Battery pack and electrical equipment system

Abstract

Provided is a battery pack in which discharge is prohibited on the basis of information including a failure or an abnormality from an apparatus. A battery pack 10 comprises: a battery cell set 20; a control unit 13 for controlling the discharge of the battery cell set 20; and a terminal configured to be connectable to a power tool (electrical apparatus) 30. The control unit 13 is configured to output a discharge prohibition signal for prohibiting the discharge by the battery cell set 20 on the basis of electrical apparatus information input from the power tool 30 through the terminal. The electrical apparatus information includes a unique number and a failure flag of an opposite-party apparatus at the occurrence of an abnormality.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electric equipment system including a battery pack and an electric equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an electrical device that can determine which side the abnormality has occurred on by reporting an abnormality in the electrical device itself via an alarm unit on the device itself, and reporting an abnormality in the battery pack via an alarm unit on the battery pack. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 031273 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not describe how to determine whether an abnormality that occurs when connecting the device main body and the battery pack is caused by a failure on either side. In other words, it does not describe how to identify the cause of the abnormality. In addition, if a failure occurs on either the device main body or the battery pack, it may not be possible to detect the abnormality caused by the failure on that side.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a battery pack that prohibits discharge based on information including failures and abnormalities from the equipment, to provide an electrical equipment system that improves reliability by making it possible to identify the cause of an abnormality, and to provide an electrical equipment system that prevents continued use of the failed side even if the failed side cannot detect the abnormality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is A battery pack connectable to an electrical device, A battery cell; A battery side control unit that controls discharging of the battery cell; a battery-side interface connected to the battery-side control unit and configured to be connectable to the electrical device; having The battery side control unit is The battery side interface via the electrical device, Electrical Equipment Information and if a fault or abnormality is detected, storing the fact that a fault or abnormality has occurred together with the specific information of the electrical device; When a failure or abnormality is detected in each of the battery packs connected to a plurality of electrical devices, configured to output a discharge inhibition signal that permanently inhibits discharge by the battery cell; Characterized by It is a battery pack .

[0007] The battery-side control unit may be configured to output the discharge inhibition signal based on the electrical equipment information when a failure or abnormality occurs in the electrical equipment connected to the battery pack.

[0008] The battery-side control unit may be configured to output the discharge prohibition signal to the electrical device via the battery-side interface to prohibit discharging by the cell.

[0009] The battery pack may have a switch unit connected to the battery cell, and the battery-side control unit may be configured to output the discharge inhibition signal to the switch unit to inhibit discharge by the battery cell.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a A battery pack connectable to an electrical device, A battery cell; A battery side control unit that controls discharging of the battery cell; a battery-side interface connected to the battery-side control unit and configured to be connectable to the electrical device; having the battery-side control unit is configured to output a discharge prohibition signal that prohibits discharge by the battery cell, based on electrical equipment information input from the electrical equipment to the battery-side interface; The discharge prohibition signal is output when the electrical device information indicates that a failure or abnormality has occurred when the electrical device is connected to a battery pack other than the electrical device itself. Ta, The battery pack is characterized by the above.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is an electric equipment system, comprising: The battery pack; an electrical device to which the battery pack can be detached; An electrical equipment system comprising: The electrical device includes: A device side control unit; a battery pack connection portion to which the battery pack is connected; The present invention is characterized in that it has the following features:

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is an electric equipment system, comprising: An electric device system including an electric device and a battery pack detachable from the electric device, the electrical device has an appliance-side control unit and a battery pack connection unit to which the battery pack is connected; The battery pack includes a battery cell and a battery side control unit that controls discharging or charging of the battery cell, When at least one of the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit determines that one of the electric device and the battery pack is at fault, the device-side control unit permanently prohibits the use of the one of the electric device and the battery pack or notifies the user of an abnormality to urge the user to prohibit the use of the one of the electric device and the battery pack; The battery-side control unit is characterized in that it is configured to prohibit discharging or charging the battery cell when electrical device information input from the electrical device indicates that a failure or abnormality has occurred when connected to a battery pack other than the electrical device itself. Another aspect of the present invention is an electric equipment system, comprising: An electric device system including an electric device and a battery pack detachable from the electric device, the electrical device has an appliance-side control unit and a battery pack connection unit to which the battery pack is connected; The battery pack includes a battery cell and a battery side control unit that controls discharging or charging of the battery cell, When at least one of the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit determines that one of the electric device and the battery pack is at fault, the device-side control unit permanently prohibits the use of the one of the electric device and the battery pack or notifies the user of an abnormality to urge the user to prohibit the use of the one of the electric device and the battery pack; The battery side control unit is receiving electrical equipment information including information unique to the electrical equipment from the electrical equipment, and if a failure or abnormality is detected, storing information indicating that the failure or abnormality has occurred together with the information unique to the electrical equipment; The battery pack is characterized in that, when a failure or abnormality is detected in each of the cases where the battery pack is connected to a plurality of electrical devices, discharging or charging of the battery cells is prohibited.

[0013] The battery-side control unit may be configured to prohibit discharging or charging the battery cell when electrical device information of a plurality of electrical devices is stored.

[0014] At least one of the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit may determine that a fault has occurred when the voltage of the battery pack changes suddenly or when no current flows when the battery pack is connected to the electrical device and certain conditions are satisfied.

[0015] The predetermined condition may include a state in which a drive switch of the electric device is turned on, or a state in which charging of the battery pack by the electric device is started.

[0016] The device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit may be configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the cause of the failure may be determined based on the communication.

[0017] The cause of the failure may include at least one of poor contact between terminals of the electrical device and the battery pack, and a defect in a circuit or wiring of the electrical device or the battery pack.

[0018] Any combination of the above components and conversion of the present invention between methods are also valid aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery pack that prohibits discharge based on information including failures and abnormalities from the equipment, to provide an electrical equipment system that improves reliability by making it possible to identify the cause of an abnormality, or to provide an electrical equipment system that prevents continued use of the failed side even if the failed side cannot detect the abnormality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing that an abnormality occurs when a battery pack 10 and a power tool 30 are connected. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrical equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing that an abnormality occurs when the battery pack 10 and the power tool 30 are connected, and when the battery pack 10A and the power tool 30 are connected. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electrical equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing that an abnormality occurs when a battery pack 10 and a power tool 30 are connected, and when a battery pack 10 and a charger 50 are connected. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electric equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a battery pack 10 and an electric tool 30 in an interconnected state. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a battery pack 10 and a charger 50 in an interconnected state. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of determining whether or not a battery pack 10, 10A, a power tool 30, or a charger 50 (hereinafter also referred to as "battery pack 10, etc.") has a malfunction. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 or the like determines whether or not a connected device has a malfunction. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 etc. detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in a signal transmission means. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 or the like detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in a power transmission means. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of storing a fault flag when the battery pack 10 or the like detects an abnormality in a signal transmission means or a power transmission means. [Figure 11] 5 is a flowchart of an operation relating to an abnormality notification in the electric device system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, etc. shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention. All features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[0022] The present embodiment relates to a battery pack 10. The present embodiment also relates to an electric equipment system including an electric equipment such as a power tool 30 and a charger 50, and a battery pack 10 that is detachable from the electric equipment. The battery pack 10 has a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, is capable of wireless communication with a mobile equipment 80 such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. An electric equipment management application (hereinafter referred to as "management app") is installed in the mobile equipment 80. The mobile equipment 80 has a function of detecting the presence or absence of a malfunction of the battery pack 10, the power tool 30, or the charger 50 through wireless communication with the battery pack 10, and displaying the same (notifying the user).

[0023] 1 shows a state in which an abnormality occurs when the battery pack 10 and the power tool 30 are connected, and it is not clear whether the battery pack 10 or the power tool 30 is at fault. Depending on the type of abnormality, it may be possible to detect the occurrence of the abnormality, but it is not possible to detect which side is at fault (which side is the cause of the abnormality). For example, in the case of a failure of a signal transmission means or a power transmission means, which will be described later, it is not clear whether the failure has occurred in the battery pack 10 or the power tool 30. Although not shown in the figure, the same can be said when an abnormality occurs when the battery pack 10 and the charger 50 are connected.

[0024] 2 shows that an abnormality occurs when the battery pack 10 is connected to the power tool 30 and when the battery pack 10A is connected to the power tool 30. Even if it is an abnormality of a type that cannot be detected as to which side is causing the abnormality, if the abnormality occurs when either the battery pack 10 or 10A is connected to the power tool 30 as shown in FIG. 2, it can be assumed that the cause of the abnormality is a malfunction of the power tool 30. Although not shown in the figure, if the abnormality occurs when either the battery pack 10 or 10A is connected to the charger 50, it can be assumed that the cause of the abnormality is a malfunction of the charger 50. In the illustrated example, the battery packs 10 and 10A are of the same type, but they may be of different types as long as they can be connected to the power tool 30 and the charger 50.

[0025] 3 shows that an abnormality occurs when the battery pack 10 is connected to the power tool 30 and when the battery pack 10 is connected to the charger 50. Even if it is a type of abnormality that cannot be detected as to which side is causing the abnormality, if an abnormality occurs whether the battery pack 10 is connected to the power tool 30 or the charger 50 as shown in FIG. 3, it can be assumed that the cause of the abnormality is a malfunction of the battery pack 10.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the interconnection between the battery pack 10 and the power tool 30. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the interconnection between the battery pack 10 and the charger 50. The battery pack 10 and the power tool 30 are connected to each other at the positive terminals, negative terminals, T terminals, LD terminals, LS terminals, and V terminals. Similarly, the battery pack 10 and the charger 50 are connected to each other at their respective terminals. The terminals of the battery pack 10 form a battery side interface (device main body connection section). The terminals of the power tool 30 and the charger 50 form a device side interface (battery pack connection section).

[0027] The battery pack 10 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a control unit 13 as a battery-side control unit, a power supply unit 14, a cell voltage detection unit 15, a current detection unit 17, a cell temperature detection unit 18, a wireless communication unit 19, a battery cell 20, a FET (switching element) 21, a fuse 22, a switch unit 23, a resistor R1, and a thermistor R2.

[0028] The display unit 11 displays the remaining charge of the battery pack 10 and whether or not there is an abnormality (failure). The operation unit 12 is a display switch that allows the user to instruct the control unit 13 to start displaying on the display unit 11. The wireless communication unit 19 has a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and wirelessly communicates with a mobile device 80 shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0029] The control unit 13 controls the display by the display unit 11, the communication by the wireless communication unit 19, the on / off of the switch unit 23, and the discharging or charging of the battery cells 20. When the control unit 13 detects an abnormality such as high temperature, over-discharge, or overcurrent in the battery cell set 20, it outputs a stop signal (discharge prohibition signal) to the LD terminal. The control unit 13 communicates (bidirectional communication) with the electrical device to which the battery pack 10 is connected via the T terminal. The control unit 13 has a built-in non-volatile memory (storage unit) for storing a fault flag, which will be described later.

[0030] A switch unit 23, a fuse 22, a battery cell group 20, and a resistor R1 are connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The switch unit 23 is a switching element such as a FET or a relay. The battery cell group 20 is a plurality of secondary battery cells connected in series. The power supply unit 14 converts the voltage of the battery cell group 20 to a power supply voltage for the control unit 13 and supplies it to the control unit 13. The cell voltage detection unit 15 detects the voltage of each cell of the battery cell group 20 and sends it to the control unit 13. The current detection unit 17 detects the current of the battery cell group 20 from the voltage of the resistor R1 and sends it to the control unit 13. The cell temperature detection unit 18 detects the temperature of the battery cell group 20 and sends it to the control unit 13.

[0031] A thermistor R2 and a FET 21 are connected in series between the LS terminal and ground. The thermistor R2 is provided in the vicinity of the battery cell set 20. The gate of the FET 21 is connected to the V terminal.

[0032] The power tool 30 includes a display unit 31, an operation unit 32, a control unit 33 as a device-side control unit, a power supply unit 34, a battery voltage detection unit 35, a switch state detection unit 36, a current detection unit 37, a motor 40, a FET (switching element) 41, a switch 42, and a resistor R3. The FET 41 and the switch 42 are examples of drive switches.

[0033] The display unit 31 displays the operation mode and the presence or absence of an abnormality (fault) of the power tool 30. The operation unit 32 is a display switch that allows the user to instruct the control unit 33 to start displaying on the display unit 31.

[0034] The control unit 33 controls the display by the display unit 31 and the driving of the motor 40. When the control unit 33 receives a stop signal from the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 via the LD terminal, it turns off the FET 41 and stops the motor 40. The control unit 33 communicates (bidirectional communication) with the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 via the T terminal. The control unit 33 can detect the temperature of the battery cell group 20 by receiving the voltage of the thermistor R2 via the LS terminal by sending an ON signal to the gate of the FET 21 of the battery pack 10 via the V terminal. The control unit 33 has a built-in non-volatile memory (storage unit) for storing a fault flag described later. The fault flag and the unique number (unique information) of the battery pack stored by the control unit 33 are examples of electrical equipment information (or battery pack information).

[0035] A switch 42, motor 40, FET 41, and resistor R3 are connected in series between the positive and negative terminals. The switch 42 is, for example, a trigger switch that the user switches between energizing and deenergizing the motor 40. The power supply unit 34 converts the voltage of the battery cell set 20 input via the positive terminal into a power supply voltage for the control unit 33 and supplies it to the control unit 33. The battery voltage detection unit 35 detects the voltage of the positive terminal and sends it to the control unit 33. The switch state detection unit 36 ​​detects whether the switch 42 is on or off and sends it to the control unit 33. The current detection unit 37 detects the current of the motor 40 from the voltage of the resistor R3 and sends it to the control unit 33.

[0036] The charger 50 includes a display unit 51, an operation unit 52, a control unit 53, a battery voltage detection unit 55, a current detection unit 57, a power supply circuit (charging circuit) 60, and a resistor R4. The charger 50 is connected to an external AC power supply 70 and charges the battery pack 10 with power from the AC power supply 70.

[0037] The display unit 51 displays the progress of charging and the presence or absence of an abnormality (failure). The operation unit 52 is a display switch that allows the user to instruct the control unit 53 to start displaying on the display unit 51.

[0038] The control unit 53 controls the display by the display unit 51, and controls the charging of the battery pack 10 by controlling the power supply circuit 60. When the control unit 53 receives a stop signal (charging prohibition signal) from the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 via the LD terminal, it turns off the power supply circuit 60 to stop charging of the battery pack 10. The control unit 53 communicates (bidirectional communication) with the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 via the T terminal. The control unit 53 can detect the temperature of the battery cell group 20 by receiving the voltage of the thermistor R2 via the LS terminal by sending an ON signal to the gate of the FET 21 of the battery pack 10 via the V terminal. The control unit 53 has a built-in non-volatile memory (storage unit) for storing a fault flag described later. The fault flag and the unique number of the battery pack stored by the control unit 53 are examples of electrical equipment information (or battery pack information).

[0039] A power supply circuit 60 and a resistor R4 are connected in series between the positive and negative terminals. A battery voltage detection unit 55 detects the voltage of the positive terminal and transmits it to the control unit 53. A current detection unit 57 detects the current (charging current) of the power supply circuit 60 from the voltage of the resistor R4 and transmits it to the control unit 53.

[0040] 4 or 5, for example, if the signal transmission means or the power transmission means has a failure, it is not possible to know whether the failure is in the battery pack 10, the power tool 30, or the charger 50. The signal transmission means is a component involved in communication via the T terminal and signal transmission via the LD terminal, the LS terminal, and the V terminal. The power transmission means is a component involved in power transmission from the battery cell group 20 of the battery pack 10 to the motor 40 of the power tool 30 shown in Fig. 4, or a component involved in power transmission from the power supply circuit 60 of the charger 50 to the battery cell group 20 of the battery pack 10 shown in Fig. 5.

[0041] Examples of failures of the signal transmission means or power transmission means include the following failures on the battery pack 10 side (hereinafter also referred to as the "battery side") or on the power tool 30 and charger 50 side (hereinafter also referred to as the "device side"): · Terminal contact failure (terminal deformation, foreign matter adhesion, positioning failure) · Circuit failure (electronic component failure / mounting failure) · Wiring failure (breakage, short circuit of electric wire / board pattern, etc.)

[0042] If the signal transmission means fails, for example, the following phenomena (abnormalities) occur, which causes the failure of the signal transmission means to be detected. ·Device side ·In two-way communication with the battery side, there is no response to a request. ·The resistance value of thermistor R2 connected to the battery pack 10 cannot be detected. ·Battery side ·In two-way communication with the device side, there is no response to a request. ·Current continues to flow despite a stop signal being output to the device side.

[0043] If the power transmission means fails, the following phenomena (abnormalities) occur, for example, and a failure of the power transmission means is detected. ·Equipment side (power tool 30 side) ·When the switch 42 / FET 41 is turned on, the battery voltage drops abnormally and suddenly. ·The battery voltage drops suddenly and intermittently (chattering phenomenon). ·Even when the switch 42 / FET 41 is turned on, no current flows to the motor 40 (when power to the control unit 33 is supplied via a separate path). ·Battery side ·The battery voltage drops abnormally and suddenly. ·The battery voltage drops suddenly and intermittently (chattering phenomenon). ·Even when the switch 42 / FET 41 is turned on on the power tool 30 side, no current flows to the motor (when power to the control unit 33 is supplied via a separate path and the control state of the motor 40 can be recognized by communication). ·Equipment side (charger 50 side) ·When the power supply circuit 60 is turned on, the battery voltage rises abnormally and suddenly. ·The battery voltage rises suddenly and intermittently during charging (chattering phenomenon). · Even when the power supply circuit 60 is turned on, no current flows.

[0044] For example, if an abnormality occurs in which current continues to flow despite a stop signal being output from the battery to the device, and the cause of the abnormality is a malfunction on the device side, the device may not be able to detect the abnormality. Also, if an abnormality occurs in which the device cannot detect the resistance value of the battery-side thermistor R2, and the cause of the abnormality is a malfunction on the battery side, the battery may not be able to detect the abnormality.

[0045] In this way, the side having the malfunction that is causing the abnormality may not be able to detect the malfunction. In that case, there is a risk that the side may continue to be used in the malfunctioned state. To prevent this, there is a method of disabling both, but this causes the inconvenience of being unable to use the side that is not malfunctioning as well. Compared to a user who owns multiple battery packs 10, there are fewer users who own multiple power tools 30 and chargers 50 of the same type, so that the impact on the user is large when the power tool 30 and the charger 50 become unusable. One of the purposes of this embodiment is to prevent the continued use of the side having the malfunction without disabling the side that is not malfunctioning even when the side having the malfunction that is causing the abnormality cannot detect the abnormality.

[0046] (Method for battery pack 10 to determine that the device is faulty) When the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 detects an abnormality that is unclear as to whether it is a fault on the battery side or the device side, it writes a fault flag together with its own unique number in the memory on the device side by communication via the T terminal. If fault flags from multiple battery packs have been written in the memory on the device side, the control unit 13 determines that the device is faulty. The fault flag can include information such as the type of fault, for example, information for determining (constraining) which terminal corresponds to the fault in the transmission means, and information on symptoms (for each abnormality detection condition) (no response from LD terminal, no response from T terminal, voltage drop, chattering, etc.). This makes it possible to identify the location of the fault.

[0047] (Method by which battery pack 10 determines that there is a battery-side fault) When the control unit 13 of battery pack 10 detects an abnormality that is unclear as to whether it is a fault on the battery side or on the device side, it acquires the device's unique number by communication via the T-terminal and stores a fault flag together with the device's unique number in its own memory. If the control unit 13 has stored fault flags from multiple devices, it determines that there is a battery-side fault. The unique number (unique information) and fault flag of the electrical device stored by the control unit 13 are examples of electrical device information.

[0048] (Method for enabling a user to determine whether the fault is on the battery side or the device side) When the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 determines that the fault is on the battery side or the device side, it outputs a stop signal (discharge prohibition signal or charge prohibition signal) to the LD terminal. When the display switch is pressed on the battery side and the device side, a fault is displayed. Here, in the case of a fault on the battery side, the battery side displays that it cannot be used even if it is connected to another electric device / fault, while the device side displays that it can be used / normally when it is connected to another battery pack, so the user can determine that the fault is on the battery side. In addition, in the case of a fault on the device side, the device side displays that it cannot be used even if it is connected to another battery pack / fault, while the battery side displays that it can be used / normally when it is connected to another electric device, so the user can determine that the fault is on the device side. This display on the display unit of the electric device or battery pack can urge the user to prohibit the use of the device or battery (power tool 30, charger 50, battery pack 10) in which the abnormality has occurred.

[0049] When the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 determines that the battery or device has a malfunction, it notifies the mobile device 80 (smart device) of the malfunction via wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 19. The management application of the mobile device 80 displays the malfunction. As a function of the management application, the mobile device 80 reads the memory of the battery side and the device side via wireless communication, and determines that the battery side has a malfunction if a malfunction flag is stored in the battery side memory together with the unique numbers of multiple electrical devices, and determines that the device side has a malfunction if a malfunction flag is stored in the device side memory together with the unique numbers of multiple battery packs, and displays the malfunction. The user can also determine whether the malfunction is on the battery side or the device side from the display on the mobile device 80. This display on the mobile device 80 can urge the user to prohibit the use of the device or battery (power tool 30, charger 50, battery pack 10) in which the abnormality has occurred.

[0050] The battery pack 10, the power tool 30, or the charger 50 that has been disabled due to a malfunction can be released from the disabled state by a repair / maintenance service provider repairing the malfunctioning part and clearing the malfunction flag. If it is determined to be a malfunction, it will be permanently disabled unless the malfunctioning part is repaired. In other words, the disabled state will be maintained even if the user tries again to operate the trigger switch of the power tool 30, reconnects the battery pack 10 to the connection target, or disconnects and reconnects the power source of the charger 50.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 or the like judges whether or not there is a malfunction in itself. The control unit 13 of the battery pack 10, the control unit 33 of the power tool 30, or the control unit 53 of the charger 50 (hereinafter also referred to as "control unit 13 or the like") reads the contents of its own memory (S1). When multiple combinations of malfunction flags (abnormality flags) are stored in its own memory (YES in S2), that is, when the malfunction flags are stored in its own memory together with multiple unique numbers, the control unit 13 or the like judges that there is a malfunction on its own side (S3) and disables itself. Alternatively, it is possible to change (select) the subsequent operation depending on the type of malfunction / abnormality without disabling itself. For example, as will be described later in FIG. 11, as options, it is also possible to stop the system, notify by a display means, or notify an information terminal depending on the type of abnormality / fault. Depending on the type of malfunction / abnormality, it is not important enough to stop the system, but if some functions / performance are affected, it is possible to at least notify the information terminal.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 and the like judge whether or not the other device is faulty. The control unit 13 and the like check whether the other device is connected (S5). If the other device is not connected (NO in S5), the control unit 13 and the like judges that the other device is not faulty (S6). If the other device is connected (YES in S5) and the memory content read process of the other device has not been executed (YES in S7), the control unit 13 and the like reads the memory content of the other device (S8). If the memory of the other device stores multiple combinations of fault flags (abnormality flags) (YES in S9), that is, if the memory of the other device stores fault flags together with multiple unique numbers, the control unit 13 and the like judges that the other device is faulty (S10). At this time, the control unit 13 of the battery pack 10 outputs a signal to the LD terminal to prohibit discharging by the battery cell group 20 (or a charging prohibition signal to prohibit charging to the battery cell group 20). Alternatively, the control unit 13 outputs an OFF signal to the switch unit 23 to prohibit charging or discharging the battery cell set 20. Note that the present invention is not limited to prohibiting discharging or charging, and the subsequent operation may be changed (selected) depending on the type of failure / abnormality, as in the case of FIG.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 or the like detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in the signal transmission means. When the control unit 13 or the like transmits the signal A (YES in S11) and there is no expected response or state change as a result of transmitting the signal A (YES in S12), the control unit 13 or the like detects the abnormality A (S13). The signal A is, for example, a communication request signal in two-way communication transmitted by the control unit 13 or the like from the T terminal, a stop signal output by the control unit 13 from the LD terminal, or an ON signal output by the control units 33 and 53 to the V terminal. The abnormality A is, for example, a lack of response to the communication request signal in two-way communication, a current continuing to flow despite the output of a stop signal, or an inability to detect the resistance value of thermistor R2. When the control unit 13 or the like detects an input abnormality in the signal B (YES in S14), the control unit 13 or the like detects the abnormality B (S15). The signal B is, for example, a temperature signal input to the control units 33 and 53 from the LS terminal. The abnormality B is, for example, an inability to detect the resistance value of thermistor R2.

[0054] 9 is a flow chart showing a flow in which the battery pack 10 etc. detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in the power transmission means. When the control unit 13 etc. detects an abnormal change in the battery voltage (YES in S21), it detects an abnormality C (S22). The abnormal change in the battery voltage and the abnormality C are, for example, an abnormal sudden drop or sudden rise in the battery voltage, or an intermittent sudden drop or sudden rise. In the case of the operating state D (YES in S23), the control unit 13 etc. detects the abnormality D if the operating state D is not in an expected state (YES in S24). The operating state D is, for example, a state in which the switch 42 and the FET 41 are on in the power tool 30, or a state in which the power circuit 60 is on in the charger 50. The abnormality D is, for example, a state in which a discharge current or a charge current cannot be detected in the operating state D.

[0055] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of storing a fault flag when the battery pack 10 etc. detects an abnormality in the signal transmission means or the power transmission means. When the control unit 13 etc. detects an abnormality in the signal transmission means or the power transmission means (YES in S31) and the fault flag (abnormality flag) storage process has not been executed (YES in S32), the control unit 13 etc. stores the abnormality type and the unique number of the connected device in its own memory (S33), and writes the abnormality type and its own unique number in the memory of the other device by communication (S34).

[0056] 11 is a flowchart of an operation related to anomaly notification in the electric device system of the present embodiment. When an anomaly (such as the above anomalies A to D) or a malfunction that requires the system to be stopped is detected (YES in S41), the control unit 13 and the like perform a system stop process (stopping discharging and charging) (S42). When the display switch is pressed (YES in S43), if there is an anomaly or malfunction that requires display (YES in S44), the control unit 13 and the like perform anomaly display process (S45), and when there is no anomaly or malfunction that requires display (NO in S44), the control unit 13 performs a normal status display process (S46). When the battery pack 10 and the portable device 80 are in a communication connection state (when the management application of the portable device 80 is running and the portable device 80 is within a wireless communication range) (YES in S47), if there is an anomaly or malfunction that requires notification (YES in S48), and if the anomaly notification process has not been executed (YES in S49), the control unit 13 performs anomaly notification process for the portable device 80 (S50). The portable device 80 notifies the user of the abnormality by displaying a screen or the like. This abnormality notification can prompt the user to prohibit the use of the device in which the abnormality occurred (the power tool 30, the charger 50, the battery pack 10). The portable device 80 stores the abnormality notified in S50, and can display the presence or absence of an abnormality in each device in response to a user's requested operation by a function of the management application even if the portable device 80 is out of the communication range with the battery pack 10.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0058] (1) When an abnormality occurs on the battery side and the device side, a fault flag and the unique number of the other device are stored. Therefore, even if the type of abnormality is such that it is impossible to detect which side is causing the abnormality, it is possible to estimate which side is at fault by whether or not the fault flag is stored together with the unique numbers (unique information) of the multiple other devices, thereby improving reliability. In addition, even if the side having the fault that caused the abnormality cannot detect the abnormality, it is possible to estimate the fault, and the continued use of the faulty side can be suppressed. This eliminates the need to disable both devices when an abnormality occurs that is impossible to detect which side is causing the abnormality, thereby improving convenience. In other words, it is possible to suppress the decrease in convenience caused by disabling the side that does not have a fault.

[0059] (2) The battery pack 10, the power tool 30, and the charger 50 are configured not to operate if they determine that the other device is faulty. This prevents them from operating when connected to a faulty device, thereby improving reliability.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiment as an example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible to the components and processes of the embodiment within the scope of the claims. Modifications will be mentioned below.

[0061] The power tool 30 is not limited to the impact driver shown in Figures 1 to 3, but may be of another type. The electric device of the present invention is not limited to the power tool 30 and the charger 50, but may be an electric working machine such as a cleaner or a blower, or may be another type of electric device such as a lighting device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10,10A... battery pack, 11... display unit, 12... operation unit, 13... control unit (battery side control unit), 14... power supply unit, 15... cell voltage detection unit, 17... current detection unit, 18... cell temperature detection unit, 19... wireless communication unit, 20... battery cell, 21... FET (switching element), 22... fuse, 23... switch unit, 30... power tool (electrical equipment), 31... display unit, 32... operation unit, 33... control unit (equipment side control unit), 34... power supply unit, 3 5...battery voltage detection unit, 36...switch state detection unit, 37...current detection unit, 40...motor, 41...FET (switching element), 42...switch, 50...charger (electrical equipment), 51...display unit, 52...operation unit, 53...control unit (equipment side control unit), 55...battery voltage detection unit, 57...current detection unit, 60...power supply circuit (charging circuit), 80...portable equipment (smart device), R1...resistor, R2...thermistor, R3, R4...resistor.

Claims

1. A battery pack connectable to an electrical device, A battery cell; A battery side control unit that controls discharging of the battery cell; a battery-side interface connected to the battery-side control unit and configured to be connectable to the electrical device; having The battery side control unit is receiving electrical equipment information including information specific to the electrical equipment from the electrical equipment via the battery-side interface, and when a failure or abnormality is detected, storing information indicating that the failure or abnormality has occurred together with the information specific to the electrical equipment; and when a failure or abnormality is detected in each of the cases where the battery pack is connected to a plurality of electric devices, a discharge inhibition signal is output to permanently inhibit discharge by the battery cells. A battery pack characterized by:

2. 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, The battery pack is characterized in that the battery-side control unit is configured to output the discharge inhibition signal based on the electrical equipment information when a failure or abnormality occurs in the electrical equipment connected to the battery pack.

3. 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, a discharge inhibiting signal outputted to the electrical device via the battery-side interface to inhibit discharging by the cells,

4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the battery pack has a switch unit connected to the battery cell; a discharge inhibiting signal outputted to the switch section so as to inhibit discharging by the battery cell;

5. A battery pack connectable to an electrical device, comprising: A battery cell; A battery side control unit that controls discharging of the battery cell; a battery-side interface connected to the battery-side control unit and configured to be connectable to the electrical device; having the battery-side control unit is configured to output a discharge prohibition signal for prohibiting discharge by the battery cell based on electrical device information input from the electrical device to the battery-side interface, and is configured to output the discharge prohibition signal when the electrical device information indicates that a failure or abnormality has occurred when the battery cell is connected to a battery pack other than the electrical device itself. A battery pack characterized by:

6. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an electrical device to which the battery pack can be detached; An electrical equipment system comprising: The electrical device includes: A device side control unit; a battery pack connection portion to which the battery pack is connected; An electrical equipment system comprising:

7. An electric device system including an electric device and a battery pack detachable from the electric device, the electrical device has an appliance-side control unit and a battery pack connection unit to which the battery pack is connected; The battery pack includes a battery cell and a battery side control unit that controls discharging or charging of the battery cell, When at least one of the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit determines that one of the electrical device and the battery pack is at fault, the device-side control unit permanently prohibits the use of the one of the electrical device and the battery pack or notifies the user of an abnormality to urge the user to prohibit the use of the one of the electrical device and the battery pack; An electrical equipment system characterized in that the battery-side control unit is configured to prohibit discharging or charging of the battery cell when electrical equipment information input from the electrical equipment indicates that a failure or abnormality has occurred when connected to a battery pack other than the electrical equipment itself.

8. An electrical equipment system comprising an electrical equipment and a battery pack detachable from the electrical equipment, the electrical device has an appliance-side control unit and a battery pack connection unit to which the battery pack is connected; The battery pack includes a battery cell and a battery side control unit that controls discharging or charging of the battery cell, When at least one of the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit determines that one of the electrical device and the battery pack is at fault, the device-side control unit permanently prohibits the use of the one of the electrical device and the battery pack or notifies the user of an abnormality to urge the user to prohibit the use of the one of the electrical device and the battery pack; The battery side control unit is receiving electrical equipment information including information unique to the electrical equipment from the electrical equipment, and if a failure or abnormality is detected, storing information indicating that the failure or abnormality has occurred together with the information unique to the electrical equipment; an electrical equipment system configured to prohibit discharging or charging of the battery cells when a failure or abnormality is detected in each of the cases where the battery pack is connected to a plurality of electrical equipment;

9. An electrical equipment system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The electric equipment system, wherein the battery-side control unit is configured to prohibit discharging or charging the battery cell when electric equipment information of a plurality of electric equipment is stored.

10. An electrical equipment system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, An electrical equipment system characterized in that at least one of the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit determines that a fault has occurred when the voltage of the battery pack changes suddenly or when no current flows when the battery pack is connected to the electrical equipment and certain conditions are satisfied.

11. The electrical equipment system according to claim 10, The predetermined condition includes a state in which a drive switch of the electric device is turned on or charging of the battery pack by the electric device is started.

12. The electrical equipment system according to claim 7 or 8, the device-side control unit and the battery-side control unit are configured to be able to communicate with each other, An electrical equipment system, characterized in that a cause of the failure is determined based on the communication.

13. An electrical equipment system according to any one of claims 7, 8 and 12, The electrical equipment system, characterized in that the cause of the failure includes at least one of poor contact between terminals of the electrical equipment and the battery pack, and a defect in a circuit or wiring of the electrical equipment or the battery pack.

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