Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing a space inside a casing from being reduced while suppressing a battery pack from being inclined when the battery pack is attached to a battery pack attachment portion.SOLUTION: A battery pack disclosed in the present specification can be attached by moving downward with respect to a battery pack attachment portion, and can be removed by moving upward with respect to the battery pack attachment portion. A battery pack has a casing. A first guide groove extending upward from a lower end of a side surface and a second guide groove extending upward from a lower end of a side surface are formed in left and right side surfaces of the casing. A vertical length of the first guide groove and a vertical length of the second guide groove are different.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack that can be attached by moving it downward relative to a battery pack attachment part and can be removed by moving it upward relative to the battery pack attachment part. The battery pack includes a casing. A first guide groove extending upward from a lower end of the side surface and a second guide groove extending upward from the lower end of the side surface are formed on the left and right sides of the casing. The vertical length of the first guide groove is equal to the vertical length of the second guide groove. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] China Patent Application Publication No. 108158491 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above battery pack, if two guide ribs corresponding to the first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed in the battery pack mounting section, the battery pack can be prevented from tilting forward and backward when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting section. However, in a battery pack, providing a guide groove in the casing reduces the space inside the casing, which imposes restrictions on the layout of components inside the casing. This specification provides a technology that can prevent the battery pack from tilting when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting section, while preventing the space inside the casing from becoming smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The battery pack disclosed in this specification may be attachable by moving it downward relative to a battery pack attachment portion, and may be detachable by moving it upward relative to the battery pack attachment portion. The battery pack may include a casing. A first guide groove extending upward from a lower end of the side surface and a second guide groove extending upward from the lower end of the side surface may be formed on a left-right side surface of the casing. The vertical length of the first guide groove and the vertical length of the second guide groove may be different.

[0006] In the above battery pack, if two guide ribs corresponding to the first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed on the battery pack mounting part, the battery pack can be prevented from tilting forward and backward when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting part. Also, in the above battery pack, the vertical length of one of the first guide groove and the second guide groove is smaller than the vertical length of the other of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, so that the space inside the casing can be prevented from becoming smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery pack 2, a charger 100, and an electric device 200 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, seen from above on the front right. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, seen from the lower front left. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a right engagement portion 24 of the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, as viewed from below on the front left. [Diagram 5] 11 is a perspective view showing a terminal cover 28 being attached to and detached from the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, viewed from the lower front left. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a terminal cover 28 of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, as viewed from below on the front right. [Figure 7]2 is a perspective view of a terminal cover 28 of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, seen from above and behind on the left. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a right engagement portion 24 in a state in which a terminal cover 28 is attached to the battery pack 2 in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a bottom view of the vicinity of the terminal IF unit 20 when a terminal cover 28 is attached to the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a front view of the vicinity of the terminal IF unit 20 in a state where a terminal cover 28 is attached to the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view of the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment as viewed from the right. [Figure 12] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first right guide groove 34 of the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a perspective view of a charger 100 to which a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment can be attached / detached, as viewed from above on the front left side. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of a charger 100 to which a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment can be attached / detached, as viewed from above on the rear right. [Figure 15] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first right guide groove 34 and a second right guide groove 36 in a state in which a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment is attached to a charger 100. FIG. [Figure 16] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a right engagement portion 24 in a state in which a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment is attached to a charger 100. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment attached to a charger 100, as viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 18] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack attachment portion 202 to which a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment can be attached / detached, as viewed from above on the front left side. [Figure 19] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack attachment portion 202 to which a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment can be attached / detached, as viewed from the upper rear right. [Figure 20]This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the first right guide groove 34 and the second right guide groove 36 in a state in which the upper guide portion 210b of the right guide rib 210 of the battery pack mounting portion 202 is inserted into the lower guide portion 34a of the first right guide groove 34 in the battery pack 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 21] 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first right guide groove 34 and a second right guide groove 36 in a state in which a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment is attached to a battery pack attachment portion 202. FIG. [Figure 22] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the terminal IF portion 20, the hook sliding groove 32 and the hook engagement groove 30 in a state in which the engagement portion 208a of the hook 208 of the battery pack attachment portion 202 has passed through the terminal IF portion 20 in the battery pack 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 23] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the terminal IF portion 20, the hook sliding groove 32 and the hook engagement groove 30 in a state in which the engagement portion 208a of the hook 208 of the battery pack mounting portion 202 has passed through the hook sliding groove 32 in the battery pack 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 24] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the terminal IF portion 20, the hook sliding groove 32, and the hook engagement groove 30 in a state in which the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 202. FIG. [Diagram 25] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment attached to a battery pack attachment portion 202, as viewed from above on the front left. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Representative and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is intended simply to provide those skilled in the art with details for implementing preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or together with other features and inventions to provide further improved battery packs.

[0009] In addition, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for implementing the present invention in the broadest sense, but are specifically described only to illustrate representative embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following representative embodiments and the various features described in the claims do not have to be combined in the exact manner of the embodiments described herein or in the order listed in order to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] All features described in the specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed individually and independently of one another as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims, apart from the configuration of features described in the examples and / or claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges and group or aggregate descriptions are intended to disclose intermediate configurations thereof as limitations to the specific features described in the original disclosure and claims.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may be attachable by moving it downward relative to the battery pack attachment portion, and may be detachable by moving it upward relative to the battery pack attachment portion. The battery pack may include a casing. A first guide groove extending upward from a lower end of the side surface and a second guide groove extending upward from the lower end of the side surface may be formed on a left-right side surface of the casing. The vertical length of the first guide groove and the vertical length of the second guide groove may be different.

[0012] In the above battery pack, if two guide ribs corresponding to the first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed on the battery pack mounting part, the battery pack can be prevented from tilting forward and backward when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting part. Also, in the above battery pack, the vertical length of one of the first guide groove and the second guide groove is smaller than the vertical length of the other of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, so that the space inside the casing can be prevented from becoming smaller.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the length of the second guide groove in the vertical direction may be less than half the length of the first guide groove in the vertical direction.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the length of the second guide groove in the up-down direction can be significantly reduced, and accordingly, the space inside the casing can be prevented from becoming small.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the first guide groove may be disposed between one end of the side surface and a center of the side surface in the front-rear direction, and the second guide groove may be disposed between the other end of the side surface and a center of the side surface in the front-rear direction.

[0016] According to the above configuration, if two guide ribs corresponding to the first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed on the battery pack mounting portion, it is possible to further prevent the battery pack from being tilted forward or backward when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion. Also, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the space inside the casing from becoming small near the center of the casing in the forward or backward direction.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, at the lower end of the side surface, a width in the front-rear direction of the first guide groove and a width in the front-rear direction of the second guide groove may be different.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the front-to-rear width of one of the first guide groove and the second guide groove is smaller than the front-to-rear width of the other of the first guide groove and the second guide groove, thereby preventing the internal space of the casing from becoming smaller.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, at the lower end of the side surface, a width in the front-rear direction of the second guide groove may be smaller than half a width in the front-rear direction of the first guide groove.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the width of the second guide groove in the front-rear direction can be significantly reduced, and accordingly, the space inside the casing can be prevented from becoming small.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, a length in the up-down direction of the second guide groove may be smaller than a length in the up-down direction of the first guide groove. At the lower end of the side surface, a width in the front-rear direction of the second guide groove may be smaller than a width in the front-rear direction of the first guide groove.

[0022] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the space inside the casing from becoming small in the vicinity of the second guide groove.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the first guide groove may include a lower guide portion extending upward from the lower end of the side surface, an upper guide portion disposed above the lower guide portion and extending along the up-down direction, and an intermediate guide portion connecting the lower guide portion and the upper guide portion. The width of the upper guide portion in the front-to-rear direction may be smaller than the width of the lower guide portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0024] According to the above configuration, when the battery pack mounting portion is formed with a guide rib having a shape corresponding to the first guide groove, when the tip of the guide rib is inserted into the lower guide portion, the battery pack can move slightly in the front-rear direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion, allowing the battery pack to move smoothly in the up-down direction. Also, when the tip of the guide rib is inserted into the upper guide portion, the battery pack is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion, allowing the battery pack to be firmly fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the upper guide portion may have a left-right depth smaller than the left-right depth of the lower guide portion.

[0026] According to the above configuration, when the battery pack mounting portion is formed with a guide rib having a shape corresponding to the first guide groove, when the tip of the guide rib is inserted into the lower guide portion, the battery pack can move slightly in the left-right direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion, allowing the battery pack to move smoothly in the up-down direction. Also, when the tip of the guide rib is inserted into the upper guide portion, the left-right movement of the battery pack is restricted relative to the battery pack mounting portion, allowing the battery pack to be firmly fixed in the left-right direction.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the first guide groove may include a lower guide portion extending upward from the lower end of the side surface, an upper guide portion disposed above the lower guide portion and extending along the up-down direction, and an intermediate guide portion connecting the lower guide portion and the upper guide portion. The left-right depth of the upper guide portion may be smaller than the left-right depth of the lower guide portion.

[0028] According to the above configuration, when the battery pack mounting portion is formed with a guide rib having a shape corresponding to the first guide groove, when the tip of the guide rib is inserted into the lower guide portion, the battery pack can move slightly in the left-right direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion, allowing the battery pack to move smoothly in the up-down direction. Also, when the tip of the guide rib is inserted into the upper guide portion, the left-right movement of the battery pack is restricted relative to the battery pack mounting portion, allowing the battery pack to be firmly fixed in the left-right direction.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, a side surface of the lower guide portion, a side surface of the upper guide portion, and a side surface of the middle guide portion in one of the front and rear directions may be arranged on approximately the same plane.

[0030] According to the above configuration, a guide rib corresponding to the first guide groove is formed in the battery pack mounting portion, and when the battery pack mounting portion is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, the side surfaces of the lower guide portion, the upper guide portion, and the middle guide portion, which are arranged on approximately the same plane, abut against and slide against the surfaces of the guide rib, allowing the battery pack to move smoothly in the vertical direction.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may extend in the left-right direction and include a grip portion for a user to grip.

[0032] According to the above configuration, if two guide ribs corresponding to the first guide groove and the second guide groove are formed on the battery pack mounting portion, it is possible to prevent the battery pack from tilting forward or backward when the user attaches the battery pack to the battery pack mounting portion while gripping the gripping portion.

[0033] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 2 of this embodiment is detachable from a battery pack attachment portion 101 of a charger 100. The charger 100 can charge the battery pack 2 attached to the battery pack attachment portion 101. The battery pack 2 is detachable from a battery pack attachment portion 202 of an electric device 200. The electric device 200 may be, for example, an electric tool using a motor as a power source, such as a screwdriver or a drill, or an electric work machine using a motor as a power source, such as a grass cutter or a blower. Alternatively, the electric device 200 may be an electric device that does not include a motor, such as a light, a radio, or a speaker. The electric device 200 can operate using power supplied from the battery pack 2 attached to the battery pack attachment portion 202.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 2 includes a main body 4, a right support portion 6, a left support portion 8, and a grip portion 10. The main body 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 4 includes a front surface 4a, a rear surface 4b, a right surface 4c, a left surface 4d, an upper surface 4e, and a lower surface 4f. The vertical dimension of the main body 4 is larger than the front-rear dimension of the main body 4. The left-right dimension of the main body 4 is larger than the vertical dimension of the main body 4. The vertical dimension of the main body 4 is, for example, within a range of 150.0 mm to 250.0 mm, more specifically, 171.5 mm. The front-rear dimension of the main body 4 is, for example, within a range of 70.0 mm to 120.0 mm, more specifically, 90.0 mm. The dimension of the main body 4 in the left-right direction is, for example, within a range of 170.0 mm-210.0 mm, more specifically, 190.0 mm. The right support part 6 protrudes upward from the vicinity of the right end of the upper surface 4e of the main body 4. The left support part 8 protrudes upward from the vicinity of the left end of the upper surface 4e of the main body 4. The grip part 10 extends in the left-right direction and connects the vicinity of the upper end of the left surface of the right support part 6 to the vicinity of the upper end of the right surface of the left support part 8. The weight of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 1.0 kg-4.0 kg, more specifically, 2.2 kg. The rated voltage of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 36 V-108 V, more specifically, 57.6 V. The rated capacity of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 3.0 Ah-12.0 Ah, more specifically, 4.0 Ah.

[0035] The battery pack 2 comprises a casing 12 and a plurality of battery cells 14 (see FIG. 12) housed inside the casing 12. The casing 12 comprises a front casing 12a and a rear casing 12b. The front casing 12a defines the outer shapes of the main body 4, the right support part 6, the left support part 8, and the front half of the grip part 10. The rear casing 12b defines the outer shapes of the main body 4, the right support part 6, the left support part 8, and the rear half of the grip part 10.

[0036] A remaining battery indicator 16 and a remaining battery display button 18 are provided near the front end of the top surface 4e of the main body 4. The remaining battery indicator 16 displays the remaining battery level of the battery pack 2. The remaining battery display button 18 is a button that allows the user to turn on the display of the remaining battery level by the remaining battery display indicator 16. The remaining battery display indicator 16 lights up when the remaining battery display button 18 is turned on, and automatically turns off after a predetermined time has passed. In the front-rear direction, the remaining battery display indicator 16 and the remaining battery display button 18 are disposed forward of the grip portion 10. In the left-right direction, the remaining battery display indicator 16 and the remaining battery display button 18 are disposed leftward of the right support portion 6 and rightward of the left support portion 8.

[0037] A terminal interface (hereinafter, also referred to as IF) section 20 is formed in the front lower part near the center in the left-right direction of the main body section 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal IF section 20 includes an IF upper surface 20a, an IF rear surface 20b, an IF right surface 20c, and an IF left surface 20d (see FIG. 2). The IF upper surface 20a is aligned along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, faces downward, and is offset upward from the lower surface 4f of the main body section 4. The IF rear surface 20b is aligned along the up-down direction and the left-right direction, faces forward, and is offset rearward from the front surface 4a of the main body section 4. The IF right surface 20c is aligned along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is facing leftward. The IF left surface 20d (see FIG. 2) is aligned along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is facing rightward. Furthermore, the terminal IF section 20 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating sections 22 arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the IF right surface 20c and the IF left surface 20d. Each terminal accommodating portion 22 has a lower surface 22a along the front-rear and left-right directions, a front surface 22b along the left-right and up-down directions, a right surface 22c (see FIG. 2) along the front-rear and up-down directions, and a left surface 22d along the front-rear and up-down directions. The lower surface 22a of each terminal accommodating portion 22 has a front end connected to the lower end of the front surface 22b and a rear end connected to the IF rear surface 20b. The front surface 22b of each terminal accommodating portion 22 has an upper end connected to the IF upper surface 20a. The right surface 22c and the left surface 22d of each terminal accommodating portion 22 have a front end connected to the front surface 22b and a rear end connected to the IF rear surface 20b, and an upper end connected to the IF upper surface 20a and a lower end connected to the lower surface 22a. The lower surface 22a of each terminal accommodating portion 22 is disposed above the lower surface 4f of the main body 4 and is disposed on approximately the same plane. The front faces 22b of the terminal accommodating portions 22 are disposed rearward of the front face 4a of the main body portion 4 and are substantially flush with each other. A terminal opening 22e is formed in the lower face 22a of each terminal accommodating portion 22. The terminal opening 22e is a slit-shaped through hole having a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction. A battery side terminal (not shown) is accommodated in each terminal accommodating portion 22.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, a right engagement portion 24 protruding to the left is formed on the IF right surface 20c of the terminal IF portion 20. As shown in Fig. 2, a left engagement portion 26 protruding to the right is formed on the IF left surface 20d of the terminal IF portion 20. The right engagement portion 24 and the left engagement portion 26 have positions and shapes that are symmetrical to each other. As shown in Fig. 4, the right engagement portion 24 includes a base portion 24a whose upper end is connected to the IF upper surface 20a and whose rear end is connected to the IF rear surface 20b, a rail portion 24b extending forward from the lower front end of the base portion 24a, and a tip portion 24c extending downward from the front end of the rail portion 24b. Similarly, the left engagement portion 26 has a base portion 26a whose upper end is connected to the IF upper surface 20a and whose rear end is connected to the IF rear surface 20b, a rail portion 26b extending forward from the lower front end of the base portion 26a, and a tip portion 26c extending downward from the front end of the rail portion 26b.

[0039] 5, terminal cover 28 is detachable from terminal IF unit 20. Terminal cover 28 can be attached to terminal IF unit 20 by sliding it backward relative to terminal IF unit 20. Terminal cover 28 can be removed from terminal IF unit 20 by sliding it forward relative to terminal IF unit 20. That is, terminal cover 28 can be attached and detached by sliding it forward relative to terminal IF unit 20 with the front-rear direction being the sliding direction.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal cover 28 includes a lower plate portion 28a, a front plate portion 28b, a right plate portion 28c, and a left plate portion 28d (see FIG. 7). The terminal cover 28 is, for example, a resin member, and the lower plate portion 28a, the front plate portion 28b, the right plate portion 28c, and the left plate portion 28d are integrally formed. The lower plate portion 28a has a generally flat plate shape along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The lower plate portion 28a has a generally rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction along the left-right direction and its short side direction along the front-rear direction. A finger hook protrusion 28e that protrudes downward and extends in the left-right direction is formed on the lower surface of the lower plate portion 28a. The finger hook protrusion 28e is disposed rearward of the center of the lower plate portion 28a in the front-rear direction. The front plate portion 28b extends upward from the front end of the lower plate portion 28a. The front plate portion 28b has a flat plate shape that is aligned in the up-down and left-right directions. The front plate portion 28b has a generally rectangular shape with its longer sides aligned in the left-right direction and its shorter sides aligned in the up-down direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the right plate portion 28c and the left plate portion 28d have a flat plate shape along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The right plate portion 28c and the left plate portion 28d have a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction along the front-rear direction and the short side direction along the up-down direction, with the rear upper portion cut out obliquely. The right plate portion 28c is disposed to the left of the right end of the front plate portion 28b and the right end of the lower plate portion 28a. The front end of the right plate portion 28c is connected to the vicinity of the right end of the rear surface of the front plate portion 28b. The lower end of the right plate portion 28c is connected to the vicinity of the right end of the upper surface of the lower plate portion 28a. As shown in FIG. 6, an outer reinforcing rib 28f that protrudes to the right is formed on the right surface of the right plate portion 28c. As shown in FIG. 7, an inner reinforcing rib 28g that protrudes to the left is formed on the left surface of the right plate portion 28c. The outer reinforcing rib 28f and the inner reinforcing rib 28g extend in the up-down direction. The lower end of the outer reinforcement rib 28f and the lower end of the inner reinforcement rib 28g are connected to the upper surface of the lower plate portion 28a. The left plate portion 28d is disposed to the right of the left end of the front plate portion 28b and the left end of the lower plate portion 28a. The front end of the left plate portion 28d is connected to the vicinity of the left end of the rear surface of the front plate portion 28b. The lower end of the left plate portion 28d is connected to the vicinity of the left end of the upper surface of the lower plate portion 28a. An outer reinforcement rib 28h that protrudes toward the left is formed on the left surface of the left plate portion 28d. An inner reinforcement rib 28i that protrudes toward the right is formed on the right surface of the left plate portion 28d. The outer reinforcement rib 28h and the inner reinforcement rib 28i extend in the vertical direction. The lower end of the outer reinforcement rib 28h and the lower end of the inner reinforcement rib 28i are connected to the upper surface of the lower plate portion 28a.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, a right rail 28j protruding to the right and a right engagement protrusion 28k protruding to the right are further formed on the right surface of the right plate portion 28c. The right rail 28j extends along the front-rear direction. The right plate portion 28c is formed with an upper slit 28l extending in the front-rear direction above the right engagement protrusion 28k and a lower slit 28m extending in the front-rear direction below the right engagement protrusion 28k. The right plate portion 28c is formed with the upper slit 28l and the lower slit 28m, so that the right engagement protrusion 28k is easily elastically deformed in the left-right direction. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, a left rail 28n protruding to the left and a left engagement protrusion 28o protruding to the left are further formed on the left surface of the left plate portion 28d. The left rail 28n extends along the front-rear direction. An upper slit 28p extending in the front-rear direction above the left engagement protrusion 28o and a lower slit 28q extending in the front-rear direction below the left engagement protrusion 28o are formed in the left plate portion 28d. The upper slit 28p and the lower slit 28q formed in the left plate portion 28d make the left engagement protrusion 28o easily elastically deformable in the left-right direction.

[0043] 8, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF portion 20, the lower surface of the right rail 28j of the terminal cover 28 slides against the upper surface of the rail portion 24b of the right engagement portion 24, and the lower surface of the left rail 28n of the terminal cover 28 slides against the upper surface of the rail portion 26b of the left engagement portion 26. Then, the right engagement protrusion 28k of the terminal cover 28 engages with the tip portion 24c of the right engagement portion 24, and the left engagement protrusion 28o of the terminal cover 28 engages with the tip portion 26c of the left engagement portion 26, whereby the terminal cover 28 is fixed to the terminal IF portion 20.

[0044] When the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the lower surface of the right rail 28j faces the upper surface of the rail section 24b of the right engagement section 24, and the lower surface of the left rail 28n faces the upper surface of the rail section 26b of the left engagement section 26, thereby restricting downward movement of the terminal cover 28 with respect to the terminal IF section 20. Furthermore, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the upper surface of the lower plate section 28a of the terminal cover 28 faces the lower surface 22a (see FIG. 5) of the terminal accommodating section 22, thereby restricting upward movement of the terminal cover 28 with respect to the terminal IF section 20.

[0045] In a state where the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the right surface of the right plate section 28c (see FIG. 6) faces the left surface of the base section 24a of the right engagement section 24, thereby restricting rightward movement of the terminal cover 28 relative to the terminal IF section 20. In addition, in a state where the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the left surface of the left plate section 28d (see FIG. 7) faces the right surface of the base section 26a of the left engagement section 26, thereby restricting leftward movement of the terminal cover 28 relative to the terminal IF section 20.

[0046] When the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the rear surface of the front plate section 28b faces the front surface 22b (see FIG. 3) of the terminal accommodating section 22, thereby restricting rearward movement of the terminal cover 28 relative to the terminal IF section 20. Also, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the right engaging protrusion 28k of the terminal cover 28 engages with the tip portion 24c of the right engaging section 24, and the left engaging protrusion 28o of the terminal cover 28 engages with the tip portion 26c of the left engaging section 26, thereby restricting forward movement of the terminal cover 28 relative to the terminal IF section 20.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 9, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF unit 20, the lower surface 22a of each terminal accommodating portion 22 is covered by the lower plate portion 28a of the terminal cover 28, and the terminal openings 22e of each terminal accommodating portion 22 are covered. As shown in Fig. 10, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF unit 20, the front surface 22b of each terminal accommodating portion 22 is covered by the front plate portion 28b of the terminal cover 28.

[0048] In a state where the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, the lower surface of the lower plate section 28a of the terminal cover 28 is disposed above the lower surface 4f of the main body section 4, and the lower end of the finger hook protrusion section 28e is also disposed above the lower surface 4f of the main body section 4. That is, in a state where the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, when the terminal IF section 20 is viewed from the right or left direction, the lower surface of the lower plate section 28a of the terminal cover 28 and the lower end of the finger hook protrusion section 28e are located inside the lower surface 4f of the main body section 4, and when viewed from the front or rear direction, the lower surface of the lower plate section 28a of the terminal cover 28 and the lower end of the finger hook protrusion section 28e are located inside the lower surface 4f of the main body section 4. For this reason, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF section 20, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 2 from becoming bulky in the vertical direction. 9, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF unit 20, the front surface of the front plate portion 28b of the terminal cover 28 is disposed rearward of the front surface 4a of the main body portion 4. That is, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF unit 20 and the terminal IF unit 20 is viewed from the right or left, the front surface of the front plate portion 28b of the terminal cover 28 is located inside the front surface 4a of the main body portion 4, and when viewed from above or below, the front surface of the front plate portion 28b of the terminal cover 28 is located inside the front surface 4a of the main body portion 4. For this reason, when the terminal cover 28 is attached to the terminal IF unit 20, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 2 from becoming bulky in the front-rear direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, when removing the terminal cover 28 from the terminal IF section 20, the user puts his / her finger on the finger hook protrusion 28e and slides the terminal cover 28 forward relative to the terminal IF section 20. As a result, the right engagement protrusion 28k (see FIG. 8) of the terminal cover 28 is disengaged from the tip 24c of the right engagement section 24, and the left engagement protrusion 28o (see FIG. 8) of the terminal cover 28 is disengaged from the tip 26c of the left engagement section 26, so that the terminal cover 28 is removed from the terminal IF section 20. At this time, the user may use the hook engagement groove 30 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, as a finger hook recess. That is, the user can put the thumb of one hand on the hook engagement groove 30, and put the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the same hand on the finger hook protrusion 28e, and slide the terminal cover 28 forward relative to the terminal IF section 20.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, a hook engagement groove 30 and a hook sliding groove 32 are formed on the front surface 4a of the main body 4. The hook engagement groove 30 is inclined from the front to the rear as it goes from the bottom to the top, and has an engagement surface 30a facing forward and upward. The hook engagement groove 30 is disposed near the center in the up-down direction of the front surface 4a, and is disposed near the center in the left-right direction of the front surface 4a. The left-right width of the hook engagement groove 30 is smaller than the left-right width of the terminal IF portion 20. The front-rear depth of the hook engagement groove 30 from the front surface 4a of the main body 4 is smaller than the front-rear depth of the front surface 22b of the terminal accommodating portion 22 from the front surface 4a of the main body 4. That is, in the front-rear direction, the rear end of the hook engagement groove 30 is located forward of the front surface 22b of the terminal accommodating portion 22 of the terminal IF portion 20.

[0051] The hook sliding groove 32 is disposed between the terminal IF portion 20 and the hook engagement groove 30 on the front surface 4a. The hook sliding groove 32 includes a right sliding surface 32a, a left sliding surface 32b, and a central surface 32c. The right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b are aligned in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, and are disposed on substantially the same plane behind the front surface 4a of the main body 4. The right sliding surface 32a extends vertically between the terminal IF portion 20 and the hook engagement groove 30 at the right end of the hook engagement groove 30. The left sliding surface 32b extends vertically between the terminal IF portion 20 and the hook engagement groove 30 at the left end of the hook engagement groove 30. The central surface 32c is aligned in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, and is disposed behind the right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b. The central surface 32c extends in the vertical direction between the terminal IF portion 20 and the hook engagement groove 30 to the left of the right sliding surface 32a and to the right of the left sliding surface 32b.

[0052] The depth of the central surface 32c from the front surface 4a of the main body 4 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the depth of the hook engagement groove 30 from the front surface 4a of the main body 4 in the front-rear direction. That is, in the front-rear direction, the central surface 32c is located forward of the rear end of the hook engagement groove 30. Also, the depth of the right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b from the front surface 4a of the main body 4 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the depth of the central surface 32c from the front surface 4a of the main body 4 in the front-rear direction. That is, in the front-rear direction, the right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b are located forward of the central surface 32c.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, a first right guide groove 34 extending in the vertical direction and a second right guide groove 36 extending in the vertical direction are formed on the right surface 4c of the main body 4. The first right guide groove 34 is disposed between the center in the front-rear direction of the right surface 4c and the rear end of the right surface 4c, toward the rear end of the right surface 4c. The second right guide groove 36 is disposed between the center in the front-rear direction of the right surface 4c and the front end of the right surface 4c, toward the front end of the right surface 4c. As shown in FIG. 3, a first left guide groove 38 extending in the vertical direction and a second left guide groove 40 extending in the vertical direction are formed on the left surface 4d of the main body 4. The first left guide groove 38 is disposed between the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface 4d and the rear end of the left surface 4d, toward the rear end of the left surface 4d. The second left guide groove 40 is disposed between the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface 4d and the front end of the left surface 4d, toward the front end of the left surface 4d. The first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 are symmetrical in position and shape to each other. The second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 are symmetrical in position and shape to each other.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, the first right guide groove 34 includes a lower guide portion 34a, an upper guide portion 34b, and an intermediate guide portion 34c. The lower guide portion 34a is a groove having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the lower end of the right surface 4c. The lower guide portion 34a has a substantially constant width in the front-rear direction and a substantially constant depth in the left-right direction. The width of the lower guide portion 34a in the front-rear direction is, for example, within a range of 8.0 mm to 15.0 mm, specifically 12.0 mm. The depth of the lower guide portion 34a in the left-right direction is, for example, within a range of 3.0 mm to 8.0 mm, specifically 5.0 mm. The upper guide portion 34b is a groove having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends in the up-down direction above the lower guide portion 34a. The width of the upper guide portion 34b in the front-rear direction and a substantially constant depth in the left-right direction. The width of the upper guide portion 34b in the front-rear direction is, for example, within a range of 5.0 mm to 12.0 mm, specifically 10.0 mm. The depth of the upper guide portion 34b in the left-right direction is, for example, within a range of 1.5 mm to 6.0 mm, specifically 4.0 mm. The width of the upper guide portion 34b in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width of the lower guide portion 34a in the front-rear direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the depth of the upper guide portion 34b in the left-right direction is smaller than the depth of the lower guide portion 34a in the left-right direction. The middle guide portion 34c is a groove having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and connects between the upper end of the lower guide portion 34a and the lower end of the upper guide portion 34b. As shown in FIG. 11, the upper guide portion 34b and the middle guide portion 34c are disposed above the center in the up-down direction of the right surface 4c. The front side surface of the lower guide portion 34a, the front side surface of the middle guide portion 34c, and the front side surface of the upper guide portion 34b are disposed on substantially the same plane. The length of the first right guide groove 34 in the vertical direction is, for example, within a range of 50.0 mm to 110.0 mm, and specifically, 95.0 mm. The first left guide groove 38 has a similar configuration to the first right guide groove 34. The first left guide groove 38 has a lower guide portion 38a, an upper guide portion 38b, and a middle guide portion 38c.

[0055] The second right guide groove 36 is a groove having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the lower end of the right surface 4c. The second right guide groove 36 has a substantially constant width in the front-rear direction and a substantially constant depth in the left-right direction. The width in the front-rear direction of the second right guide groove 36 is, for example, within a range of 1.5 mm to 10.0 mm, specifically 5.0 mm. The depth in the left-right direction of the second right guide groove 36 is, for example, within a range of 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm, specifically 3.0 mm. The length in the up-down direction of the second right guide groove 36 is, for example, within a range of 15.0 mm to 50.0 mm, specifically 29.0 mm. The width in the front-rear direction of the second right guide groove 36 is smaller than the width in the front-rear direction of the lower guide portion 34a, the upper guide portion 34b, and the middle guide portion 34c of the first right guide groove 34. The left-right depth of the second right guide groove 36 is smaller than the left-right depth of the lower guide portion 34a, the upper guide portion 34b, and the middle guide portion 34c of the first right guide groove 34. The upper end of the second right guide groove 36 is located below the center of the right surface 4c in the up-down direction. The second left guide groove 40 has a similar configuration to the second right guide groove 36.

[0056] (Installation on Charger 100) As shown in FIG. 13, the charger 100 includes a housing 102, a terminal unit 104, a hook 106, and a power cord 108. The housing 102 includes a placement portion 102a on which the battery pack 2 is placed, a right wall portion 102b arranged at the right end of the placement portion 102a and extending along the front-rear and up-down directions, a left wall portion 102c arranged at the left end of the placement portion 102a and extending along the front-rear and up-down directions, and a right rear wall portion 102d and a left rear wall portion 102e arranged at the rear end of the placement portion 102a and extending along the left-right and up-down directions. The right end of the right rear wall portion 102d is connected to the rear end of the right wall portion 102b. The left end of the left rear wall portion 102e is connected to the rear end of the left wall portion 102c. The placement portion 102a, right wall portion 102b, left wall portion 102c, right rear wall portion 102d, left rear wall portion 102e of the housing 102, the terminal unit 104, and the hook 106 constitute a battery pack attachment portion 101 of the charger 100.

[0057] A first right guide rib 110 and a second right guide rib 112 are formed on the left surface of the right wall portion 102b. The first right guide rib 110 and the second right guide rib 112 are arranged to correspond to the first right guide groove 34 and the second right guide groove 36 (see FIG. 2) of the battery pack 2. As shown in FIG. 14, a first left guide rib 114 and a second left guide rib 116 are formed on the right surface of the left wall portion 102c. The first left guide rib 114 and the second left guide rib 116 are arranged to correspond to the first left guide groove 38 and the second left guide groove 40 (see FIG. 3) of the battery pack 2. The first right guide rib 110 and the first left guide rib 114 are symmetrically positioned and shaped to each other. The second right guide rib 112 and the second left guide rib 116 are symmetrically positioned and shaped to each other.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 13, the first right guide rib 110 and the second right guide rib 112 protrude leftward from the left surface of the right wall portion 102b. The first right guide rib 110 and the second right guide rib 112 have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The first right guide rib 110 extends vertically from the upper surface of the mounting portion 102a to the upper end of the right wall portion 102b. The front-rear width and the left-right height of the first right guide rib 110 are slightly smaller than the front-rear width and the left-right depth of the lower guide portion 34a (see FIG. 2) of the first right guide groove 34 of the battery pack 2. The second right guide rib 112 extends vertically from the upper surface of the mounting portion 102a. The front-rear width, the left-right height, and the up-down length of the second right guide rib 112 are slightly smaller than the front-rear width, the left-right depth, and the up-down length of the second right guide groove 36 (see FIG. 2) of the battery pack 2. The first left guide rib 114 and the second left guide rib 116 (see FIG. 14) have a configuration similar to the first right guide rib 110 and the second right guide rib 112.

[0059] The terminal unit 104 is disposed corresponding to the terminal IF unit 20 (see FIG. 3) of the battery pack 2. As shown in FIG. 14, the terminal unit 104 includes a plurality of charger side terminals 118 and a terminal holder 120. The charger side terminals 118 are disposed corresponding to the battery side terminals of the battery pack 2. The terminal holder 120 includes a base 120a that holds the charger side terminals 118, a plurality of side wall portions 120b along the front-rear and up-down directions, and a front wall portion 120c along the left-right and up-down directions.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 13, the hook 106 is attached to the front of the terminal unit 104. The hook 106 is supported by the terminal unit 104 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. The left-right width of the hook 106 is slightly smaller than the left-right width of the hook engagement groove 30 of the battery pack 2. A right engagement portion 106a is formed at the upper right end of the hook 106. A left engagement portion 106b is formed at the upper left end of the hook 106. An operation portion 106c that can be pressed by a user is formed at the front lower portion of the hook 106. The right engagement portion 106a and the left engagement portion 106b of the hook 106 are biased in a direction from the front to the rear by a torsion spring (not shown).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 15, when attaching the battery pack 2 to the battery pack mounting portion 101, the first right guide groove 34, the second right guide groove 36, the first left guide groove 38, and the second left guide groove 40 of the battery pack 2 are aligned with the first right guide rib 110, the second right guide rib 112, the first left guide rib 114, and the second left guide rib 116 of the battery pack mounting portion 101, respectively, and the battery pack 2 is then moved from above to below the battery pack mounting portion 101 to place the battery pack 2 on the upper surface of the mounting portion 102a. At this time, the terminal accommodating portion 22 (see FIG. 3) of the terminal IF portion 20 of the battery pack 2 enters the space (see FIG. 14) partitioned by the side wall portion 120b and the front wall portion 120c of the battery pack mounting portion 101, and the charger side terminal 118 of the battery pack mounting portion 101 penetrates the terminal opening 22e (see FIG. 3) of the terminal IF portion 20 of the battery pack 2 and enters into the terminal accommodating portion 22. As a result, the charger side terminal 118 of the battery pack mounting portion 101 is electrically connected to the battery side terminal of the battery pack 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the right engagement portion 106a and the left engagement portion 106b of the hook 106 engage with the right engagement portion 24 and the left engagement portion 26 of the terminal IF portion 20 of the battery pack 2, and the battery pack 2 is fixed to the battery pack mounting portion 101. As a result, the battery pack 2 is mounted to the battery pack mounting portion 101 as shown in FIG. 17. When the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 101, the charger 100 can charge the battery pack 2 using power supplied from a power cord .

[0062] In the battery pack mounting portion 101, the vertical height from the placement portion 102a to the upper ends of the right wall portion 102b and the left wall portion 102c is smaller than half the vertical height of the main body portion 4 of the battery pack 2. Therefore, the vertical length of the first right guide rib 110 and the first left guide rib 114 of the battery pack mounting portion 101 is significantly smaller than the vertical length of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 of the battery pack 2. For this reason, if the battery pack 2 does not have the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 and the battery pack mounting portion 101 does not have the second right guide rib 112 and the second left guide rib 116, the battery pack 2 may be mounted in a state inclined in the front-rear direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion 101. In this case, the battery side terminal of the battery pack 2 and the charger side terminal 118 of the battery pack mounting portion 101 are not electrically connected, so the charger 100 may not be able to charge the battery pack 2. In contrast, in this embodiment, the battery pack 2 is provided with the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40, and the battery pack mounting part 101 is provided with the second right guide rib 112 and the second left guide rib 116, so that it is possible to prevent the battery pack 2 from being mounted in a state inclined in the front-to-rear direction relative to the battery pack mounting part 101. This makes it possible to prevent the charger 100 from being unable to charge the battery pack 2.

[0063] (Attachment to electrical device 200) As shown in Fig. 18, the battery pack attachment portion 202 of the electric device 200 (see Fig. 1) includes a battery box 204, a terminal unit 206, and a hook 208. The battery box 204 has a box shape that is open at the top. The battery box 204 includes a lower plate portion 204a, a front plate portion 204b, a rear plate portion 204c, a right plate portion 204d, and a left plate portion 204e.

[0064] A right guide rib 210 protruding leftward is formed on the left surface of the right plate portion 204d. The right guide rib 210 is disposed corresponding to the first right guide groove 34 (see FIG. 2) of the battery pack 2. As shown in FIG. 19, a left guide rib 212 protruding rightward is formed on the right surface of the left plate portion 204e. The left guide rib 212 is disposed corresponding to the first left guide groove 38 (see FIG. 3) of the battery pack 2. The right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are symmetrically positioned and shaped to each other. As shown in FIG. 18, the right guide rib 210 includes a lower guide portion 210a, an upper guide portion 210b, and a middle guide portion 210c. The lower guide portion 210a is a rib having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and extends upward from the upper surface of the lower plate portion 204a. The lower guide portion 210a has a substantially constant width in the front-rear direction and a substantially constant height in the left-right direction. The width in the front-rear direction and the height in the left-right direction of the lower guide portion 210a are slightly smaller than the width in the front-rear direction and the depth in the left-right direction of the lower guide portion 34a (see FIG. 2) of the first right guide groove 34 of the battery pack 2. The upper guide portion 210b is a rib having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and extends in the vertical direction above the lower guide portion 210a. The width in the front-rear direction and the depth in the left-right direction of the upper guide portion 210b are substantially constant. The width in the front-rear direction and the height in the left-right direction of the upper guide portion 210b are slightly smaller than the width in the front-rear direction and the depth in the left-right direction of the upper guide portion 34b (see FIG. 2) of the first right guide groove 34 of the battery pack 2. The middle guide portion 210c is a rib having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and connects the upper end of the lower guide portion 210a and the lower end of the upper guide portion 210b. The front-rear width and left-right height of the middle guide portion 210c are slightly smaller than the front-rear width and left-right depth of the middle guide portion 34c (see FIG. 2) of the first right guide groove 34 of the battery pack 2. The front surfaces of the lower guide portion 210a, the middle guide portion 210c, and the upper guide portion 210b are disposed on approximately the same plane. As shown in FIG. 19, the left guide rib 212 has a similar configuration to the right guide rib 210. The left guide rib 212 has a lower guide portion 212a, an upper guide portion 212b, and a middle guide portion 212c.

[0065] A right mounting rib 214 and a left mounting rib 216 that protrude upward are formed on the upper surface of the lower plate portion 204a. The right mounting rib 214 and the left mounting rib 216 extend in the front-rear direction from the rear surface of the front plate portion 204b to the front surface of the rear plate portion 204c. When the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 202, the upper surface of the right mounting rib 214 and the upper surface of the left mounting rib 216 abut against the lower surface 4f (see FIG. 3) of the main body portion 4 of the battery pack 2. The right mounting rib 214 is disposed between the right end of the lower plate portion 204a and the center of the lower plate portion 204a in the left-right direction, toward the right end of the lower plate portion 204a. The left mounting rib 216 is disposed between the left end of the lower plate portion 204a and the center of the lower plate portion 204a in the left-right direction, toward the left end of the lower plate portion 204a.

[0066] The terminal unit 206 is disposed corresponding to the terminal IF section 20 (see FIG. 3) of the battery pack 2. The terminal unit 206 includes a plurality of device side terminals 218 and a terminal holder 220. The device side terminals 218 are disposed corresponding to the battery side terminals of the battery pack 2. The terminal holder 220 includes a base 220a that holds the device side terminals 218, a plurality of side wall portions 220b along the front-rear and up-down directions, and a front wall portion 220c along the left-right and up-down directions.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 18, the hook 208 is attached near the upper end of the front plate portion 204b, near the center in the left-right direction of the front plate portion 204b. The hook 208 is supported by the front plate portion 204b so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. The left-right width of the hook 208 is slightly smaller than the left-right width of the hook engagement groove 30 of the battery pack 2. As shown in FIG. 19, an engagement portion 208a is formed at the lower end of the hook 208. An operation portion 208b that can be pressed by a user is formed at the upper end of the hook 208. The hook 208 is biased by a torsion spring 222 in a direction in which the engagement portion 208a faces backward from the front.

[0068] When attaching the battery pack 2 to the battery pack mounting portion 202, the first right guide groove 34 (see FIG. 2) and the first left guide groove 38 (see FIG. 3) of the battery pack 2 are aligned with the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 of the battery pack mounting portion 202, respectively, and the battery pack 2 is moved downward from above the battery pack mounting portion 202 to be placed on the upper surfaces of the right mounting rib 214 and the left mounting rib 216. As shown in FIG. 20, when the upper guide portions 210b, 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are inserted into the lower guide portions 34a, 38a of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the battery pack 2 can move slightly in the front-rear and left-right directions relative to the battery pack mounting portion 202. Therefore, when the user moves the battery pack 2 up and down relative to the battery pack mounting portion 202, the battery pack 2 can be moved smoothly. 21, when the upper guide portions 210b, 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the upper guide portions 34b, 38b of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, and the lower guide portions 210a, 212a of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the lower guide portions 34a, 38a of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the movement of the battery pack 2 in the front-rear and left-right directions relative to the battery pack mounting portion 202 is restricted, so that the battery pack 2 can be firmly fixed in the front-rear and left-right directions. When the battery pack mounting portion 202 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity so that the direction of gravity faces rearward and downward as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the front surfaces of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 abut and slide against the front side surfaces of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38. The front surfaces of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are substantially flat, and the front side surfaces of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 are also substantially flat, so that the battery pack 2 can be moved smoothly when the user moves the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion 202. The right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 of the battery pack mounting portion 202 have a vertical length that is greater than half the vertical length of the main body 4 of the battery pack 2.Therefore, even if the charger 100 does not have the second right guide rib 112 and the second left guide rib 116, it is possible to prevent the battery pack 2 from being attached to the battery pack mounting portion 202 in a tilted state in the forward / backward direction.

[0069] When the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 202, the engagement portion 208a of the hook 208 first passes through the terminal IF portion 20 of the battery pack 2 as shown in FIG. 22, and then passes through the hook sliding groove 32 of the battery pack 2 as shown in FIG. 23, and then engages with the hook engagement groove 30 of the battery pack 2 as shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 22, when the engagement portion 208a passes through the terminal IF portion 20, the engagement portion 208a does not abut against the front surface 22b of the terminal accommodating portion 22 of the terminal IF portion 20. This makes it possible to suppress the battery pack 2 from receiving sliding resistance from the hook 208 when the battery pack 2 is moved up and down relative to the battery pack attachment portion 202. In addition, it is possible to suppress the front surface 22b of the terminal accommodating portion 22 from being worn down due to sliding. 23, when the engaging portion 208a passes through the hook sliding groove 32, the engaging portion 208a abuts against the right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b, but does not abut against the central surface 32c. This reduces the sliding resistance that the battery pack 2 receives from the hook 208 when the battery pack 2 is moved in the up-down direction relative to the battery pack attachment portion 202. In addition, it is possible to prevent the central surface 32c of the hook sliding groove 32 from being worn down due to sliding.

[0070] When the battery pack 2 is placed on the upper surface of the right mounting rib 214 and the left mounting rib 216, the terminal accommodating portion 22 (see FIG. 3) of the terminal IF portion 20 of the battery pack 2 enters the space (see FIG. 19) partitioned by the side wall portion 220b and the front wall portion 220c of the battery pack mounting portion 202, and the device side terminal 218 of the battery pack mounting portion 202 penetrates the terminal opening 22e (see FIG. 3) of the terminal IF portion 20 of the battery pack 2 and enters the terminal accommodating portion 22. As a result, the device side terminal 218 of the battery pack mounting portion 202 is electrically connected to the battery side terminal of the battery pack 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 24, the engaging portion 208a of the hook 208 engages with the hook engaging groove 30 of the battery pack 2, and the battery pack 2 is fixed to the battery pack mounting portion 202. As a result, the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack mounting portion 202 as shown in FIG. 25. When the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 202, the electric device 200 (see FIG. 1) can operate using power supplied from the battery pack 2.

[0071] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the terminal cover 28 may not have the finger hook protrusion 28e. Alternatively, the terminal cover 28 may have a finger hook recess (not shown) instead of the finger hook protrusion 28e. The terminal cover 28 may be detachable from the terminal IF unit 20 by a method other than sliding it in the front-rear direction. The terminal cover 28 may not have the upper slits 28l, 28p, the lower slits 28m, 28q, and may not have the right engagement protrusion 28k and the left engagement protrusion 28o. The terminal cover 28 may not have the front plate portion 28b, the right plate portion 28c, or the left plate portion 28d.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 may have a substantially constant width in the front-rear direction and / or a substantially constant depth in the left-right direction from the bottom end to the top end. The second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 may have a larger length in the up-down direction, a larger width in the front-rear direction and / or a larger depth in the left-right direction than the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38. The first right guide groove 34 and the second right guide groove 36 may be disposed at a position different from that in the above embodiment on the right surface 4c of the main body 4. The first left guide groove 38 and the second left guide groove 40 may be disposed at a position different from that in the above embodiment on the left surface 4d of the main body 4. The battery pack 2 may not include the right support portion 6, the left support portion 8, and the grip portion 10.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b of the hook sliding groove 32 may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the front surface 4a of the main body 4, or may be disposed at an incline with respect to the up-down direction. The hook sliding groove 32 may have a sliding surface having a different shape and / or arrangement from the right sliding surface 32a and the left sliding surface 32b, and may have a non-sliding surface having a different shape and / or arrangement from the central surface 32c. The depth of the hook engagement groove 30 in the front-rear direction may be greater than the depth of the front surface 22b of the terminal accommodating portion 22 in the front-rear direction.

[0074] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached by moving it downward relative to the battery pack attachment parts 101, 202, and can be removed by moving it upward relative to the battery pack attachment parts 101, 202. The battery pack 2 includes a casing 12. The right and left faces 4c and 4d of the casing 12 are provided with a first right guide groove 34 and a first left guide groove 38 (examples of a first guide groove) extending upward from the lower ends of the right and left faces 4c and 4d, and a second right guide groove 36 and a second left guide groove 40 (examples of a second guide groove) extending upward from the lower ends of the right and left faces 4c and 4d. The vertical lengths of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 are different from the vertical lengths of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40.

[0075] In the above battery pack 2, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 101 on which the first right guide rib 110, the first left guide rib 114, the second right guide rib 112, and the second left guide rib 116 corresponding to the first right guide groove 34, the first left guide groove 38, the second right guide groove 36, and the second left guide groove 40 are formed, the battery pack 2 can be prevented from being tilted forward or backward. Also, in the above battery pack 2, the vertical length of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 is smaller than the vertical length of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, so that the space inside the casing 12 can be prevented from being reduced accordingly.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the vertical length of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 is less than half the vertical length of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38.

[0077] According to the above configuration, the vertical lengths of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 can be significantly reduced, which prevents the internal space of the casing 12 from becoming smaller.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 are disposed between the rear ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d and the centers of the right face 4c and the left face 4d in the front-to-rear direction. The second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 are disposed between the front ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d and the centers of the right face 4c and the left face 4d in the front-to-rear direction.

[0079] According to the above configuration, it is possible to further prevent the battery pack 2 from being tilted forward or backward when mounting the battery pack 2 to the battery pack mounting portion 101 on which the first right guide rib 110, the first left guide rib 114, the second right guide rib 112, and the second left guide rib 116 are formed. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the space inside the casing 12 from becoming small near the center of the casing 12 in the forward or backward direction.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, at the lower ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d, the front-to-rear widths of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 are different from the front-to-rear widths of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40.

[0081] According to the above configuration, the front-to-rear width of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 is smaller than the front-to-rear width of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, thereby preventing the internal space of the casing 12 from becoming smaller.

[0082] In one or more embodiments, at the lower ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d, the front-to-rear width of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 is less than half the front-to-rear width of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38.

[0083] According to the above configuration, the width of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 in the front-rear direction can be made considerably small, and accordingly, the space inside the casing 12 can be prevented from becoming small.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, the vertical lengths of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 are smaller than the vertical lengths of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38. At the lower ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d, the front-to-rear widths of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40 are smaller than the front-to-rear widths of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38.

[0085] According to the above configuration, in the vicinity of the second right guide groove 36 and the second left guide groove 40, the space inside the casing 12 can be prevented from becoming small.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 include lower guide portions 34a, 38a extending upward from the lower ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d, upper guide portions 34b, 38b disposed above the lower guide portions 34a, 38a and extending along the up-down direction, and intermediate guide portions 34c, 38c connecting the lower guide portions 34a, 38a and the upper guide portions 34b, 38b. The front-to-rear width of the upper guide portions 34b, 38b is smaller than the front-to-rear width of the lower guide portions 34a, 38a.

[0087] According to the above configuration, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment section 202 on which the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 having shapes corresponding to the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 are formed, in a state in which the upper guide portions 210b and 212b, which are the tips of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212, are fitted into the lower guide portions 34a and 38a of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the battery pack 2 can move slightly in the front-rear direction relative to the battery pack attachment section 202, so that the battery pack 2 can be moved smoothly in the up-down direction. In addition, in a state in which the upper guide portions 210b and 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the upper guide portions 34b and 38b of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the movement of the battery pack 2 in the front-rear direction relative to the battery pack attachment section 202 is restricted, so that the battery pack 2 can be firmly fixed in the front-rear direction.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, the left-right depth of the upper guides 34b, 38b is less than the left-right depth of the lower guides 34a, 38a.

[0089] According to the above configuration, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment section 202 on which the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are formed, in a state in which the upper guide portions 210b, 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the lower guide portions 34a, 38a of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the battery pack 2 can move slightly in the left-right direction relative to the battery pack attachment section 202, so that the battery pack 2 can be moved smoothly in the up-down direction. In addition, in a state in which the upper guide portions 210b, 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the upper guide portions 34b, 38b of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the left-right movement of the battery pack 2 is restricted relative to the battery pack attachment section 202, so that the battery pack 2 can be firmly fixed in the left-right direction.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38 include lower guide portions 34a, 38a extending upward from the lower ends of the right face 4c and the left face 4d, upper guide portions 34b, 38b disposed above the lower guide portions 34a, 38a and extending along the up-down direction, and intermediate guide portions 34c, 38c connecting the lower guide portions 34a, 38a and the upper guide portions 34b, 38b. The left-right depth of the upper guide portions 34b, 38b is smaller than the left-right depth of the lower guide portions 34a, 38a.

[0091] According to the above configuration, when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment section 202 on which the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are formed, in a state in which the upper guide portions 210b, 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the lower guide portions 34a, 38a of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the battery pack 2 can move slightly in the left-right direction relative to the battery pack attachment section 202, so that the battery pack 2 can be moved smoothly in the up-down direction. In addition, in a state in which the upper guide portions 210b, 212b of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are fitted into the upper guide portions 34b, 38b of the first right guide groove 34 and the first left guide groove 38, the left-right movement of the battery pack 2 is restricted relative to the battery pack attachment section 202, so that the battery pack 2 can be firmly fixed in the left-right direction.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, the front sides of the lower guides 34a, 38a, the front sides of the upper guides 34b, 38b, and the front sides of the middle guides 34c, 38c are disposed substantially on the same plane.

[0093] According to the above configuration, the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212 are formed, and when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack mounting portion 202 which is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, the side surfaces of the lower guide portions 34a, 38a, the side surfaces of the upper guide portions 34b, 38b, and the side surfaces of the intermediate guide portions 34c, 38c, which are arranged on approximately the same plane, abut against and slide against the surfaces of the right guide rib 210 and the left guide rib 212, respectively, so that the battery pack 2 can be moved smoothly in the vertical direction.

[0094] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 extends in the left-right direction and includes a grip portion 10 for a user to grip.

[0095] According to the above configuration, when a user attaches the battery pack 2 to the battery pack mounting portion 101, on which the first right guide rib 110, the first left guide rib 114, the second right guide rib 112, and the second left guide rib 116 are formed, while gripping the gripping portion 10, the battery pack 2 can be prevented from tilting forward or backward. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 2: Battery pack 4: Main body 4a:Front 4b: Rear side 4c: Right side 4d: left side 4e:Top surface 4f: Bottom surface 6: Right support part 8:Left support part 10: Grip part 12: Casing 12a: Front casing 12b: Rear casing 14: Battery cell 16: Remaining battery indicator 18: Remaining battery level display button 20: Terminal IF section 20a: IF top surface 20b:IF rear side 20c :IF right side 20d :IF left side 22: Terminal housing 22a: Bottom surface 22b:Front 22c: Right side 22d: Left side 22e: Terminal opening 24: Right engagement part 24a: base 24b: Rail section 24c:Tip 26: Left engagement part 26a: base 26b: Rail section 26c:Tip 28: Terminal cover 28a: Lower plate part 28b: Front plate part 28c: Right plate 28d: Left plate part 28e: Finger hook protrusion 28f: Outer reinforcing rib 28g: Internal reinforcement rib 28h: Outer reinforcing rib 28i: Inner reinforcing rib 28j: Right rail 28k: Right engagement convex part 28l: Top slit 28m: Lower slit 28n: Left rail 28o: Left engagement convex part 28p: Top slit 28q: Lower slit 30: Hook engagement groove 30a: Engagement surface 32: Hook sliding groove 32a: Right sliding surface 32b:Left sliding surface 32c: Central plane 34: First right guide groove 34a: Lower guide part 34b: Upper guide part 34c: Intermediate guide section 36: Second right guide groove 38: First left guide groove 38a: Lower guide part 38b: Upper guide part 38c: Intermediate guide section 40: Second left guide groove 100: Charger 101: Battery pack attachment part 102: Housing 102a: Placement section 102b: Right wall part 102c:Left wall part 102d:Right rear wall 102e: Left rear wall 104: Terminal unit 106: Hook 106a: Right engagement part 106b: Left engaging part 106c:Operation unit 108: Power cord 110: First right guide rib 112: Second right guide rib 114: First left guide rib 116: Second left guide rib 118: Charger side terminal 120: Terminal holder 120a: base 120b: Side wall part 120c: Front wall 200: Electrical equipment 202: Battery pack attachment part 204: Battery box 204a: Lower plate part 204b: Front plate part 204c: Rear plate part 204d: Right plate 204e: Left plate part 206: Terminal unit 208: Hook 208a: Engagement part 208b:Operation unit 210: Right guide rib 210a: Lower guide section 210b: Upper guide section 210c: Intermediate guide section 212: Left guide rib 212a: Lower guide part 212b: Upper guide section 212c: Intermediate guide section 214: Right mounting rib 216: Left mounting rib 218: Device side terminal 220: Terminal holder 220a: base 220b: Side wall part 220c: Front wall 222: Torsion spring

Claims

1. A battery pack that can be attached to a battery pack attachment portion by moving it downward and can be removed from the battery pack attachment portion by moving it upward, It has a casing, The casing includes two side surfaces each extending along a vertical direction and facing in opposite directions; A direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, in which one of the two side surfaces faces, is defined as the left direction, and a direction in which the other of the two side surfaces faces is defined as the right direction. A direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-rear direction. At least one of the two side surfaces of the casing is formed with a first guide groove extending upward from a lower end of the side surface and a second guide groove extending upward from the lower end of the side surface, a vertical length of the first guide groove and a vertical length of the second guide groove are different from each other, The first guide groove is a lower guide portion extending upward from the lower end of the side surface; an upper guide portion disposed above the lower guide portion and extending along the up-down direction; An intermediate guide portion is provided to connect the lower guide portion and the upper guide portion, The battery pack, wherein the upper guide portion has a depth in the left-right direction that is smaller than the depth in the left-right direction of the lower guide portion.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the length of the second guide groove in the vertical direction is smaller than half the length of the first guide groove in the vertical direction.

3. The first guide groove is disposed between one end of the side surface and a center of the side surface in the front-rear direction, 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the second guide groove is disposed between the other end of the side surface and a center of the side surface in the front-rear direction.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a width in the front-rear direction of the first guide groove and a width in the front-rear direction of the second guide groove are different at the lower end of the side surface.

5. The battery pack of claim 4 , wherein the width of the second guide groove in the front-rear direction at the lower end of the side surface is smaller than half the width of the first guide groove in the front-rear direction.

6. The length of the second guide groove in the vertical direction is smaller than the length of the first guide groove in the vertical direction, 6. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein at the lower end of the side surface, a width of the second guide groove in the front-rear direction is smaller than a width of the first guide groove in the front-rear direction.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a width in a front-rear direction of the upper guide portion is smaller than a width in a front-rear direction of the lower guide portion.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a side surface of the lower guide portion, a side surface of the upper guide portion, and a side surface of the middle guide portion in one of the front and rear directions are arranged on the same plane.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a grip portion extending in the left-right direction and adapted for a user to grip the battery pack.

10. A battery pack that can be attached to a battery pack attachment portion by moving it downward and can be removed from the battery pack attachment portion by moving it upward, It has a casing, The casing includes two side surfaces each extending along a vertical direction and facing in opposite directions; A direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, in which one of the two side surfaces faces, is defined as the left direction, and a direction in which the other of the two side surfaces faces is defined as the right direction. A direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-rear direction. A guide groove is formed in at least one of the two side surfaces of the casing, the guide groove extending upward from a lower end of the side surface, The guide groove is a lower guide portion extending upward from the lower end of the side surface; an upper guide portion disposed above the lower guide portion and extending along the up-down direction; An intermediate guide portion is provided to connect the lower guide portion and the upper guide portion, The battery pack, wherein the upper guide portion has a depth in the left-right direction that is smaller than the depth in the left-right direction of the lower guide portion.

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