Electrical equipment and equipment systems

Abstract

To disclose a technology capable of simplifying a structure of a battery pack to be mounted on an electric apparatus.SOLUTION: A battery pack comprises a battery side terminal and a housing. The housing has a groove in the vicinity of the battery side terminal. An electric apparatus comprises: a body case; and a hook that is attached to the body case and is engageable with the groove of the battery pack. Engagement of the hook with the groove makes the battery pack be fixed to the electric apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to electrical equipment and equipment systems.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-512833 discloses an electrical device with a detachable battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery-side terminal and a housing, and the housing has a groove at a position away from the battery-side terminal. The electrical device includes a main body case and a locking mechanism attached to the main body case and engageable with the groove of the battery pack. When the locking mechanism engages with the groove, the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In the electrical device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-512833, a groove is provided at a position relatively far from the battery-side terminal. In this case, when the hook of the electrical device engages with the groove of the battery pack and the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device, the battery-side terminal may rattle.

[0004] This specification discloses a technology capable of suppressing the rattling of the battery-side terminal when the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This specification discloses an electrical device with a detachable battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery-side terminal and a housing, and the housing may have a groove near the battery-side terminal. The electrical device includes a main body case and a hook attached to the main body case and engageable with the groove of the battery pack. When the hook engages with the groove, the battery pack may be fixed to the electrical device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the hook engages with a groove provided near the battery-side terminal. Since the groove is provided near the battery-side terminal, the battery-side terminal is firmly fixed when the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device. Therefore, rattling of the battery-side terminal when the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device can be suppressed.

[0007] This specification also discloses a device system including a battery pack and an electrical device with a detachable battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery-side terminal and a housing, and the housing may have a groove near the battery-side terminal. The electrical device includes a main body case and a hook attached to the main body case and engageable with the groove of the battery pack. When the hook engages with the groove, the battery pack may be fixed to the electrical device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the hook engages with a groove provided near the battery-side terminal. Since the groove is provided near the battery-side terminal, the battery-side terminal is firmly fixed when the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device. Therefore, rattling of the battery-side terminal when the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one or more embodiments, a detachable electrical device for a battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a battery-side terminal and a housing, and the housing may have a groove portion near the battery-side terminal. The electrical device may include a main body case and a hook attached to the main body case and engageable with the groove portion of the battery pack. The battery pack may be fixed to the electrical device by engaging the hook with the groove portion.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device further includes a terminal unit having a device-side terminal corresponding to the battery-side terminal, and the hook may be attached to the terminal unit outside the main body case.

[0012] It is not desirable for water to enter the interior of the electrical device. When the hook is attached to the terminal unit inside the main body case, it is necessary to provide an opening in the main body case for the hook to extend from the inside to the outside of the main body case. In this case, there is a possibility that water may enter the interior of the electrical device through the opening. According to the above configuration, since the hook is attached to the terminal unit outside the main body case, it is not necessary to provide an opening in the main body case for the hook to extend from the inside to the outside of the main body case. Therefore, it is possible to suppress water from entering the interior of the electrical device.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device further includes a biasing member provided between the terminal unit and the hook, and the biasing member may bias the hook from an unlock position where the battery pack is not fixed to the electrical device to a lock position where the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device.

[0014] According to the above configuration, after the battery pack is attached to the electrical device, the state in which the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device is maintained without the operator operating the hook. Therefore, the convenience of the operator can be improved.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, one of the terminal unit and the hook includes a protruding portion protruding in the axial direction, and the other of the terminal unit and the hook includes a recess portion slidably holding the protruding portion, and the hook may be rotatably attached to the terminal unit around the axis of the protruding portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration, it is possible to switch between a state where the battery pack is fixed to the electrical device and a state where the battery pack is not fixed to the electrical device with a relatively simple configuration.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the main body case may include an upper wall to which a device-side terminal corresponding to the battery-side terminal is attached, a bottom wall, a rail extending in the sliding direction of the battery pack, and a standing portion extending upward from the upper wall. The upper end of the standing portion may be located above the upper end of the hook.

[0018] According to the above configuration, when the electrical device falls with the upper ends of the standing portion and the hook facing downward, the standing portion contacts the ground. Therefore, when the electrical device falls, it is possible to prevent the hook from contacting the ground and being damaged.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may be a charger.

[0020] When the electrical device is a charger, the battery pack needs to be fixed to the electrical device while the battery pack is being charged. According to the above configuration, the hook engages with the groove portion, so that the battery pack is fixed to the charger. Therefore, the battery pack can be fixed to the charger while the battery pack is being charged.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include a terminal cover that is detachable from the housing. The housing may include a first housing surface facing the electrical device and a terminal interface portion recessed inwardly from the first housing surface. The terminal interface portion may be provided with a battery-side terminal, a groove portion, and a cover attachment portion for attaching the terminal cover to the terminal interface portion. In a state where the terminal cover is not attached to the terminal interface portion, the battery pack may be fixed to the electrical device by engaging a hook with the groove portion provided in the terminal interface portion.

[0022] According to the above configuration, compared with a configuration in which either the groove portion or the cover attachment portion is not provided in the terminal interface portion, the size of the battery pack can be reduced, and the size of the electrical device to which the battery pack is attached can also be reduced.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the terminal interface portion is recessed inwardly from the first housing surface and may include a first interface surface orthogonal to the sliding direction of the battery pack and a second interface surface extending in the sliding direction and connecting the first housing surface and the first interface surface. The cover attachment portion may include a second protruding portion protruding inwardly from the second interface surface into the terminal interface portion. The groove portion may be defined between the second protruding portion and the first interface surface.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the battery pack can be fixed to the electrical device by using the groove portion defined between the second protruding portion and the first interface surface, and the terminal cover can be attached to the housing of the electrical device.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, a device system is disclosed that includes a battery pack and an electrical device that is detachable from the battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery-side terminal and a housing. The housing has a groove portion in the vicinity of the battery-side terminal. The electrical device includes a main body case and a hook that is attached to the main body case and can engage with the groove portion of the battery pack. The battery pack may be fixed to the electrical device by the hook engaging with the groove portion.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include a terminal cover that is detachable from the housing. The housing may include a first housing surface facing the electrical device and a terminal interface portion that is recessed inward from the first housing surface. The terminal interface portion may be provided with a battery-side terminal, a groove portion, and a cover attachment portion for attaching the terminal cover to the terminal interface portion.

[0027] According to the above configuration, compared with a configuration in which either the groove portion or the cover attachment portion is not provided in the terminal interface portion, the size of the battery pack can be reduced, and the size of the electrical device to which the battery pack is attached can also be reduced.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the terminal interface portion is recessed inward from the first housing surface and may include a first interface surface perpendicular to the sliding direction of the battery pack and a second interface surface that extends in the sliding direction and connects the first housing surface and the first interface surface. The cover attachment portion may include a second protruding portion that protrudes inward from the second interface surface of the terminal interface portion. The groove portion may be defined between the second protruding portion and the first interface surface.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the battery pack can be fixed to the electric device by using the groove defined between the second protrusion and the first interface surface, and the terminal cover can be attached to the housing of the electric device.

[0030] (First Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 26, the device system 2 of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 26, the device system 2 includes a battery pack 200 and a charger 10 that can be detachably attached to the battery pack 200. The charger 10 is a battery-related device for charging the battery pack 200. The battery pack 200 is a power source for supplying power to a working machine (not shown) such as a lawn mower. The battery pack 200 is configured to be detachable from the working machine. The charger 10 is configured to charge the battery pack 200 in a state where it is removed from the working machine. Hereinafter, when the charger 10 in FIG. 2 is placed on the placement surface, the direction orthogonal to the placement surface is referred to as the vertical direction, the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is referred to as the left-right direction, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the left-right direction is referred to as the front-back direction.

[0031] (Configuration of Charger 10) Referring to FIGS. 2 to 11, the charger 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the charger 10 includes a main body case 12, a terminal unit 14, and a hook 16. The main body case 12 includes an upper case 20 and a lower case 22. The upper case 20 and the lower case 22 are fixed by screws (not shown). When the charger 10 is placed on the placement surface, the bottom wall 22a of the lower case 22 faces the placement surface. A cord outlet 24 defined by fixing the upper case 20 and the lower case 22 is provided at the lower part of the left side surface of the main body case 12. The cord outlet 24 is a hole for passing a power cord (not shown).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper wall 20a of the upper case 20 is composed of a front upper wall 30, a rear upper wall 32, and a central upper wall 34. The front upper wall 30 is provided in front of the rear upper wall 32 and is inclined such that the front side inclines downward. A display portion 36 indicating the charging state of the battery pack 200 is provided on the front upper wall 30. The central upper wall 34 is surrounded by the front upper wall 30 and the rear upper wall 32. The height of the central upper wall 34 is lower than the height of the rear upper wall 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the central upper wall 34 is inclined such that the front side inclines downward. The inclination angle of the central upper wall 34 is smaller than the inclination angle of the front upper wall 30. As shown in FIG. 7, an opening 40 is provided in the central upper wall 34. Around the opening 40, an upper rib 50 extending upward from the upper surface 34a of the central upper wall 34 is provided. The upper rib 50 surrounds the entire circumference of the opening 40. Mounting portions 52, 54 are provided on both the left and right sides of the upper rib 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting portions 52, 54 have through holes 52a, 54a penetrating the central upper wall 34 and the upper rib 50 in the vertical direction. The mounting portions 52, 54 are used to attach the terminal unit 14 to the upper case 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal unit 14 covers the opening 40 from above.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper case 20 further includes a standing portion 42. The standing portion 42 includes a front standing portion 44 extending upward from the front upper wall 30 and a rear standing portion 46 extending upward from the rear upper wall 32. The front standing portion 44 is formed at the right and left end portions of the front upper wall 30. The upper end of the front standing portion 44 is inclined such that the front side is inclined downward. The rear standing portion 46 is formed at the right end portion, the left end portion, and the rear end portion of the rear upper wall 32. On the right wall of the rear standing portion 46, a front rail 46a and a rear rail 46b protruding leftward are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, on the left wall of the rear standing portion 46, a front rail 46a and a rear rail 46b protruding rightward are provided. The front rail 46a and the rear rail 46b extend in the vertical direction. The front rail 46a and the rear rail 46b provided on the right wall have shapes corresponding to the first right guide groove 260 and the second right guide groove 262 (see FIG. 18) of the battery pack 200 described later, respectively. The front rail 46a and the rear rail 46b provided on the left wall have shapes corresponding to the first left guide groove 264 and the second left guide groove 266 (see FIG. 17) of the battery pack 200 described later, respectively. The front rail 46a and the rear rail 46b define the sliding direction (vertical direction in this embodiment) of the battery pack 200. A recess 48 is provided between the rear wall on the left side and the rear wall on the right side of the rear standing portion 46.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8, the hook 16 includes an operation portion 70, a rear wall portion 72 extending upward from the rear end of the operation portion 70, an engagement portion 74, a connecting portion 76, and a rear protruding portion 78. The operation portion 70 is operated by an operator when removing the battery pack 200 from the charger 10. The engagement portion 74 and the connecting portion 76 extend rearward from both left and right ends of the rear wall portion 72. The upper surface of the engagement portion 74 is inclined such that the rear side is inclined downward, and the lower surface of the engagement portion 74 is substantially parallel to a plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The engagement portion 74 is provided at the upper end of the rear wall portion 72. The connecting portion 76 is provided below the engagement portion 74. The connecting portion 76 is provided with a recessed portion 80 having a shape corresponding to the side protruding portions 96 and 98 of the terminal unit 14 described later. The rear protruding portion 78 extends rearward from the rear wall portion 72. The rear protruding portion 78 is provided below the connecting portion 76. A spring 140 is attached to the rear protruding portion 78. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the hook 16 is located below the upper end of the front standing portion 44. In the present embodiment, in a state where the hook 16 is not operated by the operator, the distance D1 between the upper end of the hook 16 and the upper end of the front standing portion 44 is 2 [mm].

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the terminal unit 14 includes a base 90, a front rib 92 extending upward from the upper surface 90a of the base 90, and side ribs 94a to 94f extending upward from the upper surface 90a. The side ribs 94a to 94f extend along a plane including the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The side ribs 94a to 94f are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The front rib 92 extends along a plane including the left-right direction and the vertical direction and connects the front portions of the side ribs 94a to 94f. A side protrusion 96 protruding leftward is provided at the lower front of the leftmost side rib 94f. As shown in FIG. 10, a side protrusion 98 protruding rightward is provided at the lower front of the rightmost side rib 94a. When viewed from the left-right direction, the side protrusions 96 and 98 have a circular shape. The side protrusions 96 and 98 protrude along an axis A extending in the left-right direction. By inserting the side protrusions 96 and 98 into the recessed portions 80 of the hook 16, the hook 16 can be attached to the terminal unit 14. In a state where the hook 16 is attached to the terminal unit 14, the hook 16 can rotate with respect to the terminal unit 14 about the axis A of the side protrusions 96 and 98 as a rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 9, a recess 100 is provided at the lower portion of the front rib 92. In a state where the hook 16 is attached to the terminal unit 14, a part of the spring 140 is disposed in the recess 100.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of device-side terminals 120 are attached to a base portion 90 of the terminal unit 14. The plurality of device-side terminals 120 include charging terminals 122a and 122b used for charging the battery pack 200, and signal terminals 124a to 124e used for transmitting and receiving signals with the battery pack 200. The upper surface 90a of the base portion 90 is partitioned into five terminal regions TR1 to TR5 by a front rib 92 and side ribs 94a to 94f. Charging terminals 122a and 122b are provided in the terminal regions TR1 and TR5, respectively. A signal terminal 124a is provided in the terminal region TR2. Signal terminals 124b and 124c are provided in the terminal region TR3. Signal terminals 124d and 124e are provided in the terminal region TR4. The charging terminals 122a and 122b are provided outside the signal terminals 124a to 124e in the left-right direction. The charging terminal 122a is provided on the right side of the signal terminals 124a to 124e, and the charging terminal 122b is provided on the left side of the signal terminals 124a to 124e. The signal terminals 124b and 124c are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. The signal terminals 124d and 124e are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. The signal terminal 124a is provided between the charging terminal 122a and the signal terminal 124b in the left-right direction. The lower portions of the charging terminals 122a and 122b and the signal terminals 124a to 124e are connected to a terminal board 130 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) housed in the main body case 12.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, in the terminal region TR3, a step portion 102 is provided between the signal terminal 124b and the signal terminal 124c to change the height of the front portion FP3 where the signal terminal 124b is provided and the height of the rear portion RP3 where the signal terminal 124c is provided. The front portion FP3 is inclined such that the front side inclines downward, and the rear portion RP3 is inclined such that the rear side inclines downward. In other words, the front portion FP3 is inclined such that the signal terminal 124b side is positioned lower than the step portion 102 side, and the rear portion RP3 is inclined such that the signal terminal 124c side is positioned lower than the step portion 102 side. Further, a drain hole 104 for draining the water that has reached the front portion FP3 of the terminal region TR3 is provided at the lower portion of the front rib 92 that defines the terminal region TR3. The structure within the terminal region TR4 is the same as the structure within the terminal region TR3 except that the signal terminals 124d and 124e are provided.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, in the terminal region TR1, a boundary portion 106 is provided between the charging terminal 122a and the front rib 92. In the terminal region TR1, the front portion FP1 in front of the boundary portion 106 is inclined such that the front side inclines downward, and the rear portion RP1 behind the boundary portion 106 is inclined such that the rear side inclines downward. Further, a drain hole 104 is provided at the lower portion of the front rib 92 that defines the terminal region TR1. The shapes within the terminal regions TR2 and TR5 have the same shape as within the terminal region TR1 except that the charging terminals 122b and the signal terminal 124a are provided.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 11, the terminal unit 14 further includes a lower rib 110, two boss portions 112 and 114, and terminal fixing portions 116a to 116e. The lower rib 110 extends downward from the lower surface 90b of the base portion 90. The inner contour of the lower rib 110 has a shape corresponding to the outer contour of the upper rib 50 (see FIG. 7) of the upper case 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the lower rib 110 is provided so as to be located outside the upper rib 50 of the upper case 20. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drain hole 104 is provided on the front rib 92 side rather than the lower rib 110. As shown in FIG. 11, the terminal fixing portions 116a to 116e extend downward from the lower surface 90b of the base portion 90. A charging terminal 122a is fixed to the terminal fixing portion 116a, a signal terminal 124a is fixed to the terminal fixing portion 116b, signal terminals 124b and 124c are fixed to the terminal fixing portion 116c, signal terminals 124d and 124e are fixed to the terminal fixing portion 116d, and a charging terminal 122b is fixed to the terminal fixing portion 116e. The boss portions 112 and 114 extend downward from the lower surface 90b. The boss portions 112 and 114 are provided at positions corresponding to the mounting portions 52 and 54 of the upper case 20, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameters of the boss portions 112 and 114 are smaller than the diameters of the through holes 52a and 54a of the mounting portions 52 and 54. In this embodiment, a screw B having a flange portion C with an outer diameter larger than the diameters of the through holes 52a and 54a is screwed onto the boss portions 112 and 114. The mounting portions 52 and 54 of the main body case 12 are sandwiched between the flange portion C of the screw B and the lower surface 90b of the base portion 90 of the terminal unit 14, whereby the terminal unit 14 is attached to the main body case 12. In a state where the terminal unit 14 is attached to the main body case 12, the base portion 90 of the terminal unit 14 can also be said to be a part of the upper wall 20a of the main body case 12. In a state where the terminal unit 14 is attached to the main body case 12, a gap S is provided in the left-right direction between the boss portions 112 and 114 and the mounting portions 52 and 54. Also, a gap S is provided in the left-right direction between the lower rib 110 of the terminal unit 14 and the upper rib 50 of the upper case 20. That is, the terminal unit 14 can move slightly in the horizontal direction with respect to the main body case 12.In the modification example, the screw B may not have a flange portion. In this modification example, a washer having an outer diameter larger than the through holes 52a and 54a may be used.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 16, an example of a method for determining the distance D2 between the side rib 94e and the side rib 94f will be described. Since the charging terminal 122b is a terminal used for charging, a higher voltage is applied thereto than to the signal terminals 124a to 124e. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the distance D2 so that the operator's finger does not come into contact with the charging terminal 122b. In this embodiment, the distance D2 is determined such that even when an object 300 simulating the operator's little finger enters between the side rib 94e and the side rib 94f, the distance D4 between the tip of the object 300 and the upper end of the charging terminal 122b is 1.5 [mm] or more. In this embodiment, the distance D3 between the upper ends of the side rib 94e, the side rib 94f, and the upper end of the charging terminal 122b is approximately 11 [mm]. In this case, by making the distance D2 smaller than approximately 7 [mm], even if the object 300 enters between the side rib 94e and the side rib 94f, the distance D4 can be made 1.5 [mm] or more. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance D2 is approximately 7 [mm], and the distance D3 is approximately 5 [mm]. Thus, the distance D2 can be determined based on the distance D3 and the like. The distance between the side rib 94a and the side rib 94b that defines the terminal region TR1 where the charging terminal 122a is provided is also approximately 7 [mm]. For example, when the distance D3 is 15 [mm] and the distance D2 is 10 [mm], the distance D4 is 3 [mm].

[0041] (Configuration of the battery pack 200) Referring to FIGS. 17 to 25, the battery pack 200 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the battery pack 200 includes a housing 202. The housing 202 is composed of a front housing 202a and a rear housing 202b. The housing 202 includes a main body portion 220, a right support portion 222, a left support portion 224, and a grip portion 226. The main body portion 220 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The right support portion 222 projects upward from near the right end of the upper surface of the main body portion 220. The left support portion 224 projects upward from near the left end of the upper surface of the main body portion 220. The grip portion 226 extends in the left-right direction and connects the vicinity of the upper end of the left surface of the right support portion 222 and the vicinity of the upper end of the right surface of the left support portion 224. The weight of the battery pack 200 is, for example, in the range of 1.0 kg to 4.0 kg, and more specifically, it is 2.2 kg. The rated voltage of the battery pack 200 is, for example, in the range of 36V - 108V, and more specifically, it is 57.6V. The rated capacity of the battery pack 200 is, for example, in the range of 3.0 Ah - 12.0 Ah, and more specifically, it is 4.0 Ah.

[0042] In the front lower part near the center in the left-right direction of the main body part 220, a terminal interface (hereinafter, may be referred to as "IF") part 230 is formed. The terminal IF part 230 has a concave shape with openings in the front part and the lower part. The terminal IF part 230 includes an IF upper surface 230a, an IF rear surface 230b, an IF right surface 230c, and an IF left surface 230d (see FIG. 18). The IF upper surface 230a extends along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, faces downward, and is offset upward from the lower surface 220a of the main body part 220. The IF rear surface 230b extends along the up-down direction and the left-right direction, faces forward, and is offset rearward from the front surface 220b of the main body part 220. The IF right surface 230c extends along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction and is arranged facing leftward. The IF left surface 230d (see FIG. 18) extends along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction and is arranged facing rightward. Further, the terminal IF part 230 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating parts 232 to 240 arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the IF right surface 230c and the IF left surface 230d. The terminal accommodating parts 232 to 240 extend forward from the IF rear surface 230b of the terminal IF part 230 and also extend downward from the IF upper surface 230a of the terminal IF part 230. The lower surfaces of the respective terminal accommodating parts 232 to 240 are above the lower surface 220a of the main body part 220 and are arranged on substantially the same plane. The front surfaces of the respective terminal accommodating parts 232 to 240 are rearward of the front surface 220b of the main body part 220 and are arranged on substantially the same plane. Terminal openings 232a to 240a are formed in the lower surfaces of the respective terminal accommodating parts 232 to 240. The terminal openings 232a to 240a are slit-shaped through holes having a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, a plurality of battery-side terminals 242 are accommodated in the terminal accommodating portions 232 to 240. As shown in FIG. 19, the plurality of battery-side terminals 242 include battery-side power terminals 244a and 244b, and battery-side signal terminals 246a to 246f. The battery-side power terminal 244a is accommodated in the rightmost terminal accommodating portion 232. The battery-side power terminal 244b is accommodated in the leftmost terminal accommodating portion 240. The battery-side signal terminals 246a and 246b are accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 234 on the left side of the rightmost terminal accommodating portion 232. The battery-side signal terminals 246a and 246b are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. The battery-side signal terminals 246c and 246d are accommodated in the central terminal accommodating portion 236. The battery-side signal terminals 246c and 246d are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. The battery-side signal terminals 246e and 246f are accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 238 on the right side of the leftmost terminal accommodating portion 240. The battery-side signal terminals 246e and 246f are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. The battery-side power terminals 244a and 244b are terminals corresponding to the charging terminals 122a and 122b (see FIG. 3) of the charger 10, respectively. The battery-side power terminals 244a and 244b are used for charging when the battery pack 200 is attached to the charger 10. The battery-side signal terminals 246a, 246c to 246f are terminals corresponding to the signal terminals 124a, 124b to 124e (see FIG. 3) of the charger 10, respectively. The battery-side signal terminals 246a, 246c to 246f are used for signal transmission and reception with the charger 10 when the battery pack 200 is attached to the charger 10. When the battery pack 200 is attached to a working machine such as a lawn mower, the battery-side power terminals 244a and 244b are connected to the equipment-side power terminals of the working machine and used for discharging. Also, when the battery pack 200 is attached to a working machine such as a lawn mower, the battery-side signal terminals 246b to 246f are connected to the equipment-side signal terminals of the working machine, respectively, and used for signal transmission and reception with the working machine.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 17, a right engaging portion 210a protruding leftward is formed on the IF right surface 230c of the terminal IF portion 230. As shown in FIG. 18, a left engaging portion 210b protruding rightward is formed on the IF left surface 230d of the terminal IF portion 230. The right engaging portion 210a and the left engaging portion 210b have positions and shapes that are symmetrical with each other. As shown in FIG. 20, the right engaging portion 210a includes a right base portion 214a whose upper end is connected to the IF upper surface 230a and whose rear end is connected to the IF rear surface 230b, a right extending portion 216a extending forward from the lower front end of the right base portion 214a, and a right tip portion 218a extending downward from the front end of the right extending portion 216a. A right groove portion 212a extending in the front-rear direction is defined by the IF upper surface 230a, the right base portion 214a, and the right extending portion 216a. Similarly, the left engaging portion 210b includes a left base portion 214b whose upper end is connected to the IF upper surface 230a and whose rear end is connected to the IF rear surface 230b, a left extending portion 216b extending forward from the lower front end of the left base portion 214b, and a left tip portion 218b extending downward from the front end of the left extending portion 216b. A left groove portion 212b extending in the front-rear direction is defined by the IF upper surface 230a, the left base portion 214b, and the left extending portion 216b.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 21, the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b are provided in the vicinity of the plurality of battery-side terminals 242. The engaging portion 74 (see FIG. 8) of the hook 16 of the charger 10 is engaged with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b. Here, the vicinity of the plurality of battery-side terminals 242 means that, for example, the distance between the battery-side terminal 242 and the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b is 30 [mm] or less. In the present embodiment, the distance D11 between the battery-side power terminal 244a accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 232 among the plurality of battery-side terminals 242 and the right groove portion 212a, and the distance D12 between the battery-side power terminal 244b accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 240 among the plurality of battery-side terminals 242 and the left groove portion 212b are 30 [mm] or less. Note that the distances D11 and D12 may be 15 [mm] or less. As shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable that the upper end of the hook 16 is positioned below the upper end of the standing portion 42 (specifically, the front standing portion 44). For this reason, in FIG. 21, for example, when the vertical distance D13 between the lower end of the battery-side terminal 242 and the lower ends of the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b is set to 15 [mm] or less, while maintaining the structure in which the upper end of the hook 16 is positioned below the upper end of the standing portion 42, the upper end of the hook 16 engaged with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b and the position of the upper end of the standing portion 42 can be lowered, and the vertical size of the charger 10 can be reduced. Further, for example, by setting the lateral distance (that is, the distances D11 and D12) between the battery-side terminal 242 and the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b to 15 [mm] or less, the lateral size of the hook 16 can be reduced.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 22, a terminal cover 250 can be attached to and detached from the terminal IF portion 230. The terminal cover 250 can be attached to the terminal IF portion 230 by sliding it backward with respect to the terminal IF portion 230. Further, the terminal cover 250 can be removed from the terminal IF portion 230 by sliding it forward with respect to the terminal IF portion 230.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 23, the terminal cover 250 includes a lower plate portion 250a, a front plate portion 250b, a right plate portion 250c, and a left plate portion 250d (see FIG. 24). The terminal cover 250 is, for example, a resin member, and the lower plate portion 250a, the front plate portion 250b, the right plate portion 250c, and the left plate portion 250d are integrally formed. The lower plate portion 250a has a substantially flat plate shape along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The lower plate portion 250a has a substantially rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction along the left-right direction and its short-side direction along the front-rear direction. On the lower surface of the lower plate portion 250a, there is formed a finger-touch convex portion 250e that protrudes downward and extends in the left-right direction. The finger-touch convex portion 250e is disposed behind the center of the lower plate portion 250a in the front-rear direction. The front plate portion 250b extends upward from the front end of the lower plate portion 250a. The front plate portion 250b has a flat plate shape along the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The front plate portion 250b has a substantially rectangular shape with its longitudinal direction along the left-right direction and its short-side direction along the up-down direction.

[0048] On the right surface of the right plate portion 250c, there are further formed a right rail 250f that protrudes rightward and a right engagement convex portion 250g that protrudes rightward. The right rail 250f extends along the front-rear direction. In the right plate portion 250c, there are formed an upper slit 250h that extends in the front-rear direction above the right engagement convex portion 250g and a lower slit 250i that extends in the front-rear direction below the right engagement convex portion 250g. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 24, on the left surface of the left plate portion 250d, there are further formed a left rail 250j that protrudes leftward and a left engagement convex portion 250k that protrudes leftward. The left rail 250j extends along the front-rear direction. In the left plate portion 250d, there are formed an upper slit 250l that extends in the front-rear direction above the left engagement convex portion 250k and a lower slit 250m that extends in the front-rear direction below the left engagement convex portion 250k.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 25, when attaching the terminal cover 250 to the terminal IF portion 230, the lower surface of the right rail 250f of the terminal cover 250 slides on the upper surface of the right extension portion 216a of the right engaging portion 210a, and the lower surface of the left rail 250j of the terminal cover 250 slides on the upper surface of the left extension portion 216b of the left engaging portion 210b. Then, when the right engaging convex portion 250g of the terminal cover 250 contacts the right tip portion 218a of the right engaging portion 210a, the right engaging convex portion 250g elastically deforms to the left, and when the left engaging convex portion 250k of the terminal cover 250 contacts the left tip portion 218b of the left engaging portion 210b, the left engaging convex portion 250k elastically deforms to the right. Then, when the right engaging convex portion 250g moves backward from the right tip portion 218a of the right engaging portion 210a, the elastic deformation of the right engaging convex portion 250g is released, so that the right engaging convex portion 250g engages with the right tip portion 218a of the right engaging portion 210a. Also, when the left engaging convex portion 250k moves backward from the left tip portion 218b of the left engaging portion 210b, the elastic deformation of the left engaging convex portion 250k is released, so that the left engaging convex portion 250k engages with the left tip portion 218b of the left engaging portion 210b. Thereby, the terminal cover 250 is fixed to the terminal IF portion 230. Hereinafter, the right engaging portion 210a, the right groove portion 212a, the right base portion 214a, the right extension portion 216a, the left engaging portion 210b, the left groove portion 212b, the left base portion 214b, and the left extension portion 216b may be collectively referred to as the "cover attachment portion 252".

[0050] As shown in Fig. 22, in a state where the terminal cover 250 is attached to the terminal IF portion 230 (specifically, the cover attachment portion 252), the lower plate portion 250a of the terminal cover 250 covers the lower surfaces of the terminal accommodation portions 232 to 240 (see Fig. 17) and the terminal openings 232a to 240a (see Fig. 17) of the terminal accommodation portions 232 to 240. Also, in a state where the terminal cover 250 is attached to the terminal IF portion 230, the front plate portion 250b of the terminal cover 250 covers the front surfaces of the terminal accommodation portions 232 to 240 (see Fig. 17).

[0051] When removing the terminal cover 250 from the terminal IF section 230, the user places a finger on the finger-touch convex portion 250e and slides the terminal cover 250 forward with respect to the terminal IF section 230. As a result, the right engaging convex portion 250g (see Fig. 25) of the terminal cover 250 is disengaged from the right tip portion 218a of the right engaging section 210a, and the left engaging convex portion 250k (see Fig. 25) of the terminal cover 250 is disengaged from the left tip portion 218b of the left engaging section 210b, whereby the terminal cover 250 is removed from the terminal IF section 230.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 18, a first right guide groove 260 extending in the vertical direction and a second right guide groove 262 extending in the vertical direction are formed in the right surface 220c of the main body portion 220. The first right guide groove 260 is disposed closer to the front end of the right surface 220c between the center in the front-rear direction of the right surface 220c and the front end of the right surface 220c, and the second right guide groove 262 is disposed closer to the rear end of the right surface 220c between the center in the front-rear direction of the right surface 220c and the rear end of the right surface 220c. The first right guide groove 260 and the second right guide groove 262 are provided at positions corresponding to the front rail 46a and the rear rail 46b (see Fig. 3) on the right side of the charger 10, respectively. As shown in Fig. 17, a first left guide groove 264 extending in the vertical direction and a second left guide groove 266 extending in the vertical direction are formed in the left surface 220d of the main body portion 220. The first left guide groove 264 is disposed closer to the front end of the left surface 220d between the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface 220d and the front end of the left surface 220d, and the second left guide groove 266 is disposed closer to the rear end of the left surface 220d between the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface 220d and the rear end of the left surface 220d. The first left guide groove 264 and the second left guide groove 266 are provided at positions corresponding to the front rail 46a and the rear rail 46b (see Fig. 3) on the left side of the charger 10, respectively. The first right guide groove 260 and the first left guide groove 264 have positions and shapes that are symmetric with each other about the left and right. The second right guide groove 262 and the second left guide groove 266 have positions and shapes that are symmetric with each other about the left and right.

[0053] (Method for attaching and detaching the battery pack 200 to and from the charger 10) Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15, a method for attaching and detaching the battery pack 200 to and from the charger 10 will be described.

[0054] First, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, a method for attaching the battery pack 200 to the charger 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, in a state where the battery pack 200 is not attached, the hook 16 is biased by a spring 140 (see FIG. 8) so that the rear wall portion 72 is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. In this state, in order to attach the battery pack 200 to the charger 10, when an operator moves the battery pack 200 downward, the lower end of the right tip portion 218a of the right engaging portion 210a and the lower end of the left tip portion 218b of the left engaging portion 210b of the battery pack 200 come into contact with the engaging portion 74 of the hook 16 of the charger 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the operator further lowers the battery pack 200, the hook 16 rotates about the axis A. Specifically, the engaging portion 74 moves forward and the operation portion 70 moves downward.

[0055] Then, as shown in FIG. 14, when the upper ends of the right extension portion 216a of the right engaging portion 210a and the left extension portion 216b of the left engaging portion 210b of the battery pack 200 move below the engaging portion 74 of the hook 16 of the charger 10, the hook 16 rotates about the shaft A by the biasing force of the spring 140. Specifically, the engaging portion 74 moves rearward and the operating portion 70 moves upward. As a result, the engaging portion 74 of the charger 10 enters the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b of the battery pack 200. In this state, even if an attempt is made to move the battery pack 200 upward to remove the battery pack 200 from the charger 10, the upper ends of the right extension portion 216a of the right engaging portion 210a and the left extension portion 216b of the left engaging portion 210b of the battery pack 200 contact the lower end of the engaging portion 74, and the battery pack 200 cannot be moved upward. Therefore, the state shown in FIG. 14 is a state in which the hook 16 is engaged with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b of the battery pack 200 and the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10. Hereinafter, the position of the hook 16 that fixes the battery pack 200 to the charger 10 may be described as the lock position. In this state, the battery pack 200 is charged.

[0056] Then, when the charging of the battery pack 200 is completed, the operator removes the battery pack 200 from the charger 10. First, the operator presses down the operation part 70 of the hook 16. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the hook 16 rotates about the axis A as a rotation axis, and the engaging part 74 moves forward. As a result, the engaging part 74 is not disposed above the right extension part 216a of the right engaging part 210a and the left extension part 216b of the left engaging part 210b of the battery pack 200. Therefore, the operator can move the battery pack 200 upward and remove the battery pack 200 from the charger 10. Hereinafter, the position of the hook 16 that does not fix the battery pack 200 to the charger 10 may be described as an unlock position. Then, after the operator removes the battery pack 200 from the charger 10, the operator releases the hand from the operation part 70 of the hook 16. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the hook 16 rotates about the axis A as a rotation axis by the biasing force of the spring 140. Specifically, the engaging part 74 moves backward, and the operation part 70 moves upward, and the position of the hook 16 is changed from the unlock position to the lock position.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, a charger 10 according to an embodiment includes a main body case 12 and a hook 16 attached to the main body case 12 and engageable with a right groove portion 212a and a left groove portion 212b of a battery pack 200. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, when the hook 16 engages with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b, the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the hook 16 engages with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b provided near the battery-side terminal 242. Since the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b are provided near the battery-side terminal 242, the battery-side terminal 242 is firmly fixed when the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10. Therefore, rattling of the battery-side terminal 242 when the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10 can be suppressed. Also, according to the above configuration, in a configuration where the battery pack 200 and the charger 10 are fixed using the hook 16, the size of the hook 16 can be reduced compared to a configuration where the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b are not provided near the battery-side terminal 242. As a result, the size of the charger 10 can be reduced. Also, the structure of the hook 16 can be simplified.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, a charger 10 according to an embodiment includes a terminal unit 14 having a device-side terminal 120 corresponding to the battery-side terminal 242, and the hook 16 is attached to the terminal unit 14 outside the main body case 12. According to the above configuration, since the hook 16 is attached to the terminal unit 14 outside the main body case 12, it is not necessary to provide an opening in the main body case 12 for the hook 16 to extend from the inside to the outside of the main body case 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress water from entering the inside of the charger 10.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the charger 10 according to one embodiment includes a spring 140 provided between the terminal unit 14 and the hook 16. The spring 140 biases the hook 16 from an unlock position (see FIG. 15) where the battery pack 200 is not fixed to the charger 10 to a lock position (see FIG. 14) where the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10. According to the above configuration, after the battery pack 200 is attached to the charger 10, the state in which the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10 is maintained without the operator operating the hook 16. Therefore, the convenience of the operator can be improved.

[0060] In the charger 10 according to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the terminal unit 14 includes side protrusions 96 and 98 that protrude in the left-right direction, and the hook 16 includes recesses 80 that slidably hold the side protrusions 96 and 98. The hook 16 is rotatably attached to the terminal unit 14 around the axis A of the side protrusions 96 and 98. According to the above configuration, it is possible to switch between a state where the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10 and a state where the battery pack 200 is not fixed to the charger 10 with a relatively simple configuration.

[0061] In the charger 10 according to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the main body case 12 includes an upper wall 20a to which a device-side terminal 120 corresponding to the battery-side terminal is attached, a bottom wall 22a, front rails 46a and rear rails 46b that extend in the sliding direction of the battery pack 200, and a standing portion 42 that extends upward from the upper wall 20a. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the standing portion 42 is located above the upper end of the hook 16. According to the above configuration, when the charger 10 falls with the upper ends of the standing portion 42 and the hook 16 facing downward, the standing portion 42 contacts the ground. Therefore, when the charger 10 falls, it is possible to prevent the hook 16 from contacting the ground and being damaged.

[0062] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the battery pack 200 further includes a terminal cover 250 that is detachable from the housing 202. The housing 202 includes a lower surface 220a facing the charger 10 and a terminal IF portion 230 recessed inward from the lower surface 220a. The terminal IF portion 230 is provided with a battery-side terminal 242, a right groove portion 212a and a left groove portion 212b, and a cover attachment portion 252 for attaching the terminal cover 250 to the terminal IF portion 230. In a state where the terminal cover 250 is not attached to the terminal IF portion 230 (FIG. 26), the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10 by engaging the hooks 16 with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b provided in the terminal IF portion 230. According to the above configuration, as compared with a configuration in which any one of the right groove portion 212a, the left groove portion 212b, and the cover attachment portion 252 is not provided in the terminal IF portion 230, the size of the battery pack 200 can be reduced, and the size of the charger 10 to which the battery pack 200 is attached can also be reduced.

[0063] In one embodiment, the terminal IF portion 230 is recessed inward from the lower surface 220a of the housing 202, and includes an IF upper surface 230a orthogonal to the slide direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the battery pack 200, and an IF right surface 230c and an IF left surface 230d that extend in the slide direction and connect the lower surface 220a of the housing 202 and the IF upper surface 230a. The cover attachment portion 252 includes a right extension portion 216a and a left extension portion 216b that protrude inward from the terminal IF portion 230 from the IF right surface 230c and the IF left surface 230d. The right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b are defined between the right extension portion 216a and the left extension portion 216b and the IF upper surface 230a. According to the above configuration, the battery pack 200 can be fixed to the charger 10 using the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b, and the terminal cover 250 can be attached to the housing 202 of the charger 10.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 26, a device system 2 according to an embodiment includes a battery pack 200 and a charger 10 that can be detachably attached to the battery pack 200. The battery pack 200 includes a battery-side terminal and a housing 202. The housing 202 has a right groove portion 212a and a left groove portion 212b near the battery-side terminal. The charger 10 includes a main body case 12 and a hook 16 attached to the main body case 12 and engageable with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b of the battery pack 200. When the hook 16 engages with the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b, the battery pack 200 is fixed to the charger 10. According to the above configuration, the battery pack 200 can be fixed to the charger 10 by using the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b. Therefore, the structure of the charger 10 can be simplified. Also, the battery pack 200 can be fixed to the charger 10 while the battery pack 200 is being charged.

[0065] In the device system 2 according to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the battery pack 200 further includes a terminal cover 250 that can be detachably attached to the housing 202. The housing 202 includes a lower surface 220a facing the charger 10 and a terminal IF portion 230 recessed inward from the lower surface 220a. A battery-side terminal 242, a right groove portion 212a, a left groove portion 212b, and a cover attachment portion 252 are provided in the terminal IF portion 230. According to the above configuration, compared with a configuration in which any of the right groove portion 212a, the left groove portion 212b, and the cover attachment portion 252 is not provided in the terminal IF portion 230, the size of the battery pack 200 can be reduced, and the size of the charger 10 to which the battery pack 200 is attached can also be reduced.

[0066] In the equipment system 2 according to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the terminal IF portion 230 is recessed inside the lower surface 220a of the housing 202, and has an IF upper surface 230a orthogonal to the slide direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the battery pack 200, and an IF right surface 230c and an IF left surface 230d extending in the slide direction and connecting the lower surface 220a of the housing 202 and the IF upper surface 230a. The cover attachment portion 252 includes a right extension portion 216a and a left extension portion 216b protruding from the IF right surface 230c and the IF left surface 230d to the inside of the terminal IF portion 230. A right groove portion 212a and a left groove portion 212b are defined between the right extension portion 216a and the left extension portion 216b and the IF upper surface 230a. According to the above configuration, the battery pack 200 can be fixed to the charger 10 by using the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b, and the terminal cover 250 can be attached to the housing 202 of the charger 10.

[0067] (Corresponding relationship) The charger 10 is an example of an "electrical device". The spring 140 is an example of a "biasing member". The side protrusions 96 and 98 are examples of "protrusions". The lower surface 220a of the housing 202 is an example of a "first housing surface". The IF upper surface 230a of the terminal IF portion 230 is an example of a "first interface surface". The IF right surface 230c and the IF left surface 230d of the terminal IF portion 230 are examples of "second interface surfaces". The right extension portion 216a and the left extension portion 216b are examples of "second protrusions".

[0068] (Second embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, the charger 410 of this embodiment will be described. The charger 410 of this embodiment is different from the charger 10 of the first embodiment in the structure of the terminal unit 414 and the central upper wall 434 of the main body case 12. In the following, the same reference numerals are given to the structures common to the embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 28, the terminal unit 414 includes a lower rib 510 that extends downward from the lower surface 490b of the base 490. Mounting portions 512 and 514 are provided between the side rib 94a disposed on the rightmost side of the terminal unit 414 and the lower rib 510, and between the side rib 94f disposed on the leftmost side of the terminal unit 414 and the upper rib 50. The mounting portions 512 and 514 have through holes 512a and 514a that penetrate the base 490 of the terminal unit 414 in the vertical direction.

[0070] Around the opening 40, an upper rib 450 that extends upward from the upper surface of the central upper wall 434 is provided. A boss portion 452 is provided on the right side of the side rib 94a disposed on the rightmost side of the terminal unit 414 and on the right side of the upper rib 450, and a boss portion 454 is provided on the left side of the side rib 94f disposed on the leftmost side of the terminal unit 414 and on the left side of the upper rib 450. The boss portions 452 and 454 extend upward from the upper surface of the central upper wall 434. The boss portions 452 and 454 are provided at positions corresponding to the mounting portions 512 and 514 of the terminal unit 414, respectively. The outer diameters of the boss portions 452 and 454 are smaller than the diameters of the through holes 512a and 514a of the mounting portions 512 and 514. In this embodiment, a screw B having a flange portion C with an outer diameter larger than the diameters of the through holes 512a and 514a is screwed into the boss portions 452 and 454. The terminal unit 414 is attached to the main body case 12 by being sandwiched between the screw B and the main body case 12. In a state where the terminal unit 414 is attached to the main body case 12, a gap S is provided in the left-right direction between the boss portions 452 and 454 and the mounting portions 512 and 514. For this reason, the terminal unit 414 can move slightly in the horizontal direction with respect to the main body case 12. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the charger 10 of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0071] Further features of the battery pack disclosed by this specification are described below. (Feature 1) An electric device to which the battery pack is detachable, a main body case, and a plurality of terminals provided on the main body case The main body case includes a first upper wall provided with the plurality of terminals and a bottom wall. The plurality of terminals includes a first terminal and a second terminal adjacent to each other in a first direction. On the upper surface of the first upper wall between the first terminal and the second terminal, a step portion is provided for changing the height of a first portion where the first terminal is provided and the height of a second portion where the second terminal is provided. An electrical device. (Feature 2) On the upper surface The first portion is inclined such that the first terminal side is positioned below the step portion side. The second portion is inclined such that the second terminal side is positioned below the step portion side. The electrical device according to Feature 1. (Feature 3) The plurality of terminals further includes a third terminal adjacent to the first terminal in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. On the upper surface between the first terminal and the third terminal, a first rib extending upward from the upper surface is provided. The electrical device according to Feature 1. (Feature 4) The first terminal and the second terminal are terminals used for signal communication. The third terminal is a terminal used for charging or discharging. The electrical device further includes a second rib extending upward from the upper surface and provided on the side opposite to the first rib with respect to the third terminal in the second direction. When viewed along the second direction, the sizes of the first rib and the second rib are larger than the size of the third terminal. The distance between the first rib and the second rib in the second direction is smaller than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is an interval at which even if an operator's finger intrudes between the first rib and the second rib, the operator's finger does not contact the third terminal. The electrical device according to Feature 3. (Feature 5) The electrical device further comprises a third rib that extends upward from the upper surface and is provided on the opposite side of the first rib with respect to the first terminal in the second direction; and a connecting rib that extends upward from the upper surface, is on the opposite side of the step portion with respect to the first terminal in the first direction, and connects the first rib and the third rib, the electrical device according to feature 3 or 4. (Feature 6) In the electrical device according to feature 5, a drain hole is provided between the step portion and the connecting rib. (Feature 7) In the electrical device according to feature 6, the drain hole is provided on the connecting rib side rather than on the first terminal side. (Feature 8) The main body case further comprises a second upper wall that partially overlaps the first upper wall when viewed from above and is located below the first upper wall, a fourth rib that extends upward from the upper surface of the second upper wall and contacts the lower surface of the first upper wall is provided, a fifth rib that extends downward from the lower surface of the first upper wall and contacts the upper surface of the second upper wall is provided on the lower surface of the first upper wall, In the electrical device according to feature 7, the drain hole is provided on the connecting rib side rather than on the fourth rib and the fifth rib side.

[0072] As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

[0073] (First modification example) The hook 16 may be attached to the terminal unit 14 inside the main body case 12.

[0074] (Second modification example) A spring 140 may not be provided between the terminal unit 14 and the hook 16. In this modification example, an operator can switch between the unlock position and the lock position by operating the hook 16.

[0075] (Third Modification Example) The hook 16 may have a protruding portion that protrudes in the left - right direction, and the terminal unit 14 may have a recessed portion that slidably holds the protruding portion.

[0076] (Fourth Modification Example) The hook 16 may be attached to the terminal unit 14 so as to be movable in the front - rear direction.

[0077] (Fifth Modification Example) The upper end of the hook 16 may be located above the upper end of the standing portion 42.

[0078] (Sixth Modification Example) The "electrical device" is not limited to the charger 10 and may be a working machine such as a lawn mower.

[0079] (Seventh Modification Example) The cover attachment portion 252 may be provided at a position different from the terminal IF portion 230. In this modification example, in the terminal IF portion 230, a second protruding portion for defining a groove portion with which the engaging portion 74 of the hook 16 engages is provided. The said groove portion is not used for attaching the terminal cover 250 to the battery pack 200.

[0080] (Eighth Modification Example) In the terminal IF 30, a groove portion with which the engaging portion 74 of the hook 16 engages may be provided separately from the right groove portion 212a and the left groove portion 212b. For example, a "second protruding portion" for defining a groove portion with which the engaging portion 74 of the hook 16 engages may be provided above or below the right engaging portion 210a and the left engaging portion 210b.

[0081] The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of those purposes itself has technical utility.

Claims

1. An electric device with a detachable battery pack, comprising: a main body case; and a plurality of terminals provided on the main body case, wherein the main body case includes a first upper wall provided with the plurality of terminals and a bottom wall; the plurality of terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal adjacent to each other in a first direction; on the upper surface of the first upper wall between the first terminal and the second terminal, a stepped portion is provided for changing the height of a first portion where the first terminal is provided and the height of a second portion where the second terminal is provided; on the upper surface, the first portion is inclined such that the first terminal side is positioned lower than the stepped portion side; the second portion is inclined such that the second terminal side is positioned lower than the stepped portion side. An electric device.

2. An electric device with a detachable battery pack, comprising: a main body case; and a plurality of terminals provided on the main body case, wherein the main body case includes a first upper wall provided with the plurality of terminals and a bottom wall; the plurality of terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal adjacent to each other in a first direction; on the upper surface of the first upper wall between the first terminal and the second terminal, a stepped portion is provided for changing the height of a first portion where the first terminal is provided and the height of a second portion where the second terminal is provided; the plurality of terminals further include a third terminal adjacent to the first terminal in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; on the upper surface between the first terminal and the third terminal, a first rib extending upward from the upper surface is provided; the first terminal and the second terminal are terminals used for signal communication; the third terminal is a terminal used for charging or discharging; the electric device further includes a second rib extending upward from the upper surface and provided on the side opposite to the first rib with respect to the third terminal in the second direction; when viewed along the second direction, the sizes of the first rib and the second rib are larger than the size of the third terminal; the distance between the first rib and the second rib in the second direction is smaller than a predetermined distance; the predetermined distance is an interval such that even if an operator's finger intrudes between the first rib and the second rib, the operator's finger does not contact the third terminal. An electric device.

3. An electric device with a detachable battery pack, comprising: a main body case; and a plurality of terminals provided on the main body case the main body case includes a first upper wall provided with the plurality of terminals and a bottom wall the plurality of terminals includes a first terminal and a second terminal adjacent to each other in a first direction on the upper surface of the first upper wall between the first terminal and the second terminal, a stepped portion is provided for changing the height of a first portion where the first terminal is provided and the height of a second portion where the second terminal is provided the plurality of terminals further includes a third terminal adjacent to the first terminal in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction on the upper surface between the first terminal and the third terminal, a first rib extending upward from the upper surface is provided the electrical device further includes a third rib extending upward from the upper surface and provided on the side opposite to the first rib with respect to the first terminal in the second direction a connecting rib extending upward from the upper surface, on the side opposite to the stepped portion with respect to the first terminal in the first direction, and connecting the first rib and the third rib Electrical device

4. The electrical device according to claim 3, wherein a drain hole is provided between the stepped portion and the connecting rib

5. The electrical device according to claim 4, wherein the drain hole is provided on the connecting rib side rather than on the first terminal side

6. the main body case further includes a second upper wall that partially overlaps the first upper wall when viewed from above and is located below the first upper wall on a second upper surface of the second upper wall, a fourth rib extending upward from the second upper surface is provided on a lower surface of the first upper wall, a fifth rib extending downward from the lower surface and having an upper end located above the lower end of the fourth rib is provided The electrical device according to claim 5, wherein the drain hole is provided on the connecting rib side rather than on the fourth rib and the fifth rib side

7. An electrical device with a detachable battery pack, comprising a main body case a plurality of terminals provided on the main body case the main body case includes a first upper wall provided with the plurality of terminals and a bottom wall the plurality of terminals includes a first terminal and a second terminal adjacent to each other in a first direction On the upper surface of the first upper wall between the first terminal and the second terminal, a step portion is provided for changing the height of the first portion where the first terminal is provided and the height of the second portion where the second terminal is provided. The upper ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are located above the upper end of the step portion. Electrical equipment. **Claim 8**: The plurality of terminals further includes a third terminal adjacent to the first terminal in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The electrical equipment according to claim 1 or 7, wherein a first rib extending upward from the upper surface is provided on the upper surface between the first terminal and the third terminal.

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