 is formed for connecting the battery 5 to the battery mounting portion 41.

[0041] The protruding side surface 54 is adjacent to the protruding end surface 53, and the normal directions D41 to D44 of the protruding side surface 54 each intersect with the normal direction D3 of the protruding end surface 53. In this embodiment, the normal directions D41 to D44 of the protruding side surface 54 are each approximately perpendicular to the normal direction D3 of the protruding end surface 53. The protruding side surface 54 is made up of four surfaces corresponding to the sides of the rectangular protruding end surface 53.

[0042] The battery 5 has a shaft portion 55 on the protruding side surface 54. The shaft portion 55 is used to connect the battery 5 to the battery mounting portion 41.

[0043] The battery 5 has a side recess 57 on the protruding side surface 54 (the lower protruding side surface 54 in this embodiment). The side recess 57 is formed for connecting the battery 5 to the battery mounting portion 41.

[0044] (2.3) Adapter As shown in Fig. 4, the adapter 6 is attached to the battery 5 for the electric bicycle 1 when power is supplied from the battery 5 to any electric device 9. Examples of the electric device 9 include a so-called smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc., but the electric device 9 is not particularly limited.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 5, the adapter 6 includes a main body 61, an attachment portion 62, and a connection port 63 (see Fig. 4). The adapter 6 also has a top and bottom defined to correspond to the top and bottom defined for the battery 5 (see Fig. 4). The adapter 6 includes a casing 60 that houses a device therein, and the casing 60 has a main body 61, an attachment wall 65, and a side wall 66.

[0046] 4, when the adapter 6 is attached to the battery 5 in a predetermined attachment state, the main body 61 faces the protruding end surface 53. As shown in FIG. 5, the adapter 6 has a terminal 64 on a surface 611 that faces the protruding end surface 53 of the main body 61. The terminal 64 is inserted into (connected to) the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5 and is electrically connected to a terminal member (not shown) that the battery 5 has inside.

[0047] The main body 61 has an end surface protrusion 612 that is inserted into the end surface recess 56. When the adapter 6 is attached to the battery 5, the end surface protrusion 612 is inserted into the end surface recess 56, thereby making it easier to insert the terminal 64 into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5. In other words, the end surface protrusion 612 functions as a positioning portion when the terminal 64 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5.

[0048] The upper and lower surfaces of the main body 61 have recesses 613 formed in some areas that are recessed more than the surrounding area. These recesses 613 function as gripping areas that allow the user to pinch and grasp the adapter 6 between their fingers. The surfaces of the recesses 613 are preferably textured, which makes it less likely for the user's fingers to slip when gripping the upper and lower recesses 613 with their fingers.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4 , a connection port 63 is formed on a surface 614 opposite to a surface 611 (see FIG. 5 ) facing the protruding end surface 53 of the main body 61. A connection portion 91 of the electrical device 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in a connection direction D21. The connection port 63 is a so-called USB port in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited to this. Note that in this embodiment, the connection portion 91 is provided on a cord 90 connected to the electrical device 9. However, because the cord 90 functions as a part of the electrical device 9, the connection portion 91 does not have to be provided directly on the electrical device 9. Of course, the connection portion 91 may also be provided directly on the electrical device 9. The connection direction D21 of the adapter 6 attached to the battery 5 coincides with the longitudinal direction D1 of the casing 50 of the battery 5, and the connection port 63 is located at the end of the adapter 6 attached to the battery 5 and the battery 5 in the longitudinal direction D1. Therefore, when the connection portion 91 of the electrical device 9 is connected to the connection port 63, the surface 614 on which the connection port 63 is formed cannot be placed on a horizontal surface. This prevents the adapter 6 and battery 5 from being used in an upright position with the longitudinal direction D1 vertical by placing the surface 614 on which the connection port 63 is formed on a horizontal surface. As a result, accidents such as the adapter 6 and battery 5 being upright with the longitudinal direction D1 vertical can be prevented from falling over.

[0050] 4 and 5, the mounting wall portion 65 protrudes from the main body portion 61 and faces the protruding side surface 54 with the mounting portion 51 sandwiched between them. Two mounting wall portions 65 are provided. In this embodiment, two opposing mounting wall portions 65 are provided on the two protruding side surfaces 54 (the two protruding side surfaces 54 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction) corresponding to two opposing sides of the rectangular protruding end surface 53.

[0051] The side wall portion 66 faces the protruding side surface 54 (the lower protruding side surface 54) corresponding to one of the remaining two sides of the protruding end face 53. The mounting wall portion 65 and the side wall portion 66 form a continuous wall portion. The main body portion 61, the mounting wall portion 65, and the side wall portion 66 are part of the casing 60 and are formed integrally.

[0052] The mounting wall 65 has a side protrusion 67, which is inserted into the side recess 57, at a portion facing the protruding side surface 54. When the adapter 6 is attached to the battery 5, the side protrusion 67 is inserted into the side recess 57, making it easier to insert the terminal 64 into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5. In other words, the side protrusion 67 functions as a positioning portion when the terminal 64 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5.

[0053] The mounting portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 to maintain a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 to the battery. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the mounting wall portion 65 has, as the mounting portion 62, a shaft insertion portion 621 (recess) in a portion facing the protruding side surface 54, into which the shaft portion 55 of the battery 5 is inserted. The shaft insertion portion 621 as the mounting portion 62 is open on the inward and upward sides of the mounting wall portion 65.

[0054] The attachment of the adapter 6 to the battery 5 will now be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the protruding end surface 53 of the attachment portion 51 of the battery 5 is opposed to the surface 611 of the main body 61 of the adapter 6 that faces the protruding end surface 53. At this time, the connection direction D21 of the adapter 6 is tilted slightly downward with respect to the longitudinal direction D1 of the battery 5. This makes it easier to insert the shaft 55 of the battery 5 into the shaft insertion portion 621 serving as the attachment portion 62 of the attachment wall 65.

[0055] Next, as shown in FIG. 7 , the surface 611 of the adapter 6 is brought closer to the protruding end surface 53 of the attachment portion 51 of the battery 5, and the shaft 55 of the battery 5 is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 621, which serves as the mounting portion 62 of the mounting wall portion 65 of the adapter 6. The shaft 55 of the battery 5 comes into contact with the guide surface 68 (see FIG. 5 ). The guide surface 68 receives the shaft 55 and guides it so that the adapter 6 rotates around the shaft 55. The end of the shaft 55 of the battery 5 is arc-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1 and the up-down direction. Similarly, the guide surface 68 is arc-shaped so as to fit along the end of the shaft 55 of the battery 5. This allows the adapter 6 to rotate smoothly around the shaft 55 of the battery 5.

[0056] The adapter 6 rotates around the shaft 55 of the battery 5, resulting in the attached state shown in FIG.

[0057] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the attachment portion 62 has a movement restricting portion 69 that restricts movement of the attached adapter 6 in the removal direction D22. In this embodiment, the movement restricting portion 69 is a wall portion formed at the end of the attachment wall portion 65 on the tip side of the attachment portion 62 in the connection direction D21. As shown in Figure 4, when the connection portion 91 of the electrical device 9 is connected to the attached adapter 6 and the connection portion 91 is pulled out in the removal direction D22, the adapter 6 receives a force in the removal direction D22. When the adapter 6 receives the force in the removal direction D22, it attempts to move in the removal direction D22, but the movement restricting portion 69 is caught on the shaft portion 55 and prevents it from moving. This prevents the adapter 6 from moving in the removal direction D22 and falling off the battery 5.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 5, the shaft insertion portion 621 (mounting portion 62) has a protrusion 70 that comes into contact with the shaft 55 to provide a clicking sensation. As shown in Fig. 6, the shaft 55 is cylindrical and has a recess inside. By providing the protrusion 70, a clicking sensation is provided just before the adapter 6 rotates around the shaft 55 of the battery 5 and enters the attached state, making it easier for the user to confirm that the adapter 6 is attached.

[0059] Furthermore, the side protrusion 67 has a step portion at a portion facing the side recess 57. That is, the upper surface of the side protrusion 67 has a low portion 671 on the tip side in the connection direction D21 and a high portion 672 on the tip side in the removal direction D22. By providing such a step portion, just before the adapter 6 rotates about the shaft 55 of the battery 5 and enters the attached state, the high portion 672 begins to come into contact with the side recess 57, providing a clicking sensation, and allowing the user to easily confirm that the adapter 6 is in the attached state.

[0060] 5, the side wall 66 has a drainage hole 661. The drainage hole 661 is formed at an end of the side wall 66 near the mounting wall 65. When the adapter 6 is attached to a battery 5 whose upper surface 503 is wet due to rainwater or the like, rainwater running down the upper surface 503 falls downward from the portion of the upper surface 503 facing the mounting wall 65. Therefore, by forming the drainage hole 661 at the end of the side wall 66 near the mounting wall 65, water is easily drained through the drainage hole 661.

[0061] Furthermore, the main body 61 has a protruding wall 71 that protrudes so as to surround the terminal 64. This prevents water adhering to the surface 611 of the main body 61 that faces the protruding end surface 53 from moving toward the terminal 64 and adhering to the terminal 64, or from entering the inside of the main body 61 through a gap formed between the terminal 64 and the surface 611.

[0062] 4, the connection port 63 is formed not in the center but at a position offset to one side when viewed in the longitudinal direction D1. As a result, even if the mounting wall 65 is damaged and the connection portion 91 is pulled, causing the adapter 6 to move in the removal direction D22, the adapter 6 is likely to rotate around one of the mounting wall portions 65 rather than move linearly in the removal direction D22. As a result, the adapter 6 is less likely to fall off the battery 5 even if the adapter 6 is pulled in the removal direction D22.

[0063] The battery system includes the above-described adapter 6 and battery 5. In this battery system as well, the adapter 6 is prevented from moving in the detachment direction D22 and falling off the battery 5.

[0064] (3) Variations The embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Modifications of the embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0065] In the electric bicycle 1 according to the embodiment, the power output from the motor unit 30 is transmitted to the rear wheel 13, but in the present disclosure, the power output from the motor unit 30 may be transmitted to the front wheel 12.

[0066] In the embodiment, the power transmission member 18 is a chain, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the power transmission member 18 may be a belt, a wire, or the like.

[0067] In the embodiment, the battery device 4 is attached to the down pipe 20, but in the present disclosure, the battery device 4 may be attached to, for example, the upright pipe 21, and the pipe to which the battery device 4 is attached is not particularly limited.

[0068] The protruding end surface 53 of the mounting portion 51 does not have to face one side in the longitudinal direction D1 of the casing 50. The protruding end surface 53 does not have to be rectangular.

[0069] The directions D41 to D44 of the normals to the protruding side surfaces 54 do not have to be substantially perpendicular to the direction D3 of the normal to the protruding end surfaces 53.

[0070] The protruding side surface 54 does not have to consist of four surfaces.

[0071] The connection port 63 may be used not only to receive power from the battery 5 but also to receive data from the battery 5. Examples of the data include, but are not limited to, information on the remaining battery charge and the temperature history of the battery 5.

[0072] Alternatively, the movement restricting portion 69 may not be provided, and the connection port 63 may be formed on the surface 614 opposite to the surface 611 facing the protruding end surface 53 .

[0073] Also, the movement restricting portion 69 may not be provided, and the guide surface 68 may be provided.

[0074] Also, the movement restricting portion 69 may not be provided, and the protrusion 70 may be provided.

[0075] Furthermore, the movement restricting portion 69 may not be provided, and the side recessed portion 57 and the side protruding portion 67 may be provided.

[0076] Alternatively, the adapter 6 may not have a movement restricting portion 69, the protruding end face 53 may be rectangular, the protruding side face 54 may consist of four faces corresponding to each side of the protruding end face 53, and the adapter 6 may have two mounting wall portions 65 facing the two protruding side faces 54, and a side wall portion 66 facing the protruding side face 54 corresponding to one of the remaining two sides of the protruding end face 53.

[0077] (4) Aspects As described above, the adapter 6 according to the first aspect is an adapter 6 that is attached to the battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 and maintains a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 relative to the battery 5. The connection portion 91 of the electrical device 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in the connection direction D21. The attachment portion 62 has a movement restriction portion 69 that restricts movement of the attached adapter 6 in the removal direction D22, which is the direction opposite to the connection direction D21.

[0078] According to the first aspect, the adapter 6 is prevented from moving in the detachment direction D22 and falling off the battery 5.

[0079] The second aspect is realized by combining the first aspect. In the second aspect, the battery 5 includes a mounting portion 51 having a protruding end surface 53 with a terminal connection portion 531 and a protruding side surface 54 adjacent to the protruding end surface 53. The adapter 6 includes a main body portion 61 facing the protruding end surface 53, and two mounting wall portions 65 that protrude from the main body portion 61 and face the protruding side surface 54 with the mounting portion 51 sandwiched between them. The adapter 6 includes a terminal 64 on a surface 611 of the main body portion 61 facing the protruding end surface 53.

[0080] According to the second aspect, the attachment portion 51 is sandwiched between the two attachment walls 65, so that the attachment of the adapter 6 to the battery 5 is stable.

[0081] The third aspect is realized by combining the second aspect with the third aspect. In the third aspect, the mounting wall 65 has, as the mounting portion 62, a shaft insertion portion 621 at a portion facing the protruding side surface, into which the shaft 55 of the battery 5 on the protruding side surface 54 is inserted.

[0082] According to the third aspect, the adapter 6 can be attached to the battery 5 by fitting the shaft 55 into the shaft insertion portion 621 (mounting portion 62).

[0083] The fourth aspect is realized by combining the third aspect with the fourth aspect. In the fourth aspect, the shaft insertion portion 621 has a guide surface 68 that receives the shaft 55 and guides it to rotate about the shaft 55 when it is attached to the battery 5 and in the mounted state.

[0084] According to the fourth aspect, the adapter 6 can rotate smoothly around the shaft 55 of the battery 5 .

[0085] The fifth aspect is realized by combining the third or fourth aspect. In the fifth aspect, the shaft insertion portion 621 has a protrusion 70 that comes into contact with the shaft 55 to give a clicking sensation.

[0086] According to the fifth aspect, the user can easily confirm that the adapter 6 is in an attached state.

[0087] The sixth aspect is realized by combining with any one of the second to fifth aspects. In the sixth aspect, the battery 5 has a side protrusion 67 at a portion facing the protruding side surface 54, which is inserted into the side recess 57 that the battery 5 has on the protruding side surface 54.

[0088] According to the sixth aspect, the side convex portion 67 functions as a positioning portion when the terminal 64 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5, and therefore the terminal 64 can be easily inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5.

[0089] The seventh aspect is realized by combining with the sixth aspect. In the seventh aspect, the side surface convex portion has a step portion at a portion facing the side surface concave portion.

[0090] According to the seventh aspect, the user can easily confirm that the adapter 6 is in an attached state.

[0091] The eighth aspect is realized by combining any one of the second to seventh aspects. In the eighth aspect, the battery 5 has a rectangular protruding end face and four protruding side faces corresponding to the four sides of the protruding end face. The adapter 6 includes two mounting walls 65 facing the two protruding side faces corresponding to the two opposing sides of the protruding end face, and a side wall 66 facing the protruding side face corresponding to one of the remaining two sides of the protruding end face.

[0092] According to the eighth aspect, the two mounting walls 65 are aligned along the protruding side surface 54, and the side wall 66 is also aligned along the protruding side surface 54, so that the adapter 6 is stably attached to the battery 5.

[0093] The ninth embodiment is realized by combining the eighth embodiment with the first embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, the side wall portion 66 has a drain hole 661.

[0094] According to the ninth aspect, water is easily discharged through the drain holes 661.

[0095] The tenth aspect is realized by combining with any one of the second to ninth aspects. In the tenth aspect, the main body has a protruding wall 71 that protrudes so as to surround the terminal.

[0096] According to the tenth aspect, water is prevented from moving toward the terminals 64 and adhering to the terminals 64, and from entering the inside of the main body 61 through gaps.

[0097] The eleventh aspect is realized by combining with any one of the second to tenth aspects. In the eleventh aspect, the battery 5 has an end face recess 56 on the protruding end face 53. The main body 61 has an end face protrusion 612 that is inserted into the end face recess 56.

[0098] According to the eleventh aspect, the end surface convex portion 612 functions as a positioning portion when the terminal 64 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5, and therefore the terminal 64 can be easily inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5.

[0099] The twelfth aspect is realized by combining with any one of the first to eleventh aspects. In the twelfth aspect, a battery system includes the adapter 6 and the battery 5 according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0100] According to the twelfth aspect, the adapter 6 is prevented from moving in the detachment direction D22 and falling off the battery 5.

[0101] The adapter 6 according to the thirteenth aspect is an adapter 6 that is attached to a battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 to maintain a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 to the battery 5. The connection port 63 is inserted into the connection portion 91 of the electrical device 9 in the connection direction D21. The connection port 63 is formed on a surface 614 opposite to a surface 611 that faces the protruding end surface 53 of the main body 61.

[0102] According to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to prevent the adapter 6 and battery 5 from being used in an upright position with the longitudinal direction D1 vertical by placing the surface 614 on which the connection port 63 is formed on a horizontal surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent an accident in which the adapter 6 and battery 5 are stood in an upright position with the longitudinal direction D1 vertical from tipping over.

[0103] An adapter 6 according to a fourteenth aspect is an adapter 6 to be attached to a battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 and maintains a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 relative to the battery 5. A connection portion 91 of an electrical device 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in a connection direction D21. The battery 5 includes an attachment portion 51 having a protruding end face 53 and a protruding side face 54 adjacent to the protruding end face 53, and a terminal connection portion 531 is provided on the protruding end face 53. The adapter 6 includes a main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53, and two attachment wall portions 65 that protrude from the main body portion 61 and face the protruding side faces with the attachment portion 51 sandwiched therebetween. The adapter 6 includes a terminal 64 on a surface 611 of the main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53. The mounting wall 65 has, as the mounting portion 62, a shaft insertion portion 621 at a portion facing the protruding side surface into which the shaft 55 of the battery 5 is inserted. The shaft insertion portion 621 has a guide surface 68 that receives the shaft 55 and guides it to rotate about the shaft 55 when the shaft insertion portion 621 is attached to the battery 5 and in an attached state.

[0104] According to the fourteenth aspect, the adapter 6 can smoothly rotate around the shaft 55 of the battery 5 .

[0105] An adapter 6 according to a fifteenth aspect is an adapter 6 to be attached to a battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 and maintains a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 relative to the battery 5. A connection portion 91 of an electrical device 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in a connection direction D21. The battery 5 includes an attachment portion 51 having a protruding end face 53 and a protruding side face 54 adjacent to the protruding end face 53, and a terminal connection portion 531 is provided on the protruding end face 53. The adapter 6 includes a main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53, and two attachment wall portions 65 protruding from the main body portion 61 and facing the protruding side face 54 with the attachment portion 51 sandwiched therebetween. The adapter 6 includes a terminal 64 on a surface 611 of the main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53. The mounting wall 65 has, as the mounting portion 62, a shaft insertion portion 621 at a portion facing the protruding side surface 54, into which the shaft 55 of the battery 5 is inserted. The shaft insertion portion 621 has a protrusion 70 that comes into contact with the shaft 55 to provide a clicking sensation.

[0106] According to the fifteenth aspect, the user can easily confirm that the adapter 6 is in an attached state.

[0107] An adapter 6 according to a sixteenth aspect is an adapter 6 to be attached to a battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 and maintains a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 relative to the battery 5. A connection portion 91 of an electrical device 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in a connection direction D21. The battery 5 includes an attachment portion 51 having a protruding end face 53 and a protruding side face 54 adjacent to the protruding end face 53, and a terminal connection portion 531 is provided on the protruding end face 53. The adapter 6 includes a main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53, and two attachment wall portions 65 that protrude from the main body portion 61 and face the protruding side face 54 with the attachment portion 51 sandwiched therebetween. The adapter 6 includes a terminal 64 on a surface 611 of the main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53. The mounting wall 65 has, as the mounting portion 62, a shaft insertion portion 621 at a portion facing the protruding side surface 54, into which the shaft 55 of the battery 5 on the protruding side surface 54 is inserted. The mounting wall 65 has, at a portion facing the protruding side surface 54, a side protrusion 67 that is inserted into the side recess 57 of the battery 5 on the protruding side surface 54.

[0108] According to the sixteenth aspect, the side convex portion 67 functions as a positioning portion when the terminal 64 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5, and therefore the terminal 64 can be easily inserted into the terminal connection portion 531 of the battery 5.

[0109] An adapter 6 according to a seventeenth aspect is an adapter 6 to be attached to a battery 5. The adapter 6 includes an attachment portion 62 and a connection port 63. The attachment portion 62 is attached to the battery 5 and maintains a predetermined attachment state of the adapter 6 relative to the battery 5. A connection portion 91 of an electrical device 9 is inserted into the connection port 63 in a connection direction D21. The battery 5 includes an attachment portion 51 having a protruding end face 53 and a protruding side face 54 adjacent to the protruding end face 53, and a terminal connection portion 531 is provided on the protruding end face 53. The adapter 6 includes a main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53, and two attachment wall portions 65 protruding from the main body portion 61 and facing the protruding side face 54 with the attachment portion 51 sandwiched therebetween. The adapter 6 includes a terminal 64 on a surface 611 of the main body portion 61 facing the protruding end face 53. The battery 5 includes a protruding end face 53 having a rectangular shape, and a protruding side face 54 consisting of four surfaces corresponding to the respective sides of the protruding end face 53. The adapter 6 has two mounting wall portions 65 facing the two protruding side surfaces 54 corresponding to the two opposing sides of the protruding end surface 53, and a side wall portion 66 facing the protruding side surface 54 corresponding to one of the remaining two sides of the protruding end surface 53.

[0110] According to the seventeenth aspect, the two mounting walls 65 are aligned along the protruding side surface 54, and the side wall 66 is also aligned along the protruding side surface 54, so that the adapter 6 is stably attached to the battery 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 5 Battery 51 Mounting part 53 Projecting end surface 531 Terminal connection part 54 Protruding side 55 Shaft 56 End face recess 57 Side recess 6 Adapters 61 Main body 611 sides 612 End face convex part 614 opposite side 62 Mounting part 63 connection ports 64 terminals 65 Mounting wall 66 Side wall 661 Drain hole 67 Side convex part 68 Guide surface 69 Movement Control Department 70 Convex part 71 Projecting wall 9. Electrical Equipment 91 Connection D21 Connection direction D22 Departure direction

Claims

1. An adapter to be attached to a battery having a shaft portion, an attachment portion attached to the battery to maintain a predetermined attachment state of the adapter to the battery; a connection port into which a connection portion of an electrical device is inserted in a connection direction; the attachment portion has a movement restriction portion that restricts the adapter in the attached state from moving in a removal direction that is a direction opposite to the connection direction; a shaft portion insertion portion into which the shaft portion is inserted, The shaft insertion portion includes a guide surface that receives the shaft and guides it to perform a rotational movement around the shaft when the shaft insertion portion is attached to the battery and is in the mounted state. adapter.

2. The adapter is attached to one end of the battery in a longitudinal direction, The battery has a handle portion at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the battery that can be grasped by a user. The adapter of claim 1.

3. The handle portion has a through hole through which the user's hand can be inserted. The adapter of claim 2.

4. The battery includes a protruding end surface and a protruding side surface having the shaft portion adjacent to the protruding end surface, the connection port is formed at a position that is biased toward the protruding side surface rather than at a center portion of the adapter when viewed in a longitudinal direction of the battery in a state in which the adapter is attached to the battery; An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The shaft insertion portion has a protrusion that contacts the shaft portion to provide a clicking sensation. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The shaft portion is formed with a recess into which the protrusion is inserted.

6. The adapter of claim 5.

7. A device comprising an adapter and a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Battery system.

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