Electrical equipment and electrical equipment systems

Abstract

Provided is an electrical device in which a terminal part is provided with input terminal having improved heat dissipation properties and improved strength. Provided is an electrical device which comprises a body part of the electrical device that has a load part and a battery pack attachment part formed in the body part, and in which a battery pack can be attached to and detached from the battery pack attachment part, wherein a positive electrode input terminal 42 and a negative electrode input terminal 47 among input terminals (32, 34-38, 42, 47) of a terminal part are formed to have an L-shaped or T-shaped cross-section, and horizontal plates 42b, 47b of the positive electrode input terminal 42 and the negative electrode input terminal 47 are shaped to overlap in the vertical direction with the lower side of an arm part of a connection terminal on the battery pack 100 side.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical equipment and electrical equipment systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical devices such as power tools are increasingly being powered by battery packs using secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, and cordless electrical devices are becoming more common. Furthermore, electrical device systems have been put into practical use, including voltage-switchable battery packs that can switch the output voltage and be used by electrical devices of different voltages, and electrical device main bodies configured to use such voltage-switchable battery packs. Patent Document 1 describes a power tool as an electrical device powered by a battery pack. The power tool main body is provided with an input terminal that connects to the power terminal of the battery pack. The input terminal in Patent Document 1 is a straight metal plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-101431 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As the performance and capacity of battery cells in battery packs improve, the output of electrical devices also increases, resulting in large currents flowing through the battery pack's power terminals and generating more heat. If the terminal shape of conventional battery packs is maintained, the surface area of ​​the terminals exposed to the air is limited, which could lead to insufficient heat dissipation when large currents flow. Furthermore, the input terminals in Patent Document 1 are vertically divided so that they can be connected to the vertically divided power terminals of the battery pack. However, the contact surface with the power terminals is small, leaving room for improvement in heat dissipation. Furthermore, as battery packs become larger and heavier, the terminals of the battery pack and electrical devices may become more susceptible to misalignment or deformation due to reaction forces during operation or external impacts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical device having an input terminal with improved heat dissipation, and an electrical device system using such an electrical device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical device and an electrical device system in which the terminals of the battery pack and the electrical device are less likely to become misaligned due to impact, etc. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical device and an electrical device system in which deformation of the input terminal can be suppressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Representative features of the invention disclosed in this application are as follows: One feature of the present invention is an electrical device comprising: a load section, a housing that accommodates the load section, and a power supply connection section that is provided in the housing and to which an external power supply device is attached or detached along a first direction, the power supply connection section having a base section and terminals that extend from the base section in the first direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction and have contact surfaces that come into contact with terminal sections of the external power supply device, the terminals protruding from the contact surfaces in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions and having conductive protrusions that are formed integrally with the contact surfaces. Also, in the power supply connection section that has a plurality of terminals that extend in a plate-like shape from the base section and come into contact with terminal sections of the external power supply device, the plate-like terminals Terminal Normal direction from the contact surface toA protrusion that extends to limit movement of the terminal portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction is provided on any of the plurality of terminals.

[0007] According to another feature of the present invention, a terminal provided with a protrusion in a power connection portion of an electrical device is formed in an L-shape or a T-shape when viewed from a first direction. The terminal is plate-shaped so as to extend in the first direction, both sides of which are formed as contact surfaces, and the protrusion is formed so as to protrude perpendicular to the contact surfaces. Furthermore, the protrusion is formed with an inclined portion or a stepped portion near an end portion facing from the base toward the first direction (the end portion opposite the base) so that the amount of protrusion increases.

[0008] According to yet another feature of the present invention, the terminals of the electrical device include a first positive input terminal connected to a first positive power terminal of the external power supply, a second positive input terminal adjacent to the first positive input terminal in the direction of extension of the contact surface and connected to a second positive power terminal of the external power supply, a first negative input terminal connected to the first negative power terminal of the external power supply, and a second negative input terminal adjacent to the first negative input terminal in the direction of extension of the contact surface and connected to a second negative power terminal of the external power supply, and the protrusion is provided on at least one of the four input terminals. Note that the protrusion is provided on the contact surface on the side where another adjacent input terminal is located in the second direction, but it may also be provided in a central portion of the contact surface in the second direction.

[0009] According to the present invention, an electrical equipment system is provided that includes the electrical equipment described above and a power supply device connected to a power supply connector. The power supply device of this electrical equipment system can be configured as a battery pack having battery cells and power supply terminals connected to the battery cells and terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric device and an electric device system having an input terminal with improved heat dissipation, an electric device and an electric device system in which the terminals of the battery pack and the electric device are less likely to become misaligned due to impact, etc., and an electric device and an electric device system in which deformation of the input terminal can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external shape of a main body of an electric device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 100 to be attached to an electric device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a right side view of an electric device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a top view of a circuit board 150 included in the battery pack 100 of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the circuit board 150 of FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a terminal 20 alone of the electric device 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are a front view and a bottom view, respectively, of the terminal 20 shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the attached state of the terminal 20 and the battery pack 100 at the AA portion of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] 1A to 1D are diagrams showing the terminal shapes of terminals 20, 20A to 20C according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the terminal shape of the first embodiment, and (B) to (D) show the terminal shapes according to first to third modified examples of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 1A to 1D are diagrams showing the terminal shapes of terminals 20D to 20G according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) to (D) are diagrams showing the terminal shapes according to fourth to seventh modified examples of the first embodiment. [Figure 11]10A to 10D show the terminal shapes of terminals 220A to 220D according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the terminal shape of the second embodiment, and (B) to (D) show the terminal shapes according to first to third modified examples of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the shape of a terminal 220E according to a fourth modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the positive input terminal of the terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external shape of a main body of a conventional electric device 201. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the shapes of a terminal 220 of a conventional electric device 201 and a terminal portion 130 of a battery pack 100, where (A) is a perspective view before attachment and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the BB portion when attached. [Figure 16] 1A is a connection circuit diagram showing the connection state between a conventional 36V electrical device 201 and a battery pack 100, and FIG. 1B is a connection circuit diagram showing the connection state between a conventional 18V electrical device and a battery pack 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Example]

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted. In addition, in this specification, the front-rear and up-down directions will be described as the directions shown in the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external shape of a main body (electrical device main body 1) of an electrical device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, an impact tool operating at a rated voltage of 36 V is shown as an example of the electrical device 1. A battery pack 100 (see FIG. 2) serving as an external power supply is detachably attached to the electrical device 1. A rotational force and an axial impact force are applied to an output shaft 8 using a rotational driving force from a motor (load unit), not shown, to tighten screws or the like using a tool holder 9. The main body of the electrical device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 2 made of synthetic resin. The housing 2 includes a body 2a that houses a motor and a power transmission mechanism, not shown, a handle 2b that extends downward from the body 2a, and a power connection 10 formed below the handle 2b. An operating lever 4 (not shown) for a switch that turns the motor on and off and adjusts the rotation speed is provided in a portion of the handle 2b near where the user's index finger rests when holding the device. Moreover, above the operating lever 4, a forward / reverse switching lever 5 for switching the rotation direction of the output shaft 8 is provided.

[0014] The power supply connector 10 has rail sections 11a and 11b formed on the inner wall sections on both left and right sides, each of which includes a groove or rail extending parallel to the front-rear direction. A terminal (device-side terminal) 20 is provided between the rail sections. The terminal 20 is formed by casting multiple metal terminals 32, 34-38, 42, and 47 into a molded component made of a non-conductive material such as synthetic resin. A rectangular opening 13 is formed in the left-right split housing 2, and the terminal 20 is fixed by being sandwiched between the left and right openings 13. A curved section 12 is formed on the underside of the power supply connector 10, located forward and above the terminal 20, and abuts against a raised section 115 (see FIG. 2, described below) of the battery pack 100. A protrusion 14 is formed near the center of the curved section 12. The protrusion 14 also serves as a boss for screwing the housing 2, which is split into two sections in the left-right direction, and abuts against a stopper section 115a (see FIG. 2, described below) of the battery pack 100, thereby limiting relative movement of the battery pack 100 in the installation direction.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery pack 100 to be attached to an electrical device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery pack 100 is a synthetic resin case consisting of an upper case 110 and a lower case 101, and contains ten lithium-ion battery cells rated at 3.6 V. Two cell units are prepared, each consisting of five battery cells connected in series, and the outputs (+ output, - output) of these cell units are connected to independent terminals. The upper case 110 is formed with a lower surface 111, an upper surface 114 located above the lower surface 111, and a stepped portion 113 located between the lower surface 111 and the upper surface 114. A slot group arrangement region 120 of the battery pack 100 is formed with a plurality of slots 121 to 128 extending rearward from the stepped portion 113 at the front on the upper surface 114. An opening 112 extending in the left-right direction is formed between the stepped portion 113 and the lower surface 111.

[0016] Two rails 117a and 117b are formed on the side surfaces of the upper surface 114 of the battery pack 100. The rails 117a and 117b are formed to include grooves whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the installation direction of the battery pack 100. The grooves of the rails 117a and 117b have an open front end and a closed rear end connected to the front wall surface of the raised portion 115. The rails 117a and 117b are provided with a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes latch buttons 119a and 119b and latch claws (hooking portions) 118a (not shown in the figure) and 118b that move inward when pressed. When removing the battery pack 100 from the electrical device main body 1, by pressing the latch buttons 119a, 119b on both the left and right sides, the latch claws 118a (not visible in the figure) and 118b move inward, releasing the engagement with the main body of the electrical device 1, and in this state, the battery pack 100 is moved in the opposite direction to the attachment direction.

[0017] A stopper portion 115a recessed downward from the protruding portion 115 is formed near the center between the latch buttons 119a and 119b of the battery pack 100. The stopper portion 115a serves as an abutment surface for the protrusion 14 (see FIG. 1) when the battery pack 100 is attached to the power supply connector 10, and when the protrusion 14 (see FIG. 1) of the electric device main body 1 is inserted until it abuts against the stopper portion 115a, multiple terminals (device-side terminals) arranged on the electric device main body 1 come into contact with multiple terminals (described later in FIGS. 4 to 6) arranged on the battery pack 100, and the respective terminals are brought into a conductive state.

[0018] A plurality of slits 116 serving as cooling air intakes are provided on the inner side of stopper portion 115a of battery pack 100. When battery pack 100 is connected to a charging device (not shown) for charging, slits 116 and 102 are used as ventilation windows for forcibly circulating cooling air inside battery pack 100.

[0019] Slot 121, located on the right side of battery pack 100 near rail 117a, is an insertion port for the charging positive electrode terminal (C+ terminal), and slot 122 is an insertion port for the discharging positive electrode terminal (+ terminal). Slot 127, located on the left side of battery pack 100 near rail 117b, is an insertion port for the negative electrode terminal (- terminal). Between the positive and negative electrode terminals, multiple signal terminals are arranged for transmitting signals used to control battery pack 100, electrical device main body 1, and an external charging device (not shown). Four slots 124-126, 128 are provided for signal terminals. Slot 123 is a spare insertion port. In this embodiment, instead of providing a metal terminal, a recess is formed for inserting a synthetic resin partition plate 26 (described later in FIG. 6). Slot 124 is an insertion port for the T terminal. Slot 125 is an insertion port for the V terminal. Slot 126 is an insertion port for the LS terminal. A slot 128 for the LD terminal is provided on the left side of the slot 127 which serves as an insertion opening for the negative terminal (- terminal).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a right side view of an electric device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a battery pack 100 is attached to the main body of the electric device 1. The battery pack 100 is attached from the front to the rear of the main body of the electric device 1, with its front side facing rearward relative to the main body of the electric device 1. To remove the battery pack 100, the battery pack 100 is moved relatively to the front side of the electric device 1 while pressing latch buttons 119a (not visible in the figure) and 119b. Note that when attached as shown in FIG. 3, the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the main body of the electric device 1 (shown in FIG. 1) and the front-to-back and left-to-right directions of the battery pack 100 (shown in FIG. 2) are reversed.

[0021] 3 shows an example in which an impact tool is used as the electrical device 1, the type of electrical device 1 is arbitrary, and the present invention can be applied to any type of electrical device as long as it is an device that operates a load device such as a motor, a light source, or a sound source using a battery pack 100. However, it is preferable that the shape of the terminals 20 for attaching the battery pack 100, particularly the shapes of the positive and negative input terminals, be a common shape for multiple electrical devices 1.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of the circuit board 150 included inside the battery pack 100 shown in FIG. 2. The circuit board 150 is exposed to the outside by removing the upper case 110 in the state shown in FIG. 2. A plurality of connection terminals are arranged on the top surface of the circuit board 150 from right to left. The connection terminals are roughly divided into two types: power connection terminals (131, 132, 137) for passing 36V DC, and signal connection terminals (134-136, 138) for transmitting or receiving signals between the main body of the electrical device 1 and the battery pack 100. The connection terminals (131, 132, 134-138) are formed by cutting out a thin plate made of conductive metal by press working and then bending it into a U-shape. The open side of the U-shape (e.g., 131d) faces forward, and the opposite side (e.g., 131e), which forms the bottom of the U-shape, faces backward. Near the opening of each connection terminal, a contact portion (e.g., 131a, 131b) is formed that is bent into an arc shape in top view and has a narrow gap to ensure good contact with the metal terminals (21, 22, 24 to 28 described later in Figure 6) of the terminal 20 of the electrical device 1.

[0023] Because a large current flows through the power connection terminals (131, 132, 137), the metal material forming the connection terminals is thicker to improve the mating state, reduce contact resistance, and improve durability. On the other hand, the signal connection terminals (134-136, 138) are low-voltage and small-current, so the metal material forming the connection terminals can be thinner. The circuit board 150 is a double-sided printed circuit board, and although not shown, wiring patterns are formed on the front and back sides, and a microcomputer and various electronic elements are mounted on it. A board cover 180 is provided in front of the connection terminals (131, 132, 134-138). The board cover 180 guides the metal terminals on the electrical device 1 side to the rear and protects the wiring pattern on the top surface of the circuit board 150. Four LEDs 156 for displaying the remaining battery power are provided near the center of the rear of the circuit board 150. When the worker presses the switch 155, the number of LEDs 156 corresponding to the remaining battery power based on the voltage of the battery cell lights up, thereby informing the worker of the remaining battery power.

[0024] Terminal 131 is a positive terminal (+ terminal) for charging, and terminal 132 is a positive terminal (+ terminal) for discharging. Although not visible in FIG. 4, two positive terminals and two negative terminals are provided, one above the other (details will be described later in FIG. 5). Terminal 137 is a negative terminal (- terminal), and two are provided, one above the other (details will be described later in FIG. 5). T terminal 134 is a terminal for outputting a signal that serves as identification information for battery pack 100 to the electrical device body or a charging device. V terminal 135 is a terminal for inputting a control signal from an external charging device (not shown). LS terminal 136 is a terminal for outputting temperature information of the battery cell from a thermistor (temperature-sensing element) (not shown) that is provided in contact with the battery cell (not shown) to the outside. LD terminal 138 is a terminal for outputting an abnormal stop signal from the battery cell protection circuit. The portion corresponding to the slot 123 is a spare space 139, which in this embodiment is a space into which a partition plate 26 made of synthetic resin (described later with reference to FIG. 6) is inserted.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the circuit board 150 shown in FIG. 4. The positive electrode terminal for charging is formed by two parts: an upper positive electrode charging terminal 131 located on the upper side and a lower positive electrode charging terminal 141 located on the lower side. Similarly, the positive electrode terminal for discharging is formed by two parts: a first positive electrode terminal (upper positive electrode terminal) 132 located on the upper side and a second positive electrode terminal (lower positive electrode terminal) 142 located on the lower side. The negative electrode terminal has a shape similar to the positive electrode terminal and is formed by two parts: a first negative electrode terminal (upper negative electrode terminal) 137 located on the upper side and a second negative electrode terminal (lower negative electrode terminal) 147 located on the lower side. The T terminal 134, V terminal 135, and LS terminal 136 have arms that are curved forward so that the gaps on both the left and right sides become narrower, and the input terminals (34-36) of the terminal 20 of the electrical device 1 are inserted between the arms. The LD terminal 138 is formed to have a larger size in the upward direction than the other signal terminals (134 to 136).

[0026] A board cover 180 is provided in front of the multiple connection terminals (131, 132, 134-138). The board cover 180 is a member for protecting the metal terminal portions of the terminals 20 on the main body side of the electrical device 1 from contacting the upper surface of the circuit board 150, and is made of a non-conductive material such as synthetic resin that is sufficiently strong. A rib-like central separator plate 181 extending vertically is formed in the left-right center of the board cover 180, between the T terminal 134 and the V terminal 135. Separators 185, 186 that are approximately L-shaped in front view are formed on both the left and right sides of the negative terminals 137, 147. Although not designated by reference numerals, similar separator plates are also formed on both the left and right sides of the positive terminals 131, 132. In this way, the board cover 180 also functions as a protective wall to prevent the positive terminals 131, 132 and the negative terminal 137 from contacting adjacent connection terminals. The board cover 180 is attached to the circuit board 150 after the connection terminals (131, 132, 134 to 138, 141, 142, 147) are fixed to the circuit board 150.

[0027] Here, the shapes of the terminal 220 of the conventional electric device 201 and the terminal portion (connection terminal group) 130 of the battery pack 100 will be described using Figures 14 to 16. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the external shape of the conventional electric device 201, and the only difference from the electric device 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is the shape of the lower positive electrode input terminal 49b and the lower negative electrode input terminal 49c of the terminal 220. The other components of the terminal 220 are the same as those of the electric device 1 of this embodiment and are assigned the same reference numerals. The electric device 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 1 is obtained by replacing the terminal 220 of the conventional electric device 201 with the terminal 20 shown in Figure 6.

[0028] Fig. 15(A) is a partial perspective view of a terminal 220 of a conventional electrical device 201 and the shape of a battery pack 100. Of the components included in the battery pack 100, only the shape of the terminal section 130 and the circuit board 150 to which the terminal section 130 is fixed are shown here. A wiring pattern (not shown) is formed within the circuit board 150, and multiple metal connection terminals (131, 132, 134 to 138, 141, 142, 147) are fixed, and the power connection terminals (131, 132, 137, 141, 142, 147) are wired to battery cells (not shown). The shapes of the connection terminals (131, 132, 134 to 138, 141, 142, 147) are the same as those shown in Figs. 4 and 5, but Fig. 15(A) does not show the board cover 180 (see Fig. 5). The configuration of terminal 220 of conventional electric device 201 is the same as the shape of terminal 20 of electric device 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the shapes of lower positive electrode input terminal 49b and lower negative electrode input terminal 49c. The shapes of the portions of lower positive electrode input terminal 49b and lower negative electrode input terminal 49c that extend forward from base 21 (base) are formed of metal flat plates, similar to upper positive electrode input terminal 32 and upper negative electrode input terminal 37.

[0029] Terminal section 130 is located near the center of circuit board 150 in the front-to-rear direction, with multiple metal terminals arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction. Terminal section 130 includes upper positive charging terminal 131, upper positive terminal 132, T terminal 134, V terminal 135, LS terminal 136, upper negative terminal 137, and LD terminal 138. The legs (not visible in the figure) of each connection terminal are passed through holes formed in circuit board 150 and fixed by soldering to a wiring pattern on the back side of circuit board 150 (not visible in the figure). Two positive terminals and two negative terminals are arranged above and below: lower positive charging terminal 141 for charging, lower positive terminal 142 for discharging (see FIG. 15(B)), and lower negative terminal 147 for discharging (see FIG. 15(B)).

[0030] Each connection terminal in terminal section 130 is formed by pressing a flat plate made of conductive metal and then bending it into a U-shape. For example, upper positive charging terminal 131 is bent so that the bottom of the U-shape faces rearward and the opening faces forward, and arms 131a and 131b are formed near the front end of the opening, narrowed on both sides to sandwich the input terminal on terminal 220. Lower positive charging terminal 141 has a similar shape, with arms 141a and 141b (not visible in the figure) of lower positive charging terminal 141 arranged vertically alongside arms 131a and 131b of upper positive charging terminal 131 at a distance. The shapes of the upper positive terminal 132 and the upper negative terminal 137 are the same as those of the upper positive charging terminal 131, and the shapes of the lower positive terminal 142 and the lower negative terminal 147 are the same as those of the lower positive charging terminal 141. The shapes of the connection terminals (134-136) are similar to those of the upper positive charging terminal 131, except for the plate thickness and vertical size, and each has arms formed on the left and right sides of the front side that sandwich the input terminal on the terminal 220 side. The shape of the connection terminal (138) is the same as those of the other signal connection terminals (134-136), except for the difference in vertical size.

[0031] FIG. 15(B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view of portion BB in FIG. 15(A)) of a terminal 220 of a conventional electric device 201 and a battery pack 100 attached thereto. Here, only the terminal 220 is shown as the configuration on the main body side of the electric device 201, and rail portions 11a and 11b (see FIG. 14) are omitted. Also, on the battery pack 100 side, a board cover 180 is shown, but the circuit board 150 is omitted. Eight openings are formed on the upper surface of the upper case 110 of the battery pack 100, as shown by slots 121 to 128 in FIG. 2 (here, only slots 121 and 122 are numbered). Each input terminal (32, 34-38, 49b, 49c) of terminal 220 passes through slots 121-128 (see FIG. 2 for reference numerals) in upper case 110 of battery pack 100 and is held between the arms of each connection terminal (132, 134-138, 142, 147) on battery pack 100. The internal space of slot 121, in which upper positive electrode charging terminal 131 and lower positive electrode charging terminal 141 are located, is used when an external charging device (not shown) is connected (during charging). Therefore, if the main body of electrical device 201 does not have a charging function, upper positive electrode charging terminal 131 and lower positive electrode charging terminal 141 will not be used.

[0032] The upper positive input terminal 32 is fitted to the upper positive terminal 132, and the lower positive input terminal 49b is fitted to the lower positive terminal 142. Similarly, the upper negative input terminal 37 is fitted to the upper negative terminal 137 (arms 137a, 137b), and the lower negative input terminal 49c is fitted to the lower negative terminal 147 (arms 147a, 147b). The signal terminals (134-136, 138) of the battery pack 100 are fitted to the signal input terminals (34-36, 38) of the terminal 220, respectively. The input terminals (32, 34-38) are connected to connector portions 32c, 34c-38c (see FIG. 15(A) for reference numerals) inside the base 21.

[0033] FIG. 16(A) shows the connection state between a battery pack 100 and a conventional high-voltage (e.g., 36V) electrical device 201. The illustration shows the positive input terminals (32, 49b) and the negative input terminals (37, 49c) of the terminals 220. The lower positive input terminal 49b and the lower negative input terminal 49c are connected by the same metal plate 49a (short bar 49). Inside the battery pack 100, five battery cells 165a-165e are connected in series to form a first cell unit 165, and five battery cells 166a-166e are connected in series to form a second cell unit 166. The positive output of the first cell unit 165 (the positive electrode of battery cell 165a) is connected to the upper positive terminal 132, and the negative output (the negative electrode of battery cell 165e) is connected to the lower negative terminal 147. Similarly, the positive output of the second cell unit 166 (positive electrode of battery cell 166a) is connected to the lower positive terminal 142, and the negative output (negative electrode of battery cell 166e) is connected to the upper negative terminal 137. By connecting the terminal 220 to the battery pack 100, the battery cell sets (cell units) 165 and 166 are connected in series, and the series-connected output (rated 36 V) is supplied from the positive input terminal 32 and the negative input terminal 37 to the electrical device 201.

[0034] 16(B) is a diagram showing the connection state between the battery pack 100 and the main body of a conventional low-voltage (e.g., 18V) electrical device. The positive input terminal 232 of the terminal of the 18V electrical device is manufactured from a vertically long metal flat plate so that it can simultaneously contact the arms (132a, 132b) of the upper positive terminal (first positive terminal) 132 and the arms 142a, 142b of the lower positive terminal (second positive terminal) 142, which are arranged spaced apart from each other vertically. Note that in this figure, the arm 142b provided corresponding to the arm 132a is not shown because it is in a position that cannot be seen in the figure (the same applies to the other arms 142b, 137b, and 147b). The negative electrode input terminal 237 is manufactured as a vertically elongated metal flat plate so that it can simultaneously contact the arms (137a, 137b) of the upper negative electrode terminal (first negative electrode terminal) 137 and the arms (147a, 147b) of the lower negative electrode terminal (second negative electrode terminal) 147, which are arranged spaced apart from each other. Since the low-voltage electrical device has such a positive electrode input terminal 232 and a negative electrode input terminal 237, when the battery pack 100 is attached to the low-voltage electrical device, the first cell unit 165 and the second cell unit 166 are connected in parallel between the positive electrode input terminal 232 and the negative electrode input terminal 237 of the low-voltage electrical device, and a rated DC voltage of 18 V is output. As described above, the battery pack 100 used in this embodiment automatically switches the supply voltage to the electrical device (electrical device body) depending on whether it is connected to a high-voltage (e.g., 36 V) terminal 220 or a low-voltage (e.g., 18 V) terminal. Returning to the description of the first embodiment again.

[0035] 6 is a perspective view of the terminal 20 of the electric device 1 of this embodiment. The terminal 20 is a component disposed in the power supply connection portion 10 of the housing, and is configured to include a base 21, which is a portion made of synthetic resin, and a plurality of plate-like input terminals extending forward (toward the first direction) from the base 21 in a plate shape to come into contact with terminal portions of an external power supply device (the battery pack 100 shown in FIG. 2, an AC adapter device (not shown) that supplies power to the electric device instead of the battery pack, and an external charger (not shown)). The plurality of input terminals are power input terminals (32, 37, 42, 47) including positive and negative poles, and signal input terminals (34-36, 38) for transmitting and / or receiving signals to and from the external power supply device. Here, the terminal 20 on the electrical device 1 side is a male terminal that is a metal plate-like, straight-shaped terminal, and the terminal portion of an external power supply device such as a battery pack 100 (for example, 132, 133, 134 to 138, 142, 147 shown in Figure 5) is formed as a female terminal that contacts both sides (contact surfaces) of the male terminal by clamping them with the arm portions.

[0036] The base 21 (base) is configured to include a rear wall 22 (part of the base) that holds the rear sides of the synthetic resin input terminals (32, 37, 42, 47, etc.) by casting them in, an upper wall 23 (part of the base) that holds the upper edges by casting them in, and a lower wall 24 that holds the rear lower edges by casting them in. Furthermore, groove-shaped clamping portions 23a and 23b are formed on the outer periphery of the upper wall 23 of the base 21 so as to be fixed to a housing member on the electrical device 1 side.

[0037] The positive power input terminal (+ terminal) consists of an upper positive input terminal 32 and a lower positive input terminal 42, which are arranged vertically at a predetermined distance apart. The negative power input terminal (- terminal) consists of an upper negative input terminal 37 and a lower negative input terminal 47, which are arranged vertically at a predetermined distance apart. The positive input terminals 32, 42 and the negative input terminals 37, 47 are configured so that their vertical height is less than half that of the other input terminals (34 to 36, 38). The signal input terminals consist of a T terminal 34 that inputs a signal that identifies the battery pack 100 from the external power supply, a V terminal 35 that outputs a control signal to the external power supply, an LS terminal 36 that inputs battery cell temperature information from a thermistor (temperature-sensing element, not shown) that is provided in contact with the battery cell from the external battery pack 100, and an LD terminal 38 that inputs an abnormal stop signal from the battery cell protection circuit. Partition plate 26 is a non-conductive wall manufactured integrally with base 21, and is formed to be larger and thicker than adjacent T-terminal 34. Partition plate 26 is formed to separate the space in which positive input terminals 32, 42 are provided from the other terminals (34 to 38, 47).

[0038] Each input terminal (32, 34-38, 42, 47) is made of a copper-based conductive material with excellent conductivity, and is arranged to extend from the rear wall 22 of the base 21 to one side (here, toward the front, the first direction). It has a predetermined height in the vertical direction (second direction), and contact surfaces with the terminal portion of an external power supply device (e.g., the battery pack 100 shown in FIG. 2) are formed on both side surfaces in the horizontal direction (third direction). Forming each input terminal (32, 34-38, 42, 47) in a plate-like shape ensures a sufficient surface area for the terminal, improving heat dissipation. Furthermore, not only the rear side of each input terminal but also portions of the upper and lower edges are cast-fit into the base 21, increasing the strength of each input terminal and suppressing deformation.

[0039] Connector portions 32c, 34c to 38c are disposed above each input terminal (32, 34 to 38) so as to penetrate upward from upper wall portion 23. Connector portion 32c is a metal member formed integrally with upper positive input terminal 32, and similarly, portions with the same numerals (e.g., 37 and 37c) are integrally formed from metal member to form conductive portions. The connector portions for wiring lower positive input terminal 42 and lower negative input terminal 47 can be disposed so as to penetrate rearward from rear wall portion 22, but may also be configured as shorting bars 49 (see FIG. 16(A)) made by bending a metal plate, as in the conventional example shown in FIG. 16(A), with a portion of the shorting bar (metal plate 49a in FIG. 16(A)) cast inside rear wall portion 22.

[0040] A reinforcing portion is formed around the contact portion (base portion) of each input terminal (32, 34 to 38, 42, 47) with the rear wall portion 22 by surrounding it with a synthetic resin portion as indicated by arrows 27a and 27b. Similarly, a reinforcing portion is formed around the contact portion (base portion) of the other terminals (34 to 38, 47) with the rear wall portion 22 by surrounding it with a resin material. A protrusion 25 that protrudes downward is formed at the center front end of the upper wall portion of the base 21. The protrusion 25 is provided to prevent the attachment of a battery pack (not shown) that is not compatible with the electrical device 1, i.e., to physically prevent the attachment of a battery pack that is not compatible with the terminal 20.

[0041] The lower negative input terminal 47 is not a simple plate-like member extending forward (in the first direction) and vertically (in the second direction) from the rear wall 22. Instead, it has a horizontal plate (protruding portion) 47b extending leftward from the lower end of a vertical plate 47a, and is formed so that it has an L-shape when viewed from the front. Here, the front end of the horizontal plate 47b is formed as if it were cut off at an angle, narrowing toward the front and widening in the left-right direction toward the rear. The shape of the tip of the horizontal plate 47b is arbitrary. The portion indicated by arrow 47c is formed so as to continue from the obliquely cut corner of the tip of the vertical plate 47a. The horizontal plate 47b is narrow toward the front and widens in the left-right direction toward the rear. Note that the shape of the area around arrow 47c may be formed so that the left-right width widens toward the rear, or the left-right width may be configured to increase in a stepped manner. This is because horizontal plate 47b does not interfere with the corresponding input terminal (lower negative terminal 147, which will be described later in FIG. 8) of battery pack 100. The shape of the horizontal part of lower positive input terminal 42 is not visible in FIG. 6, but as can be seen in FIG. 1, the shape of lower positive input terminal 42 is bilaterally symmetrical to that of lower negative input terminal 47, and as shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, lower positive input terminal 42 is also formed by vertical plate 42a and horizontal plate (protruding portion) 42b.

[0042] FIG. 7(A) is a front view of terminal 20. Of the input terminals (32, 34 to 38, 42, 47) provided on terminal 20, lower positive input terminal 42 is formed to have a vertical plate 42a and a horizontal plate 42b. Horizontal plate 42b (protruding portion) extends (protrudes) from the lower end (below the contact surface) of vertical plate 42a toward the inside (in the direction approaching central V terminal 35), and is formed in a left-right reversed L-shape when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 7(A). Similarly, lower negative input terminal 47 is formed to have a vertical plate 47a and a horizontal plate 47b. Horizontal plate 47b (protruding portion) extends (protrudes) from the lower end (below the contact surface) of vertical plate 47a toward the inside (in the direction approaching central V terminal 35), and is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the front. Here, the lower end position of the lower positive input terminal 42 and the lower end position of the lower negative input terminal 47 protrude slightly downward from the other input terminals (34 to 36, 38).

[0043] FIG. 7(B) is a bottom view of the terminal 20. Of the multiple input terminals, the upper negative input terminal 37 is formed with a slightly larger protrusion length in the forward direction, indicating that the upper negative input terminal 37 is at ground potential. On the underside of the terminal 20, near the attachment portion of each input terminal (34-38, 47) to the base 21, reinforcing portions 27c-27h are formed so as to surround the contact portion (base portion) with the rear wall portion 22 with a resin member. The lower surfaces of the reinforcing portions 27b and 27g shown in FIG. 7(A) are formed so as to be continuous with the lower wall portions 24 (24b, 24c). The lower wall portions 24b and 24c are reinforcing portions for casting the rear ends of the horizontal plates 42b and 47b, respectively.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6) showing the attachment state of the terminal 20 and the battery pack 100 at AA in FIG. 6. The terminal 20 has input terminals (32, 34-38, 42, 47) corresponding to the terminals (132, 134-138, 142, 147) on the battery pack 100. In this example, the electrical device 1 connected to the battery pack 100 is a power consuming device with a load section including a motor (not shown), so the positive charging terminals (C+ terminals) 131, 141 for charging are not used. Therefore, terminals such as the upper positive input terminal 32 and the lower positive input terminal 42 are not provided in the portions of the electrical device 1 corresponding to the positive charging terminals (C+ terminals) 131, 141 of the terminal 20. If the electrical device connected to the battery pack 100 is a charging device (not shown) that uses commercial power, terminals that engage with the positive charging terminals (C+ terminals) 131, 141 for charging are used.

[0045] The terminal portion of the battery pack 100 has arms (131a, 131b, 132a, 132b, 137a, 137b, 141a, 141b, 142a, 142b, 147a, 147b, etc.) that come into contact with the contact surfaces on both the left and right sides of each input terminal (132, 134 to 138, 142, 147). Note that although the reference numerals for all of the input terminals (34 to 38) are not shown as separate left and right arms in Fig. 8(A), they each have arms that can be represented by a and b. As described above, the lower positive input terminal 42 (42a, 42b) and the lower negative input terminal 47 (47a, 47b) are characteristic components of this embodiment. Here, the horizontal plate 42b of the lower positive input terminal 42 is located below a portion of the arm 142b of the lower positive terminal 142 of the battery pack 100, and a portion of the horizontal plate 47b of the lower negative input terminal 47 is located below the arm 147a of the lower negative terminal 147. In this case, the upper surface of the horizontal plate 42b and the arm 142b are not in contact with each other, and the upper surface of the horizontal plate 47b and the arm 147a are not in contact with each other. This increases the surface areas of the lower positive input terminal 42 and the lower negative input terminal 47, and allows heat transferred from the lower positive terminal 142 to the lower positive input terminal 42 and from the lower negative terminal 147 to the lower negative input terminal 47 to be effectively released into the atmosphere, improving heat dissipation.

[0046] FIG. 8(B) illustrates a state in which the electric device 1 receives a strong external impact (e.g., from the floor) during use, such as being dropped, causing the electric device 1 to receive a strong force that separates it from the battery pack 100 in the direction of arrow 45. In the future, as battery cells become higher in voltage and capacity, the weight and number of battery cells will increase, which could lead to an increase in the weight of the battery pack, an increase in the weight of the electric device itself due to higher voltage and higher output, or a significant increase in vibration during use. If the rails of the electric device and the battery pack are damaged by vibration or being dropped during use, the body of the electric device 1 may move relative to the battery pack in the direction of arrow 45. In this case, when the terminal 20 separates upward, a portion of the horizontal plate 42b of the lower positive input terminal 42 comes into contact with the arm 142b of the lower positive terminal 142 of the battery pack 100, and a portion of the horizontal plate 47b of the lower negative input terminal 47 comes into contact with the underside of the arm 147a of the lower negative terminal 147. This contact between horizontal plate 42b and arm 142b, and between horizontal plate 47b and arm 147a, prevents terminal 20 from moving further away from the state shown in Figure 8(B) in the direction of arrow 45, thereby preventing excessive misalignment between the terminals. Furthermore, because the strength of positive input terminal 42 and negative input terminal 47 is increased, deformation of the terminals can be suppressed, and misalignment due to deformation can also be suppressed.

[0047] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the terminal shapes of terminals 20, 20A to 20C according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, cross-sectional views (the cross-sectional position corresponds to section AA in Figure 6) of the connection terminals (32, 34 to 38) of terminal 20 and the connection terminals (132, 133 to 138, 142, 147) of battery pack 100 are shown, and the shapes of the metal terminal portions are shown schematically so that the features of the present invention can be understood. The left-right direction in Figure 9 is based on the direction toward the main body of electrical device 1 (the direction shown in Figure 1).

[0048] FIG. 9(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal shape of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, horizontal plates 42b, 47b are connected to the lower edges of the lower positive input terminal 42 and the lower negative input terminal 47, which are vertically spaced apart from each other. The lower positive input terminal 42 and the lower negative input terminal 47 are connected to the lower edges of the terminals, respectively, so that the terminals are L-shaped when viewed from the front. Specifically, the lower positive input terminal 42 has a vertical plate 42a that contacts arms 142a, 142b arranged laterally on the lower positive terminal 142 of the battery pack 100. A horizontal plate 42b is integrally connected to the vertical plate 42a and extends horizontally inward from the lower end. The horizontal plate 42b is located on one of the two arms 142a, 142b of the lower positive terminal 142, i.e., below the arm 142b.

[0049] As can be seen from the shape of the lower positive input terminal 42 shown in FIG. 7, the width of the horizontal plate 42b in the left-right direction is almost constant up to the rear end, except for the tapered tip (front end). When the battery pack 100 is properly attached to the electrical device 1, a gap 60a is formed between the horizontal plate 42b and the lower end of the arm portion 142b of the lower positive terminal 142. This is to prevent interference between the horizontal plate 42b and the arm portion 142b and interfere with the attachment of the battery pack 100. The lower end of the horizontal plate 42b protrudes slightly downward relative to the other connection terminals (34-35, 38). However, by fitting into the inner portion of the opening 112 shown in FIG. 2, it does not interfere with the housing (upper case 110) of the battery pack 100 when attached. Furthermore, the fact that the horizontal plate 42b does not come into contact with the arm portion 142b allows the horizontal plate 42b to effectively dissipate heat transmitted from the lower positive terminal 142, and therefore functions advantageously as a heat sink. The horizontal plate 42b may or may not come into contact with the arm portion 142b. If the horizontal plate 42b is in contact with the arm portion 142b, the contact area with the lower positive terminal 142 can be increased, which has the effect of reducing heat generation from the terminal portion. On the other hand, if the horizontal plate 42b is not in contact with the arm portion 142b, the fact that the horizontal plate 42b is not in contact with the arm portion 142b allows heat transmitted from the lower positive terminal 142 to be dissipated by the horizontal plate 42b, and therefore functions advantageously as a heat sink.

[0050] The lower negative input terminal 47 is symmetrical to the lower positive input terminal 42 and is formed by a vertical plate 47a and a horizontal plate 47b extending horizontally inward from the lower end of the vertical plate 47a. The lower end of the horizontal plate 47b protrudes slightly downward relative to the other connection terminals (34-35, 38), and a gap 60b is formed between the horizontal plate 47b and the lower end of the arm portion 147a of the lower negative terminal 147. This configuration allows heat to be effectively released into the atmosphere from the contact areas of the lower positive terminal 142 and the lower negative terminal 147, which are prone to heat generation due to the flow of a large current. As a result, the surface area of ​​the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal can be increased, thereby improving heat dissipation.

[0051] As described above, if the weight of the battery pack or the electrical device body increases in the future and a large force acts on the battery pack 100 such that it moves away from the electrical device 1 relative to the battery pack 100 for some reason (for example, damage to the rails 11a and 11b), the horizontal plate 42b will come into contact with the arm 142b, and the horizontal plate 47b will come into contact with the arm 147a, thereby suppressing excessive relative movement. Furthermore, if the weight of the battery pack increases with an increase in the capacity of the battery cells, excessive relative movement can be suppressed even if a defect such as damage to the rails (11a, 11b, 117a, and 117b) occurs. In particular, the increased strength of the positive and negative input terminals can suppress deformation of the terminals. Furthermore, even if the weight of the battery cells increases in the future with an increase in the capacity of the battery cells, the battery cell assembly can be held not only by the rails but also by the terminal 20, thereby significantly improving durability without increasing the size of the rails.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9(A), of the plurality of plate-shaped connection terminals (32, 34-38, 42, 47) formed on the terminal 20, some of the connection terminals (42, 47) have an L-shaped cross section. However, as long as the objectives of improving heat dissipation and preventing relative misalignment between the connection terminals are achieved, the terminal shape is not limited to that shown in Fig. 9(A), and various other shapes are also possible. Figs. 9(B) to (D) show terminal shapes according to first to third modified examples of this embodiment.

[0053] In the terminal 20A of FIG. 9(B), the shapes of the lower positive electrode input terminal 49b and the lower negative electrode input terminal 49c of the terminal 220 shown in FIG. 15(A) are changed to the shapes of the lower positive electrode input terminal 61 and the lower negative electrode input terminal 62. The lower positive electrode input terminal 61 is formed by a vertical plate 61a and a horizontal plate 61b extending horizontally inward from the upper end of the vertical plate 61a. Similarly, the lower negative electrode input terminal 62 is formed by a vertical plate 62a and a horizontal plate 62b extending horizontally inward from the upper end of the vertical plate 62a. Here, "inward" refers to the direction toward the V terminal 35, which is located in the center when viewed in the left-right direction (third direction). In this modification, horizontal plate 61b contacts the upper side of arm 142b, and horizontal plate 62b contacts the upper side of arm 147a, but if there is sufficient vertical space for horizontal plates 61b and 62b, the portions indicated by arrows 60c and 60d may be configured to be kept in a non-contact state rather than a contact state. In this way, the protruding portions (horizontal plates 61b and 62b) that protrude in the left and right directions are provided on the contact surface on the side where other nearby input terminals (32 and 37) are located in the vertical direction (second direction).

[0054] The terminal 20B of FIG. 9(C) is the same as the terminal 220 shown in FIG. 15(A), except that the shapes of the upper positive electrode input terminal 32 and the upper negative electrode input terminal 37 are changed to the shapes of the upper positive electrode input terminal 63 and the upper negative electrode input terminal 64. The upper positive electrode input terminal 63 is formed by a vertical plate 63a and a horizontal plate 63b extending horizontally inward from the lower end of the vertical plate 63a. Similarly, the upper negative electrode input terminal 64 is formed by a vertical plate 64a and a horizontal plate 64b extending horizontally inward from the lower end of the vertical plate 64a. Here, a small gap 60e is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 63b from contacting the underside of the arm portion 132b, and a small gap 60f is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 64b from contacting the underside of the arm portion 137a. The lower positive input terminal 49b and the lower negative input terminal 49c have the same shape as the terminal 220 shown in FIG. 15(A).

[0055] The terminal 20C of FIG. 9(D) is the same as the terminal 220 shown in FIG. 15(A), except that the shapes of the upper positive electrode input terminal 32 and the upper negative electrode input terminal 37 are changed to the shapes of the upper positive electrode input terminal 65 and the upper negative electrode input terminal 66. The upper positive electrode input terminal 65 is formed by a vertical plate 65a and a horizontal plate 65b extending horizontally inward from the upper end of the vertical plate 65a. Similarly, the upper negative electrode input terminal 66 is formed by a vertical plate 66a and a horizontal plate 66b extending horizontally inward from the upper end of the vertical plate 66a. Here, a gap 60g is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 65b from contacting the upper part of the arm portion 132b, and a gap 60h is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 66b from contacting the upper side of the arm portion 137a.

[0056] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the shapes of terminals 20D to 20G according to fourth to seventh modified examples of the embodiment of the present invention. Terminal 20D in FIG. 10A has a modified lower positive input terminal 71 and a modified lower negative input terminal 72. The horizontal plate 71b disposed below the vertical plate 71a of lower positive input terminal 71 is formed so as to extend not only inward but also outward. In other words, the cross section of lower positive input terminal 71 in FIG. 10A has an inverted T-shape. Similarly, the horizontal plate 72b at the lower end of vertical plate 72a of lower negative input terminal 72 has an inverted T-shape in cross section so as to extend not only inward but also outward. In this modified example, horizontal plate 71b is positioned below arms 142a, 142b of lower positive terminal 142, and horizontal plate 72b is positioned below arms 147a, 147b of lower negative terminal 147, and they are formed so as to be non-contacting as indicated by arrows 70a, 70b, but it is also possible to configure them so as to be in contact with each other.

[0057] Terminal 20E in FIG. 10(B) has modified shapes for the lower positive input terminal 73 and the lower negative input terminal 74. The lower positive input terminal 73 is formed by a vertical plate 73a and a horizontal plate 73b extending horizontally inward and outward from the upper end of vertical plate 73a. Similarly, the lower negative input terminal 74 is formed by a vertical plate 74a and a horizontal plate 74b extending horizontally inward and outward from the upper end of vertical plate 74a. In this modification, horizontal plate 73b contacts the upper sides of arms 142a and 142b of lower positive terminal 142, and horizontal plate 74b contacts the upper sides of arms 147a and 147b of lower negative terminal 147. However, if there is sufficient space for horizontal plates 73b and 74b to be positioned, the areas indicated by arrows 70c and 70d may be configured to remain non-contact.

[0058] In the terminal 20F of FIG. 10(C), the shapes of the upper positive electrode input terminal 75 and the upper negative electrode input terminal 76 have been modified. The upper positive electrode input terminal 75 is formed of a vertical plate 75a and a horizontal plate 75b extending horizontally inward and outward from the lower end of the vertical plate 75a. Similarly, the upper negative electrode input terminal 76 is formed of a vertical plate 76a and a horizontal plate 76b extending horizontally inward and outward from the lower end of the vertical plate 76a. Here, a small gap 70e is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 75b from contacting the lower sides of the arms 132a and 132b of the upper positive electrode terminal 132, and a small gap 70f is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 76b from contacting the lower sides of the arms 137a and 137b of the upper negative electrode terminal 137.

[0059] In the terminal 20G of FIG. 10(D), the shapes of the upper positive electrode input terminal 77 and the upper negative electrode input terminal 78 have been modified. The upper positive electrode input terminal 77 is formed of a vertical plate 77a and a horizontal plate 77b extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical plate 77a on both sides. Similarly, the upper negative electrode input terminal 78 is formed of a vertical plate 78a and a horizontal plate 78b extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical plate 78a on both sides. Here, a gap 70g is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 78b from contacting the upper sides of the arms 132a and 132b of the upper positive electrode terminal 132, and a gap 70h is provided to prevent the horizontal plate 78b from contacting the upper sides of the arms 137a and 137b of the upper negative electrode terminal 137.

[0060] As described above, even when using the terminals 20A to 20G of the first to seventh modified examples, the same effects as when using the terminal 20 of the first embodiment can be achieved, namely, the surface area of ​​the input terminal of the terminal 20 can be increased to improve heat dissipation, relative movement between the battery pack and the power tool body can be suppressed, and deformation can be suppressed due to the increased strength of the input terminal. [Example]

[0061] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing the terminal shapes of terminals 220A-220D according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 11A being a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the terminal shape of the second embodiment. Terminal 220 has a modified shape for some of the input terminals of terminal 220 used in 18V (low voltage) electrical equipment shown in FIG. 16B, i.e., the shapes of positive input terminal 242 and negative input terminal 247 used for power. The shapes of signal input terminals (234-236, 238) of terminal 220 are the same as the signal input terminals (134-136, 138) of terminal 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9A.

[0062] The positive input terminal 242 has a shape similar to that of the conventional positive input terminal 232 (see FIG. 16(B)), with a horizontal plate 242b added, so that when viewed from the front, it has a left-right inverted L-shape. In other words, the positive input terminal 242 is formed by a vertical plate 242a that contacts each arm portion of the two upper and lower positive terminals 132, 142 of the battery pack 100, and a horizontal plate 242b that is formed to extend horizontally inward from the lower end of the vertical plate 242a. The horizontal plate 242b is located below the arm portion 142b of the lower positive terminal 142. A predetermined distance is maintained between the arm portion 142b and the horizontal plate 242b, ensuring a gap 260a.

[0063] The negative input terminal 247 is formed by a vertical plate 247a that contacts each arm portion of the two upper and lower negative terminals 137, 147 of the battery pack 100, and a horizontal plate 247b that is formed to extend horizontally inward from the lower end of the vertical plate 247a. The horizontal plate 247b is located below the arm portion 147a of the lower negative terminal 147. A gap 260b is secured between the arm portion 147b and the horizontal plate 247b to separate them by a predetermined distance.

[0064] As described above, the provision of horizontal plates 242b and 247b increases the surface area of ​​the input terminals (positive input terminal 242, negative input terminal 247), and effectively releases heat transferred from battery pack 100 to positive input terminal 242 and negative input terminal 247 into the atmosphere. Furthermore, if a large force acts on battery pack 100 for some reason such that it moves downward relative to electrical device 201, horizontal plate 242b comes into contact with arm 142b, and horizontal plate 247b comes into contact with arm 147a, thereby suppressing excessive movement.

[0065] 11(B) to 11(D) are diagrams showing terminal shapes according to first to third modified examples of the second embodiment. In FIG. 11(B), the positive input terminal 242 and the negative input terminal 247 of the terminal 220A in FIG. 11(A) are inverted. The positive input terminal 252 is formed by a vertical plate 252a and a horizontal plate 252b extending horizontally inward from the upper end of the vertical plate 252a. The horizontal plate 252b is located above the arm 132b of the upper positive terminal 132 at a distance such that a gap 260c is maintained. The negative input terminal 257 is formed by a vertical plate 257a and a horizontal plate 257b extending horizontally inward from the upper end of the vertical plate 257a. The horizontal plate 257b is located above the arm 137a of the upper negative terminal 137 at a distance such that a gap 260d is maintained.

[0066] 11(C), the horizontal plates 242b and 247b of the positive and negative input terminals 242 and 247 of the terminal 220A in FIG. 11(A) are shaped to extend inward and outward (both left and right). In other words, the cross-sectional shapes of the positive and negative input terminals 262 and 267 are inverted T-shaped. The horizontal plate 262b of the positive input terminal 262 is positioned at a distance below the two arms 142a and 142b of the lower positive terminal 142, ensuring a gap 260e. The horizontal plate 267b of the negative input terminal 267 is positioned at a distance below the two arms 147a and 147b of the lower negative terminal 147, ensuring a gap 260f.

[0067] In FIG. 11(D), the positive input terminal 262 and the negative input terminal 267 of the terminal 220C in FIG. 11(C) are inverted to form a T-shaped cross section. The positive input terminal 272 is formed by a vertical plate 272a and a horizontal plate 272b extending horizontally inward and outward from the upper end of the vertical plate 272a. The horizontal plate 272b is positioned above the two arms 132a and 132b of the upper positive terminal 132 at a distance such that a gap 260g is maintained. The negative input terminal 277 is formed by a vertical plate 277a and a horizontal plate 277b extending horizontally inward and outward from the upper end of the vertical plate 277a. The horizontal plate 277b is positioned above the arms 137a and 137b of the upper negative terminal 137 at a distance such that a gap 260h is maintained.

[0068] As described above, by using the terminals 220A to 220D, it is possible to realize a low-voltage electrical device equipped with an input terminal with improved heat dissipation. Furthermore, by combining the electrical device (electrical device main body) of the first or second embodiment with a conventional battery pack, an external charging device, and an AC adapter-type power supply device, it is possible to realize an electrical device system. In electrical devices using these terminals 220A to 220D, the terminals of the battery pack and the electrical device are less likely to become misaligned even when subjected to an impact such as a drop, and deformation of the input terminals can be significantly reduced.

[0069] 12 is a diagram showing the shape of a terminal 220E according to a fourth modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. The positive and negative input terminals 282 and 287 are provided with horizontal plates 282b and 287b that protrude inward and outward from the center in the vertical direction. That is, the horizontal plate 282b protrudes from the contact surface of the vertical plate 282a of the positive input terminal 282 that contacts the terminal portion on the battery pack 100 side. As a result, the vertical plate 282a and the horizontal plate 282b intersect. Similarly, the vertical plate 287a and the horizontal plate 287b of the negative input terminal 287 also intersect. According to this modification, electrical device 201E having terminal 220E can be attached to battery pack 100 having positive terminals 132, 142 and negative terminals 137, 147 as shown in Figures 2 and 5, but cannot be attached to a conventional 18V-only battery pack (not shown) in which the positive and negative terminals are not separated into upper and lower. By forming a protrusion (convex portion) in the center of the contact surface on some of the multiple plate-shaped input terminals of terminal 220E in this way, a mis-attachment prevention function can be realized, such that terminal 220E can be attached only to a specific battery pack 100 and cannot be attached to a conventional 18V-only battery pack even if it has the same voltage.

[0070] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the positive terminal of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, two examples are shown to replace the components constituting the lower positive input terminal 42 (see FIG. 6) of the first embodiment. FIG. 13(A) shows an example of a lower positive input terminal 440 manufactured by machining a metal bar. Similar to the lower positive input terminal 42 (see FIG. 6), the basic configuration is a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from the front, with the left and right reversed. The rear side of the lower positive input terminal 440 is a cast portion 441, which is the portion that is cast into the rear wall portion 22 of the terminal 20. Note that the portion rearward of the cast portion 441 is not shown in FIG. 13(A).

[0071] The lower positive electrode input terminal 440 has a vertical plate 442 formed by cutting out a square bar and extending forward (in the first direction) from a casting portion 441. The vertical plate 442 is flat and has surfaces (a right side surface 442a and a left side surface 442b) extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. The right side surface 442a and the left side surface 442b are contact surfaces that come into contact with the arm portions 142b, 142a of the lower positive electrode terminal 142 of the battery pack 100, respectively. At the lower end of the right side surface 442a, a horizontal plate 443 is formed so as to extend (protrude) inward from the contact surface. The horizontal plate 443 is formed over substantially the entire area in the direction in which the lower positive electrode input terminal 440 extends (the first direction). This increases the surface area, improving the heat dissipation effect and increasing the strength. The leading edge surface 443a of the horizontal plate 443 is formed slightly rearward of the leading edge of the vertical plate 442, at the same position as the rear ends of the inclined surfaces 442c and 442d formed by slantingly rounding off the corners of the vertical plate 442. This allows for smooth connection to the terminal portion of the external power supply. The leading edge surface 443a may be configured to protrude from the contact surface at an acute angle relative to the contact surface. The leading edge surface 443a may be formed to be located slightly rearward of the rear ends of the inclined surfaces 442c and 442d. As described above, by forming the lower positive input terminal 440 by machining, an input terminal with extremely high rigidity and resistance to deformation is realized. The lower negative input terminal can also be manufactured in a similar manner with a symmetrical shape.

[0072] FIG. 13(B) shows an example of a lower positive input terminal 450 formed by press working. After being punched out from a metal plate, the lower positive input terminal 450 is formed into the shape shown in the figure by predetermined bending, press working, etc. The basic configuration is such that the cross section when viewed from the front is a roughly L-shape with the left and right reversed. The rear side of the lower positive input terminal 450 are cast portions 451a and 451b, which are parts that are cast into the rear wall portion 22 of the terminal. Note that FIG. 13(B) does not show the part behind cast portion 451a. Forming the lower positive input terminal 450 by press working allows for cheaper production than manufacturing by cutting out from metal.

[0073] The lower positive input terminal 450 is bent downward 90 degrees from the casting portion 451a to form a vertical plate 451b extending in the up-down, left-right, and right directions, and a vertical plate 452 is bent 90 degrees from the vertical plate 451b to form a vertical plate 452 extending forward (toward the first direction). Both the casting portion 451a and the vertical plate 451b are cast into the rear wall portion 22 of the terminal 20 and are not visible from the outside. The vertical plate 452 is flat and has surfaces (right side 452a and left side 452b) extending in the up-down and front-rear directions. The leading edge of the vertical plate 452 is formed with inclined surfaces 452c and 452d, with the left and right corners beveled. The right side 452a and the left side 452b are contact surfaces that come into contact with the arm portions 142b and 142a of the lower positive terminal 142 of the battery pack 100, respectively. Horizontal plate 453 is formed so as to extend (protrude) from the contact surface from the lower end of right side surface 452a to the right (inward). Front end surface 453a of horizontal plate 453 is formed at the same position as the rear ends of inclined surfaces 452c and 452d of vertical plate 452 (or slightly behind the rear ends). Each 90-degree bent portion of lower positive input terminal 450, i.e., the bent portions between cast portion 451a and vertical plate 451b, between vertical plate 451b and vertical plate 452, and between vertical plate 452 and horizontal plate 453, is bent not at a right angle but in an arc shape with a predetermined radius of curvature. As described above, lower positive input terminal 450 shown in FIG. 13(B) has been realized as a lower positive input terminal having sufficient strength and reduced manufacturing costs. The lower negative input terminals (not shown) corresponding to the lower positive input terminals 440 and 450 can also be manufactured by the same press work.

[0074] The present invention has been described above based on the first and second embodiments and their modifications, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiments, protrusions (horizontal plates) are formed on the power connection terminals, i.e., the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal, but protrusions may be formed on one or more of the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal. Furthermore, protrusions may be formed on the signal connection terminals (34 to 36, 38, etc.) in addition to or instead of the power connection terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...electrical device, 2...housing, 2a...body portion, 2b...handle portion, 4...operating lever, 5...forward / reverse switching lever, 8...output shaft, 9...tool holder portion, 10...power supply connection portion, 11a, 11b...rail portion, 12...curved portion, 13...opening, 14...projection portion, 20, 20A to 20D...terminal, 21...base, 22...rear wall portion, 23...upper wall portion, 23a, 23b...clamping portion, 24...lower wall portion, 25...convex portion, 26...partition plate, 27a, 27b...reinforcing portion, 32...upper positive input terminal, 32c, 34c to 38c...connector portion, 34...T terminal, 35...V terminal, 36 ...LS terminal, 37...upper negative input terminal, 38...LD terminal, 42...lower positive input terminal, 42a...vertical plate, 42b...horizontal plate, 47...lower negative input terminal, 47a...vertical plate, 47b...horizontal plate, 47c...inclined surface, 49...short bar, 49a...metal plate, 49b...lower positive input terminal, 49c...lower negative input terminal, 60a-60h...gap, 61...lower positive input terminal, 61a-66a...vertical plate, 61b-66b...horizontal plate, 62...lower negative input terminal, 63, 65...upper positive input terminal, 64, 66...upper negative input terminal, 70a...arrow, 71, 73... Lower positive electrode input terminal, 71a to 78a...vertical plates, 71b to 78b...horizontal plates, 72, 74...lower negative electrode input terminal, 75, 77...upper positive electrode input terminal, 76, 78...upper negative electrode input terminal, 100...battery pack, 101...lower case, 102...slit, 110...upper case, 111...lower surface, 112...opening, 113...step portion, 114...upper surface, 115...raised portion, 115a...stopper portion, 116...slit, 117a, 117b...rail portion, 118a, 118b...latch claw, 119a, 119b...latch button, 120...slot group arrangement area, 121~128...Slot, 130...Terminal section, 131...Upper positive charging terminal (C+ terminal), 131a, 131b...Arm section, 132...Upper positive terminal (1st positive terminal), 132a, 132b...Arm section, 134...T terminal, 135...V terminal, 136...LS terminal, 137...Upper negative electrode Terminal (first negative terminal), 137a, 137b... Arm, 138... LD terminal, 139... Spare space, 141... Lower positive charging terminal (C+ terminal), 142... Lower positive terminal (second positive terminal), 142a, 142b... Arm, 147... Lower negative terminal (second negative terminal), 147a,147b...arm, 150...circuit board, 155...switch, 156...LED, 165...first cell unit, 165a to 165e...battery cells, 166...second cell unit, 166a to 166e...battery cells, 180...board cover, 181...central separation plate, 185, 186...separation plate 201, 201A to 201E...electrical equipment 220, 220A to 220E...terminal, 232...positive input terminal, 237...negative input terminal, 242, 252, 262, 272, 282...positive input terminal, 242a, 252a, 262a, 272a, 282a...vertical plate 242b, 252b, 262b, 272b, 282b...horizontal plate, 247, 257, 267, 277, 287... negative input terminal, 247a, 257a, 267a, 277a, 287a... vertical plates, 247b, 257b, 267b, 277b, 287b... horizontal plates, 260a, 260b... gap, 440... lower positive input terminal, 441... casting portion, 442... vertical plate, 442a... Right side surface, 442b...left side surface, 442c, 442d...inclined surface, 443...horizontal plate, 443a...tip surface, 450...lower positive input terminal, 451a...casting portion, 451b...vertical plate, 452...vertical plate, 452a...right side surface, 452b...left side surface, 452c, 452d...inclined surface, 453...horizontal plate, 453a...tip surface,

Claims

1. A load section; a housing that accommodates the load portion; a power supply connector provided in the housing, to which an external power supply device is attached or detached along a first direction, the power supply connector including a base and a terminal extending from the base in the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, the terminal having a contact surface that comes into contact with a terminal portion of the external power supply device; An electrical device comprising: The terminal has a conductive protrusion that protrudes from the contact surface in a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, and is formed integrally with the contact surface.

2. A load section; a housing that accommodates the load portion; a power supply connector provided in the housing, to which an external power supply device is attached or detached along a first direction, the power supply connector having a base and a plurality of terminals extending from the base in a plate shape and coming into contact with terminals of the external power supply device; An electrical device comprising: a projection extending from a contact surface of the plate-like terminal in a normal direction to limit movement of the terminal portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The electrical device is characterized in that the protrusion is formed integrally with the contact surface and has electrical conductivity.

3. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, The electrical device is characterized in that the terminal on which the protrusion is provided has an L-shape when viewed from the first direction.

4. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, The electrical device, wherein the terminal on which the protrusion is provided has a T-shape when viewed from the first direction.

5. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, The electrical device, wherein the protrusion protrudes from the contact surface perpendicular to the contact surface.

6. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, The electrical device, wherein the protrusion is provided on the contact surface so as to extend in the first direction.

7. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, The electrical device, characterized in that the protruding portion has an inclined portion or a stepped portion at an end opposite the base portion in the first direction so that the amount of protrusion on the base portion side is greater.

8. 3. The electrical device according to claim 1, The terminal is a first positive input terminal connected to a first positive power terminal constituting the terminal portion of the external power supply; a second positive input terminal adjacent to the first positive input terminal in the direction in which the contact surface extends and connected to a second positive power terminal constituting the terminal portion of the external power supply; a first negative input terminal connected to a first negative power terminal constituting the terminal portion of the external power supply; a second negative input terminal adjacent to the first negative input terminal in the direction in which the contact surface extends and connected to a second negative power terminal constituting the terminal portion of the external power supply; and The electrical device, characterized in that the protrusion is provided on at least one of the first positive input terminal, the second positive input terminal, the first negative input terminal, and the second negative input terminal.

9. 9. The electrical device according to claim 8, The electrical device is characterized in that the protrusion is provided on the contact surface on a side where another adjacent input terminal is located in the second direction.

10. 9. The electrical device according to claim 8, The electrical device is characterized in that the protrusion is provided at a center of the contact surface in the second direction.

11. The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2; the external power supply device connected to the power supply connection portion; An electrical equipment system comprising:

12. The electrical equipment system according to claim 11, The electrical equipment system is characterized in that the external power supply device is a battery pack having a battery cell and the terminal portion connected to the battery cell and the terminal.

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