Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables a user to easily put his / her finger on a recessed portion for putting a finger on a battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery pack may include a casing 20 having a bottom surface and a front surface, and a plurality of battery cells 28 housed within said casing. Finger hooking recess portions 54 and 56 on which a user puts his / her fingers may be formed over the lower surface and the front surface of the casing. A non-slip portion 54c for preventing the user's finger from slipping from the rear to the front may be provided in the finger hook recesses. The plurality of battery cells may include a first battery cell arranged at the frontmost of the plurality of battery cells. When the battery pack is viewed from below, the finger hook recesses and the first battery cell may at least partially overlap each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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. The battery pack can be attached and detached by sliding it relative to a battery pack attachment part of an electrical device. When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removed from the battery pack attachment part is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack is slid when attached to the battery pack attachment part is defined as the rearward direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction, the battery pack includes a casing having a bottom surface and a front surface, and a plurality of battery cells housed inside the casing. A finger hook recess is formed on the bottom surface of the casing for a user to hook their finger on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2375468 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the type of electrical device, the housing of the electrical device may be shaped to cover the underside of the battery pack when the battery pack is attached to the battery pack attachment part. In this case, it may be difficult for a user to place their finger in the finger hook recess when removing the battery pack from the battery pack attachment part. This specification provides a technology that makes it easier for a user to place their finger in the finger hook recess of a battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The battery pack disclosed herein may be detachable by sliding it relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device. When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, and a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction, the battery pack may include a casing having a bottom surface and a front surface, and a plurality of battery cells housed inside the casing. A finger hook recess may be formed on the bottom surface and the front surface of the casing for a user to hook their finger. The finger hook recess may be provided with an anti-slip portion to prevent the user's finger from slipping from the back to the front. The plurality of battery cells may include a first battery cell that is disposed furthest forward among the plurality of battery cells. When the battery pack is viewed from below, the finger hook recess and the first battery cell may at least partially overlap.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the finger hook recess is formed from the underside to the front side of the casing, so that even when the underside of the battery pack is covered by the housing of the electrical device when the battery pack is attached to the battery pack attachment part, the user can easily hook their finger in the finger hook recess. Also, according to the above configuration, the finger hook recess is provided with a non-slip portion, so that the user can easily grip the battery pack by hooking their finger in the finger hook recess. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the finger hook recess is provided using the space below the first battery cell, so that the dimension of the battery pack in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery pack 2 and an electric device 4 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment, seen from above on the front left. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of an engaging member 42 of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment, as viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of an engaging member 42 of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the rear left below. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of an operating member 44 of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment, viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of an operating member 44 of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the rear left below. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of the positional relationship between an engagement member 42, an operating member 44, and compression springs 46, 48 of a battery pack 2 according to the embodiment, as viewed from above on the front left. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to an embodiment, viewed from the front left below. [Figure 10] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first finger-hook recess 54 and a second finger-hook recess 56 of the battery pack 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of how a user grips a battery pack 2 in accordance with an embodiment when the battery pack 2 is attached to an electric device 4. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of how a user grips the battery pack 2 in accordance with the embodiment when the battery pack 2 is attached to an electric device 4. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing yet another example of how the user grips the battery pack 2 in accordance with the embodiment in a state where the battery pack 2 is attached to the electrical device 4. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first finger-hook recess 54 and a second finger-hook recess 56 of a battery pack 2 according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first finger-hook recess 54 and a second finger-hook recess 56 of a battery pack 2 according to another modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first finger-hook recess 54 and a second finger-hook recess 56 of a battery pack 2 according to yet another modified example. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first finger-hook recess 54 and a second finger-hook recess 56 of a battery pack 2 according to yet another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Representative, 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. Furthermore, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or in conjunction with other features and inventions to provide further improved battery packs.

[0009] Furthermore, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential to practicing the invention in its broadest sense, but are described solely to specifically illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the various features of the following exemplary embodiments and those described in the claims do not necessarily have to be combined in the exact embodiments described herein or in the exact order listed to provide additional and useful embodiments of the invention.

[0010] All features described in this 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 detachable by sliding it relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device. When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, and a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction, the battery pack may include a casing having a bottom surface and a front surface, and a plurality of battery cells housed inside the casing. A finger hook recess may be formed on the bottom surface and the front surface of the casing for a user to hook their finger. The finger hook recess may be provided with an anti-slip portion that prevents the user's finger from slipping from the back to the front. The plurality of battery cells may include a first battery cell that is disposed furthest forward among the plurality of battery cells. When the battery pack is viewed from below, the finger hook recess and the first battery cell may at least partially overlap.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include a second battery cell disposed below the first battery cell, and the finger hook recess and the second battery cell may at least partially overlap when the battery pack is viewed from the front.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the finger hook recess is provided below the first battery cell and in front of the second battery cell, thereby reducing the front-to-back and up-to-down dimensions of the battery pack.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may be held in the casing so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and may further include an engaging member that engages with the electrical device when the battery pack is attached to the battery pack attachment portion, an operating member that has an operation surface that is operated by the user and that moves the engaging member downward when the operation surface is pressed, and a biasing member that biases the engaging member upward. The casing may further have a top surface. The operation surface may be exposed on the top surface of the casing.

[0015] According to the above configuration, when removing the battery pack from the battery pack attachment portion, the user can hold the battery pack while performing a pressing operation on the operation surface by placing the thumb of one hand in the finger loop recess and pressing the operation surface with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the same hand, or by placing the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of one hand in the finger loop recess and pressing the operation surface with the thumb of the same hand.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the finger recess and the operation surface may at least partially overlap when the battery pack is viewed from below.

[0017] According to the above configuration, when a user holds the battery pack while performing a pressing operation on the operation surface, the user can easily hold the battery pack.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the finger recess may include a finger surface along the front-rear and left-right directions, and a protrusion that protrudes forward and downward from the finger surface. The protrusion may constitute the anti-slip portion.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when a user presses the pad of his / her finger against the finger hook surface, the convex portion prevents the finger from slipping from the rear to the front. A slip-preventing portion of the finger hook recess can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the finger recess may include a plurality of ribs that protrude downward, extend laterally, and are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The plurality of ribs may constitute the anti-slip portion.

[0021] According to the above configuration, when a user presses the pads of their fingers against the tips of the ribs, the ribs prevent the fingers from slipping from the rear to the front. A simple configuration can be achieved to provide an anti-slip portion for the finger hook recess.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the finger hook recess may have a finger hook surface that is aligned in the left-right direction and slopes from bottom to top as it moves from the front to the rear. The sloped finger hook surface may constitute the anti-slip portion.

[0023] According to the above configuration, when a user presses the pad of a finger against the finger surface, the inclined finger surface prevents the finger from slipping from the rear to the front. A slip-preventing portion of the finger recess can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0024] (Example) The battery pack 2 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is attached to an electrical device 4 for use. The electrical device 4 is an electrical device that operates using power supplied from the battery pack 2. The electrical device 4 may be, for example, a motor-powered power tool such as a screwdriver or drill, or a motor-powered electric work machine such as a brush cutter or blower. Alternatively, the electrical device 4 may be an electrical device that does not have a motor, such as a light, radio, or speaker. Alternatively, the electrical device 4 may be a charger that supplies power to the battery pack 2. The rated voltage of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 36 V. The maximum voltage of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 40 V. The rated capacity of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 8.0 Ah.

[0025] The electrical device 4 includes a battery pack mounting portion 10. The battery pack 2 can be attached to the battery pack mounting portion 10 by sliding it in a predetermined sliding direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion 10. Hereinafter, the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when attached to the battery pack mounting portion 10 will be referred to as the rearward direction, and the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion 10 will be referred to as the forward direction. Furthermore, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 10 is located as viewed from the battery pack 2 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack mounting portion 10 will be referred to as the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction will be referred to as the downward direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction will be referred to as the left-right direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2 , the battery pack 2 includes a casing 20 and a battery cell unit 22 housed inside the casing 20. The casing 20 includes a lower casing 24 and an upper casing 26. The vertical dimension of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 60 mm to 150 mm, more specifically, for example, 110 mm. The front-rear dimension of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 80 mm to 200 mm, more specifically, for example, 152 mm. The left-right dimension of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 60 mm to 120 mm, more specifically, for example, 85 mm. The weight of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 1.0 kg to 2.0 kg, more specifically, for example, 1.9 kg.

[0027] The battery cell unit 22 includes a plurality of battery cells 28, a resin cell holder 30 that holds the plurality of battery cells 28, and a control circuit board 32 that is held by the cell holder 30 above the cell holder 30. Battery terminals (not shown) are provided on the top surface of the control circuit board 32.

[0028] The multiple battery cells 28 are arranged in four vertical tiers. Each battery cell 28 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery cell. Each battery cell 28 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction. Each battery cell 28 is, for example, an 18650 type battery cell with a diameter of 18 mm and a longitudinal dimension of 65 mm. In the first tier from the bottom, four battery cells 28 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the first tier from the bottom are arranged so that their positions in the up-to-down direction are substantially the same. In the second tier from the bottom, five battery cells 28 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the second tier from the bottom are arranged so that the centers of the battery cells 28 do not overlap with the centers of the battery cells 28 in the first tier from the bottom. Of the battery cells 28 in the second tier from the bottom, the first battery cell 28a from the front and the first battery cell 28b from the back are arranged slightly lower than the other battery cells 28. In the third row from the bottom, six battery cells 28 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the third row from the bottom are arranged so that the center positions of the respective battery cells 28 in the third row from the bottom do not overlap with the center positions of the respective battery cells 28 in the second row from the bottom in the front-to-rear direction. Of the battery cells 28 in the third row from the bottom, the first battery cell 28c from the front and the first battery cell 28d from the back are arranged slightly lower than the other battery cells 28. Of the battery cells 28 in the third row from the bottom, the first battery cell 28c from the front is located at the frontmost position of the multiple battery cells 28. In the fourth row from the bottom, i.e., the first row from the top, five battery cells 28 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the fourth row from the bottom are arranged so that the center positions of the respective battery cells 28 in the fourth row from the bottom do not overlap with the center positions of the respective battery cells 28 in the third row from the bottom in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the fourth row from the bottom are arranged so that their positions in the up-down direction are approximately the same.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper surface 26a of the upper casing 26 is formed with a terminal opening 34, a battery-side rail 36, an engagement opening 38, and an operation opening 40. The terminal opening 34 is located at a position corresponding to the battery-side terminal of the control circuit board 32. When attaching the battery pack 2 to the battery pack mounting portion 10, the device-side terminal (not shown) of the battery pack mounting portion 10 enters the upper casing 26 through the terminal opening 34. This mechanically engages and electrically connects the device-side terminal with the battery-side terminal. The battery-side rail 36 extends in the front-rear direction on the left and right sides of the terminal opening 34. When attaching the battery pack 2 to the battery pack mounting portion 10, the battery-side rail 36 engages with the device-side rail (not shown) of the electrical device 4 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The engagement opening 38 is located forward of the terminal opening 34. An engagement member 42 is attached to the engagement opening 38. The operation opening 40 is disposed forward of the engagement opening 38. An operation member 44 is attached to the operation opening 40.

[0030] 4, the engaging member 42 includes a base 42a, an engaging portion 42b protruding upward from the base 42a, a right support portion 42c disposed on the right side of the base 42a, and a left support portion 42d disposed on the left side of the base 42a. The base 42a includes a right wall 42e disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions at the right end of the base 42a, a left wall 42f disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions at the left end of the base 42a, a central wall 42g disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions at the center of the base 42a in the left-right direction, a rear wall 42h disposed along the left-right and up-down directions and connecting the rear portion of the right wall 42e, the rear portion of the left wall 42f, and the rear portion of the central wall 42g, and a rear wall 42h disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions. The engaging portion 42b includes a right engaging portion 42l disposed at the right end of the engaging portion 42b, a left engaging portion 42m disposed at the left end of the engaging portion 42b, and a connecting portion 42n connecting the right engaging portion 42l and the left engaging portion 42m. The right engagement portion 42l is arranged in the left-right and up-down directions and includes a right engagement surface 42o facing forward and a right inclined surface 42p that is arranged rearward of the right engagement surface 42o facing rearward and upward and is inclined downward as it extends from front to rear. The left engagement portion 42m is arranged in the left-right and up-down directions and includes a left engagement surface 42q facing forward and a left inclined surface 42r that is arranged rearward of the left engagement surface 42q facing rearward and upward and is inclined downward as it extends from front to rear.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the right support portion 42c has a spring receiving groove 42s that is generally cylindrical and opens downward. The left support portion 42d has a spring receiving groove 42t that is generally cylindrical and opens downward. A compression spring 46 (see FIG. 8) is attached to the spring receiving groove 42s. A compression spring 48 (see FIG. 8) is attached to the spring receiving groove 42t. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of the cell holder 30 is formed with a spring support portion 30a that supports the compression spring 46 and a spring support portion (not shown) that supports the compression spring 48. The compression springs 46, 48 urge the engaging member 42 upward relative to the cell holder 30. The engaging member 42 is attached to the upper casing 26 with the engaging portion 42b protruding from the engaging opening 38 to the outside of the upper casing 26. The engaging member 42 is held by the upper casing 26 so as to be movable in the up-down direction but not movable in the front-rear or left-right directions.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the operating member 44 includes an operating portion 44a, a support portion 44b disposed below and in front of the operating portion 44a, and an abutment portion 44c disposed behind the operating portion 44a. The operating portion 44a includes an upper operating surface 44d that receives a pressing operation by the user, and a lower operating surface 44e that bends downward and forward from the front end of the upper operating surface 44d and receives a pressing operation by the user. A non-slip portion 44f is formed on the upper operating surface 44d. The non-slip portion 44f protrudes upward from the upper operating surface 44d and includes multiple ribs 44g extending in the left-right direction. The multiple ribs 44g are arranged side by side at intervals of, for example, approximately 1 mm in the front-to-rear direction, and each rib has a width of, for example, approximately 1 mm in the front-to-rear direction. The support portion 44b includes a right rotation shaft 44h that extends rightward from the lower right end of the support portion 44b and a left rotation shaft 44i that extends leftward from the lower left end of the support portion 44b. The contact portion 44c includes a right contact piece 44j extending rearward and a left contact piece 44k extending rearward. The right contact piece 44j and the left contact piece 44k are arranged side by side. As shown in Fig. 7, a stopper 44l protruding downward is formed on the back side of the upper operating surface 44d of the operating portion 44a.

[0033] 2, the operating member 44 is attached to the upper casing 26 so that the upper operating surface 44d and the lower operating surface 44e of the operating portion 44a are exposed to the outside of the upper casing 26 through the operation opening 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the operating member 44 is attached to the upper casing 26 with the right contact piece 44j and the left contact piece 44k inserted into the base portion 42a of the engaging member 42. The operating member 44 is rotatably held in the upper casing 26 via the right rotation shaft 44h and the left rotation shaft 44i.

[0034] With the engaging member 42 and the operating member 44 attached to the upper casing 26, the right contact piece 44j of the operating member 44 is disposed above the right beam 42j of the engaging member 42, and the left contact piece 44k of the operating member 44 is disposed above the left beam 42k of the engaging member 42. Therefore, the compression springs 46, 48 urge the engaging member 42 upward relative to the cell holder 30, thereby pressing the engaging member 42 against the upper casing 26, and the right contact piece 44j and left contact piece 44k of the operating member 44 are pushed upward by the right beam 42j and left beam 42k of the engaging member 42, and the operating member 44 is also pressed against the upper casing 26.

[0035] When attaching the battery pack 2 to the battery pack attachment portion 10 of the electric device 4, the housing 12 of the electric device 4 (see FIGS. 11 to 13) abuts against the right inclined surface 42p and the left inclined surface 42r of the engagement member 42 and moves from rear to front, thereby pressing the engagement member 42 downward against the biasing force of the compression springs 46, 48. Thereafter, when the engagement groove 14 of the housing 12 of the electric device 4 (see FIGS. 11 to 13) moves above the engagement portion 42b of the engagement member 42, the biasing force of the compression springs 46, 48 pushes the engagement member 42 upward, and the engagement portion 42b enters the engagement groove 14. In this state, the right engagement surface 42o and the left engagement surface 42q of the engagement member 42 are positioned opposite the engagement surface 14a of the engagement groove 14 (see FIGS. 11 to 13), preventing the battery pack 2 from sliding forward relative to the battery pack attachment portion 10. This prevents the battery pack 2 from being removed from the battery pack attachment portion 10.

[0036] When removing the battery pack 2 from the battery pack mounting portion 10, the user presses the upper operation surface 44d or the lower operation surface 44e of the operation member 44. This operation causes the operation member 44 to rotate around the right rotation shaft 44h and the left rotation shaft 44i as rotation axes. At this time, the operation member 44 can rotate until the stopper 44l (see FIG. 2) abuts against the stopper 30b (see FIG. 2) formed on the cell holder 30. As the operation member 44 rotates, the right beam 42j and the left beam 42k of the engagement member 42 are pressed downward by the right abutment piece 44j and the left abutment piece 44k of the operation member 44, and the engagement member 42 is pressed downward against the biasing forces of the compression springs 46, 48. This causes the engaging portion 42b of the engaging member 42 to come out of the engaging groove 14 (see FIGS. 11 to 13) of the housing 12 of the electrical device 4, allowing the battery pack 2 to slide forward relative to the battery pack mounting portion 10. From this state, the user can remove the battery pack 2 from the battery pack mounting portion 10 by sliding the battery pack 2 forward relative to the battery pack mounting portion 10.

[0037] 9, front guard portions 50 that protrude forward and downward are formed at the front lower right and front lower left ends of the lower casing 24. Rear guard portions 52 that protrude rear and downward are formed at the rear lower right and rear lower left ends of the lower casing 24. If the battery pack 2 is accidentally dropped, the front guard portions 50 or rear guard portions 52 will hit the ground or floor.

[0038] The lower casing 24 is formed with a first finger recess 54 and a second finger recess 56. The first finger recess 54 is located more inward than the front guard portion 50, straddling the front surface 24a of the lower casing 24 and the lower surface 24b of the lower casing 24. The second finger recess 56 is located on the lower surface 24b of the lower casing 24, further rearward than the first finger recess 54. The left-right width of the first finger recess 54 and the left-right width of the second finger recess 56 are approximately the same.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 10 , the first finger hook recess 54 is arranged along the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions and includes a downward-facing finger hook surface 54a and an inclined surface 54b that is positioned rearward of the finger hook surface 54a and faces forward and downward, and is inclined downward from front to rear. In the up-down direction, the finger hook surface 54a is located above the bottom end of the first battery cell 28e from the front among the first-lowest battery cells 28. In the front-to-back direction, the rear end of the finger hook surface 54a is located rearward of the front end of the first-lowest battery cell 28a from the front among the second-lowest battery cells 28. That is, the first finger hook recess 54 is located in front of the first-lowest battery cell 28 from the front among the first-lowest battery cells 28 and below the first-lowest battery cell 28 from the second-lowest battery cells 28. An anti-slip portion 54c is formed on the finger hook surface 54a. The anti-slip portion 54c protrudes downward from the finger hook surface 54a and includes a protrusion 54d extending in the left-right direction at the front end of the finger hook surface 54a.

[0040] The second finger recess 56 includes a first convex surface 56a that protrudes slightly downward toward the rear, a second convex surface 56b that is positioned rearward of the first convex surface 56a and protrudes slightly downward toward the front, and a connecting surface 56c that connects the upper ends of the first convex surface 56a and the second convex surface 56b. The first convex surface 56a is inclined overall, from bottom to top as it moves from front to rear. The second convex surface 56b is inclined overall, from top to bottom as it moves from front to rear.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 , the shape of the housing 12 near the battery pack attachment portion 10 of the electrical device 4 varies depending on the type of electrical device 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 10, the housing 12 of the electrical device 4 may be present not only on the upper surface 26 a of the battery pack 2 but also on the lower surface 24 b of the battery pack 2. In such a case, if the gap between the lower surface 24 b of the battery pack 2 and the housing 12 is small, the user's fingers cannot fit between them, making it difficult to grip the battery pack 2. However, the battery pack 2 of this embodiment has a first finger hook recess 54 that spans the front surface 24 a and the lower surface 24 b of the battery pack 2. This allows the user to grip the battery pack 2 by placing their index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger in the first finger hook recess 54 and placing the thumb of the same hand on the upper operating surface 44 d of the operating member 44. From this state, the user can press the upper operation surface 44d with their thumb, thereby removing the battery pack 2 from the battery pack mounting portion 10. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12 , the user can grip the battery pack 2 by placing their thumb in the first finger hook recess 54 and the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the same hand on the upper operation surface 44d of the operating member 44. From this state, the user can press the upper operation surface 44d with their index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, thereby removing the battery pack 2 from the battery pack mounting portion 10.

[0042] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 10, the housing 12 of the electrical device 4 may extend above the upper operation surface 44d of the operation member 44. In such a case, if the distance between the upper operation surface 44d and the housing 12 is small, the user's fingers cannot fit between them, making it difficult to grip the battery pack 2. However, in the battery pack 2 of this embodiment, the operation member 44 includes the lower operation surface 44e. Therefore, the user can grip the battery pack 2 by placing the thumb in the second finger hook recess 56 and the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the same hand on the lower operation surface 44e. From this position, the user can press the lower operation surface 44e with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger to remove the battery pack 2 from the battery pack attachment portion 10. In the battery pack 2 of this embodiment, the operating member 44 is rotatably supported on the casing 20, so that the user can press the operating member 44 without applying a large amount of force, whether the pressing operation is performed on the upper operating surface 44d as shown in Figures 11 and 12 (in this case, a downward force acts on the operating member 44) or on the lower operating surface 44e as shown in Figure 13 (in this case, a rearward and downward force acts on the operating member 44).

[0043] (Variation) The first finger hook recess 54 may have various configurations. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, the protrusion 54d may be disposed at a position offset rearward from the front end of the finger hook surface 54a. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the dimension of the finger hook surface 54a in the front-to-rear direction behind the protrusion 54d is large enough to accommodate a user's finger (for example, about 10 mm).

[0044] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15, the finger hook surface 54a may not be a continuous plane, but may be a discontinuous plane constituted by the lower surfaces of a plurality of ribs 54e formed for weight reduction.

[0045] Furthermore, the anti-slip portion 54c may be formed by a structure other than the protrusions 54d. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, the anti-slip portion 54c may include a plurality of ribs 54f that protrude downward from the finger hook surface 54a and extend in the left-right direction. The plurality of ribs 54f are arranged in a row at intervals of, for example, about 1 mm in the front-rear direction, and each rib has a width of, for example, about 1 mm in the front-rear direction.

[0046] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, finger hook surface 54a may be configured to be inclined from bottom to top as it moves from the front to the rear, so that inclined finger hook surface 54a itself functions as anti-slip portion 54c.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the operating member 44 is rotatably supported by the casing 20, but the operating member 44 may be supported by the casing 20 so as to be movable up and down. In this case, the engaging member 42 and the operating member 44 may be integrally formed as a single member.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the battery cells 28 are lithium-ion battery cells, but the battery cells 28 may be other types of secondary battery cells. Also, in the above embodiment, the battery cells 28 have a generally cylindrical shape, but the battery cells 28 may have other shapes. The number of battery cells 28 included in the battery pack 2 may be different from that in the above embodiment. The arrangement of the battery cells 28 inside the battery pack 2 may be different from that in the above embodiment.

[0049] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from the battery pack mounting portion 10 of the electrical device 4 by sliding it relative to the battery pack mounting portion 10. When the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion 10 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 10 is defined as the rearward direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction, the battery pack 2 includes a casing 20 having a bottom surface 24b and a front surface 24a, and a plurality of battery cells 28 housed inside the casing 20. A first finger recess 54 (an example of a finger recess) for a user to hook their finger is formed between the bottom surface 24b and the front surface 24a of the casing 20. The first finger recess 54 is provided with an anti-slip portion 54c that prevents the user's finger from slipping from the rear to the front. The plurality of battery cells 28 includes a battery cell 28c (an example of a first battery cell) that is arranged furthest forward among the plurality of battery cells 28. As shown in FIG. 2, when the battery pack 2 is viewed from below, the first finger recess 54 and the battery cell 28c at least partially overlap each other.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the first finger hook recess 54 is formed from the underside 24b to the front side 24a of the casing 20, so that even when the underside 24b of the battery pack 2 is covered by the housing 12 of the electrical device 4 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 10, the user can easily hook their finger in the first finger hook recess 54. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the first finger hook recess 54 is provided with the anti-slip portion 54c, so that the user can easily hook their finger in the first finger hook recess 54 and grip the battery pack 2. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the first finger hook recess 54 is provided using the space below the battery cell 28c, so that the dimension of the battery pack 2 in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 further includes a battery cell 28e (an example of a second battery cell) that is positioned below the battery cell 28c among the plurality of battery cells 28. As shown in FIG. 2, when the battery pack 2 is viewed from the front, the first finger recess 54 and the battery cell 28e at least partially overlap each other.

[0052] According to the above configuration, the first finger hook recess 54 is provided below the battery cell 28c and in front of the battery cell 28e, thereby reducing the dimensions of the battery pack 2 in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 is held in the casing 20 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and has an engaging member 42 that engages with the electrical device 4 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack attachment portion 10, and an upper operation surface 44d and a lower operation surface 44e (examples of operation surfaces) that are operated by a user, and further includes an operation member 44 that moves the engaging member 42 downward when the upper operation surface 44d or the lower operation surface 44e is pressed, and compression springs 46, 48 (examples of biasing members) that bias the engaging member 42 upward. The casing 20 also has an upper surface 26a. The upper operation surface 44d and the lower operation surface 44e are exposed on the upper surface 26a of the casing 20.

[0054] According to the above configuration, when removing the battery pack 2 from the battery pack attachment portion 10, the user can hold the battery pack 2 while performing a pressing operation on the upper operation surface 44d and the lower operation surface 44e by placing the thumb of one hand in the first finger hook recess 54 and pressing the upper operation surface 44d and the lower operation surface 44e with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the same hand, or by placing the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of one hand in the first finger hook recess 54 and pressing the upper operation surface 44d and the lower operation surface 44e with the thumb of the same hand.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, when the battery pack 2 is viewed from below, the first finger recess 54 at least partially overlaps with the upper operation surface 44d and the lower operation surface 44e.

[0056] According to the above configuration, when the user holds the battery pack 2 while performing a pressing operation on the upper operation surface 44d and the lower operation surface 44e, the user can easily hold the battery pack 2.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the first recessed finger hook 54 includes a finger hook surface 54a extending in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions, and a protrusion 54d that protrudes downward from and in front of the finger hook surface 54a. In this case, the protrusion 54d constitutes the anti-slip portion 54c.

[0058] According to the above configuration, when a user presses the pad of his / her finger against the finger hook surface 54a, the protrusion 54d prevents the finger from slipping from the rear to the front. The anti-slip portion 54c of the first finger hook recess 54 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the first finger recess 54 includes a plurality of downwardly projecting, left-right extending ribs 54f aligned in the front-to-rear direction, which form the anti-slip portion 54c.

[0060] According to the above configuration, when a user presses the pads of their fingers against the tips of the ribs 54f, the ribs 54f prevent the fingers from slipping from the rear to the front. The anti-slip portion 54c of the first finger recess 54 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the first finger recess 54 has a finger surface 54a that is oriented in the left-right direction and slopes upward from the front to the rear. In this case, the sloped finger surface 54a forms the anti-slip portion 54c.

[0062] According to the above configuration, when a user presses the pad of his / her finger against the finger hook surface 54a, the inclined finger hook surface 54a prevents the finger from slipping from the rear to the front. The anti-slip portion 54c of the first finger hook recess 54 can be realized with a simple configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 2: Battery pack 4: Electrical equipment 10: Battery pack attachment part 12: Housing 14: Engagement groove 14a: Engagement surface 20: Casing 22: Battery cell unit 24: Lower casing 24a:Front 24b: Bottom surface 26: Upper casing 28: Battery cell 28a: Battery cell 28b: Battery cell 28c: Battery cell 28d: Battery cell 28e: Battery cell 30: Cell holder 30a: Spring support part 30b: Stopper 32: Control circuit board 34: Terminal opening 36: Battery side rail 38: Engagement opening 40:Operation opening 42: Engagement member 42a: base 42b: Engagement part 42c: Right support part 42d: Left support part 42e: Right wall 42f:Left wall 42g: Center wall 42h: Back wall 42i: Upper wall 42j: Right beam 42k:Left beam 42l: Right engaging part 42m: Left engagement part 42n:Connection part 42o: Right engagement surface 42p: Right slope 42q: Left engagement surface 42r: Left slope 42s: Spring receiving groove 42t: Spring receiving groove 44: Operating member 44a: Operation section 44b: Support part 44c: Contact part 44d: Upper operation surface 44e: Lower operation surface 44f: Anti-slip part 44g: Rib 44h: Right rotating shaft 44i: Left rotating shaft 44j: Right contact piece 44k:Left contact piece 44l: Stopper 46: Compression spring 48: Compression spring 50: Front guard 52: Rear guard 54: First finger recess 54a: Finger hook surface 54b: Inclined surface 54c: Anti-slip part 54d: Convex part 54e: Rib 54f: Rib 56: Second finger recess 56a: 1st convex surface 56b: 2nd convex surface 56c: Connection surface

Claims

1. A battery pack that can be attached to and detached from a battery pack attachment portion of an electrical device by sliding the battery pack, When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when the battery pack is removed from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack is slid when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and in which the battery pack mounting portion is located as viewed from the battery pack when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the upward direction, the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-to-right direction, The battery pack includes: a casing having a lower surface and a front surface; The battery includes a plurality of battery cells housed inside the casing, A finger hook recess for a user to hook a finger is formed from the bottom surface to the front surface of the casing, The finger recess is provided with an anti-slip portion for preventing the user's finger from slipping from the rear to the front, the plurality of battery cells includes a first battery cell that is disposed furthest forward among the plurality of battery cells; When the battery pack is viewed from below, the finger hook recess and the first battery cell at least partially overlap each other, The battery pack includes: an engaging member that is held by the casing so as to be movable in a vertical direction and that engages with the electrical device when the battery pack is attached to the battery pack attachment portion; an operating member having an operating surface operated by the user, the operating member moving the engagement member downward when the operating surface is pressed; The battery pack further includes a biasing member that biases the engagement member upward.

2. the plurality of battery cells further includes a second battery cell disposed below the first battery cell; The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the finger recess and the second battery cell at least partially overlap when the battery pack is viewed from the front.

3. The casing further has an upper surface, 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is exposed on the top surface of the casing.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the finger recess and the operation surface at least partially overlap when the battery pack is viewed from below.

5. The finger hook recess has a finger hook surface along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and a protrusion that protrudes forward of and downward from the finger hook surface, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion constitutes the anti-slip portion.

6. The finger recess includes a plurality of ribs that protrude downward, extend in the left-right direction, and are aligned in the front-rear direction, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs constitute the anti-slip portion.

7. The finger hook recess is aligned in the left-right direction and has a finger hook surface that is inclined from bottom to top as it moves from the front to the rear, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined finger hook surface constitutes the anti-slip portion.

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