Electrical devices with replaceable batteries

Abstract

To provide a battery-replaceable electric device allowing, when various secondary batteries 2 with different remaining amounts are mounted on the electric device, replacement of the secondary battery 2 by performing appropriate drive restrictions based on the remaining amount of the secondary battery 2 and being usable with appropriate settings.SOLUTION: A secondary battery 2 identifies, when a remaining amount is low, that the remaining amount of the secondary battery 2 is low, and when it is identified by a battery memory 43 that the remaining amount of the secondary battery 2 is low, transmits to a body 12, a restriction remaining amount signal representing that the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive-restriction remaining amount state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an electric device with replaceable batteries.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a communication interface including a secondary battery, an electric blower operated by the power of the secondary battery, an operation control unit that controls the operation of the electric blower, and a notification control unit that can communicate with a notification unit that notifies a user of predetermined information. The operation control unit stops the operation of the electric blower when the voltage of the secondary battery becomes less than a first voltage during the operation of the electric blower. The operation control unit restricts the operation of the electric blower until the voltage of the secondary battery becomes greater than a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage. The notification control unit causes the notification unit to notify when the voltage of the secondary battery reaches the second voltage during charging of the secondary battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An electric device with a replaceable secondary battery is known. Therefore, consider the case where the secondary battery of a conventional electric vacuum cleaner is made replaceable. The electric vacuum cleaner with a replaceable battery shall include a main body to which the secondary battery is detachable.

[0005] For example, assume that a first secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as "first battery") having a remaining amount greater than a first value is mounted on the main body, and the electric vacuum cleaner is operated until the remaining amount becomes less than a second value, and then the first battery is charged until the remaining amount becomes greater than the first value and less than a second value. In this case, the operation control unit of the conventional electric vacuum cleaner is the second Two voltages than a first secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as "first battery") having a remaining amount greater than a first value is mounted on the main body, and the electric vacuum cleaner is operated until the remaining amount becomes less than a second value, and then the first battery is charged until the remaining amount becomes greater than the first value and less than a second value. In this case, the operation control unit of the conventional electric vacuum cleaner is the second Voltage less than the first value, and then the electric vacuum cleaner is operated until the remaining amount becomes less than the first value, and then the first battery is charged until the remaining amount becomes greater than the first value and less than a second value. In this case, the operation control unit of the conventional electric vacuum cleaner is the second Voltage greater than the first value, and less than a second value until the remaining amount becomes less than the first value, and then the first battery is charged until the remaining amount becomes greater than the first value and less than a second value. In this case, the operation control unit of the conventional electric vacuum cleaner is the second Voltage less than the first value, and then the electric vacuum cleaner is operated until the remaining amount becomes less than the first value, and then the first battery is charged until the remaining amount becomes greater than the first value and less than a second value. In this case, the operation control unit of the conventional electric vacuum cleaner is the second VoltageThe operation of the electric blower will be restricted until the above limit is reached.

[0006] Next, remove the first battery from the main unit and install a second secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as the "second battery") with a remaining charge of 2 voltage or higher into the main unit. In this case, the operation control unit of the conventional vacuum cleaner will release the restriction on the operation of the electric blower. After that, operate the vacuum cleaner and check the remaining charge of the second battery until it reaches 1 voltage. Voltage If the vacuum cleaner is stopped when the noise level is higher than this, the conventional vacuum cleaner's control unit does not restrict the operation of the electric blower. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner remains operational.

[0007] Under those circumstances, remove the second battery from the main unit and then reinsert the second battery. Voltage The first battery, with less than 100% remaining charge, is installed in the main unit. At this time, the control unit of the conventional vacuum cleaner does not restrict the operation of the electric blower, and the vacuum cleaner remains operational. In other words, in conventional vacuum cleaners, if the secondary battery is simply replaceable, the vacuum cleaner will operate even when the first battery, which should have restricted the operation of the electric blower, is installed in the main unit.

[0008] On the other hand, the remaining amount is second Voltage Insert the first battery into the main unit, Voltage Larger than, and second Voltage Let's assume the vacuum cleaner is operated until the temperature drops below a certain level. In this case, the conventional vacuum cleaner's control unit does not restrict the operation of the electric blower.

[0009] Next, remove the first battery from the main unit, and check the remaining charge of the first battery. Voltage A second battery, which is larger than the first, is installed in the main unit. Voltage The vacuum cleaner is operated until the following conditions are met. In this case, the conventional vacuum cleaner's control unit restricts the operation of the electric blower. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner becomes inoperable.

[0010] Under those circumstances, remove the second battery from the main unit and then reinsert the first battery. Voltage Larger than, and second VoltageThe first battery, with less than a certain remaining charge, is installed in the main unit. At this time, the operation control unit of the conventional vacuum cleaner controls the operation of the electric blower. of limit death Therefore, the vacuum cleaner is unable to operate. In other words, in conventional vacuum cleaners, if the secondary battery is simply made replaceable, the operating restriction on the electric blower should be lifted by the remaining charge. battery The vacuum cleaner cannot operate while this part is attached to the main unit.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electrical device with replaceable batteries that can use various batteries with different remaining charge levels in an appropriate setting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the aforementioned problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery-replaceable electrical device comprising: a secondary battery pack; a main unit from which the user can replace the secondary battery pack; and a communication interface for establishing communication between the secondary battery pack and the main unit, wherein the secondary battery pack comprises: a read / write battery memory; and a battery control unit that, when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack is low, stores in the battery memory that the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack is low, and transmits a limit charge signal to the main unit via the communication interface indicating that the secondary battery pack is in a load-driving limit charge state, when the battery memory is stored as being low; wherein the main unit comprises: a load driven by the power of the secondary battery pack; and a main unit control unit that controls the driving of the load based on the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack received via the communication interface, and limits the driving of the load when the limit charge signal is received. The battery control unit stores an identifier in the battery memory to identify the low charge state when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack falls below a first threshold, while changing the identifier in the battery memory to identify the low charge state when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack rises above a second threshold greater than the first threshold, and transmits the limited charge signal to the main unit control unit via the communication interface when the identifier identifies the low charge state, and transmits an unlimited charge signal to the main unit control unit via the communication interface when the identifier identifies the low charge state. ru. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an example of a battery-replaceable electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram of an electrical device with replaceable batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] A diagram for explaining an example of the association between the remaining amount and the threshold value of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] A diagram for explaining an example of the association between the remaining amount and the threshold value of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3C] A diagram for explaining an example of the association between the remaining amount and the threshold value of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A flowchart showing the operation of a battery control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing the operation related to the setting of a drive limit identifier of a battery control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the operation of a main control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] An internal operation flow of the motor operation state control of the main control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] An internal operation flow of the display state control showing the relationship between the main control unit and the notification unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing the operation of a main control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] An internal operation flow of the display state control showing the relationship between the main control unit and the notification unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] An internal operation flow of the motor operation state control of the main control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] An internal operation flow of the display state control showing the relationship between the main control unit and the notification unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of an electric device with a replaceable battery according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. In the plurality of drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an electric device with a replaceable battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 according to this embodiment includes a load, such as an electric motor 3, which is driven by the power stored in a secondary battery 2. The secondary battery 2 is also called a storage battery, rechargeable battery, or rechargeable battery. The electrical device 1 is, for example, a stick-type vacuum cleaner 5, which includes an electric blower 6 as a load into which the electric motor 3 is integrated.

[0017] The electric vacuum cleaner 5 comprises a main body 12 having a handle 11 for handheld operation, a rechargeable battery 2 that can be attached to the main body 12, an extension tube 15 connected to the main body 12, and a suction port 16 connected to the extension tube 15.

[0018] The electrical device 1 may be a canister-type vacuum cleaner 5, an upright-type vacuum cleaner 5, or a handheld vacuum cleaner 5 powered by a removable secondary battery 2. The electrical device 1 may also be a tool that converts the electrical energy supplied to the electric motor 3 into mechanical energy such as rotational driving force.

[0019] Furthermore, the electrical device 1, the vacuum cleaner 5, and the main unit 12 are used in various positions by the user holding the main unit 12 in their hand. Therefore, in Figure 1, the view in the direction of the solid arrow P is considered a plan view (top view), and the view in the opposite direction of the solid arrow P is considered a bottom view. In Figure 1, the view in the direction of the solid arrow F is considered a front view (front view), and the view in the opposite direction of the solid arrow F is considered a rear view. In Figure 1, the view in the direction of the solid arrow L is considered a left side view, and the view in the opposite direction of the solid arrow L is considered a right side view.

[0020] The main unit 12 comprises a main unit case 17 having a handle 11, an electric blower 6 housed in the main unit case 17 that generates suction negative pressure, a dust separation and collection unit 19 detachably provided on the main unit case 17, a battery mounting unit 21 from which a secondary battery 2 can be attached and detached, a charging terminal 22 that supplies power to the secondary battery 2, and a main unit control unit 23 that mainly controls the driving of the electric blower 6 and the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2.

[0021] The main unit 12 drives the electric blower 6 using the power stored in the secondary battery 2, generating negative pressure through the operation of the electric blower 6, and applies the generated suction negative pressure to the dust separation and collection unit 19. The suction negative pressure acting on the dust separation and collection unit 19 then acts sequentially on the extension pipe 15 and the suction port body 16. The suction negative pressure that reaches the suction port body 16 acts on the suction port 31 of the suction port body 16. The suction negative pressure acting on the suction port 31 draws dust-containing air (hereinafter referred to as "dust-containing air") from the floor surface into the suction port 31. The dust-containing air drawn into the suction port 31 flows into the dust separation and collection unit 19 through the suction port body 16 and the extension pipe 15. The dust separation and collection unit 19 separates dust from the dust-containing air drawn in by the suction negative pressure, collects and stores the separated dust, and sends the air from which the dust has been separated to the electric blower 6. The electric blower 6 exhausts the air from which the dust has been separated to the outside of the main unit case 17.

[0022] The battery mounting section 21 includes a mechanism for mechanically holding the secondary battery 2 in a removable manner, and terminals for electrically connecting the secondary battery 2 to the electrical circuit inside the main body 12. The mechanical mechanism of the battery mounting section 21 prevents the secondary battery 2 from becoming detached or falling out by, for example, engaging a releaseable lock with the fitted secondary battery 2.

[0023] Furthermore, the main unit 12 charges the secondary battery 2 using power supplied from the charging terminal 22. The charging terminal 22 is connected to the secondary battery 2 via the charging circuit of the main unit control unit 23.

[0024] Furthermore, the main unit 12 is equipped with an input section 27 positioned within the range of motion of the user's fingers while gripping the handle 11.

[0025] The main body case 17 is positioned on the extension line of the extension tube 15 and includes a columnar front portion 17a extending along the extension line of the extension tube 15, a central portion 17b hanging down diagonally backward from the front portion 17a, a cylindrical rear portion 17c extending backward from the lower half of the back of the central portion 17b, and a handle 11 extending backward from the upper half of the back of the central portion 17b, curving in an arc shape and connecting to the rear end of the upper surface of the rear portion 17c.

[0026] The front part 17a and the central part 17b of the main case 17 cooperate to detachably hold the dust separation and collection unit 19. The dust separation and collection unit 19 has a cylindrical appearance overall. The front part 17a and the central part 17b hold the dust separation and collection unit 19 with its centerline C, in other words, its longitudinal direction parallel to the extension of the centerline of the extension tube 15. When the extension tube 15 and the dust separation and collection unit 19 are attached to the main case 17, the extension of the centerline of the extension tube 15 and the centerline C of the dust separation and collection unit 19 are located on a central longitudinal section that substantially evenly divides the main case 17 into left and right halves. In other words, the longitudinal front part 17a and the cylindrical dust separation and collection unit 19 are positioned side by side with their centerlines parallel.

[0027] The front part 17a of the main body case 17 is positioned along the longitudinal direction, i.e., the extension direction, of the extension pipe 15 and extends in a tubular shape. The front part 17a has a joint structure that allows the extension pipe 15 to be attached and detached. The front part 17a has a main body connection port 25, which is the fluid inlet of the main body 12, and fluidly connects the extension pipe 15 to the dust separation and dust collection unit 19. By removing the extension pipe 15 from the main body 12, the main body connection port 25 also functions as a suction port when the main body 12 is used alone.

[0028] The rear section 17c of the main body case 17 houses the electric blower 6 and the main control unit 23. The rear section 17c has an exhaust port 26 that discharges the exhaust from the electric blower 6 from inside the main body case 17. A battery mounting section 21 is provided at the bottom of the rear section 17c, from which the secondary battery 2 can be attached and detached.

[0029] The central portion 17b of the main case 17 covers and conceals a portion of the rear end of the dust separation and collection unit 19, which is attached to the front portion 17a, and also houses an air passage (not shown) connecting the dust separation and collection unit 19 and the electric blower 6. The central portion 17b is connected to the rear end of the front portion 17a, which extends substantially in a straight line, and bulges diagonally downward and rearward from the main case 17. The central portion 17b has an appearance that slopes downward towards the rear of the main case 17.

[0030] The handle 11 is integrally attached to the main body case 17. The handle 11 is the part that the user holds with their hand when cleaning the floor with the vacuum cleaner 5. Therefore, it is preferable that the handle 11 has an appropriate shape that is easy for a person's fingers to grasp.

[0031] The handle 11 is installed between the front 17a and rear 17c of the main case 17. The handle 11 extends from the rear end of the front 17a in the direction of extension of the extension pipe 15 and curves in an arc to connect to the rear end of the rear 17c. A continuous space runs through the main case 17 in the left-right direction (width direction) between the handle 11 and the back of the central part 17b of the main case 17, and between the handle 11 and the top surface of the rear 17c of the main case 17. The fingers of the user gripping the handle 11, mainly the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, are positioned in this space.

[0032] The input unit 27 is located near the handle 11 and within the range of movement of the user's fingers while holding the handle 11. The input unit 27 is equipped with a switch that receives requests to operate the electric blower 6. This switch is electrically connected to the main unit control unit 23. The user of the vacuum cleaner 5 can operate the input unit 27 to alternately switch the electric blower 6 on and off.

[0033] The input unit 27 may also be equipped with a switch for switching the operating mode of the electric blower 6. In this case, the main control unit 23 switches the operating mode in the order of strong → medium → weak → strong → medium → weak →... each time it receives an operation signal from the operating mode switching switch. Alternatively, the input unit 27 may be equipped with separate switches for strong operation, medium operation, and weak operation instead of the operating mode switching switch.

[0034] The dust separation and collection unit 19 is located in an L-shaped storage space formed by the front part 17a and the central part 17b of the main body case 17. The dust separation and collection unit 19 separates, collects, and stores dust from the dust-containing air flowing into the main body 12, while simultaneously sending the clean air from which dust has been removed to the electric blower 6. The dust separation and collection unit 19 uses a centrifugal separation method that separates dust from air by centrifugal force, utilizing the difference in mass between dust and air. A filter using a filtration separation method that filters dust from dust-containing air may be provided downstream of the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0035] Furthermore, the dust separation and collection unit 19 extends in a cylindrical shape along the front-to-back direction of the main case 17. In other words, the dust separation and collection unit 19 is a cylindrical container having a center line C that extends in the front-to-back direction of the main case 17. The direction along the center line C of the dust separation and collection unit 19, the extension direction of the dust separation and collection unit 19, and the longitudinal direction of the dust separation and collection unit 19 are substantially the same and substantially coincide with the front-to-back direction of the main case 17. Therefore, the center line C of the dust separation and collection unit 19 is substantially parallel to the center line of the extension pipe 15. Also, the dust separation and collection unit 19 is attached to the front part 17a of the main case 17. That is, the longitudinal direction of the dust separation and collection unit 19 follows the longitudinal direction of the front part 17a of the main case 17. The diameter of the dust separation and collection section 19 is larger than the width dimension of the front part 17a of the main body case 17, and the dust separation and collection section 19 protrudes from the front part 17a of the main body case 17 in the left-right direction (width direction) of the main body 12. The left-right direction (width direction) of the main body 12 corresponds to the direction normal to the central vertical cross-section of the main body 12. The center line C of the cylindrical dust separation and collection section 19 is substantially contained within the central vertical cross-section of the main body 12.

[0036] The central portion 17b of the main case 17 includes a connecting port that is fluidly connected to the exhaust side of the dust separation and collection unit 19, and a downstream air passage for the separation unit that fluidly connects the connecting port to the electric blower 6. The central portion 17b includes a portion sandwiched between the dust separation and collection unit 19 and the rear portion 17c of the main case 17. The connecting port and the downstream air passage for the separation unit are located in this portion.

[0037] The connecting port is located in the front-facing portion of the central section 17b. When the dust separation and collection unit 19 is mounted on the main body case 17, the connecting port faces the rear end face of the dust separation and collection unit 19. Therefore, when the dust separation and collection unit 19 is mounted on the main body case 17, the connecting port is located on the extension of the center line C of the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0038] The suction side of the electric blower 6 is connected to the dust separation and collection unit 19 via a connecting port and a downstream air passage pipe of the separation unit. The electric blower 6 draws air from the dust separation and collection unit 19 to generate suction negative pressure. The electric blower 6 comprises an impeller, an electric motor 3 that generates rotational driving force for the impeller, and a rotating shaft that transmits rotational driving force from the electric motor 3 to the impeller.

[0039] An impeller, such as that found in a turbofan, has multiple blades. Each blade has a twisted shape, gradually rising radially from the center of a conical hub towards the outer edge of the hub. In other words, each blade is a so-called three-dimensional wing, where the airfoil or wing section changes from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The impeller is enclosed in a case that has an intake port.

[0040] The electric blower 6 has a cylindrical or columnar shape centered on a rotation axis. The rotation axis's centerline is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main body case 17, and the intake port faces forward, as it is housed in the main body case 17. Furthermore, the centerline of the rotation axis of the electric blower 6 is substantially positioned on the extension of the centerline C of the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0041] The main control unit 23 is located directly behind the electric blower 6. The main control unit 23 includes a microprocessor and a storage device 28 that stores various calculation programs and parameters executed by the microprocessor. When implementing control that allows the electric blower 6 to be selectively selected from multiple operating modes, the storage device 28 stores various settings (arguments) related to the multiple pre-set operating modes. The multiple operating modes are associated with the output of the electric blower 6. Each operating mode has different input values ​​set for each other (input value of the electric blower 6, target current value flowing through the electric blower 6). Each operating mode is associated with an operation request received by the input unit 27. The main control unit 23 selectively selects an arbitrary operating mode corresponding to the operation request of the input unit 27 from the multiple pre-set operating modes, reads the settings of the selected operating mode from the storage device 28, and operates the electric blower 6 according to the read operating mode settings.

[0042] The input value of the electric blower 6 corresponds to the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2. The discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 is controlled by the level of the discharge current or discharge voltage of the secondary battery 2. It is simpler and preferable to control the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 by the level of the discharge current of the secondary battery 2.

[0043] Furthermore, the main unit control unit 23 controls the charging of the secondary battery 2 when the charging terminal 22 of the main unit 12 is connected to a power source, such as a charger. The amount of charge of the secondary battery 2 is controlled by the level of the charging current or the charging voltage of the secondary battery 2.

[0044] The secondary battery 2 is a so-called battery pack. By discharging the power stored in the secondary battery 2, the electric blower 6 and the main unit control unit 23 are driven, and by charging the secondary battery 2, the power consumed by the electric blower 6 and the main unit control unit 23 is stored in the secondary battery 2. The secondary battery 2 can be attached to and detached from the main unit case 17. In other words, the vacuum cleaner 5 can be used by appropriately swapping out multiple secondary batteries 2. If the charge level of the secondary battery 2 installed in the vacuum cleaner 5 decreases, the vacuum cleaner 5 can continue to operate by replacing this secondary battery 2 with a fully charged secondary battery 2. That is, the secondary battery 2 can be charged while installed in the main unit case 17, or it can be removed from the main unit case 17, charged in a charger different from the vacuum cleaner 5, and then reattached to the main unit case 17. The vacuum cleaner 5 may be designed so that the secondary battery 2 can be easily replaced, or it may be designed so that the secondary battery 2 can be replaced by disassembling the main unit 12.

[0045] The notification unit 29 is controlled by the main unit control unit 23 and notifies the remaining charge and charging status of the secondary battery 2, for example, that the secondary battery 2 is charging, that the secondary battery 2 is fully charged, that the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 has fallen below a preset threshold and is in a low charge state, that the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 has fallen below a preset threshold and is in a load drive limit state where load driving should be restricted, and that the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 has fallen further and is so-called dead. By the differences in these notifications, the user of the electrical device 1 can know the remaining charge and charging status of the secondary battery 2. The notification unit 29 is, for example, at least one of the following: a display that shows information such as characters, a lamp or LED (Light Emitting Diode) that lights up or flashes and appeals to the user's sight, a sounder that emits electrically synthesized voice or buzzer sounds and appeals to the user's hearing, or a vibrator and appeals to the user's touch. The notification unit 29 is preferably located near the input unit 27. By arranging them in this way, the visibility of the information can be increased.

[0046] The extension pipe 15 and the suction port body 16 draw in dust from the floor surface along with air using the negative pressure acting from the electric blower 6 and guide it to the main unit 12.

[0047] The extension pipe 15 is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 6 via the main body connection port 25 and dust separation and collection section 19 of the main body case 17. The extension pipe 15 is long enough to reach the floor when the user is holding the handle 11 of the main body 12. One end of the extension pipe 15 has a detachable joint structure that connects to the main body connection port 25 of the main body 12. The other end of the extension pipe 15 has a detachable joint structure that connects to the suction port body 16 of the main body 12. The extension pipe 15 may be extendable or may have a fixed, non-extendable length.

[0048] The suction port body 16 is capable of traveling or sliding on floor surfaces such as wooden floors or carpets, and has a suction port 31 on its bottom surface facing the floor surface when traveling or sliding. The suction port body 16 also includes a rotatable rotating cleaning body 32 positioned at the suction port 31 and an electric motor 33 that drives the rotating cleaning body 32. One end of the suction port body 16 has a detachable joint structure that can be attached to the other end of the extension pipe 15. The suction port body 16 is fluidly connected to the suction side of the electric blower 6 via the extension pipe 15. The suction port body 16, the extension pipe 15, and the dust separation and collection unit 19 constitute the suction air passage from the electric blower 6 to the suction port 31.

[0049] The suction port 16 may also be equipped with a windmill (not shown) that drives the rotating cleaning body 32 instead of the electric motor 33. This windmill rotates due to the airflow drawn into the vacuum cleaner 5, driving the rotating cleaning body 32.

[0050] When the input unit 27 is operated while the electric blower 6 is stopped, the vacuum cleaner 5 starts the electric blower 6. If a mode change switch is installed, the vacuum cleaner 5 first starts the electric blower 6 in high-power mode, then changes the mode of the electric blower 6 to medium mode when the mode change switch is operated, and changes the mode of the electric blower 6 to low-power mode when the mode change switch is operated again, and so on. High-power mode, medium mode, and low-power mode are multiple pre-set modes. The input value to the electric blower 6 is highest in high-power mode and lowest in low-power mode. When the electric blower 6 is started, it draws air from the dust separation and collection unit 19 and creates negative pressure inside the dust separation and collection unit 19.

[0051] The negative pressure inside the dust separation and collection unit 19 acts on the suction port 31 through the main unit connection port 25, extension pipe 15, and suction port body 16 in sequence. The vacuum cleaner 5 uses the negative pressure acting on the suction port 31 to suck up dust from the surface to be cleaned along with air, cleaning the surface. The dust separation and collection unit 19 separates and stores dust from the dust-containing air sucked into the vacuum cleaner 5, while sending the air separated from the dust-containing air to the electric blower 6. The electric blower 6 exhausts the air sucked in from the dust separation and collection unit 19 to the outside of the main unit 12.

[0052] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electrical device 1 with replaceable batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the electrical device 1 according to this embodiment includes a secondary battery 2, a main body 12 to which the secondary battery 2 can be attached, and a communication interface 8 for establishing communication between the secondary battery 2 and the main body 12.

[0054] First, let's describe the secondary battery 2. The secondary battery 2 is a battery pack. The secondary battery 2 comprises at least one elementary cell 44, a battery state observation unit 41 that monitors items related to the state of the secondary battery 2, a battery memory 43 that stores information about the state of the secondary battery 2, and a battery control unit 42 that controls the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 2 based on the observation information of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery state observation unit 41 and the information about the state of the secondary battery stored in the battery memory 43.

[0055] The primary battery 44 can be selected from a variety of types, including lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion polymer secondary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-iron batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, silver oxide-zinc batteries, and cobalt-titanium lithium secondary batteries. Multiple primary batteries 44 are mounted in the secondary battery 2 to supply the desired power to the load of the electrical device 1. When mounting multiple primary batteries 44 in the secondary battery 2, it is preferable that the multiple primary batteries 44 have substantially the same battery characteristics.

[0056] The battery memory 43 stores information corresponding to the monitoring items of the secondary battery 2. For example, the battery memory 43 stores an identifier (hereinafter referred to as the "drive limit identifier") that indicates that the remaining charge of the primary battery 44 is in a low state that should limit the driving of the load. When the remaining charge of the primary battery 44 is in a low state that should limit the driving of the load, the secondary battery 2 sets the drive limit identifier in the battery memory 43. The load drive limit remaining charge state of the secondary battery 2 is a low state in which the remaining charge of the primary battery 44 should limit the driving of the load.

[0057] Furthermore, the secondary battery 2 stores an identifier (hereinafter referred to as the "charge state identifier") that indicates whether the primary battery 44 is being charged, and when the primary battery 44 is being charged, it sets the remaining charge identifier in the battery memory 43.

[0058] For the sake of clarity, the "remaining charge of the primary battery 44" will be referred to as "battery charge" below. Similarly, the "remaining charge of secondary battery 2," which is equivalent to the "remaining charge of primary battery 44," will also be referred to as "battery charge" below.

[0059] It is preferable to use at least one of the terminal voltage of the secondary battery 2 and the State of Charge (SOC) of the secondary battery 2 as indicators of the remaining battery level. It is sufficient that the terminal voltage and SOC are measured at least on the secondary battery 2. If they are not measured on the main unit 12, the terminal voltage and SOC can be transmitted from the secondary battery 2 to the main unit 12 via the communication interface 8.

[0060] The battery status observation unit 41 measures at least one predetermined monitoring item and transmits the obtained measurement result to the battery control unit 42. The battery status observation unit 41 includes at least one sensor unit that measures the physical quantity of the monitoring item. The battery status observation unit 41 may also include a circuit that reads the output of the sensor unit and converts it into the physical quantity of the monitoring item. The monitoring items of the battery status observation unit 41 include the remaining battery charge.

[0061] When the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 falls below a first threshold, which is a threshold indicating that the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state, the battery control unit 42 writes a drive limit identifier to the battery memory 43. Furthermore, when the remaining battery charge is greater than the first threshold and is equal to or greater than a second threshold, which is a threshold indicating that the secondary battery 2 is not in a load-drive limit remaining charge state, the battery control unit 42 releases the drive limit identifier set in the battery memory 43.

[0062] The drive limit identifier is written to a 1-bit memory area reserved in the battery memory 43. This 1-bit memory area is called the drive limit identification address. The drive limit identifier is a single value written to the drive limit identification address. When the drive limit identifier is released, the drive limit identification address takes the value 0.

[0063] Furthermore, if the secondary battery 2 is being charged, the battery control unit 42 writes a charge status identifier to the battery memory 43. If the secondary battery 2 is not being charged, the battery control unit 42 deactivates the charge status identifier set in the battery memory 43.

[0064] The charge status identifier is written to a 1-bit memory area allocated in the battery memory 43. This 1-bit memory area is called the charge status identification address. The charge status identifier is a value of 1 written to the charge status identification address. When the charge status identifier is deactivated, the charge status identification address takes the value of 0.

[0065] Furthermore, the battery control unit 42 transmits a signal to the main unit 12 via the communication interface 8, based on the drive limit identifier read from the battery memory 43, indicating that the secondary battery 2 is in a load drive limit remaining charge state (hereinafter referred to as the "limit remaining charge signal"), or a signal indicating that the secondary battery 2 is not in a load drive limit remaining charge state (hereinafter referred to as the "unlimited remaining charge signal"). For the sake of explanation, the limit remaining charge signal and the unlimited remaining charge signal are collectively referred to as the "limit signal".

[0066] The limit signal for the secondary battery 2 is assumed to be a binarized signal that takes either a value of 0 or 1. When the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state, that is, when a value of 1 is written to the drive limit identification address, the battery control unit 42 transmits a "limit remaining charge signal" to the main unit control unit 23. On the other hand, when the secondary battery 2 is not in a load-drive limit remaining charge state, that is, when a value of 0 is written to the drive limit identification address, the battery control unit 42 transmits an "unlimited remaining charge signal" to the main unit control unit 23.

[0067] The battery control unit 42 transmits a limited remaining charge signal to the main unit 12 via the communication interface 8 when a drive limit identifier is written to the battery memory 43, that is, when the drive limit identification address is a value of 1. When the drive limit identifier is released, that is, when the drive limit identification address is a value of 0, the battery control unit 42 transmits an unlimited remaining charge signal to the main unit 12.

[0068] Furthermore, the battery control unit 42 transmits a signal indicating that the secondary battery 2 is being charged (hereinafter referred to as the "charged signal") or a signal indicating that the secondary battery 2 is not being charged (hereinafter referred to as the "uncharged signal") to the main unit 12 via the communication interface 8, based on the charge status identifier read from the battery memory 43. For the sake of explanation, the charged signal and the uncharged signal are collectively referred to as the "charge status signal".

[0069] The charge status signal of the secondary battery 2 is assumed to be a binarized signal that takes either a value of 0 or 1. When the secondary battery 2 is charging, that is, when a value of 1 is written to the charge status identification address, the battery control unit 42 transmits a "charged signal" to the main unit control unit 23. On the other hand, when the secondary battery 2 is not charging, that is, when a value of 0 is written to the charge status identification address, the battery control unit 42 transmits a "not charged signal" to the main unit control unit 23.

[0070] The battery control unit 42 transmits a charged signal to the main unit 12 via the communication interface 8 when a charge state identifier is written to the battery memory 43, that is, when the charge state identification address is a value of 1. When the charge state identifier is cleared from the battery memory 43, that is, when the charge state identification address is a value of 0, the battery control unit 42 transmits a non-charged signal to the main unit 12.

[0071] Next, the main unit 12 will be described. The main unit 12 comprises an input unit 27, a main unit control unit 23, an electric motor 3, and a notification unit 29.

[0072] The main control unit 23 performs at least one of the following based on information obtained from the secondary battery 2: control of the discharge amount and control of the charge amount of the secondary battery 2.

[0073] The communication interface 8 includes the transmitting and receiving unit of the main unit 12 and the transmitting and receiving unit of the secondary battery 2. The communication interface 8 is a wired communication interface having signal lines that electrically connect the main unit 12 and the secondary battery 2.

[0074] Here, we will explain the relationship between the battery level, threshold, and driving limit identifier mentioned earlier.

[0075] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate an example of the relationship between the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 and a threshold value according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] As shown in Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C, the electrical device 1 has several thresholds related to the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2.

[0077] The multiple thresholds include a first threshold that restricts the discharge of the secondary battery 2 and prohibits restarting the load if the battery level falls below a certain level while the motor 3 is running, in order to suppress the degradation of the secondary battery 2; a second threshold that releases the restriction on the discharge of the secondary battery 2 and enables restarting the motor 3 if the battery level exceeds a certain level during the charging process of the secondary battery 2; a third threshold that notifies the user of the electrical equipment 1 that the battery level is low; and a fourth threshold that restricts the discharge of the secondary battery 2 and stops the motor 3 while it is running in order to prevent over-discharge of the secondary battery 2.

[0078] When the battery level is at the first threshold, the battery control unit 42 writes a drive limit identifier to the battery memory 43. In other words, the load drive limit remaining charge state of the secondary battery 2 is the state of the secondary battery 2 when the battery level is below the first threshold.

[0079] The second threshold is set to a battery level higher than the first threshold. Also, when the battery level reaches the second threshold, the battery control unit 42 releases the drive limit identifier written to the battery memory 43.

[0080] Furthermore, when the battery level reaches the third threshold, the notification unit 29 provides a notification indicating that the secondary battery 2 is in a low-charge state. In other words, the low-charge state of the secondary battery 2 is the state in which the battery level is below the third threshold.

[0081] The fourth threshold is set to a battery level below the first threshold. Furthermore, when the battery level reaches the fourth threshold while the motor 3 is running, the main control unit 23 performs control to forcibly stop the motor 3 from running.

[0082] Furthermore, if the battery level is greater than the fourth threshold, the motor 3 will continue to operate unless the drive is stopped by operating the input unit 27.

[0083] Furthermore, it is preferable that the notification unit 29 notifies of the low remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 before the battery level reaches the fourth threshold due to the driving of the load and the main control unit 23 forcibly stops the driving of the motor 3. In other words, the third threshold is set to a battery level higher than the fourth threshold. The third threshold may be set to a battery level higher than the second threshold (Figure 3A), the same as the second threshold, between the first and second thresholds (Figure 3B), the same as the first threshold, or between the first and fourth thresholds (Figure 3C). In other words, the relationship between the low remaining charge state of the secondary battery 2 and the load driving limit remaining charge state of the secondary battery 2 can change depending on the relative magnitudes (up / down relationship) of the first and third thresholds.

[0084] The drive limit identifier is written to the battery memory 43 when the battery level reaches the first threshold, regardless of the fourth threshold. In other words, the first threshold and the fourth threshold are set independently. Therefore, when the motor 3 is stopped and the drive limit identifier is written to the battery memory 43 at the same time, the fourth threshold is set to the same battery level as the first threshold, as shown by the dashed line in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0085] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the battery control unit 42 of the secondary battery 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] As shown in Figure 4, the battery control unit 42 of the secondary battery 2 according to this embodiment writes a drive limit identifier for the secondary battery 2 to the battery memory 43 when the battery level is low enough to restrict the driving of the load. In addition, when the drive limit identifier is written to the battery memory 43, the battery control unit 42 periodically transmits a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23 via the communication interface 8.

[0087] Specifically, first, the battery control unit 42 performs the initial setup of the secondary battery 2 (step S1).

[0088] Next, the battery control unit 42 acquires the remaining battery charge observed by the battery state observation unit 41 (step S2).

[0089] Next, the battery control unit 42 identifies whether the secondary battery 2 is being charged or not (step S3). If the secondary battery 2 is being charged, the battery control unit 42 writes the charge status identifier to the battery memory 43. If the secondary battery 2 is not being charged, the battery control unit 42 either deactivates the charge status identifier in the battery memory 43 or does not write the charge status identifier to the battery memory 43.

[0090] Next, the battery control unit 42 identifies whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state based on the battery charge level obtained from the battery state observation unit 41 (step S4). If the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state, the battery control unit 42 writes the drive limit identifier to the battery memory 43. If the secondary battery 2 is not in a load-drive limit remaining charge state and the battery charge level is above the second threshold, the battery control unit 42 either releases the drive limit identifier from the battery memory 43 or does not write the drive limit identifier to the battery memory 43. A specific example is explained below using Figure 5.

[0091] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of setting the drive limit identifier (Figure 4, step S4) of the battery control unit 42 of the secondary battery 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] As shown in Figure 5, the battery control unit 42 of the secondary battery 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines whether the remaining battery level is below a first threshold (step S11). If the remaining battery level is below the first threshold (step S11 - YES), the battery control unit 42 writes a drive limit identifier to the battery memory 43 (step S12).

[0093] On the other hand, if the battery level is greater than the first threshold (step S11, NO), the battery control unit 42 determines whether the battery level is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S13). If the battery level is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S13, YES), the battery control unit 42 initializes the drive limit identifier in the battery memory 43 and terminates the process (step S14). The initial value of the drive limit identifier is 0, which indicates that the secondary battery 2 is not in a load drive limit state. If a drive limit identifier has already been written to the battery memory 43, the battery control unit 42 changes the drive limit identification address of the battery memory 43 to 0. Also, if the drive limit identification address of the battery memory 43 was 0, the battery control unit 42 maintains the state in which the drive limit identification address of the battery memory 43 is 0.

[0094] On the other hand, if the battery level is below the second threshold (step S13·NO), the battery control unit 42 continues to maintain the value of the drive limit identification address in the battery memory 43 without changing it and terminates the process. Specifically, if the drive limit identification address in the battery memory 43 is already a value of 1, the battery control unit 42 maintains the drive limit identifier. Alternatively, if the drive limit identification address in the battery memory 43 is already a value of 0, the battery control unit 42 maintains the state in which the drive limit identifier has been released.

[0095] The battery control unit 42 repeats steps S2 to S6 at a predetermined interval.

[0096] In addition to the processes shown in Figures 4 and 5, the battery control unit 42 transmits a limit signal for the secondary battery 2 to the main unit control unit 23 via the communication interface 8, based on the presence or absence of a drive limit identifier written to the battery memory 43.

[0097] If a drive limit identifier is written to the battery memory 43, that is, if the drive limit identification address of the battery memory 43 is a value of 1, the battery control unit 42 transmits a limit remaining charge signal to the main unit control unit 23. On the other hand, if a drive limit identifier is not written to the battery memory 43, that is, if the drive limit identification address of the battery memory 43 is a value of 0, the battery control unit 42 transmits an unlimited remaining charge signal to the main unit control unit 23. For example, if the battery control unit 42 has already transmitted a remaining charge signal to the main unit control unit 23, it stops transmitting the limit remaining charge signal to the main unit control unit 23 and transmits an unlimited remaining charge signal. Alternatively, if it has already transmitted an unlimited remaining charge signal to the main unit control unit 23, it continues transmitting the unlimited remaining charge signal to the main unit control unit 23.

[0098] In addition, separate from the processes shown in Figures 4 and 5, the battery control unit 42 transmits a charge status signal of the secondary battery 2 to the main unit control unit 23 via the communication interface 8 based on the presence or absence of a charge status identifier written to the battery memory 43.

[0099] If a charge state identifier is written to the battery memory 43, the battery control unit 42 changes the charge state identification address to a value of 1 and sends a charge signal to the main unit control unit 23. On the other hand, if no charge state identifier is written to the battery memory 43, the battery control unit 42 initializes the charge state identifier in the battery memory 43 and terminates processing. The initial value of the charge state identifier is 0, which indicates that the secondary battery 2 is not being charged. In other words, the battery control unit 42 changes the charge identification address to a value of 0 and sends a no-charge state signal to the main unit control unit 23.

[0100] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main unit control unit 23 of the main unit 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] As shown in Figure 6, the main unit control unit 23 of the main unit 12 according to this embodiment is started by power supplied from the secondary battery 2 when the secondary battery 2 is installed in the battery mounting section 21 of the main unit 12. In this case, processing including obtaining the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 is performed from the time the secondary battery 2 is installed until the main unit control unit 23 is started, so that the operation of the main unit control unit 23 is performed quickly and the responsiveness is improved when the electrical device 1 is in operation.

[0102] Furthermore, the main control unit 23 is started using power supplied from the secondary battery 2 when the input unit 27 is operated. In this case, the power required to drive the main control unit 23 can be kept down until the input unit 27 is operated, and as a result, the power consumption of the secondary battery 2 can be reduced.

[0103] The activated main unit control unit 23 performs the initial setup of the main unit 12 (step S21). This initial setup includes the initialization of the main unit memory 35.

[0104] Next, the main unit control unit 23 obtains a limit signal from the secondary battery 2 via the communication interface 8 and sets limit status information in the main unit memory 35 indicating whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state (step S22). When the main unit control unit 23 obtains a limit remaining charge signal from the secondary battery 2, it sets the limit status information to "limit present," and when it obtains an unlimit remaining charge signal, it sets the limit status information to "no limit."

[0105] Subsequently, the main unit control unit 23 obtains a charge status signal from the secondary battery 2 via the communication interface 8 and sets charge status information indicating whether the secondary battery 2 is in a charged state or not in the main unit memory 35 (step S23). When the main unit control unit 23 obtains a charge status signal from the secondary battery 2, it sets the charge status information to "charged," and when it obtains a non-charged signal, it sets the charge status information to "not charged."

[0106] Next, when the main control unit 23 detects an operation of the input unit 27, it sets the operation request of the input unit 27 in the main memory 35 (step S24). The main control unit 23 sets "operation" when it is requesting to drive the motor 3, and "no operation" when it is requesting to stop the motor 3.

[0107] For the sake of explanation, the following description will assume that the operating state of the motor 3 is either "stopped" or "operating," but the operating state of the motor 3 may also include the operating mode of the motor 3. In other words, the operating state of the motor 3 may include two or more operating states, such as "stopped," "high mode operation," "medium mode operation," and "low mode operation." In that case, it is preferable that the operation request of the input unit 27 includes an operation to select an operating mode, such as "high mode operation," "medium mode operation," and "low mode operation," in addition to "no operation" and "operation." Note that the operating states "operating" and "driving" below are synonymous.

[0108] Next, the main control unit 23 performs motor operation state control (step S25). The main control unit 23 controls the drive of the electric motor 3 according to the operating state of the electric motor 3. In other words, the main control unit 23 controls the discharge amount of the secondary battery 2 according to the operating state of the electric motor 3.

[0109] Next, the main unit control unit 23 performs display state control based on the remaining battery level (step S26).

[0110] Then, the main control unit 23 repeats steps S22 to S26 at a predetermined interval.

[0111] Figure 7 shows the internal operation flow of the motor operation state control (Figure 6, step S25) of the main unit control unit 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] As shown in Figure 7, the main control unit 23 controls the drive of the electric motor 3 based on the drive state of the electric motor 3, the operation request of the input unit 27, the charge status signal transmitted from the secondary battery 2, and the limit signal transmitted from the secondary battery 2.

[0113] The main control unit 23 determines the driving state of the electric motor 3 (step S31). If the driving state of the electric motor 3 is "stopped" (step S31, YES), the main control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining the operation request.

[0114] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether or not there is an operation request set in the main unit memory 35 by the operation of the input unit 27 (Figure 6, step S24) (step S32). If the operation request in the main unit memory 35 is "operation present" (step S32, YES), the main unit control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining the charge status of the secondary battery 2, and if the operation request in the main unit memory 35 is "no operation present" (step S32, NO), the process ends.

[0115] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is being charged or not based on the charge status information (Figure 6, step S23) set in the main unit memory 35 based on the charge status signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42 (step S33). If the charge status information in the main unit memory 35 is "not charging" (step S33, NO), the main unit control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining whether the secondary battery 2 is in the load drive limit remaining charge state (step S34). If the charge status information in the main unit memory 35 is "charging" (step S33, YES), the process ends.

[0116] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state (step S34) based on the limit status information (Figure 6, step S22) set in the main unit memory 35 based on the limit signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42. If the limit status information in the main unit memory 35 is "no limit" (step S34, NO), the main unit control unit 23 starts driving the electric motor 3 (step S35), and if the limit status information in the main unit memory 35 is "limit present" (step S34, YES), the process ends.

[0117] Furthermore, in the drive state determination process in step S31, if the drive state of the electric motor 3 is "driven" (step S31-NO), the process proceeds to the determination of the operation request.

[0118] Next, the main control unit 23 determines whether or not there is an operation request set in the main memory 35 by the operation of the input unit 27 (Figure 6, step S24) (step S36). If the operation request in the main memory 35 is "no operation" (step S36, NO), the main control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining the charge state of the secondary battery 2. On the other hand, if the operation request in the main memory 35 is "operation present" (step S36, YES), the main control unit 23 sets the drive state of the electric motor 3 to "stopped" in the main memory 35, stops the drive of the electric motor 3 (step S39), and terminates the process.

[0119] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is charging or not based on the charging status information (Figure 6, step S23) set in the main unit memory 35 based on the charging status signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42 (step S37). If the charging status information in the main unit memory 35 is "not charging" (step S37, NO), the main unit control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining whether the secondary battery 2 is in the load drive limit remaining charge state (step S38). On the other hand, if the charging status information in the main unit memory 35 is "charging" (step S37, YES), the main unit control unit 23 sets the drive state of the motor 3 to "stopped" in the main unit memory 35, stops the drive of the motor 3 (step S39), and terminates the process.

[0120] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state (step S38) based on the limit status information (Figure 6, step S22) set in the main unit memory 35 based on the limit signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42. If the limit status information in the main unit memory 35 is "limit present" (step S38, YES), the main unit control unit 23 stops driving the electric motor 3 (step S39) and terminates the process.

[0121] Figure 8 shows the internal operation flow of the display state control (Figure 6, step S26) illustrating the relationship between the main unit control unit 23 and the notification unit 29 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] As shown in Figure 8, the electrical device 1 is equipped with a notification unit 29. The main unit memory 35 of the main unit 12 stores multiple display patterns that are set based on the charging status signal of the secondary battery 2 and the limit signal of the secondary battery 2.

[0123] Furthermore, the notification unit 29 reads the display pattern stored in the main unit memory 35 and provides notification based on the display pattern.

[0124] For the sake of explanation, the notification unit 29 will be described using an LED as an example. There are three display patterns, and the notification unit 29 will turn off the LED when "display pattern 0" is selected, blink the LED when "display pattern 1" is selected, and light up when "display pattern 2" is selected.

[0125] First, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is charging or not based on the charging status signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42 (step S41). If the charging status information in the main unit memory 35 is "not charging" (step S41, NO), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 0" in the main unit memory 35 (step S42) and turns off the notification unit 29. On the other hand, if the charging status information in the main unit memory 35 is "charging" (step S41, YES), the main unit control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining whether the secondary battery 2 is in the load drive limit remaining charge state (step S43).

[0126] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state based on the limit signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42 and the limit status information set in the main unit memory 35 (Figure 6, step S22) (step S43). If the limit status information in the main unit memory 35 is "limit present" (step S43, YES), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 1" in the main unit memory 35 (step S44) and makes the notification unit 29 blink.

[0127] On the other hand, if the restriction status information in the main unit memory 35 is "no restriction" (step S43, NO), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 2" in the main unit memory 35 (step S45) and lights up the notification unit 29.

[0128] Therefore, the user of electrical device 1 can visually determine the remaining battery level from the difference in the notification pattern of the display state control, and as a result, can know whether or not the operation of electrical device 1 is being restricted.

[0129] The battery-replaceable electrical device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, configured as described above, controls the drive of the electric blower 6, which is a load, based on the remaining battery charge obtained from the secondary battery 2, and limits the electric blower 6 when a limit signal is received.

[0130] The first battery, with a remaining charge equal to or greater than the first threshold, is installed in the main unit 12, and the electrical device 1 is operated until the remaining charge falls below the first threshold. At this time, the battery control unit 42 of the first battery determines that the first battery is in a state where it is limited by the load drive limit, writes a drive limit identifier to the battery memory of the first battery (hereinafter referred to as the "first battery memory"), and sends a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. The main unit control unit 23 also controls the operation of the electric blower 6 based on the limit signal received from the battery control unit 42 of the first battery. As a result, the electrical device 1 is managed by the drive limit identifier written to the first battery memory, and can appropriately obtain power from the secondary battery 2 for charging and discharging.

[0131] Next, the first battery is charged until its remaining charge is greater than the first threshold but less than the second threshold. In this case, the drive limit identifier remains set in the first battery memory, and the battery control unit 42 continues to transmit a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. Therefore, the main unit control unit 23 restricts the operation of the electric blower 6 until the remaining charge of the first battery is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0132] Subsequently, the first battery, whose remaining charge is below the first threshold, is removed from the main unit 12, and the second battery, whose remaining charge is above the second threshold, is installed in the main unit 12. At this time, the battery control unit 42 of the second battery determines that the second battery is not in a state of remaining charge that limits the load drive, and since it has not written the drive limit identifier to the battery memory of the second battery (hereinafter referred to as "second battery memory"), it does not send a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. Therefore, the main unit control unit 23 releases the drive limit on the electric blower 6. Subsequently, if the electrical equipment 1 is operated and the operation of the electrical equipment 1 is stopped when the remaining charge of the second battery is greater than the first threshold, the main unit control unit 23 does not limit the operation of the electric blower 6. Therefore, the electrical equipment 1 remains in an operational state.

[0133] Under these circumstances, the second battery is removed from the main unit 12, and the first battery, with a remaining charge below the second threshold, is reinserted into the main unit 12. At this time, since a drive limit identifier is set in the first battery memory, the battery control unit 42 of the first battery again transmits a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. Consequently, the main unit control unit 23 limits the operation of the electric blower 6. As a result, the electrical device 1 is able to perform appropriate drive limits based on the remaining battery charge, allowing for the replacement of the secondary battery 2 and enabling the appropriate and easy use of a new secondary battery 2 with a different remaining charge.

[0134] On the other hand, the first battery, whose remaining charge is greater than or equal to the second threshold, is installed in the main unit 12, and the electrical device 1 is operated until the remaining charge is greater than the first threshold but less than the second threshold. At this time, the battery control unit 42 of the first battery determines that the first battery is not in a state where it is limited by the load drive limit, and does not write the drive limit identifier to the first battery memory, nor does it send a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. Furthermore, the main unit control unit 23 does not receive a limit signal from the battery control unit 42 of the first battery and does not limit the drive of the electric blower 6. Therefore, the electrical device 1 remains in an operational state.

[0135] Next, the first battery is removed from the main unit 12, and the second battery, whose remaining charge is greater than the first threshold, is installed in the main unit 12. The electrical device 1 is then operated until its remaining charge falls below the first threshold. At this time, the battery control unit 42 of the second battery identifies that the second battery is in a state where it is below the load drive limit, writes a drive limit identifier to the second battery memory, and sends a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. Consequently, the main unit control unit 23 limits the operation of the electric blower 6. Therefore, the electrical device 1 becomes inoperable.

[0136] Under these circumstances, the second battery is removed from the main unit 12, and the first battery, with a remaining charge greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, is reinserted into the main unit 12. At this time, since no drive limit identifier is set in the first battery memory, the battery control unit 42 of the first battery does not send a limit signal to the main unit control unit 23. Therefore, the main unit control unit 23 does not limit the operation of the electric blower 6. In other words, the electrical device 1 becomes operational. Even in this case, the electrical device 1 is able to perform appropriate drive limiting based on the remaining battery charge, allowing for the replacement of the secondary battery 2, and enabling the appropriate and easy use of a new secondary battery 2 with a different remaining charge.

[0137] In this embodiment, the electrical device 1 manages the remaining battery level using a drive limit identifier written to the first battery memory, and determines whether or not to restart the load, the electric blower 6, based on a limit signal transmitted from the secondary battery 2 to the main unit 12, thereby appropriately determining whether or not to operate the load using the secondary battery 2 installed in the main unit 12.

[0138] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main unit control unit 23 of the main unit 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the process in Figure 9, the same step numbers as in Figure 6 are used for processes that are the same as in Figure 6, and redundant explanations are omitted. The flowchart in Figure 9 is the same as the flowchart in Figure 6, but with the addition of a process to acquire the remaining battery level (step S51) after the process in which the main unit control unit 23 acquires the limit signal (step S22) and before the process in which the main unit control unit 23 acquires the charge status signal (step S23).

[0139] As shown in Figure 9, the main unit control unit 23 of the main unit 12 according to this embodiment acquires a limit signal from the secondary battery 2, sets limit status information in the main unit memory 35 (step S22), and then acquires the remaining battery charge from the secondary battery 2 via the communication interface 8 (step S51).

[0140] Next, the main unit control unit 23 sequentially acquires a charging status signal (step S23) and executes an operation request (step S24).

[0141] Next, the main unit control unit 23 performs motor operation state control (step S25A). Note that the display state control in this embodiment differs from step S25 in Figure 6 in that it uses the remaining battery level acquired in step S51 for control.

[0142] Subsequently, the main unit control unit 23 performs display state control based on the remaining battery level (steps S26A and S26B). Note that the display state control in this embodiment differs from step S26 in Figure 6 in that it uses the battery voltage acquired in step S51 for control.

[0143] Then, the main control unit 23 repeats steps S22 to S26A (step S26B) at a predetermined interval.

[0144] In this embodiment, a third threshold is used for the display state control process. Specifically, when the battery level reaches the third threshold, the main unit control unit 23 controls the notification unit 29 to inform the user of the low battery level of the secondary battery 2. The control of the notification unit 29 is, for example, control of notification by turning on, blinking, or turning off an LED.

[0145] Figure 10 shows the internal operation flow of the display state control (Figure 9, step S26A) illustrating the relationship between the main unit control unit 23 and the notification unit 29 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the process of Figure 10, processes similar to those in Figure 8 are given the same step numbers as in Figure 8.

[0146] The display state control in Figure 10 is performed when the main unit control unit 23 in the display state control in Figure 8 determined that the charge state was "charged" (step S41, YES). In this case, after the determination of the charge state of the secondary battery 2, the main unit control unit 23's drive state determination process (step S61) and a process to compare the magnitude of the remaining battery charge obtained by measurement with the third threshold (step S62) are added.

[0147] As shown in Figure 10, the main memory 35 of the electrical device 1 according to this embodiment stores a plurality of display patterns set based on charging status information based on the charging status signal of the secondary battery 2, limiting status information based on the limiting signal of the secondary battery 2, a comparison of the remaining battery capacity and a third threshold, and the driving status of the electric motor 3.

[0148] In this embodiment, the notification unit 29 has four display patterns. The notification unit 29 turns off the LED when "display pattern 0" is selected, blinks the LED slowly when "display pattern 1" is selected, turns on the LED when "display pattern 2" is selected, and blinks the LED rapidly when "display pattern 3" is selected.

[0149] If the main control unit 23 determines that the secondary battery 2 is "not charged" (step S41, NO) in the charge status determination process, it determines the drive status of the electric motor 3 (step S61). If the drive status of the electric motor 3 is "stopped" (step S61, NO), the main control unit 23 sets "display pattern 0" in the main memory 35 (step S42) and turns off the notification unit 29. On the other hand, if the drive status of the electric motor 3 is "driven" (step S61, YES), the main control unit 23 proceeds to the process of comparing the remaining charge of the secondary battery 2 with the third threshold (step S62).

[0150] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines in step S51 of Figure 9 whether the battery level is below the third threshold (step S62). If the acquired battery level is not below the third threshold (step S62, NO), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 0" in the main unit memory 35 (step S42) and turns off the notification unit 29. On the other hand, if the battery level is below the third threshold (step S62, YES), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 3" in the main unit memory 35 (step S63) and makes the notification unit 29 blink rapidly.

[0151] On the other hand, if the main unit control unit 23 determines that the secondary battery 2 is "charged" (step S41, YES) in the charging state determination process, and that the load drive limit remaining state of the secondary battery 2 is "limited" (step S43, YES), it sets "display pattern 1" in the main unit memory 35 (step S64) and causes the notification unit 29 to blink slowly.

[0152] Therefore, the user of electrical device 1 can visually determine the remaining battery level from the difference in the notification pattern of the display state control, and as a result, can know whether there is an operational limitation on electrical device 1 or whether the remaining charge of secondary battery 2 has decreased.

[0153] The battery-replaceable electrical device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, configured as described above, includes a notification unit 29 that notifies the user that the secondary battery 2 is in a low-charge state when the remaining battery level is below a third threshold, which is greater than a first threshold. In other words, the electrical device 1 may incorporate the comparison judgment between the remaining battery level and the third threshold into the display state control (step S26). Therefore, when the remaining battery level decreases due to the operation of the electrical device 1, the notification unit 29 notifies the user of the decrease in the remaining battery level before and after limiting the operation of the motor 3, allowing the user to anticipate the limitation of restarting the motor 3 and to understand that the secondary battery 2 is close to being depleted.

[0154] Furthermore, the electrical device 1 receives a limiting signal from the secondary battery 2 to the main unit control unit 23 at a predetermined interval and is equipped with an alert unit 29 on the main unit side that alerts the user when the battery level is below a third threshold greater than a first threshold, indicating that the secondary battery 2 is in a low-charge state. In other words, the secondary battery 2 does not need to have an alert unit 29. Therefore, the secondary battery 2 can be made smaller and lighter. Consequently, the user can easily replace the secondary battery 2. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the alert unit 29 can be reduced.

[0155] Figure 11 shows the internal operation flow of the motor operation state control (Figure 9, step S25A) of the main control unit 23 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the process in Figure 11, processes that are the same as those in Figure 6 are given the same step numbers as in Figure 6, and repetitive explanations are omitted.

[0156] The motor operation state control in Figure 11 is a modified version of the motor operation state control in Figure 6, in which the process of determining whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load drive limit remaining charge state (step S34) is replaced with a process of comparing the remaining battery charge with the fourth threshold (step S71).

[0157] As shown in Figure 11, the main control unit 23 controls the operation of the motor 3 based on the drive state of the motor 3, the operation request of the input unit 27, the charge status signal transmitted from the secondary battery 2, and a comparison of the remaining battery charge and the fourth threshold.

[0158] Therefore, the display state control process shown in Figure 11 uses a fourth threshold. Specifically, when the battery level reaches the fourth threshold, the main unit control 23 stops supplying power from the battery control 42 to the motor 3. Consequently, the motor 3 becomes unable to be restarted. At this time, the battery level has already reached the first threshold, and the main unit control 23 has received a limited remaining charge signal from the battery control 42. Therefore, the main unit control 23 continues to be unable to restart the motor 3 while it is receiving the limited remaining charge signal. As a result, the electrical device 1 cannot operate again until it receives an unlimited remaining charge signal from the secondary battery 2.

[0159] If the drive state is "stopped" (step S31, YES), the operation request is "operation available" (step S32, YES), and the charge status information is "no charge" (step S33, NO), the main control unit 23 determines whether the remaining battery charge obtained from the secondary battery 2 in step S51 of Figure 9 is below the fourth threshold (step S71). If the remaining battery charge is not below the fourth threshold (step S71, NO), the main control unit 23 sets the drive state of the motor 3 to "drive" in the main memory 35, starts driving the motor 3 (step S35), and terminates the process. On the other hand, if the remaining battery charge is below the fourth threshold (step S71, YES), the main control unit 23 maintains the state where the drive state of the motor 3 is "stopped" and terminates the process.

[0160] On the other hand, if the drive state is "driven" (step S31, NO), the operation request is "no operation" (step S36, NO), and the charge status information is "no charge" (step S37, NO), the main control unit 23 determines whether the remaining battery charge obtained from the secondary battery 2 in step S51 of Figure 9 is below the fourth threshold (step S72). If the remaining battery charge is below the fourth threshold (step S72, YES), the main control unit 23 stops driving the motor 3 (step S39) and terminates the process. On the other hand, if the remaining battery charge is below the fourth threshold (step S72, NO), the main control unit 23 maintains the state in which the drive state of the motor 3 is "driven" and terminates the process.

[0161] In the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the main unit control 23 stops driving the load when the remaining battery level is below the fourth threshold, which is smaller than the first threshold. In other words, when the remaining battery level reaches the fourth threshold, the electrical device 1 determines that the secondary battery 2 is depleted and stops driving the load. This makes it possible to prevent over-discharge of the secondary battery 2.

[0162] Figure 12 shows the internal operation flow of the display state control, illustrating the relationship between the main unit control unit 23 and the notification unit 29 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 corresponds to the display state control (step S26B) in Figure 9.

[0163] The display state control in Figure 12 replaces the process of comparing the remaining battery level with the third threshold (step S62) in the display state control of Figure 10 with a process of determining the remaining load drive limit state of the secondary battery 2 (step S81). In the process of Figure 12, the same steps as in Figure 10 are given the same step numbers, and repetitive explanations are omitted. Also, in the process of Figure 12, there is no control of the main unit control unit 23 using the remaining battery level, as was the case in the processes of Figures 10 and 11.

[0164] As shown in Figure 12, the main unit memory 35 of the main unit 12 stores multiple display patterns set based on charging status information based on the charging status signal of the secondary battery 2, limiting status information based on the limiting signal of the secondary battery 2, a comparison between the remaining battery level and the third threshold, and the driving status of the electric motor 3.

[0165] In this embodiment, the notification unit 29 has four display patterns. The notification unit 29 turns off the LED when "display pattern 0" is selected, blinks the LED slowly when "display pattern 1" is selected, turns on the LED when "display pattern 2" is selected, and blinks the LED rapidly when "display pattern 3" is selected.

[0166] If the charging status information is "no charging" (step S41, NO) and the driving status of the electric motor 3 is "driving" (step S61, YES), the main control unit 23 proceeds to the process of determining whether the secondary battery 2 is in a state of remaining charge limiting the load drive (step S81).

[0167] Next, the main unit control unit 23 determines whether the secondary battery 2 is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state based on the limit signal of the secondary battery 2 obtained from the battery control unit 42 and the limit status information set in the main unit memory 35 (Figure 9, step S22) (step S81). If the limit status information in the main unit memory 35 is "no limit" (step S81, NO), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 0" in the main unit memory 35 (step S42) and turns off the notification unit 29. On the other hand, if the limit status information in the main unit memory 35 is "limit present" (step S81, YES), the main unit control unit 23 sets "display pattern 3" in the main unit memory 35 (step S63) and causes the notification unit 29 to flash rapidly.

[0168] Furthermore, if the charging status determination process in step S41 indicates "charging is in progress" (step S41·YES), the main unit control unit 23 performs the same processing as the display status control in Figure 10 (step S43).

[0169] Therefore, the user of electrical device 1 can visually determine the remaining battery level from the difference in the notification pattern of the display state control, and as a result, can know whether there is an operational limitation on electrical device 1 or whether the remaining charge of secondary battery 2 has decreased.

[0170] In the above description, the operation of the main control unit 23 shown in Figure 9 was explained as a combination of the motor operation state control (step S25A) shown in Figure 10 and the display state control (step S26A) shown in Figure 11. However, the motor operation state control (step S25) shown in Figure 7 may be combined with the display state control (step S26A) shown in Figure 11, or the motor operation state control (step S25A) shown in Figure 10 may be combined with the display state control (step S26) shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the display state control (step S26A) shown in Figure 11 may be replaced with the display state control (step S26B) shown in Figure 12.

[0171] In the battery-replaceable electrical device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, when the secondary battery 2 is being charged, the notification unit 29 is instructed to perform a first notification when it receives a limit signal from the secondary battery 2 and a limit remaining charge signal from the secondary battery 2. When the limit remaining charge signal is not received from the secondary battery 2, that is, when an unlimit remaining charge signal is received from the secondary battery 2, the notification unit 29 is instructed to perform a second notification, which is different from the first notification. In other words, when the battery level of the secondary battery 2 becomes above the second threshold during charging, the battery memory 43 identifies that the secondary battery 2 is not in a load drive limit remaining charge state, and the drive limit identifier written to the main unit memory 35 is released, and the notification pattern of the notification unit 29 is changed in accordance with the release of the drive limit identifier. Therefore, the user can visually know whether or not the operation of the electrical device 1 is being restricted by the change in the display pattern of the notification unit 29.

[0172] Furthermore, by incorporating a comparison between the remaining battery charge and a fourth threshold, in addition to the charge status information of the secondary battery 2, the limiting status information of the secondary battery 2, and the driving status of the electric motor 3, the electrical device 1 can manage the remaining charge status of the secondary battery 2 in detail, allowing for the replacement of the secondary battery 2 and enabling the appropriate and easy use of a new secondary battery 2 with a different remaining charge status.

[0173] Furthermore, the electrical device 1 is equipped with a notification unit 29 on its main body 12. Therefore, by equipping the notification unit 29 on the main body 12, it becomes unnecessary to equip the secondary battery 2 with a notification unit 29, allowing for miniaturization and weight reduction of the secondary battery 2. Consequently, users can easily replace the secondary battery 2. In addition, the manufacturing costs associated with the notification unit 29 can be reduced.

[0174] Furthermore, regardless of whether power is supplied to the load, the electrical device 1 transmits a charge status signal or a limit signal at a predetermined interval to determine the remaining battery level and controls the electric blower 6, which is the load, based on the remaining battery level. Therefore, regardless of the constraints or rules of communication between the secondary battery 2 and the electrical device 1, it is possible to appropriately receive the charge status signal or limit signal, and to receive the charge status signal or limit signal more quickly than with conventional secondary batteries. This makes it easy to prevent unnecessary increases in the time required to acquire the charge status signal or limit signal, and enables rapid control of the electric blower 6.

[0175] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0176] 1...Electrical equipment, 2...Secondary battery, 3...Electric motor, 5...Electric vacuum cleaner, 6...Electric blower, 8...Communication interface, 11...Handle, 12...Main unit, 15...Extension tube, 16...Suction port body, 17...Main unit case, 17a...Front part, 17b...Center part, 17c...Rear part, 19...Dust separation and collection part, 21...Battery mounting part, 22...Charging terminal, 23...Main unit control unit, 25...Main unit connection port, 27...Input unit, 28...Storage device (main unit), 29...Notification unit, 31...Suction port, 32...Rotating cleaning body, 33...Electric motor, 35...Main unit memory, 41...Battery status observation unit, 42...Battery control unit, 43...Battery memory, 44...Primary battery, 51...Charger

Claims

1. Rechargeable battery pack, The main unit, which allows the user to replace the aforementioned secondary battery pack, It includes a communication interface for establishing communication between the secondary battery pack and the main unit, The aforementioned secondary battery pack is Readable and writable battery memory, The battery control unit includes, when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack is low, stores in the battery memory that the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack is low, and when the battery memory stores that the remaining charge is low, transmits a limit charge signal to the main unit via the communication interface indicating that the secondary battery pack is in a load-drive limit charge state. The aforementioned main body is A load powered by the aforementioned secondary battery pack, The system includes a main unit control that controls the operation of the load based on the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack received via the communication interface, and limits the operation of the load when it receives the limited remaining charge signal, The aforementioned battery control unit, When the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack falls below a first threshold, an identifier is stored in the battery memory to identify that it is in the low charge state. Conversely, when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack rises to or above a second threshold, which is greater than the first threshold, the identifier is changed in the battery memory to identify that it is not in the low charge state. An electrical device with replaceable batteries, wherein if the identifier identifies that the battery is in the low state, the limited remaining charge signal is transmitted to the main unit control via the communication interface, and if the identifier identifies that the battery is not in the low state, an unlimited remaining charge signal is transmitted to the main unit control via the communication interface, indicating that the secondary battery pack is not in the load-driven limited remaining charge state.

2. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the main unit control unit does not restart the load if it receives the limited remaining charge signal before the load is started to be driven.

3. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the main unit control unit stops operation when it receives the limited remaining charge signal.

4. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies that the secondary battery pack is in a low charge state when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack is below a third threshold different from the first threshold.

5. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the secondary battery pack that it is in a load-drive limit remaining charge state when the main unit control unit receives the limit remaining charge signal.

6. The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the main unit control unit stops driving the load when the remaining charge of the secondary battery pack is below a fourth threshold set to be below the first threshold.

7. The notification unit is provided in the main body of the battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 4 or 5.

8. It includes a notification unit that notifies the status of the secondary battery pack, The battery-replaceable electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the main control unit causes the notification unit to perform a first notification if it receives the limited remaining charge signal from the secondary battery pack while the secondary battery pack is being charged, and causes the notification unit to perform a second notification different from the first notification if it has not received the limited remaining charge signal from the secondary battery pack.

9. The notification unit is provided in the main body, and is an electrical device with replaceable batteries as described in claim 8.

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