Battery pack

Abstract

This battery pack may be provided with a casing, a battery cell, a circuit board, an engaging member, a first biasing member for biasing the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member for biasing the engaging member upward. At least a part of the circuit board may be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. The engaging member may include an engaging portion protruding outside the casing. The engaging portion may include an engaging surface extending along an up-down direction and a left-right direction to engage an electric apparatus. With respect to a front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. With respect to the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be disposed rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member.

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 to and detached from a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device by sliding it relative to the battery pack mounting portion. 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 to the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when mounted to the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction. The battery pack includes a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, a circuit board housed inside the casing, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a biasing member that biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member has an engaging portion that protrudes outside the casing. The engaging portion extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0272516 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the battery pack described above is used in a dusty environment, dust may get into the gap between the engaging member and the casing. Therefore, if the engaging member is tilted relative to the casing when moving vertically relative to the casing, the engaging member may get caught on the casing, preventing the engaging member from moving smoothly relative to the casing. This specification provides a technology that enables the engaging member to move smoothly relative to the casing even when the battery pack is used in a dusty environment. [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 a forward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as a rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as an upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as a downward direction, the battery pack may include a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, a circuit board housed inside the casing, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be vertically movable, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that is spaced apart from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. At least a portion of the circuit board may be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. The engaging member may include an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the casing. The engaging portion may extend along the up-down direction and the left-right direction and have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the first and second biasing members, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member upward, thereby achieving a left-right balance of the biasing forces acting on the engaging member and preventing the engaging member from tilting left-right relative to the casing. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion. This allows the biasing forces of the first and second biasing members to act on the engaging member so as to release the engagement, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member and the casing and causes the engaging portion to get caught on the casing. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, at least a portion of the circuit board is disposed between the first and second biasing members, thereby effectively utilizing the space between the first and second biasing members.

[0007] Another battery pack disclosed in this specification 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, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the upward direction, and when the opposite direction to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the battery pack may include a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that is spaced apart from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may include an engaging portion that protrudes outside the casing. The engaging portion may be aligned in the vertical and left-right directions and have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. In the front-rear direction, the engagement surface may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engagement surface may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of the right end of the engagement surface. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of the left end of the engagement surface.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the first and second biasing members, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member upward, thereby achieving a left-right balance of the biasing force acting on the engaging member and preventing the engaging member from tilting left-right relative to the casing. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion. This allows the biasing forces of the first and second biasing members to act on the engaging member so as to eliminate the snagging, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member and the casing and causes the engaging portion to get caught on the casing. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, making it easy to achieve a left-right balance of the biasing force acting on the engaging member and effectively preventing the engaging member from tilting left-right relative to the casing.

[0009] Another battery pack disclosed in this specification may be detachable by sliding it relative to a battery pack mounting portion of an electrical device having device-side terminals. When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the forward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the upward direction, and when the opposite direction to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the battery pack may include a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, battery terminals that mechanically engage with and electrically connect to the device-side terminals, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be vertically movable, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that is spaced left and right from the first biasing member and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may include an engaging portion that protrudes outside the casing. The engaging portion may extend along the up-down direction and the left-right direction and have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of a right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of a left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the first and second biasing members, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member upward, thereby achieving a left-right balance of the biasing force acting on the engaging member and preventing the engaging member from tilting left-right relative to the casing. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion. This allows the biasing forces of the first and second biasing members to act on the engaging member so as to eliminate the snagging, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member and the casing and causes the engaging portion to get caught on the casing. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, making it easy to achieve a left-right balance of the biasing force acting on the engaging member and effectively preventing the engaging member from tilting left-right relative to the casing.

[0011] Another battery pack disclosed in this specification may be detachable by sliding it relative to a battery pack attachment portion of an electrical device. The battery pack may include a casing, an engaging member having an engaging portion protruding from the outside of the casing, and an operating member having an operating surface exposed to the outside of the casing. The engaging portion may move toward the inside of the casing when the operating surface is pressed. The operating surface may be formed with anti-slip portions consisting of regularly arranged convex and / or concave shapes. The anti-slip portions may be located on the operating surface closer to the engaging portion. Note that the engaging member and operating member referred to here may be integrated or separate members.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when a user removes a battery pack attached to the battery pack attachment portion, the user is prompted to press the operation surface with his / her fingertip against the non-slip portion located on the operation surface closer to the engagement portion, so that the pressing force when the user presses the operation surface can be applied at a position closer to the engagement portion, allowing the engagement member to move smoothly relative to the casing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment, viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of an electrical device 4 to which a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment is attached, viewed from above on the front right side. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a battery pack attachment portion 6 of an electrical device 4 to which a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment is attached, viewed from the lower rear right. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell unit 22 of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 5] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery cell unit 22 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a power terminal 38 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above and rear right. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a right side view of the power terminal 38 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of a signal terminal 40 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above and rear right. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a right side view of the signal terminal 40 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a top view of a battery cell unit 22 and a lower casing 24 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment, viewed from the rear left bottom. [Figure 12] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a front guard portion 52 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a rear guard portion 54 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of an engaging member 76 of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the upper right front. [Figure 15]1 is a perspective view of an engaging member 76 of a battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the lower right rear. [Figure 16] 2 is a perspective view of the front portion of the upper casing 26 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the rear right below. FIG. [Figure 17] 2 is a perspective view of the front portion of the upper casing 26 seen from below and rear right in a state in which an engagement member 76 and an operating member 78 are attached to the upper casing 26 in the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 18] 1 is a perspective view of an operating member 78 of a battery pack 2 according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 19] 10 is a perspective view of an operating member 78 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the lower rear right side. FIG. [Figure 20] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a position where an engaging member 76 and an operating member 78 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment come into contact with each other. FIG. [Figure 21] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of compression springs 80, 82 of the battery pack 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery cell unit 108 of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a top view of a battery cell unit 108 and a lower casing 110 of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an engaging member 122 of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an engaging member 122 of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the lower rear right. [Figure 28] 10 is a perspective view of the front portion of an upper casing 112 of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the rear right below. FIG. [Figure 29]10 is a perspective view of the front portion of the upper casing 112 seen from the lower rear right in a state in which an engaging member 122 is attached to the upper casing 112 in the battery pack 102 according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an engaging member 122 of a battery pack 102 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 31] 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an operating member 78 of a battery pack 2 according to a modified example of the first embodiment, as viewed from above on the front right. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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 a forward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as a rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as an upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as a downward direction, the battery pack may include a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, a circuit board housed inside the casing, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be movable in the up and down directions, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that is spaced apart from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. At least a portion of the circuit board may be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member. The engaging member may include an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the casing. The engaging portion may extend along the up-down direction and the left-right direction and have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, a right end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of a right end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction, and a left end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of a left end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction.

[0019] According to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, thereby ensuring a large space on the circuit board for mounting elements and wiring. Also, a wide gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member in the left-right direction, and effectively preventing the engaging member from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, a left end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of a right end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction, and a right end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of a left end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction.

[0021] According to the above configuration, a wider gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, thereby ensuring a larger space on the circuit board for mounting elements and wiring. Also, a wider gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member in the left-right direction, and more effectively preventing the engaging member from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack mounting portion may include an apparatus-side terminal. The circuit board may include a battery-side terminal that mechanically engages with and electrically connects to the apparatus-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0023] According to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, thereby ensuring a large space on the circuit board for mounting elements and wiring. Also, a wide gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members in the left-right direction, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member in the left-right direction, and effectively preventing the engaging member from tilting left-right relative to the casing.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the left end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction. The right end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction.

[0025] According to the above configuration, a wider gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, thereby ensuring a larger space on the circuit board for mounting elements and wiring. Also, a wider gap is ensured between the first and second biasing members, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member in the left-right direction, and more effectively preventing the engaging member from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the circuit board may include a power path through which current flows for discharging to and / or charging from the electrical device, and the power path may pass between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the power path is provided on the circuit board between the first and second biasing members, so that other parts of the circuit board can be effectively used as space for mounting other elements and wiring.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the circuit board may include a microcontroller that controls operation of the battery pack, and the microcontroller may be disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the microcontroller is provided on the circuit board between the first and second biasing members, so that other areas of the circuit board can be effectively used as space for mounting other elements and wiring.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may further include an operating member rotatably held in the casing and having an operating surface to be operated by a user, wherein the operating member may rotate in a direction that presses the engaging member downward when the operating surface is pressed by the user.

[0031] According to the above configuration, compared to a configuration in which the engaging member and the operating member are integrated, the engaging member is less likely to tilt relative to the casing when it moves up and down relative to the casing, making it less likely for the engaging member to get caught on the casing.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the operating surface may be located on the front upper surface of the casing.

[0033] According to the above configuration, when a user removes a battery pack attached to the battery pack attachment portion, the user places the four fingers of one hand other than the thumb on the underside of the battery pack and presses down on the operation surface with the thumb, thereby allowing the user to grip the battery pack and slide it forward while keeping the operation surface pressed down, thereby simplifying the operation when the user removes the battery pack.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the operating member may be held by the casing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction.

[0035] According to the above configuration, when the user presses the operation surface, it is possible to prevent the operation surface from tilting in the left-right direction.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the engagement member may include a contacted portion. The operating member may include a contact portion disposed above the contacted portion. A position at which the contacted portion and the contacted portion contact each other in the front-rear direction may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. A position at which the contacted portion and the contacted portion contact each other in the front-rear direction may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member.

[0037] According to the above configuration, the position of the point of application of the downward force acting from the operating member to the engaging member in the front-rear direction can be made close to the position of the point of application of the upward force acting from the first biasing member and the second biasing member to the engaging member in the front-rear direction, thereby preventing the engaging member from tilting in the front-rear direction.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the abutted portion may include a rod-shaped portion extending in the left-right direction, and the abutting portion may include an abutting piece disposed above the rod-shaped portion.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the configurations of the operating member and the engaging member can be simplified.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the casing may further include a guide portion that prohibits movement of the engaging member in a front-to-rear direction and allows movement of the engaging member in an up-and-down direction. The first biasing member may be disposed rearward of a front end of the guide portion and forward of a rear end of the guide portion in the front-to-rear direction. The second biasing member may be disposed rearward of a front end of the guide portion and forward of a rear end of the guide portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0041] According to the above configuration, the position of the point of application of the biasing forces applied to the engaging member from the first biasing member and the second biasing member can be made close to the position of the guide portion in the front-rear direction, thereby preventing the engaging member from tilting in the front-rear direction.

[0042] 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, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the battery pack may include a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be movable in the up-down direction, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that is spaced apart from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may include an engaging portion that protrudes outside the casing. The engaging portion may be aligned in the up-down direction and the left-right direction and have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. In the front-rear direction, the engagement surface may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engagement surface may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of the right end of the engagement surface. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of the left end of the engagement surface.

[0043] 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 having device-side terminals. When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as a forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as a rearward direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion is defined as an upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as a downward direction, the battery pack may include a casing, battery cells housed inside the casing, battery-side terminals that mechanically engage with and electrically connect to the device-side terminals, an engaging member held in the casing so as to be vertically movable, a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward, and a second biasing member that is spaced apart from the first biasing member in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member upward. The engaging member may include an engaging portion that protrudes outside the casing. The engaging portion may extend along the up-down direction and the left-right direction and have an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member. In the front-rear direction, the engaging surface may be located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member. In the left-right direction, the right end of the first biasing member may be located to the right of a right end of the battery-side terminal. In the left-right direction, the left end of the second biasing member may be located to the left of a left end of the battery-side terminal.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack may be detachable by sliding it relative to a battery pack attachment portion of the electrical device. The battery pack may include a casing, an engaging member having an engaging portion protruding from the outside of the casing, and an operating member having an operating surface exposed to the outside of the casing. The engaging portion may move toward the inside of the casing when the operating surface is pressed. The operating surface may be formed with anti-slip portions consisting of regularly arranged convex and / or concave shapes. The anti-slip portion may be located on the operating surface closer to the engaging portion.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the anti-slip portion may comprise a plurality of convex and / or concave ridges extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the battery pack is slid when the battery pack is removed from the battery pack mounting portion.

[0046] According to the above configuration, when a user places his / her fingertips on the anti-slip portion and presses the operation surface in order to remove a battery pack attached to the battery pack attachment portion, it is possible to effectively prevent the fingertips from slipping off the anti-slip portion.

[0047] Example 1 The battery pack 2 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is attached to an electrical device 4 shown in FIG. 2 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 rated capacity of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 5.0 Ah. The weight of the battery pack 2 is, for example, within a range of 1.0 kg to 2.0 kg. More specifically, the weight of the battery pack 2 is, for example, 1.33 kg or 1.9 kg.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2 , the electrical device 4 has a battery pack mounting portion 6. The battery pack 2 can be mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 by sliding it in a predetermined direction relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6. Hereinafter, the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 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 6 will be referred to as the forward direction. Furthermore, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is located as viewed from the battery pack 2 when the battery pack 2 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 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.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3 , the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4 is provided with an appliance-side terminal 8, an appliance-side rail 10, and an engagement groove 12. The appliance-side terminal 8 includes two power terminals 14 for charging and discharging power with the battery pack 2 and three signal terminals 16 for communicating signals with the battery pack 2. Note that the number of signal terminals 16 is not limited to three; the electrical device 4 may include one, two, or four signal terminals 16. The power terminals 14 are located to the left and right of the signal terminals 16. The appliance-side rail 10 and engagement groove 12 are formed at the lower end of the housing 18 of the electrical device 4. The appliance-side rail 10 is located to the left and right of the appliance-side terminal 8 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The engagement groove 12 is located forward of the appliance-side terminal 8 and is recessed upward. The engagement groove 12 is located along the up-down and left-right directions and has an engagement surface 12a facing rearward.

[0050] 1, the battery pack 2 includes a casing 20 and a battery cell unit 22 (see FIG. 4) housed inside the casing 20. The casing 20 includes a lower casing 24 and an upper casing 26.

[0051] 4 , the battery cell unit 22 includes battery cells 28, resin cell holders 30 that hold the battery cells 28, a control circuit board 32 that is held by the cell holder 30 above the cell holder 30, lead plates 34 that are disposed on the left and right sides of the cell holder 30 and electrically connect the battery cells 28 to the control circuit board 32, and battery terminals 36 that are provided on the top surface of the control circuit board 32. The battery terminals 36 include two power terminals 38 that are disposed corresponding to the power terminals 14 of the electric device 4, and four signal terminals 40 that are disposed corresponding to the signal terminals 16 of the electric device 4.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5 , the battery cells 28 are arranged in four vertical rows. 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 row from the bottom, four battery cells 28 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. Of the battery cells 28 in the first row from the bottom, the first battery cell 28 from the front and the first battery cell 28 from the back are arranged slightly higher than the other battery cells 28. In the second row 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 row from the bottom are arranged so that the centers of the respective battery cells 28 do not overlap with the centers of the respective battery cells 28 in the first row from the bottom in the front-to-rear direction. Of the battery cells 28 in the second row from the bottom, the first battery cell 28 from the front and the first battery cell 28 from the back are positioned slightly lower than the other battery cells 28. In the third row from the bottom, six battery cells 28 are positioned side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the third row from the bottom are positioned such that the centers of the battery cells 28 do not overlap with the centers of the 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 second battery cell 28 from the front and the second battery cell 28 from the back are positioned slightly lower than the other battery cells 28. In the fourth row from the bottom, i.e., the first row from the top, five battery cells 28 are positioned side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The battery cells 28 in the fourth row from the bottom are positioned such that the centers of the battery cells 28 do not overlap with the centers of the 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 positioned such that their positions in the up-down direction are approximately the same.

[0053] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, each power terminal 38 includes a base 38a, a clamping portion 38b bent upward from both left and right ends of the base 38a, a front-end support portion 38c bent downward from the front end of the base 38a, a rear-end support portion 38d bent downward from the rear end of the base 38a, and a central support portion 38e bent downward from the left end near the center of the base 38a in the front-rear direction. When the battery pack 2 is attached to the electrical device 4, the clamping portion 38b resiliently clamps the power terminal 14 of the electrical device 4 from the left and right. This mechanically engages and electrically connects the power terminal 38 to the power terminal 14 of the electrical device 4. The front-end support portion 38c, the rear-end support portion 38d, and the central support portion 38e are inserted into holes formed in the control circuit board 32 and soldered to the control circuit board 32. As a result, the power terminal 38 is mechanically fixed to and electrically connected to the control circuit board 32 .

[0054] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, each signal terminal 40 includes a base 40a, clamping portions 40b bent upward from both the left and right ends of the base 40a, a front-end support portion 40c bent downward from the front end of the base 40a, and a rear-end support portion 40d bent downward from the rear end of the base 40a. When the battery pack 2 is attached to the electrical device 4, the clamping portions 40b resiliently clamp the signal terminals 16 of the electrical device 4 from the left and right. This mechanically engages and electrically connects the signal terminals 40 to the signal terminals 16 of the electrical device 4. The front-end support portion 40c and the rear-end support portion 40d are soldered to the control circuit board 32 while inserted into holes formed in the control circuit board 32. This mechanically fixes and electrically connects the signal terminals 40 to the control circuit board 32.

[0055] Because a larger current flows through the power terminals 38 than through the signal terminals 40, the temperature rise due to heat generation is also larger. Therefore, if the power terminals 38 were configured to include only the front end support portion 38c and the rear end support portion 38d without the central support portion 38e, as with the signal terminals 40, a large current would flow through each of the front end support portion 38c and the rear end support portion 38d, resulting in a significant temperature rise due to heat generation. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , in the battery pack 2 of this embodiment, the power terminals 38 are electrically connected to the control circuit board 32 via the front end support portion 38c, the rear end support portion 38d, and the central support portion 38e. Therefore, the current flowing through each of the front end support portion 38c, the rear end support portion 38d, and the central support portion 38e can be reduced, thereby suppressing the temperature rise due to heat generation.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4 , a resin bracket 42 is provided on the top surface of the control circuit board 32 to prevent short circuits between the power terminals 38, between the signal terminals 40, and between the power terminals 38 and the signal terminals 40. A metal conductive member 44 is also provided on the top surface of the control circuit board 32. The conductive member 44 extends in the front-to-rear direction at a position spaced above the control circuit board 32, with its front end bent downward and fixed to the control circuit board 32, and its rear end bent downward and fixed to the control circuit board 32. The conductive member 44 is electrically located on the current path between the battery cells 28 and the power terminals 38. The provision of the conductive member 44 reduces heat generation in the control circuit board 32 compared to when the entire current path between the battery cells 28 and the power terminals 38 is formed by printed wiring on the control circuit board 32. Furthermore, heat dissipation from the conductive member 44 to the surrounding air reduces temperature increases in the control circuit board 32.

[0057] 10, the upper surface of the control circuit board 32 has circuit element areas 46, 48 on which various circuit elements are mounted. The circuit element area 46 is located in front of the battery-side terminals 36. The circuit element area 48 is located behind the battery-side terminals 36. A microcontroller 50 that controls the operation of the battery pack 2 is mounted in the circuit element area 46.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 11 , front guard portions 52 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 54 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 dropped unexpectedly, the front guard portions 52 or rear guard portions 54 will collide with the ground or floor. As shown in FIG. 12 , the front guard portions 52 are positioned opposite the surface of the cell holder 30 that spans the two battery cells 28 closest to the front guard portion 52, and a clearance of 13.0 mm or more is secured between the surface of the cell holder 30 and the front guard portion 52. This prevents damage to the battery cells 28 even if the front guard portions 52 are deformed by a collision. 13, the rear guard part 54 is positioned opposite the surface of the cell holder 30 that straddles the two battery cells 28 closest to the rear guard part 54, and a clearance of 9.0 mm or more is ensured between the surface of the cell holder 30 and the rear guard part 54. Therefore, even if the rear guard part 54 is deformed by a collision, damage to the battery cells 28 can be suppressed.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11 , the lower casing 24 and the upper casing 26 are fixed to each other by two bolts 56 at the front of the battery pack 2 and two bolts 58 at the rear of the battery pack 2. As shown in FIG. 5 , the bolts 56 pass from below through bolt receiving portions 60 formed near the front end of the lower casing 24 and are threaded into bolt holes 62 formed near the front end of the upper casing 26. The heads 56 a of the bolts 56 are located below the lower end of the forward-most battery cell 28 among the multiple battery cells 28 (in this embodiment, the first battery cell 28 from the front in the third row from the bottom). This configuration allows the bolts 56 to be located close to the multiple battery cells 28, thereby reducing the front-to-rear dimension of the battery pack 2. The bolts 58 also pass from below through bolt receiving portions 64 formed near the rear end of the lower casing 24 and are threaded into bolt holes 66 formed near the rear end of the upper casing 26. The head 58a of the bolt 58 is located below the bottom end of the rearmost battery cell 28 (in this embodiment, the first battery cell 28 from the back of the third row from the bottom) among the multiple battery cells 28. This configuration allows the bolt 58 to be located close to the multiple battery cells 28, and the dimension of the battery pack 2 in the front-to-rear direction to be reduced.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1 , the upper surface of the upper casing 26 is formed with a terminal opening 68, a battery-side rail 70, an engagement opening 72, and an operation opening 74. The terminal opening 68 is located at a position corresponding to the battery-side terminal 36 (see FIG. 4 ). When attaching the battery pack 2 to the electrical device 4, the device-side terminal 8 (see FIG. 3 ) of the electrical device 4 enters the upper casing 26 through the terminal opening 68. This mechanically engages and electrically connects the device-side terminal 8 with the battery-side terminal 36. The battery-side rail 70 extends in the front-rear direction on the left and right sides of the terminal opening 68. When attaching the battery pack 2 to the electrical device 4, the battery-side rail 70 engages with the device-side rail 10 (see FIG. 3 ) of the electrical device 4 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The engagement opening 72 is located forward of the terminal opening 68. An engagement member 76 is attached to the engagement opening 72. The operation opening 74 is disposed forward of the engagement opening 72. An operation member 78 is attached to the operation opening 74.

[0061] 14, the engaging member 76 includes a base 76a, an engaging portion 76b protruding upward from the base 76a, a right support portion 76c disposed to the right of the base 76a, and a left support portion 76d disposed to the left of the base 76a. The base 76a includes a right wall 76e disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions at the right end of the base 76a, a left wall 76f disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions at the left end of the base 76a, a central wall 76g disposed along the front-rear and up-down directions at the center of the base 76a in the left-right direction, a rear wall 76h disposed along the left-right and up-down directions and connecting the rear of the right wall 76e, the rear of the left wall 76f, and the rear of the central wall 76g, and a rear wall 76h disposed along the left-right and up-down directions. The engaging portion 76b includes a right engaging portion 76l disposed at the right end of the engaging portion 76b, a left engaging portion 76m disposed at the left end of the engaging portion 76b, and a connecting portion 76n connecting the right engaging portion 76l and the left engaging portion 76m. The right engagement portion 76l is arranged in the left-right and up-down directions and includes a right engagement surface 76o facing forward and a right inclined surface 76p that is arranged rearward of the right engagement surface 76o facing rearward and upward and is inclined downward as it extends from front to rear. The left engagement portion 76m is arranged in the left-right and up-down directions and includes a left engagement surface 76q facing forward and a left inclined surface 76r that is arranged rearward of the left engagement surface 76q facing rearward and upward and is inclined downward as it extends from front to rear.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 15, the right support portion 76c has a spring receiving groove 76s that is generally cylindrical and opens downward. The left support portion 76d has a spring receiving groove 76t that is generally cylindrical and opens downward. A compression spring 80 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the spring receiving groove 76s. A compression spring 82 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the spring receiving groove 76t. As shown in FIG. 4, a spring support portion 84 that supports the compression spring 80 and a spring support portion 86 that supports the compression spring 82 are formed on the upper part of the cell holder 30. The control circuit board 32 has a notch 88 that extends leftward from the right edge and a notch 90 that extends rightward from the left edge. The spring support portion 84 passes through the notch 88 and protrudes upward. The spring support portion 86 passes through the notch 90 and protrudes upward. Compression springs 80 and 82 bias the engaging member 76 upward against the cell holder 30 .

[0063] As shown in FIG. 16 , a right guide portion 92 and a left guide portion 94 are formed on the inner surface of the upper casing 26 near the engagement opening 72. The right guide portion 92 houses the right support portion 76c of the engagement member 76 so that it can move up and down but cannot move forward and backward or to the right. The left guide portion 94 houses the left support portion 76d of the engagement member 76 so that it can move up and down but cannot move forward and backward or to the left. As shown in FIG. 17 , the engagement member 76 is attached to the upper casing 26 so that the engagement portion 76b protrudes from the engagement opening 72 to the outside of the upper casing 26, the right support portion 76c is housed in the right guide portion 92, and the left support portion 76d is housed in the left guide portion 94.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the operating member 78 includes an operating portion 78a, a support portion 78b disposed below and in front of the operating portion 78a, and a contact portion 78c disposed behind the operating portion 78a. The operating portion 78a includes a substantially planar operating surface 78d that is pressed by the user. The operating surface 78d is formed with a plurality of (e.g., six) ridges 78h that protrude outward from the operating surface 78d. The ridges 78h are arranged parallel to one another in the left-right direction. The ridges 78h form an anti-slip portion 78i that prevents the user's fingertip from slipping. The number of ridges 78h may be two, three, four, five, or seven or more. The anti-slip portion 78i may include a plurality of (e.g., six) recesses (not shown) in addition to or instead of the ridges 78h. Alternatively, the anti-slip portion 78i may be composed of other regularly arranged convex and / or concave shapes, such as multiple convex portions or multiple concave portions arranged at the intersections of a grid. As shown in FIG. 1, the anti-slip portion 78i is arranged on the operation surface 78d on a side closer to the engagement member 76. In other words, the front-rear center of the multiple convex strips 78h is offset rearward (i.e., closer to the engagement member 76) from the front-rear center of the operation surface 78d. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the support portion 78b includes a pivot shaft 78e extending in the left-right direction. The abutment portion 78c includes a right abutment piece 78f extending rearward and a left abutment piece 78g extending rearward. The right abutment piece 78f and the left abutment piece 78g are arranged side by side.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 16, a shaft holding portion 96 is formed on the inner surface near the front end of the upper casing 26. The shaft holding portion 96 rotatably holds the right and left ends of the rotating shaft 78e of the operating member 78. As shown in Fig. 17, the operating member 78 is attached to the upper casing 26 such that the right contact piece 78f and the left contact piece 78g are inserted into the base portion 76a of the engaging member 76, the operating surface 78d of the operating portion 78a is exposed to the outside of the upper casing 26 through the operation opening 74, and the rotating shaft 78e of the support portion 78b is held by the shaft holding portion 96.

[0066] 20 , when the engaging member 76 and the operating member 78 are attached to the upper casing 26, the right contact piece 78f of the operating member 78 is disposed above the right beam 76j of the engaging member 76, and the left contact piece 78g of the operating member 78 is disposed above the left beam 76k of the engaging member 76. Therefore, the compression springs 80, 82 urge the engaging member 76 upward relative to the cell holder 30, thereby pressing the engaging member 76 against the upper casing 26, and the right contact piece 78f and left contact piece 78g of the operating member 78 are pushed upward by the right beam 76j and left beam 76k of the engaging member 76, and the operating member 78 is also pressed against the upper casing 26.

[0067] 21, the operation of the engaging member 76 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the electric device 4 will be described. When attaching the battery pack 2 to the electric device 4, the housing 18 (see FIG. 3) of the electric device 4 abuts against the right inclined surface 76p and the left inclined surface 76r of the engaging member 76 and moves from rear to front, thereby pressing the engaging member 76 downward against the biasing force of the compression springs 80, 82. Thereafter, when the engaging groove 12 (see FIG. 3) of the electric device 4 moves above the engaging portion 76b of the engaging member 76, the biasing force of the compression springs 80, 82 pushes the engaging member 76 upward, and the engaging portion 76b enters the engaging groove 12. In this state, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q of the engaging member 76 are positioned opposite the engaging surface 12a (see FIG. 3) of the electric device 4, so that the battery pack 2 cannot be slid forward relative to the electric device 4. This prohibits the battery pack 2 from being removed from the electrical device 4.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 20 , the operation of the engaging member 76 when removing the battery pack 2 from the electric device 4 will be described. When removing the battery pack 2 from the electric device 4, the user presses down on the operating surface 78d of the operating member 78. This operation causes the operating member 78 to rotate about the rotating shaft 78e as the rotation axis, and the right beam 76j and left beam 76k of the engaging member 76 are pressed downward by the right abutment piece 78f and left abutment piece 78g of the operating member 78, causing the engaging member 76 to be pressed downward against the biasing force of the compression springs 80 and 82. This causes the engaging portion 76b of the engaging member 76 to come out of the engaging groove 12 of the electric device 4, allowing the battery pack 2 to slide forward relative to the electric device 4. From this state, the user can remove the battery pack 2 from the electric device 4 by sliding the battery pack 2 forward relative to the electric device 4.

[0069] In the battery pack 2, the operation surface 78d of the operation member 78 may be formed into a shape shown in FIG. 31. In the example shown in FIG. 31, the operation surface 78d includes a substantially planar first operation surface 78j and a substantially planar second operation surface 78k that is bent forward and downward from the front end of the first operation surface 78j. The first operation surface 78j is formed with an anti-slip portion 78i consisting of a plurality of ridges 78h. The second operation surface 78k is formed with a wide finger rest 78l that protrudes outward from the second operation surface 78k. In the example shown in FIG. 31, when a user presses the operation surface 78d with the fingers of the hand holding the battery pack 2, the user can press the anti-slip portion 78i with the fingertip (distal phalanx) while the proximal or middle phalanx of the finger is in contact with the finger rest 78l, thereby making it easier to press the operation surface 78d. 31, the anti-slip portion 78i is also arranged on the operation surface 78d on the side closer to the engaging member 76. In other words, the centers of the multiple protrusions 78h in the front-rear direction are arranged offset rearward (i.e., closer to the engaging member 76) from the center of the operation surface 78d in the front-rear direction.

[0070] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 by sliding it relative to the battery pack attachment portion 6. The direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack 2 slides when attached to the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rearward direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is arranged as viewed from the battery pack 2 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction. The battery pack 2 includes a casing 20, battery cells 28 housed inside the casing 20, a control circuit board 32 (an example of a circuit board) housed inside the casing 20, an engaging member 76 held in the casing 20 so as to be movable up and down, a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 76 upward, and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is arranged spaced apart from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 76 upward. At least a portion of the control circuit board 32 is disposed between the compression springs 80 and 82. The engaging member 76 has an engaging portion 76b that protrudes to the outside of the casing 20. The engaging portion 76b extends in the up-down and left-right directions and has a right engaging surface 76o and a left engaging surface 76q (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82.

[0071] According to the above configuration, the compression springs 80 and 82, which are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member 76 upward. This allows the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 76 to be balanced in the left-right direction, thereby preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member 76 can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion 76b. As a result, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member 76 and the casing 20 and causes the engaging portion 76b to get caught on the casing 20, the biasing forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to the engaging member 76 to release the catch. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, at least a portion of the control circuit board 32 is disposed between the compression springs 80 and 82, so that the space between the compression springs 80 and 82 can be effectively utilized.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 76o in the left-right direction. The left end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the left engagement surface 76q in the left-right direction.

[0073] According to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a wide space for mounting elements and wiring on the control circuit board 32. Furthermore, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, and effectively preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the left end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 76o in the left-right direction. The right end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the left engagement surface 76q in the left-right direction.

[0075] According to the above configuration, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a larger space for mounting elements and wiring on the control circuit board 32. Furthermore, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, and more effectively preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack mounting portion 6 includes an apparatus-side terminal 8. The control circuit board 32 includes a battery-side terminal 36 that mechanically engages with and electrically connects to the apparatus-side terminal 8. The right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction. The left end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction.

[0077] According to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a wide space for mounting elements and wiring on the control circuit board 32. Furthermore, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, and effectively preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the left end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction. The right end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction.

[0079] According to the above configuration, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a larger space for mounting elements and wiring on the control circuit board 32. Furthermore, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction, and more effectively preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the control circuit board 32 includes a conductive member 44 (an example of a power path) through which current flows for discharging and / or charging the electrical device 4. The conductive member 44 passes between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82.

[0081] According to the above configuration, the conductive member 44 passes between the compression springs 80 and 82, so that other parts of the control circuit board 32 can be effectively used as space for mounting other elements and wiring.

[0082] In one or more embodiments, the control circuit board 32 includes a microcontroller 50 that controls the operation of the battery pack 2. The microcontroller 50 is disposed between the compression spring 80 and the compression spring 82.

[0083] According to the above configuration, the microcontroller 50 is disposed between the compression springs 80 and 82, so that other portions of the control circuit board 32 can be effectively utilized as space for mounting other elements and wiring.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 further includes an operation member 78 that is rotatably held in the casing 20 and has an operation surface 78d that is operated by a user. When the operation surface 78d is pressed by the user, the operation member 78 rotates in a direction that presses the engagement member 76 downward.

[0085] According to the above configuration, compared to a configuration in which the engaging member 76 and the operating member 78 are integrated, the engaging member 76 is less likely to tilt relative to the casing 20 when the engaging member 76 moves up and down relative to the casing 20, making it less likely that the engaging member 76 will get caught on the casing 20.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, the operating surface 78d is located on the front upper surface of the casing 20.

[0087] According to the above configuration, when the user removes the battery pack 2 attached to the battery pack attachment portion 6, the user places the four fingers of one hand other than the thumb on the underside of the battery pack 2 and presses down on the operation surface 78d with the thumb, whereby the user can grip the battery pack 2 while keeping the operation surface 78d pressed down and slide the battery pack 2 forward. This simplifies the operation when the user removes the battery pack 2.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, the operating member 78 is held by the casing 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the left-right direction.

[0089] According to the above configuration, when the user presses the operation surface 78d, it is possible to prevent the operation surface 78d from tilting in the left-right direction.

[0090] In one or more embodiments, the engagement member 76 includes a right beam 76j and a left beam 76k (examples of contacted portions). The operating member 78 includes a right abutting piece 78f and a left abutting piece 78g (examples of abutting portions) disposed above the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k. In the front-rear direction, the positions at which the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g contact the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 80. In the front-rear direction, the positions at which the right abutting piece 78f and the left abutting piece 78g contact the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82.

[0091] According to the above configuration, the position in the front-rear direction of the point of application of the downward force acting from the operating member 78 to the engaging member 76 can be made close to the position in the front-rear direction of the point of application of the upward force acting from the compression springs 80 and 82 to the engaging member 76. This makes it possible to prevent the engaging member 76 from tilting in the front-rear direction.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k (an example of a rod-shaped portion) have a rod-like shape extending in the left-right direction. The right contact piece 78f and the left contact piece 78g (an example of a contact piece) are disposed above the right beam 76j and the left beam 76k.

[0093] According to the above configuration, the configurations of the operating member 78 and the engaging member 76 can be simplified.

[0094] In one or more embodiments, the casing 20 further includes a right guide portion 92 and a left guide portion 94 (examples of guide portions) that prohibit movement of the engaging member 76 in the front-to-rear direction and allow movement of the engaging member 76 in the up-and-down direction. In the front-to-rear direction, the compression spring 80 is disposed rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94. In the front-to-rear direction, the compression spring 82 is disposed rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94.

[0095] According to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member 76 from the compression springs 80 and 82 can be made close to the front-rear positions of the right guide portion 92 and the left guide portion 94. This makes it possible to prevent the engaging member 76 from tilting in the front-rear direction.

[0096] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from the battery pack mounting portion 6 of the electrical device 4 by sliding it relative to the battery pack mounting portion 6. When the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the forward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is arranged as viewed from the battery pack 2 when the battery pack 2 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the battery pack 2 includes a casing 20, battery cells 28 housed inside the casing 20, an engaging member 76 held in the casing 20 so as to be movable in the up and down direction, a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 76 upward, and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is disposed spaced apart from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 76 upward. The engaging member 76 has an engaging portion 76b that protrudes to the outside of the casing 20. The engaging portion 76b extends in the up-down and left-right directions and has a right engaging surface 76o and a left engaging surface 76q (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 76o and the left engaging surface 76q are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the right engaging surface 76o. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is located leftward of the left end of the left engaging surface 76q.

[0097] According to the above configuration, the compression springs 80 and 82, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member 76 upward, thereby making it possible to balance the biasing force acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction and to prevent the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application at which the biasing force acts on the engaging member 76 can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion 76b. As a result, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member 76 and the casing 20 and causes the engaging portion 76b to get caught on the casing 20, the biasing forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to the engaging member 76 to eliminate the catch. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easy to balance the biasing force acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction and effectively preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20.

[0098] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from a battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 that includes device-side terminals 8 by sliding it relative to the battery pack attachment portion 6 . The direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack 2 is slid when attached to the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rearward direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is arranged as viewed from the battery pack 2 when the battery pack 2 is attached to the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction. The battery pack 2 includes a casing 20, battery cells 28 housed inside the casing 20, battery terminals 36 that mechanically engage with and electrically connect to the device terminals 8, an engaging member 76 held in the casing 20 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 76 upward, and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is arranged spaced apart from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 76 upward. The engaging member 76 has an engaging portion 76b that protrudes outside the casing 20. The engagement portion 76b extends in the up-down and left-right directions and has a right engagement surface 76o and a left engagement surface 76q (examples of engagement surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 76o and the left engagement surface 76q are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 76o and the left engagement surface 76q are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is located leftward of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0099] According to the above configuration, the compression springs 80 and 82, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member 76 upward, thereby making it possible to balance the biasing force acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction and to prevent the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application at which the biasing force acts on the engaging member 76 can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion 76b. As a result, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member 76 and the casing 20 and causes the engaging portion 76b to get caught on the casing 20, the biasing forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to the engaging member 76 to eliminate the catch. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easy to balance the biasing force acting on the engaging member 76 in the left-right direction and effectively preventing the engaging member 76 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 20.

[0100] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 2 can be attached to and detached from the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 by sliding it relative to the battery pack attachment portion 6. The battery pack 2 includes a casing 20, an engaging member 76 having an engaging portion 76b that protrudes to the outside of the casing 20, and an operating member 78 having an operating surface 78d exposed to the outside of the casing 20. The engaging portion 76b moves toward the inside of the casing 20 when the operating surface 78d is pressed. The operating surface 78d is formed with an anti-slip portion 78i consisting of a plurality of regularly arranged ridges 78h (an example of a convex shape and / or a concave shape). The anti-slip portion 78i is located on the side of the operating surface 78d that is closer to the engaging portion 76b.

[0101] According to the above configuration, when the user removes the battery pack 2 attached to the battery pack attachment portion 6, the user is prompted to press the operation surface 78d by placing his / her fingertip on the non-slip portion 78i that is arranged on the operation surface 78d on the side closer to the engagement portion 76b. Therefore, when the user presses the operation surface 78d, the pressing force can be applied at a position closer to the engagement portion 76b, and the engagement member 76 can be moved smoothly relative to the casing 20.

[0102] In one or more embodiments, the anti-slip portion 78i consists of a plurality of ridges 78h extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction (e.g., forward direction) in which the battery pack 2 is slid when removing the battery pack 2 from the battery pack mounting portion 6.

[0103] According to the above configuration, when a user places his / her fingertip on the anti-slip portion 78i and presses the operation surface 78d in order to remove the battery pack 2 attached to the battery pack attachment portion 6, the fingertip can be effectively prevented from slipping off the anti-slip portion 78i.

[0104] Example 2 The battery pack 102 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 22 is attached to an electrical device 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ) for use, similarly to the battery pack 2 of the first embodiment. The battery pack 102 can be attached to the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 by sliding it in a predetermined sliding direction relative to the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4. Hereinafter, the direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when attached to the battery pack attachment portion 6 will be referred to as the rearward direction, and the direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when removed from the battery pack attachment portion 6 will be referred to as the forward direction. Furthermore, the direction in which the battery pack attachment portion 6 is located as viewed from the battery pack 102 when attached to the battery pack attachment portion 6 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. In the following description, the same components as those of the battery pack 2 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The rated voltage of the battery pack 102 is, for example, 36 V. The rated capacity of the battery pack 102 is, for example, 4.0 Ah. The weight of the battery pack 102 is 1.0 kg or less, for example, 1.0 kg.

[0105] The battery pack 102 includes a casing 106 and a battery cell unit 108 (see FIG. 23) housed inside the casing 106. The casing 106 includes a lower casing 110 and an upper casing 112. The lower casing 110 and the upper casing 112 are fixed to each other by four bolts (not shown).

[0106] As shown in Figure 23, the battery cell unit 108 includes a battery cell 114 (see Figure 24), a resin cell holder 116 that holds the battery cell 114, a control circuit board 118 that is held by the cell holder 116 above the cell holder 116, lead plates 120 that are arranged on the left and right sides of the cell holder 116 and electrically connect the battery cell 114 and the control circuit board 118, and a battery-side terminal 36 that is provided on the top surface of the control circuit board 118.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 24 , the battery cells 114 are arranged in two vertical tiers. Each battery cell 114 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery cell. Each battery cell 114 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction. Each battery cell 114 is, for example, a 21700 type battery cell with a diameter of 21 mm and a longitudinal dimension of 70 mm. Five battery cells 114 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction in the lower tier. The battery cells 114 in the lower tier are arranged so that their positions in the vertical direction are approximately the same. Five battery cells 114 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction in the upper tier. The battery cells 114 in the upper tier are arranged so that their centers in the front-to-rear direction approximately coincide with the centers in the front-to-rear direction of the battery cells 114 in the lower tier. The battery cells 114 in the upper tier are arranged so that their positions in the vertical direction are approximately the same.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 23, a bracket 42 is provided on the upper surface of the control circuit board 118 to prevent short circuits between the battery-side terminals 36. As shown in Fig. 25, the upper surface of the control circuit board 118 has circuit element areas 46, 48. A microcontroller 50 is mounted in the circuit element area 46.

[0109] 22, the upper surface of the upper casing 112 is formed with a terminal opening 68, a battery-side rail 70, an engagement opening 72, and an operation opening 74. An engagement member 122 is attached to the engagement opening 72 and the operation opening 74.

[0110] 26, the engaging member 122 includes a base 122a, an engaging portion 122b protruding upward from the rear of the base 122a, a right support portion 122c disposed to the right of the base 122a, a left support portion 122d disposed to the left of the base 122a, an operating portion 122e extending downward and forward from the base 122a, and a support portion 122f extending downward from near the front end of the operating portion 122e. The engaging portion 122b includes a right engaging portion 122g disposed at the right end of the engaging portion 122b, a left engaging portion 122h disposed at the left end of the engaging portion 122b, and a connecting portion 122i connecting the right engaging portion 122g and the left engaging portion 122h. The right engagement portion 122g is arranged in the left-right and up-down directions and includes a right engagement surface 122j facing forward and a right inclined surface 122k that is positioned rearward and facing upward and rearward from the right engagement surface 122j and inclined downward as it extends from front to rear. The left engagement portion 122h is arranged in the left-right and up-down directions and includes a left engagement surface 122l facing forward and a left inclined surface 122m that is positioned rearward and facing upward and rearward from the left engagement surface 122l and inclined downward as it extends from front to rear. As shown in FIG. 27, the right support portion 122c includes a spring receiving groove 122n that is generally cylindrical and opens downward. The compression spring 80 (see FIG. 23) is attached to the spring receiving groove 122n. The left support portion 122d includes a spring receiving groove 122o that is generally cylindrical and opens downward. A compression spring 82 (see FIG. 23) is attached to the spring receiving groove 122o. As shown in FIG. 26, the operation portion 122e has an operation surface 122p that is pressed by the user. The support portion 122f has a right guide protrusion 122q that protrudes rightward from the right end of the support portion 122f and extends in the vertical direction, and a left guide protrusion 122r that protrudes leftward from the left end of the support portion 122f and extends in the vertical direction.

[0111] As shown in Figure 23, a spring support portion 124 that supports compression spring 80 and a spring support portion 126 that supports compression spring 82 are formed on the upper part of cell holder 116. Control circuit board 118 has a through hole 128 located near the right end of control circuit board 118 and a through hole 130 located near the left end of control circuit board 118. Spring support portion 124 passes through through hole 128 and protrudes upward. Spring support portion 126 passes through through hole 130 and protrudes upward. Compression springs 80, 82 bias engaging member 122 upward relative to cell holder 116.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 28 , a right guide portion 132 and a left guide portion 134 are formed on the inner surface of the upper casing 112 near the engagement opening 72. The right guide portion 132 accommodates the right support portion 122c of the engagement member 122 so that it can move up and down but cannot move forward and backward or to the right. The left guide portion 134 accommodates the left support portion 122d of the engagement member 122 so that it can move up and down but cannot move forward and backward or to the left. In addition, a right front guide portion 136 and a left front guide portion 138 are formed on the inner surface near the front end of the upper casing 112. The right front guide portion 136 holds the right guide protrusion 122q of the engagement member 122 so that it can move up and down but cannot move forward and backward or to the right. The left front guide portion 138 holds the left guide protrusion 122r of the engagement member 122 so that it can move up and down but cannot move forward and backward or to the left. As shown in Figure 29, the engagement member 122 is attached to the upper casing 112 so that the engagement portion 122b protrudes from the engagement opening 72 to the outside of the upper casing 112, the operation surface 122p of the operation portion 122e is exposed to the outside of the upper casing 112 through the operation opening 74, the right support portion 122c is housed in the right guide portion 132, the left support portion 122d is housed in the left guide portion 134, the right guide protrusion 122q is held in the right front guide portion 136, and the left guide protrusion 122r is held in the left front guide portion 138.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 30, when the engaging member 122 is attached to the upper casing 112, the compression springs 80, 82 urge the engaging member 122 upward relative to the cell holder 116, thereby pressing the engaging member 122 against the upper casing 112.

[0114] When the battery pack 102 is attached to the electric device 4, the housing 18 (see FIG. 3 ) of the electric device 4 abuts against the right inclined surface 122k and the left inclined surface 122m of the engaging member 122 and moves from rear to front, thereby pressing the engaging member 122 downward against the biasing force of the compression springs 80 and 82. When the engaging groove 12 (see FIG. 3 ) of the electric device 4 subsequently moves above the engaging portion 122b of the engaging member 122, the biasing force of the compression springs 80 and 82 pushes the engaging member 122 upward, and the engaging portion 122b enters the engaging groove 12. In this state, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l of the engaging member 122 are positioned opposite the engaging surface 12a (see FIG. 3 ) of the electric device 4, preventing the battery pack 102 from sliding forward relative to the electric device 4. This prevents the battery pack 102 from being removed from the electric device 4.

[0115] When removing the battery pack 102 from the electrical device 4, the user presses down on the operating surface 122p of the engaging member 122. This operation presses down the engaging member 122 against the biasing force of the compression springs 80, 82. This causes the engaging portion 122b of the engaging member 122 to come out of the engaging groove 12 of the electrical device 4, allowing the battery pack 102 to slide forward relative to the electrical device 4. From this state, the user can remove the battery pack 102 from the electrical device 4 by sliding the battery pack 102 forward relative to the electrical device 4.

[0116] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack 102 can be attached to and detached from the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 by sliding it relative to the battery pack attachment portion 6. When the direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when the battery pack 102 is removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the forward direction, when the battery pack 102 is slid when the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rearward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is arranged as viewed from the battery pack 102 when the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the upward direction, and the opposite direction to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the battery pack 102 comprises a casing 106, battery cells 114 housed inside the casing 106, a control circuit board 118 (an example of a circuit board) housed inside the casing 106, an engaging member 122 held in the casing 106 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 122 upward, and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is arranged spaced apart in the left-right direction from the compression spring 80 and biases the engaging member 122 upward. At least a portion of the control circuit board 118 is disposed between the compression springs 80 and 82. The engagement member 122 has an engagement portion 122b that protrudes to the outside of the casing 106. The engagement portion 122b extends in the up-down and left-right directions and has a right engagement surface 122j and a left engagement surface 122l (examples of engagement surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 122j and the left engagement surface 122l are disposed rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 122j and the left engagement surface 122l are disposed rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82.

[0117] According to the above configuration, the compression springs 80 and 82, which are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, bias the engaging member 122 upward. This allows the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 122 to be balanced in the left-right direction, thereby preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 106. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member 122 can be made close to the front-rear position of the engaging portion 122b. As a result, even if dust gets into the gap between the engaging member 122 and the casing 106 and the engaging portion 122b gets caught on the casing 106, the biasing forces of the compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to the engaging member 122 to release the catch. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, at least a portion of the control circuit board 118 is disposed between the compression springs 80 and 82, so that the space between the compression springs 80 and 82 can be effectively utilized.

[0118] In one or more embodiments, the right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 122j in the left-right direction. The left end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the left engagement surface 122l in the left-right direction.

[0119] According to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a wide space in which elements and wiring can be mounted on the control circuit board 118. Furthermore, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easy to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, and effectively preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 106.

[0120] In one or more embodiments, the left end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 122j in the left-right direction. The right end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the left engagement surface 122l in the left-right direction.

[0121] According to the above configuration, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a larger space for mounting elements and wiring on the control circuit board 118. Furthermore, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, and more effectively preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 106.

[0122] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack mounting portion 6 includes an apparatus-side terminal 8. The control circuit board 118 includes a battery-side terminal 36 that mechanically engages with and electrically connects to the apparatus-side terminal 8. The right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction. The left end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction.

[0123] According to the above configuration, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a wide space in which elements and wiring can be mounted on the control circuit board 118. Furthermore, a wide gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easy to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, and effectively preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 106.

[0124] In one or more embodiments, the left end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction. The right end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36 in the left-right direction.

[0125] According to the above configuration, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, thereby ensuring a larger space for mounting elements and wiring on the control circuit board 118. Furthermore, a wider gap is ensured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the biasing forces acting on the engaging member 122 in the left-right direction, and more effectively preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting in the left-right direction relative to the casing 106.

[0126] In one or more embodiments, the control circuit board 118 includes a microcontroller 50 that controls the operation of the battery pack 102. The microcontroller 50 is disposed between the compression springs 80 and 82.

[0127] According to the above configuration, the microcontroller 50 is provided on the control circuit board 118 between the compression springs 80 and 82, so that other parts of the control circuit board 118 can be effectively used as space for mounting other elements and wiring.

[0128] In one or more embodiments, the casing 106 further includes a right guide portion 132 and a left guide portion 134 (examples of guide portions) that prohibit movement of the engaging member 122 in the front-to-rear direction and allow movement of the engaging member 122 in the up-and-down direction. In the front-to-rear direction, the compression spring 80 is disposed rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134. In the front-to-rear direction, the compression spring 82 is disposed rearward of the front ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134 and forward of the rear ends of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134.

[0129] According to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application of the biasing force acting on the engaging member 122 from the compression springs 80 and 82 can be made close to the front-rear positions of the right guide portion 132 and the left guide portion 134. This makes it possible to prevent the engaging member 122 from tilting in the front-rear direction.

[0130] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 102 is detachable by sliding it onto the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 . The direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when the battery pack 102 is removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rearward direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is arranged as viewed from the battery pack 102 when the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction. The battery pack 102 includes a casing 106, battery cells 114 housed inside the casing 106, an engaging member 122 held in the casing 106 so as to be movable up and down, a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 122 upward, and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is arranged spaced apart from the compression spring 80 in the left-right direction and biases the engaging member 122 upward. The engaging member 122 includes an engaging portion 122b that protrudes outward from the casing 106. The engagement portion 122b extends in the up-down and left-right directions and has a right engagement surface 122j and a left engagement surface 122l (examples of engagement surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 122j and the left engagement surface 122l are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 80 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engagement surface 122j and the left engagement surface 122l are located rearward of the front end of the compression spring 82 and forward of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the left-right direction, the right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the right engagement surface 122j. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is located leftward of the left end of the left engagement surface 122l.

[0131] According to the above configuration, compression springs 80 and 82, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, urge engaging member 122 upward, so that the urging forces acting on engaging member 122 can be balanced in the left-right direction, and engaging member 122 can be prevented from tilting in the left-right direction relative to casing 106. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application at which the urging force acts on engaging member 122 can be made close to the front-rear position of engaging portion 122b. As a result, even if dust gets into the gap between engaging member 122 and casing 106 and engaging portion 122b gets caught on casing 106, the urging forces of compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to engaging member 122 to release the catch. Furthermore, with the above configuration, a wide gap is secured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the left-right biasing force acting on the engaging member 122, and effectively preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting left-right relative to the casing 106.

[0132] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack 102 can be attached to and detached from the battery pack attachment portion 6 of the electrical device 4 that includes the device-side terminals 8 by sliding it thereon. When the direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when the battery pack 102 is removed from the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the forward direction, the direction in which the battery pack 102 is slid when the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the rearward direction, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion 6 is arranged as viewed from the battery pack 102 when the battery pack 102 is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion 6 is defined as the upward direction, and the opposite direction of the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the battery pack 102 comprises a casing 106, battery cells 114 housed inside the casing 106, battery side terminals 36 that mechanically engage with and electrically connect to the device side terminals 8, an engaging member 122 held in the casing 106 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, a compression spring 80 (an example of a first biasing member) that biases the engaging member 122 upward, and a compression spring 82 (an example of a second biasing member) that is arranged spaced apart in the left-right direction from the compression spring 80 and biases the engaging member 122 upward. The engaging member 122 has an engaging portion 122b that protrudes to the outside of the casing 106. The engaging portion 122b extends in the up-down and left-right directions and has a right engaging surface 122j and a left engaging surface 122l (examples of engaging surfaces) that engage with the electrical device 4. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are located behind the front end of the compression spring 80 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. In the front-rear direction, the right engaging surface 122j and the left engaging surface 122l are located behind the front end of the compression spring 82 and in front of the rear end of the compression spring 82. The right end of the compression spring 80 is located to the right of the right end of the battery-side terminal 36. In the left-right direction, the left end of the compression spring 82 is located to the left of the left end of the battery-side terminal 36.

[0133] According to the above configuration, compression springs 80 and 82, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, urge engaging member 122 upward, so that the urging forces acting on engaging member 122 can be balanced in the left-right direction, and engaging member 122 can be prevented from tilting in the left-right direction relative to casing 106. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the front-rear position of the point of application at which the urging force acts on engaging member 122 can be made close to the front-rear position of engaging portion 122b. As a result, even if dust gets into the gap between engaging member 122 and casing 106 and engaging portion 122b gets caught on casing 106, the urging forces of compression springs 80 and 82 can be applied to engaging member 122 to release the catch. Furthermore, with the above configuration, a wide gap is secured between the compression springs 80 and 82, making it easier to balance the left-right biasing force acting on the engaging member 122, and effectively preventing the engaging member 122 from tilting left-right relative to the casing 106.

[0134] (Variation) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the spring support portions 84, 86, 124, 126 are formed on the cell holders 30, 116 and the compression springs 80, 82 urge the engaging members 76, 122 upward relative to the cell holders 30, 116. However, the spring support portions 84, 86, 124, 126 may also be formed on the upper casing 26, 112 or the lower casing 24, 110, and the compression springs 80, 82 may urge the engaging members 76, 122 upward relative to the upper casing 26, 112 or the lower casing 24, 110.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the first biasing member is a compression spring 80, but the first biasing member may be another type of spring such as a tension spring or a torsion spring, or may be an elastic member other than a spring, or may be a biasing member other than an elastic member. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the second biasing member is a compression spring 82, but the second biasing member may be another type of spring such as a tension spring or a torsion spring, or may be an elastic member other than a spring, or may be a biasing member other than an elastic member.

[0136] In the above embodiments, the circuit board is the control circuit board 32, 118 having the battery-side terminal 36, but the circuit board may not have the battery-side terminal 36. Alternatively, the circuit board may be a terminal circuit board having the battery-side terminal 36 and not having the microcontroller 50. Alternatively, the circuit board may not have both the battery-side terminal 36 and the microcontroller 50. For example, the circuit board may be an operation circuit board having a switch that accepts operation input from the user, or a display circuit board having an indicator light that displays information to the user.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the battery cells 28, 114 are lithium-ion battery cells, but the battery cells 28, 114 may be other types of secondary battery cells. Also, in the above embodiment, the battery cells 28, 114 have a generally cylindrical shape, but the battery cells 28, 114 may have other shapes. The number of battery cells 28, 114 included in the battery pack 2, 102 may be different from that in the above embodiment.

Claims

1. A battery pack that can be attached and detached by sliding it relative to a battery pack attachment portion of an electrical device, 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, when 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, when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, The battery pack A casing; a battery cell housed inside the casing; a circuit board housed inside the casing; an engaging member held by the casing so as to be movable in the up and down direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; a second biasing member disposed laterally spaced apart from the first biasing member and biasing the engaging member upward; At least a portion of the circuit board is disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member, The engaging member has an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the casing, the engaging portion is aligned along the vertical and horizontal directions and has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device, the engagement surface is disposed rearward of a front end of the first urging member and forward of a rear end of the first urging member in the front-rear direction, The battery pack, wherein the engagement surface is disposed rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member in the front-rear direction.

2. a right end of the first biasing member is disposed to the right of a right end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a left end of the second biasing member is located to the left of a left end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction.

3. a left end of the first biasing member is disposed to the right of a right end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction, The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein a right end of the second biasing member is located to the left of a left end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction.

4. the battery pack attachment portion is provided with a device-side terminal, the circuit board includes battery-side terminals that are mechanically engaged with and electrically connected to the device-side terminals; a right end of the first biasing member is disposed to the right of a right end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a left end of the second biasing member is disposed to the left of a left end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction.

5. a left end of the first biasing member is disposed to the right of a right end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction, The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein a right end of the second biasing member is disposed to the left of a left end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction.

6. the circuit board has a power path through which a current flows for discharging to and / or charging from the electrical device; The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the power path passes between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

7. the circuit board includes a microcontroller that controls the operation of the battery pack; The battery pack of claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is disposed between the first biasing member and the second biasing member.

8. The device further includes an operating member that is rotatably held by the casing and has an operating surface that is operated by a user, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the operation member rotates in a direction that presses the engagement member downward when the operation surface is pressed by the user.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the operation surface is disposed on a front upper surface of the casing.

10. 10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the operating member is held by the casing so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction.

11. The engaging member has an abutted portion, the operating member includes a contact portion disposed above the contacted portion, a position where the abutting portion and the abutted portion abut on each other is located rearward of a front end of the first biasing member and forward of a rear end of the first biasing member in a front-rear direction; 11. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein, in the front-to-rear direction, a position at which the abutting portion and the abutted portion abut is located rearward of a front end of the second biasing member and forward of a rear end of the second biasing member.

12. The contact portion includes a rod-shaped portion extending in the left-right direction, The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the abutting portion comprises an abutting piece disposed above the rod-shaped portion.

13. the casing further includes a guide portion that prohibits movement of the engaging member in a front-rear direction and allows movement of the engaging member in a vertical direction, the first biasing member is disposed rearward of a front end of the guide portion and forward of a rear end of the guide portion in the front-rear direction, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the second biasing member is disposed rearward of a front end of the guide portion and forward of a rear end of the guide portion in the front-rear direction.

14. A battery pack that can be attached and detached by sliding it relative to a battery pack attachment portion of an electrical device, When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removing the battery pack from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the forward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounting the battery pack to the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, when the battery pack is mounted to the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, The battery pack A casing; a battery cell housed inside the casing; an engaging member held by the casing so as to be movable in the up and down direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; a second biasing member disposed laterally spaced apart from the first biasing member and biasing the engaging member upward; The engaging member has an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the casing, the engaging portion is aligned along the vertical and horizontal directions and has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device, the engagement surface is disposed rearward of a front end of the first urging member and forward of a rear end of the first urging member in the front-rear direction, the engagement surface is disposed rearward of a front end of the second urging member and forward of a rear end of the second urging member in the front-rear direction, a right end of the first biasing member is disposed to the right of a right end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction; In the battery pack, a left end of the second biasing member is located to the left of a left end of the engagement surface in the left-right direction.

15. A battery pack that can be attached to and detached from a battery pack attachment portion of an electrical device that has a device-side terminal by sliding it, When the direction in which the battery pack is slid when removing the battery pack from the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the forward direction, when the direction in which the battery pack is slid when mounting the battery pack to the battery pack mounting portion is defined as the rearward direction, when the battery pack is mounted to the battery pack mounting portion, the direction in which the battery pack mounting portion is arranged as viewed from the battery pack is defined as the upward direction, and when the direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, The battery pack A casing; a battery cell housed inside the casing; a battery-side terminal that mechanically engages with and electrically connects to the device-side terminal; an engaging member held by the casing so as to be movable in the up and down direction; a first biasing member that biases the engaging member upward; a second biasing member disposed laterally spaced apart from the first biasing member and biasing the engaging member upward; The engaging member has an engaging portion that protrudes to the outside of the casing, the engaging portion is aligned along the vertical and horizontal directions and has an engaging surface that engages with the electrical device, the engagement surface is disposed rearward of a front end of the first urging member and forward of a rear end of the first urging member in the front-rear direction, the engagement surface is disposed rearward of a front end of the second urging member and forward of a rear end of the second urging member in the front-rear direction, a right end of the first biasing member is disposed to the right of a right end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction, In the battery pack, a left end of the second biasing member is disposed to the left of a left end of the battery-side terminal in the left-right direction.

16. The device further includes an operating member having an operating surface exposed to the outside of the casing, the engaging portion moves toward the inside of the casing when the operation surface is pressed, The operation surface is formed with anti-slip portions having regularly arranged convex and / or concave shapes, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the anti-slip portion is disposed on the operation surface on a side closer to the engaging portion.

17. 17. The battery pack of claim 16, wherein the anti-slip portion comprises a plurality of ridges and / or grooves extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the battery pack is slid when the battery pack is removed from the battery pack mounting portion.

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