Battery pack and electric apparatus

Abstract

Provided are a battery pack and an electric apparatus that are highly convenient and utilize USB. A battery pack 1 that can be attached to and detached from an apparatus body 4 comprises: a first cell unit 11 and a second cell unit 12 that are not connected to each other when the battery pack 1 is not attached to the apparatus body 4, and are connected to each other when the battery pack 1 is attached to the apparatus body 4; a USB port 17 to which an external apparatus can be connected, the USB port 17 being such that electric power can be supplied from the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 to the external apparatus via the USB port 17 and / or electric power can be received by the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 from the external apparatus via the USB port 17; and a MCU 19 that controls input or output of electric power mediated by the USB port 17. When the battery pack 1 is connected to the apparatus body 4, the MCU 19 permits input or output of electric power mediated by the USB port 17.

Description

Battery packs and electrical equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electrical device.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses providing a USB connector (USB: Universal Serial Bus) on the device body and supplying power to an external device such as a mobile device or smartphone via a USB cable. Patent Literature 2 discloses providing a USB connector on the device body and charging an internal battery from an external power source via the USB connector. Meanwhile, USB devices used to supply power to various electrical devices have expanded the power function of USB Type-C with the power supply standard USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), making it possible to supply up to 240 W (48 V / 5 A).

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP 2016-051598 A, US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0008093

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the following problems 1 and 2: Problem 1: To provide a highly convenient battery pack and electrical device or system that uses USB. Problem 2: To provide a battery pack and electrical device that can suppress the increase in imbalance between cell units.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a battery pack comprising: a plurality of cell units detachably attached to a device body, the plurality of cell units being disconnected from one another when the battery pack is not attached to the device body and being connected to one another when the battery pack is attached to the device body; a USB connector to which an external device can be connected, the USB connector being capable of supplying power from the plurality of cell units to the external device via the USB connector and / or receiving power from the external device to the plurality of cell units via the USB connector; and a control unit controlling the input or output of power via the USB connector, wherein the control unit is configured to allow the input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery pack is connected to the device body.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device including the battery pack and an electrical device main body to which the battery pack can be connected, wherein the battery pack has battery-side terminals electrically connected to the plurality of cell units, the electrical device main body has electrical and mechanically connected electrical device-side terminals, and the control unit is configured to permit input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery-side terminals and the electrical device-side terminals are connected.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device including an electrical device main body to which the battery pack can be connected, the battery pack having battery-side terminals electrically connected to the plurality of cell units, the device main body having device-side terminals electrically and mechanically connected to the battery-side terminals, and the control unit configured to allow input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery-side terminals and the device-side terminals are connected.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a battery pack that is detachable from a device body and includes a battery cell, a USB connector to which an external device can be connected, and a control unit that controls the input or output of power via the USB connector, wherein the control unit is configured to be externally switchable between a first state in which power is supplied from the battery cell to the external device via the USB connector and a second state in which power is received from the external device via the USB connector to the battery cell.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device including the battery pack and an electrical device main body to which the battery pack is detachably attached, the electrical device being characterized in that the electrical device main body has a load section that is driven by power supplied from the battery pack.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device that includes a device main body to which a battery pack is detachably attached or which has a built-in battery pack, and that includes a USB connector to which an external device can be connected, and a control unit that controls input or output of power via the USB connector, wherein the control unit is configured to be externally switchable between a first state in which power is supplied from the battery pack to the external device via the USB connector and a second state in which power is received from the external device via the USB connector to the battery pack.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a system in which an external device is electrically connected to the USB connector of the battery pack or the electrical device.

[0012] The electrical equipment of the present invention may be expressed as a "working machine" or an "electric tool", and such expressions are also valid aspects of the present invention.

[0013] According to the present invention, at least one of the above problems 1 and 2 can be solved.

[0014] 1 is an external view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit block diagram of a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a circuit block diagram of an electrical device in which a device main body 4 is connected to the battery pack 1. (B) is a circuit block diagram of a state in which a connecting device 6 is connected to the battery pack 1. It is a circuit block diagram of a system in which battery packs 1A and 1B (same configuration as the battery pack 1) attached to the device main body 4 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. It is a circuit block diagram of FIG. 4 with an arrow indicating the flow of current when charging battery pack 1B from battery pack 1A added. It is a circuit block diagram of a system in which a battery pack 1A attached to a device main body 5 and a battery pack 1B attached to a device main body 4 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9, and also shows an arrow indicating the flow of current when charging battery pack 1B from battery pack 1A. It is a circuit block diagram of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 and a device main body 2 to which a battery pack 3 is attached are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. 8 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which device main bodies 2A and 2B (same configuration as device main body 2), each having a battery pack 3 connected thereto, are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. In FIG. 8 , the circuit block diagram also shows arrows indicating the flow of current when charging the battery pack 3 connected to device main body 2B from the battery pack 3 connected to device main body 2A ... of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 is electrically connected to an external device 7 via a USB cable 9. In FIG. 8 , the circuit block diagram of a system in which a device main body 2 to which a battery pack 3 is attached is electrically connected to an external device 7 via a USB cable 9. (A) is a control flowchart for source / sink setting of the battery pack 1. (B) is a sequence diagram showing the flow of source / sink setting using a management application for a portable device 8. In FIG. 8 , the control flowchart for the battery pack 1. In FIG. 8 , the circuit block diagram shows an example of a screen display related to source / sink setting in the management application for a portable device 8. In FIG. 8 , the circuit block diagram shows an example of a screen display related to source / sink setting in the management application for a portable device 8.

[0015] This embodiment relates to an electrical device having a battery pack 1 that is detachable from a device main body 4, a device main body 2 to which a battery pack 3 is detachably attached, and a system in which the battery pack 1 or the device main body 2 is connected to an external device via a USB cable 9.

[0016] Fig. 1(A) is an external view of a system in which two battery packs 1, each attached to a device main body 4, are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. Fig. 4 is a circuit block diagram corresponding to this system. In Fig. 4, the two battery packs 1 are distinguished as battery packs 1A and 1B.

[0017] 1(B) is an external view of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 and a device main body 2 attached with a battery pack 3 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. A circuit block diagram corresponding to this system is shown in FIG.

[0018] Fig. 1(C) is an external view of a system in which two device main bodies 2, each equipped with a battery pack 3, are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. Fig. 8 is a circuit block diagram corresponding to this system. In Fig. 8, the two device main bodies 2 are distinguished as device main bodies 2A and 2B.

[0019] 1(D) is an external view of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 and a battery pack 1 attached to a connected device 6 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. Although a circuit block diagram corresponding to this system is not shown, a circuit block diagram of the battery pack 1 and the connected device 6 combined together is shown in FIG.

[0020] 1(E) is an external view of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 and an external device 7 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. A circuit block diagram corresponding to this system is shown in FIG.

[0021] 1(F) is an external view of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a connection device 6 and an external device 7 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. A circuit block diagram corresponding to this system is not shown.

[0022] 1G is an external view of a system in which a device main body 2 equipped with a battery pack 3 and an external device 7 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. A circuit block diagram corresponding to this system is shown in FIG.

[0023] The device bodies 2 and 4 are impact drivers in the illustrated example, but may be the bodies of work machines (power tools) other than impact drivers, or the bodies of electrical devices other than work machines.

[0024] 2 is a circuit block diagram of a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery pack 1 includes a first cell unit 11 (first bank), a second cell unit 12 (second bank), a resistor 13, a current detection circuit 14, a bridge circuit 15, a step-up / step-down circuit 16, a USB port 17, a display unit 18, an MCU 19, and a USB PD controller IC 20 (USB power delivery controller).

[0025] The first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 each include at least one secondary battery cell. The first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 each have the same nominal voltage (rated voltage), for example, 18 V. The voltage V1 at the positive terminal and the voltage V3 at the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11, and the voltage V2 at the positive terminal and the voltage V4 at the negative terminal of the second cell unit 12 are transmitted to the MCU 19.

[0026] The first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 are in a disconnected state when the battery pack 1 is not attached to a counterpart device such as the device main body 4 or the connecting device 6 (when the terminals of the battery pack 1 are in an open state), and are in a connected state when the battery pack 1 is attached to the counterpart device. As will be described later, the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 may be connected in series or in parallel to each other depending on the terminal structure of the counterpart device to which the battery pack 1 is attached.

[0027] Resistor 13 is provided in the discharge path from first cell unit 11 and second cell unit 12 to USB port 17. Current detection circuit 14 detects the discharge current (hereinafter referred to as "USB discharge current") from first cell unit 11 and second cell unit 12 to USB port 17 based on the voltage across resistor 13, and transmits it to MCU 19.

[0028] The bridge circuit 15 includes FETs 21 to 24 bridge-connected between the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 17, and switches whether the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 17 are connected to the input or output of the step-up / step-down circuit 16. When FETs 21 and 23 are on and FETs 22 and 24 are off, the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 is connected to the input of the step-up / step-down circuit 16, and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 17 is connected to the output of the step-up / step-down circuit 16. When FETs 21 and 23 are off and FETs 22 and 24 are on, the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 is connected to the output of the step-up / step-down circuit 16, and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 17 is connected to the input of the step-up / step-down circuit 16. In the bridge circuit 15, the FETs 21 to 24 may be switching elements other than FETs, such as IGBTs or relays.

[0029] The step-up / step-down circuit 16 is a DC-DC converter circuit capable of stepping up and down the input voltage. The USB port 17 is a USB connector, such as a USB Type-C port, that can be connected to an external device and is compatible with USB PD. The battery pack 1 can be in a first state in which it supplies power to the external device from the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 via the USB port 17, and a second state in which it receives power from the external device to the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 via the USB port 17 (charging the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12). The display unit 18, under the control of the MCU 19, displays the remaining capacity of the battery pack 1 and whether a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) is enabled or disabled.

[0030] The MCU 19, together with the USBPD controller IC 20, constitutes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the battery pack 1. The MCU 19 and the USBPD controller IC 20 communicate with each other. The MCU 19 and the USBPD controller IC 20 are not limited to being separate entities as shown in the figure, and may be integrated with each other.

[0031] The MCU 19 monitors the voltage V1 at the positive terminal and the voltage V3 at the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11, and the voltage V2 at the positive terminal and the voltage V4 at the negative terminal of the second cell unit 12. The MCU 19 monitors the USB discharge current. The MCU 19 controls the on / off of the FETs 21 to 24. The MCU 19 controls the driving of the step-up / step-down circuit 16. The MCU 19 also functions as a wireless communication unit, and can communicate with a mobile device 8 ( FIG. 8 ) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that a wireless communication unit separate from the MCU 19 may be provided.

[0032] The USBPD controller IC 20 is a controller that controls power reception and supply via USB PD. The USBPD controller IC 20 communicates with an external device connected to the USB port 17, determines the power to be received from the external device at the USB port 17 (hereinafter referred to as "expected USB received power"), or the power to be supplied to the external device via the USB port 17 (hereinafter referred to as "expected USB discharge power"), and transmits this to the MCU 19. The MCU 19 controls the step-up / step-down circuit 16 in accordance with the expected USB received power or expected USB discharge power.

[0033] 3A is a circuit block diagram of an electrical device in which a battery pack 1 is connected to a device body 4. When the battery pack 1 is attached to the device body 4, the terminals of the battery pack 1 and the device body 4, i.e., the battery side terminals and the device side terminals, are electrically and mechanically connected to each other.

[0034] The device main body 4 includes a motor 31 as a load section, an inverter 32, an inverter drive circuit 33, a magnetic sensor 34, a rotor position detection circuit 35, a resistor 36, a current detection circuit 37, a trigger switch 38, a switch detection circuit 39, a display section 40, an MCU (control section) 41, and a short bar 42.

[0035] The motor 31 is, for example, a three-phase brushless motor. The inverter 32 includes switching elements such as three-phase bridge-connected FETs and IGBTs, converts direct current input from the battery pack 1 into alternating current, and supplies the alternating current to the motor 31. The inverter drive circuit 33 outputs drive signals that turn on and off each switching element of the inverter 32. The magnetic sensor 34 is, for example, a Hall IC, and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotor rotation position of the motor 31. The rotor rotation position detection circuit 35 detects the rotor rotation position from the output signal of the magnetic sensor 34 and transmits the signal to the MCU 41.

[0036] Resistor 36 is provided in the path of the current flowing through motor 31. Current detection circuit 37 detects the current flowing through motor 31 from the voltage of resistor 36 and sends the detected value to MCU 41. Trigger switch 38 is an operation switch that the user uses to switch between driving and stopping motor 31, and includes a mechanical switch provided in the path of the current flowing through motor 31. Switch detection circuit 39 detects the on / off state of trigger switch 38 and sends the result to MCU 41. Display unit 40 displays the driving mode of device main body 4 and the like under the control of MCU 41.

[0037] The MCU 41 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the device main body 4. The MCU 41 controls the drive of the inverter 32 via the inverter drive circuit 33 based on the current flowing through the motor 31, the rotor rotation position of the motor 31, and the operation of the trigger switch 38, and thereby controls the drive of the motor 31. The MCU 41 communicates (wired communication) with the MCU 19 of the battery pack 1. The MCU 41 can communicate with the portable device 8 ( FIG. 8 ) via the MCU 19 of the battery pack 1.

[0038] The shorting bar 42 is a short-circuiting member that shorts the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 of the battery pack 1 and the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11. When the battery pack 1 is attached to the device body 4, the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 are connected in series with each other.

[0039] 3B is a circuit block diagram of the battery pack 1 connected to the connection device 6. The connection device 6 is an example of the device itself. When the battery pack 1 is attached to the connection device 6, the terminals of the battery pack 1 and the connection device 6, i.e., the battery terminals and the device terminals, are electrically and mechanically connected to each other.

[0040] The connection device 6 has a shorting bar 45, which is a short-circuiting member that shorts the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 of the battery pack 1 and the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11. When the battery pack 1 is attached to the connection device 6, the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 are connected in series to each other. As another example, the terminal structure of the connection device 6 may short-circuit the positive terminals of the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12, and the negative terminals of the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12, respectively. In this case, the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 are connected in parallel to each other. The connection device 6 has resistors 46 and 47 connected in series between the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 and the negative terminal of the second cell unit 12, and transmits the voltages of the resistors 46 and 47 to the MCU 19 of the battery pack 1.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which the USB ports 17 of battery packs 1A and 1B (with the same configuration as battery pack 1) attached to device main body 4 are electrically connected to each other via USB cable 9. Fig. 5 is a circuit block diagram in Fig. 4 with added arrows indicating the flow of current when battery pack 1A charges battery pack 1B.

[0042] When charging battery pack 1B from battery pack 1A, MCU 19 of battery pack 1A turns on FETs 21 and 23 and turns off FETs 22 and 24. MCU 19 of battery pack 1B turns off FETs 21 and 23 and turns on FETs 22 and 24. As shown in Fig. 5 , current flows from battery pack 1A through the positive terminal of first cell unit 11, FET 21, step-up / step-down circuit 16, FET 23, and USB port 17, and is then supplied to battery pack 1B via USB cable 9. Then, from battery pack 1B through USB port 17, FET 24, step-up / step-down circuit 16, FET 22, first cell unit 11, short bar 42, second cell unit 12, step-up / step-down circuit 16, and USB port 17, and returns to battery pack 1A via USB cable 9. Thereafter, the current flows through the USB port 17, the step-up / step-down circuit 16, the second cell unit 12, the short bar 42, and the first cell unit 11 in this order on the battery pack 1A side.

[0043] On the battery pack 1A side, the voltage between the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 and the input terminal of the step-up / step-down circuit 16 is, for example, 36 V and varies within a range of, for example, 40 V to 28 V depending on the remaining capacity of the battery pack 1A. The output voltage of the step-up / step-down circuit 16 is determined according to the expected USB discharge power and is, for example, 36 V. The output voltage of the step-up / step-down circuit 16 of the battery pack 1A is input to the step-up / step-down circuit 16 of the battery pack 1B via the USB cable 9. On the battery pack 1B side, the step-up / step-down circuit 16 converts the input voltage into a charging voltage for the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 and outputs it. The charging voltage is, for example, 36 V and is gradually increased depending on the progress of charging.

[0044] 6 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which the USB ports 17 of a battery pack 1A attached to a device body 5 and a battery pack 1B attached to a device body 4 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9, and also shows arrows indicating the current flow when charging battery pack 1B from battery pack 1A. Compared to device body 4, device body 5 differs in that it does not have a shorting bar 42 and has a terminal structure that shorts the positive electrodes and negative electrodes of the first cell unit 11 and second cell unit 12 of battery pack 1A together, but is otherwise identical. When battery pack 1A is attached to device body 5, the first cell unit 11 and second cell unit 12 are connected in parallel to each other. On the battery pack 1A side, the voltage between the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 and the input terminal of the step-up / step-down circuit 16 is, for example, 18 V and varies within a range of, for example, 20 V to 14 V depending on the remaining capacity of battery pack 1A. The output voltage of the step-up / step-down circuit 16 is determined according to the expected USB discharge power, and is, for example, 36 V. The voltages after the step-up / step-down circuit 16 are the same as in the case of FIG.

[0045] 7 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 and a device main body 2 attached with a battery pack 3 are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. In Fig. 7, a motor and motor peripheral circuit 30 is a block that collectively includes a motor 31, an inverter 32, an inverter drive circuit 33, a magnetic sensor 34, a rotor position detection circuit 35, a resistor 36, and a current detection circuit 37.

[0046] The battery pack 3 corresponds to the battery pack 1 without the USB port 17 and related components. The battery pack 3 includes a first cell unit 51 (first bank), a second cell unit 52 (second bank), a display unit 58, and an MCU 59.

[0047] The first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 each include at least one secondary battery cell. The first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 each have the same nominal voltage (rated voltage), for example, 18V.

[0048] The first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 are disconnected from each other when the battery pack 3 is not attached to a counterpart device such as the device main body 2 (when the terminals of the battery pack 3 are in an open state), and are connected to each other when the battery pack 3 is attached to the counterpart device. As will be described later, the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 may be connected in series or in parallel to each other depending on the terminal structure of the counterpart device to which the battery pack 3 is attached.

[0049] The display unit 58 displays the remaining capacity of the battery pack 3 and whether a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) is enabled or disabled under the control of the MCU 59. The MCU 59 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the battery pack 3. The MCU 59 communicates (wired communication) with the MCU 79 of the device main body 2. The MCU 59 also functions as a wireless communication unit, and can communicate with a mobile device 8 ( FIG. 8 ) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that a wireless communication unit separate from the MCU 59 may be provided.

[0050] The device main body 2 corresponds to the device main body 4 to which a USB port 17 and related components have been added. The device main body 2 includes a motor and motor peripheral circuit 60, a trigger switch 68, a switch detection circuit 69, a shorting bar (short-circuiting member) 70, a bridge circuit 75, a step-up / step-down circuit 76, a USB port 77, a display unit 78, an MCU 79, and a USB PD controller IC 80 (USB power delivery controller).

[0051] The motor and motor peripheral circuit 60 has the same configuration as the motor and motor peripheral circuit 30 of the device main body 4. The trigger switch 68 is an operation switch that the user uses to switch between driving and stopping the motor in the motor and motor peripheral circuit 60, and includes a mechanical switch provided in the path of the current flowing through the motor. The switch detection circuit 69 detects whether the trigger switch 68 is on or off, and sends the result to the MCU 79.

[0052] The shorting bar 70 is a short-circuiting member that shorts the positive terminal of the second cell unit 52 of the battery pack 3 and the negative terminal of the first cell unit 51. When the battery pack 3 is attached to the device body 2, the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 are connected in series. Although not shown, when the battery pack 3 is attached to the device body 5 shown in Figure 6, the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 are connected in parallel.

[0053] The bridge circuit 75 includes FETs 71 to 74 bridge-connected between the positive terminal of the device main body 2 and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 77, and switches whether the positive terminal of the device main body 2 (the positive terminal of the first cell unit 51 of the battery pack 3) and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 77 are connected to the input or output of the voltage step-up / down circuit 76. When FETs 71 and 73 are on and FETs 72 and 74 are off, the positive terminal of the device main body 2 is connected to the input of the voltage step-up / down circuit 76, and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 77 is connected to the output of the voltage step-up / down circuit 76. When FETs 71 and 73 are off and FETs 72 and 74 are on, the positive terminal of the device main body 2 is connected to the output of the voltage step-up / down circuit 76, and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 77 is connected to the input of the voltage step-up / down circuit 76. In the bridge circuit 75, the FETs 71 to 74 may be switching elements other than FETs, such as IGBTs or relays.

[0054] The step-up / step-down circuit 76 is a DC-DC converter circuit capable of stepping up and down the input voltage. The USB port 77 is a USB connector, such as a USB Type-C port, that can be connected to an external device and is compatible with USB PD. The device main body 2 can supply power to the external device via the USB port 77 from the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 of the battery pack 3 attached to the device main body 2, and can receive power from the external device to the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 via the USB port 77 (charging the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52). The display unit 78 displays the operating mode of the device main body 2 under the control of the MCU 79.

[0055] The MCU 79, together with the USBPD controller IC 80, constitutes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the device main body 2. The MCU 79 and the USBPD controller IC 80 communicate with each other. The MCU 79 and the USBPD controller IC 80 are not limited to being separate entities as shown in the figure, but may be integrated with each other. The MCU 79 controls the on / off of the FETs 71 to 74. The MCU 79 controls the drive of the step-up / step-down circuit 76. The MCU 79 controls the drive of the motor in the same way as the MCU 41 of the device main body 4. The MCU 79 communicates (wired communication) with the MCU 59 of the battery pack 3. The MCU 79 can communicate with the portable device 8 ( FIG. 8 ) via the MCU 59 of the battery pack 3.

[0056] The USBPD controller IC 80 is a controller that controls the supply and receipt of power via USB PD. The USBPD controller IC 80 communicates with an external device connected to the USB port 77, determines the power to be received from the external device at the USB port 77, or the power to be supplied to the external device via the USB port 77, and transmits this information to the MCU 79. The MCU 79 controls the step-up / step-down circuit 76 in accordance with the information received from the USBPD controller IC 80.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which device main bodies 2A and 2B, each connected to a battery pack 3, are electrically connected to each other via a USB cable 9. Fig. 9 is a circuit block diagram in Fig. 8 that also shows arrows indicating the flow of current when the battery pack 3 connected to device main body 2A charges the battery pack 3 connected to device main body 2B. Figs. 8 and 9 show an example in which the MCU 59 of the battery pack 3 attached to device main body 2A communicates with a mobile device 8, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). However, the MCU 59 of the battery pack 3 attached to device main body 2B may also communicate with the mobile device 8 via short-range wireless communication. In other circuit block diagrams, the MCU 19 of the battery packs 1, 1A, and 1B, the MCU 59 of the battery pack 3, or the MCU 99 of the external device 7 (Fig. 11) may also communicate with the mobile device 8 via short-range wireless communication.

[0058] A management application (hereinafter referred to as "management app") that manages battery packs, electrical devices, etc. is installed in the portable device 8. The portable device 8 includes a display unit 82, an operation unit 83, and an MCU 84. The display unit 82 displays the screen of the management app, etc. The operation unit 83 accepts operations on the management app by the user, etc. If the display unit 82 is a touch panel, the functions of the operation unit 83 are included in the display unit 82. The MCU 84 executes various functions of the management app, etc.

[0059] When charging a battery pack 3 connected to the device main body 2B from a battery pack 3 connected to the device main body 2A, the MCU 79 of the device main body 2A turns on FETs 71 and 73 and turns off FETs 72 and 74. The MCU 79 of the device main body 2B turns off FETs 71 and 73 and turns on FETs 72 and 74. As shown in Figure 9, current flows from the device main body 2A through the positive terminal of the first cell unit 51, the FET 71, the step-up / step-down circuit 76, the FET 73, and the USB port 77, and is then supplied to the device main body 2B via the USB cable 9. Then, from the device main body 2B, the current flows through the USB port 77, the FET 74, the step-up / step-down circuit 76, the FET 72, the first cell unit 51, the short bar 70, the second cell unit 52, the step-up / step-down circuit 76, and the USB port 77, and returns to the device main body 2A via the USB cable 9. Thereafter, the current flows through the USB port 77, the step-up / step-down circuit 76, the second cell unit 52, the short bar 70, and the first cell unit 51 in this order on the device main body 2A side.

[0060] On the device main body 2A side, the voltage between the positive terminal of the first cell unit 51 and the input terminal of the step-up / step-down circuit 76 is, for example, 36 V and varies within a range of, for example, 40 V to 28 V depending on the remaining capacity of the battery pack 3. The output voltage of the step-up / step-down circuit 76 is, for example, 36 V. The output voltage of the step-up / step-down circuit 76 of the device main body 2A is input to the step-up / step-down circuit 76 of the device main body 2B via the USB cable 9. On the device main body 2B side, the step-up / step-down circuit 76 converts the input voltage into a charging voltage for the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 and outputs it. The charging voltage is, for example, 36 V and is gradually increased depending on the progress of charging.

[0061] Fig. 10 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which a battery pack 1 attached to a device main body 4 and an external device 7 are electrically connected to each other by a USB cable 9. Fig. 11 is a circuit block diagram of a system in which a device main body 2 with a battery pack 3 attached to it and an external device 7 are electrically connected to each other by a USB cable 9.

[0062] The external device 7 is an electrical device incorporating a cell unit 90 including at least one secondary battery cell. Although not shown, the external device 7 may be an electric tool or a work machine having a motor as a load. The external device 7 includes a bridge circuit 95, a step-up / step-down circuit 96, a USB port 97, a display unit 98, an MCU 99, and a USB PD controller IC 100 (USB power delivery controller).

[0063] The bridge circuit 95 includes FETs 91 to 94 bridge-connected between the positive terminal of the cell unit 90 and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 97, and switches whether the positive terminal of the cell unit 90 and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 97 are connected to the input or output of the step-up / step-down circuit 96. When FETs 91 and 93 are on and FETs 92 and 94 are off, the positive terminal of the cell unit 90 is connected to the input side of the step-up / step-down circuit 96, and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 97 is connected to the output side of the step-up / step-down circuit 96. When FETs 91 and 93 are off and FETs 92 and 94 are on, the positive terminal of the cell unit 90 is connected to the output side of the step-up / step-down circuit 96, and the VBUS terminal of the USB port 97 is connected to the input side of the step-up / step-down circuit 96. In the bridge circuit 95, the FETs 91 to 94 may be switching elements other than FETs, such as IGBTs or relays.

[0064] The step-up / step-down circuit 96 is a DC-DC converter circuit capable of stepping up and down the input voltage. The USB port 97 is a USB connector, such as a USB Type-C port, that can be connected to an external device and is compatible with USB PD. The external device 7 can supply power from its built-in cell unit 90 to other devices (such as the battery pack 1 or the device main body 2) via the USB port 97, and can also receive power from other devices to the cell unit 90 (charge the cell unit 90) via the USB port 97. The display unit 98 displays the status of the external device 7 under the control of the MCU 99.

[0065] The MCU 99, together with the USBPD controller IC 100, constitutes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the external device 7. The MCU 99 and the USBPD controller IC 100 communicate with each other. The MCU 99 and the USBPD controller IC 100 are not limited to being separate entities as shown in the figure, but may be integrated with each other. The MCU 99 controls the on / off of the FETs 91 to 94. The MCU 99 controls the driving of the step-up / step-down circuit 96. The MCU 99 functions as a wireless communication unit and can communicate with a mobile device 8 ( FIG. 8 ), such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Note that a wireless communication unit separate from the MCU 99 may also be provided.

[0066] The USBPD controller IC100 is a controller that controls power reception and supply via USB PD. The USBPD controller IC100 communicates with other devices connected to the USB port 97, determines the power to be received from the other devices at the USB port 97, or the power to be supplied to other devices via the USB port 97, and transmits this information to the MCU 99. The MCU 99 controls the step-up / step-down circuit 96 in accordance with the information received from the USBPD controller IC100.

[0067] FIG. 12A is a control flowchart for setting the source / sink of the battery pack 1.

[0068] When an external device is connected to the USB port 17 (S1), the MCU 19 acquires battery information of the external device through communication between the USB ports (S3). The battery information includes the battery type, such as the nominal voltage (rated voltage), and the current battery voltage. If the management application of the portable device 8 designates the battery pack 1 as either a source or a sink (YES in S5), the MCU 19 sets the battery pack 1 as either a source or a sink in accordance with the designation of the management application (S7), and transmits the setting to the management application (S23).

[0069] If the management application of the portable device 8 has not specified battery pack 1 as either the source or the sink in S5 (NO in S5), and if the battery type of battery pack 1 is the same as that of the external device (YES in S9), and if the battery voltage of battery pack 1 is higher than that of the external device (YES in S11), MCU 19 sets battery pack 1 as the source (S13) and sends the set content to the management application (S23).If the battery voltage of battery pack 1 is not higher than that of the external device in S11 (NO in S11), MCU 19 sets battery pack 1 as the sink (S15) and sends the set content to the management application (S23).

[0070] If the battery type of battery pack 1 and the battery type of the external device are not the same in S9 (NO in S9), and if the nominal voltage of battery pack 1 is higher than the nominal voltage of the battery of the external device (YES in S17), MCU 19 sets battery pack 1 as the sink (S19) and sends the set content to the management application (S23).If the nominal voltage of battery pack 1 is not higher than the nominal voltage of the battery of the external device in S17 (NO in S17), MCU 19 sets battery pack 1 as the source (S21) and sends the set content to the management application (S23).

[0071] The function of setting the source / sink according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 12A is the same for the MCU 79 of the device main body 2 and the MCU 99 of the external device 7. In the case of the device main body 2, the battery pack attached to the device main body 2 is the target for setting the source / sink. In the case of the external device 7, the cell unit 90 built into the external device 7 is the target for setting the source / sink.

[0072] FIG. 12B is a sequence diagram showing the flow of source / sink configuration using a management app on a mobile device 8. The target device, which is the target of operation (configuration) of the management app, communicates with a counterpart device connected to its USB port via its own USB port and acquires battery information from the counterpart device (S31). The target device transmits USB connection information (information about the counterpart device, such as the product type, model number, and battery information) to the management app via short-range wireless communication (S32). The user operates the management app to transmit a wireless signal to the target device specifying the target device as either a source or a sink (S34). The target device configures itself as either a source or a sink according to the management app's configuration, and configures the counterpart device as the other of the source and sink via USB port-to-port communication (S35), and then transmits the configured source / sink information to the management app (S36). The management app then displays the configured source / sink information on the display 82 to notify the user (S37).

[0073] FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of the battery pack 1, and is a control flowchart relating to power reception via the USB port 17.

[0074] In the startup state (S41), if the voltage V2 at the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 is not equal to the voltage V3 at the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 (NO in S43), and if the voltage V1 at the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 is not equal to the voltage V2 at the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 or the voltage V3 at the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 is not equal to the voltage V4 at the negative terminal of the second cell unit 12 (NO in S45), the MCU 19 prohibits the input and output of power via the USB port 17 and waits while monitoring the voltages V1 to V4. In other words, the input and output of power via the USB port 17 is prohibited when the battery pack 1 is not attached to the other device.

[0075] If the voltage V2 at the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 is equal to the voltage V3 at the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 (YES in S43), or if the voltage V1 at the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 is equal to the voltage V2 at the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 and the voltage V3 at the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 is equal to the voltage V4 at the negative terminal of the second cell unit 12 (YES in S45), the MCU 19 enters a state in which it allows at least one of the input and output of power via the USB port 17 and communicates with the MCU of the device in which the battery pack 1 is attached (for example, the device main body 4 or the device main body 5, hereinafter referred to as the "attached device") (S47). Although not shown in the figure, if the answer is YES in S43 or YES in S45, the MCU 19 allows the output of power via the USB port 17 if the battery voltage of the battery pack 1 is not below the reference value for over-discharge protection, and allows the input of power via the USB port 17 if the battery voltage of the battery pack 1 is not above the reference value corresponding to full charge.

[0076] If the trigger switch of the attached device is on (YES in S49), the MCU 19 returns to S47. If the trigger switch of the attached device is not on (NO in S49), the MCU 19 communicates with the USBPD controller IC 20 (S51). If an external device is not connected to the USB port 17 (NO in S53), the MCU 19 returns to S47. If an external device is connected to the USB port 17 (YES in S53), the MCU 19 executes processing related to source / sink setting of the battery pack 1 and the external device according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12(A) (S55).

[0077] The MCU 19 executes a process for determining whether to step up or step down the voltage in the step-up / step-down circuit 16 according to the expected USB receiving power or expected USB discharging power (S57), switches the connection by the bridge circuit 15 (S59), and outputs a drive signal for the step-up / step-down circuit 16 (S61). If the battery pack 1 is discharging (source) and the battery voltage of the battery pack 1 is not below the reference value for over-discharge protection (NO in S63), or if the battery pack 1 is charging (sink) and the battery voltage of the battery pack 1 is not above the reference value corresponding to full charge (NO in S63), the MCU 19 communicates with the MCU of the attached device (S65). If the trigger switch of the attached device is not on (NO in S67), the MCU 19 returns to S63 and continues discharging or charging. If the trigger switch of the attached device is on (YES in S67), the MCU 19 turns off all of the FETs 21 to 24 of the bridge circuit 15 (S69), stops the drive signal of the step-up / step-down circuit 16 (S71), and returns to S47.

[0078] In S63, if the battery pack 1 is discharging (source) and the battery voltage of the battery pack 1 is equal to or lower than the reference value for over-discharge protection (YES in S63), or if the battery pack 1 is charging (sink) and the battery voltage of the battery pack 1 is equal to or higher than the reference value corresponding to full charge (YES in S63), the MCU 19 stops discharging or charging (S69, S71) and returns to S47. Although not shown, if the conditions of both S43 and S45 are no longer satisfied during discharging or charging via the USB port 17, the MCU 19 stops discharging or charging (S69, S71) and returns to S43.

[0079] 14 and 15 are diagrams showing examples of screen displays relating to source / sink settings in the management application of the portable device 8. FIG.

[0080] The display 82 of the portable device 8 while the management application is running includes an operation target device display section 85 , a USB connected device display section 86 , a remaining capacity display section 87 , a source / sink display section 88 , and a source / sink switching button 89 .

[0081] Fig. 14(A) shows a state in which the management application is connected to the operation target device (here, an electrical device equipped with a battery pack) via short-range wireless communication. Fig. 14(B) shows a state in which a counterpart device (here, an electrical device equipped with a battery pack) is connected to the USB port of the operation target device from the state shown in Fig. 14(A) (connection of the counterpart device is detected).

[0082] 14(C) and (D) show the state in which the source / sink setting process from the state of Fig. 14(B) is completed and power is being supplied and received between the controlled device and the other device. Fig. 14(C) corresponds to the case in which the controlled device is the source (discharging side), and Fig. 14(D) corresponds to the case in which the controlled device is the sink (power receiving side).

[0083] Figures 15(A) and (B) are the same as Figures 14(C) and (D), except that the other device is a battery pack. Figures 15(C) and (D) are the same as Figures 15(A) and (B), except that the target device is a battery pack.

[0084] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0085] (1) In the battery pack 1, the MCU 19 permits the input or output of power (charging or discharging the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12) via the USB port 17 when the battery pack 1 is connected to the device main body (the device main body 4 or the connected device 6), and prohibits the input or output of power via the USB port 17 when the battery pack 1 is not connected to the device main body. This prevents the input or output of power via the USB port 17 when the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 are disconnected from each other, thereby preventing the imbalance between the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 from increasing. This realizes a highly convenient battery pack 1 that utilizes USB.

[0086] (2) The MCU 19 determines whether the battery pack 1 is connected to the device main body based on at least one of the voltages V1 and V3 of the positive and negative terminals of the first cell unit 11, and the voltages V2 and V4 of the positive and negative terminals of the second cell unit 12. This eliminates the need for communication with the device main body, enabling a quick determination, even if the device main body does not have a communication function. This allows for a highly convenient battery pack 1 that utilizes USB.

[0087] (3) When the battery pack 1 is discharging from the device main body or when the device main body (e.g., a charger) is charging the battery pack 1, the MCU 19 prohibits the input or output of power via the USB port 17. This prevents excessive discharge currents from the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12, excessive charge currents from the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12, and prevents the control from becoming complicated in order to prevent these.

[0088] (4) The MCU 19 can externally and arbitrarily switch between the source and sink functions of the battery pack 1 when receiving power via the USB port 17 using a management application for the portable device 8. That is, the MCU 19 can externally and arbitrarily switch between a first state in which the battery pack 1 supplies power to an external device from the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 via the USB port 17 and a second state in which the battery pack 1 receives power from an external device via the USB port 17 to the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 (charging the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12). This allows the user to flexibly set the battery pack 1 to function as a source or a sink depending on the usage of the battery pack 1. Furthermore, because switching between the first and second states is performed via a wireless signal from the portable device 8, a wired connection to the portable device 8 is not required. Furthermore, the battery pack 1 can be charged using power received via the USB port 17 while attached to the device main body 4, eliminating the need to remove the battery pack 1 from the device main body 4. Therefore, a highly convenient battery pack 1 that utilizes USB is realized.

[0089] (5) The MCU 19 can transmit to the portable device 8 whether the battery pack 1 is acting as a source or sink in receiving power via the USB port 17. This allows the user to visually check the current source / sink setting status using the management app on the portable device 8, as shown in, for example, Figures 14(C), (D) or 15(A) to (D). This allows for a highly convenient battery pack 1 that utilizes USB.

[0090] (6) When there is no source / sink designation by the management application of the portable device 8, if the nominal voltages of the battery pack 1 and the battery of the other device connected to the USB port 17 are the same, and the remaining capacity (battery voltage) of the battery pack 1 is greater (higher) than the remaining capacity (battery voltage) of the other device, the MCU 19 designates the battery pack 1 as the source, and otherwise designates the battery pack 1 as the sink. This allows the battery with the greater remaining capacity to be automatically charged first, and the battery with the lesser remaining capacity to be charged, when there is no designation by the management application, which is very convenient.

[0091] (7) If there is no source / sink designation by the management app of the portable device 8, and the nominal voltages of battery pack 1 and the battery of the other device connected to USB port 17 are not the same, MCU 19 will designate battery pack 1 as the sink if the nominal voltage of battery pack 1 is higher than the nominal voltage of the battery of the other device, and will designate battery pack 1 as the source if not. This makes it possible to automatically charge the battery with the higher nominal voltage from the battery with the lower nominal voltage, providing great convenience, unless otherwise specified by the management app.

[0092] (8) In the device main body 2, the MCU 79 can externally and arbitrarily switch whether the battery pack 3 attached to the device main body 2 functions as a source or sink when receiving power via the USB port 77 using a management app for the portable device 8. That is, the MCU 79 can externally and arbitrarily switch between a first state in which the battery pack 3 supplies power to an external device via the USB port 77 from the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 of the battery pack 3, and a second state in which the battery pack 3 receives power from the external device via the USB port 77 to the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52 (charging the first cell unit 51 and the second cell unit 52). This allows the user to flexibly set whether the battery pack 3 functions as a source or a sink depending on the usage of the battery pack 3. Furthermore, because switching between the first state and the second state is performed wirelessly from the portable device 8, a wired connection with the portable device 8 is not required. Furthermore, the battery pack 3 can be charged by receiving power via the USB port 77 while attached to the device body 2, and there is no need to remove the battery pack 3 from the device body 2. This makes it possible to realize a highly convenient device body 2 that utilizes USB.

[0093] (9) The MCU 79 can transmit to the portable device 8 whether the battery pack 3 attached to the device main body 2 is acting as a source or sink in receiving power via the USB port 77. This allows the user to visually check the current source / sink setting status using the management app for the portable device 8, as shown in, for example, Figures 14(C), (D) or 15(A) to (D). This allows for a highly convenient device main body 2 that uses USB.

[0094] (10) In the absence of source / sink designation by the management app of the portable device 8, if the nominal voltages of the battery pack 3 attached to the device main body 2 and the battery of the other device connected to the USB port 77 are the same, and the remaining capacity (battery voltage) of the battery pack 3 is greater (higher) than the remaining capacity (battery voltage) of the other device, the MCU 79 designates the battery pack 3 as the source, and otherwise designates the battery pack 3 as the sink. This allows the battery with the greater remaining capacity to be automatically charged first, rather than the battery with the lesser remaining capacity, in the absence of designation by the management app, which is highly convenient.

[0095] (11) If the management application of the portable device 8 does not specify source / sink, and the nominal voltages of the battery pack 3 and the battery of the other device connected to the USB port 77 are not the same, the MCU 79 will designate the battery pack 3 as the sink if the nominal voltage of the battery pack 3 is higher than the nominal voltage of the battery of the other device, and will designate the battery pack 3 as the source if not. This allows the battery with the higher nominal voltage to be automatically charged from the battery with the lower nominal voltage if there is no designation by the management application, which is very convenient.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Various modifications can be made to the details specifically described in the embodiments within the scope of the claims.

[0097] In the battery pack 1, the step-up / step-down circuit 16 may be a bidirectional DC-DC converter circuit, and the bridge circuit 15 may be omitted. The same applies to the device main body 2 and the external device 7.

[0098] The battery pack 1 may be provided with a connection portion that connects the positive terminals and negative terminals of the first cell unit 11 and the second cell unit 12 via a switch such as a relay, and by turning on the switch with the MCU 19 when power supply via the USB port 17 begins, the voltage V1 of the positive terminal of the first cell unit 11 is equal to the voltage V2 of the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12, and the voltage V3 of the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 is equal to the voltage V4 of the negative terminal of the second cell unit 12, so that the process may proceed to YES in S45 of Figure 13 without connecting to the device main body.

[0099] The battery pack 1 may be provided with a connection portion that connects the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 and the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 via a switch such as a relay, and by turning on the switch with the MCU 19 when power supply via the USB port 17 begins, the voltage V2 of the positive terminal of the second cell unit 12 and the voltage V3 of the negative terminal of the first cell unit 11 are made equal, allowing the process to proceed to YES in S43 of Figure 13 without connecting to the device main body.

[0100] In the battery pack 1, the MCU 19 may be configured to prohibit discharging to or charging from the device body to which the battery pack 1 is attached when power is being input or output via the USB port 17. In this case, when the on state of the trigger switch is detected in S67 of Fig. 13, the MCU 19 may notify the user by, for example, blinking the display unit that the attached device cannot be driven, and may continue to input or output power via the USB port 17. In addition, in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the nominal voltage of the battery pack and information about the other device connected to the target device may also be displayed, and the display contents may be freely settable.

[0101] The number of cell units (banks) and voltage values ​​of each part, which are given as specific numerical values ​​in the embodiments, do not limit the scope of the invention in any way and can be changed as desired to suit the required specifications.

[0102] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Battery pack, 2...Device main body, 3...Battery pack, 4...Device main body, 5...Device main body, 6...Connected device, 7...External device, 8...Portable device, 9...USB cable, 11...First cell unit (first bank), 12...Second cell unit (second bank), 13...Resistor, 14...Current detection circuit, 15...Bridge circuit, 16...Boost / buck circuit (DC-DC converter), 17...USB port, 18...Display unit, 19...MCU, 20...USBPD controller I C, 21 to 24...FET (switching element), 30...motor and motor peripheral circuit, 31...motor, 32...inverter, 33...inverter drive circuit, 34...magnetic sensor, 35...rotor position detection circuit, 36...resistor, 37...current detection circuit, 38...trigger switch, 39...switch detection circuit, 40...display unit, 41...MCU (control unit), 42...shorting bar (short-circuit member), 45...shorting bar (short-circuit member), 51...first cell unit (first bank), 52...second cell unit (second bank), 58...display unit, 59...MCU, 60...motor and motor peripheral circuit, 68...trigger switch, 69...switch detection circuit, 70...shorting bar (short-circuit member), 71 to 74...FET (switching element), 75...bridge circuit, 76...step-up / step-down circuit (DC-DC converter), 77...USB port, 78...display unit, 79...MCU (control unit), 80...USBPD controller IC, 82 ...Display unit, 83...Operation unit, 84...MCU, 85...Display unit for device to be operated, 86...Display unit for USB connected device, 87...Remaining capacity display unit, 88...Source / sink display unit, 89...Source / sink switching button, 90...Cell unit, 91 to 94...FET (switching element), 95...Bridge circuit, 96...Step-up / step-down circuit (DC-DC converter), 97...USB port, 98...Display unit, 99...MCU (control unit), 100...USBPD controller IC.

Claims

1. A battery pack detachable from a device body, comprising: a plurality of cell units that are disconnected from each other when the battery pack is not attached to the device body and that are connected to each other when the battery pack is attached to the device body; a USB connector to which an external device can be connected, the USB connector being capable of supplying power from the plurality of cell units to the external device via the USB connector and / or receiving power from the external device to the plurality of cell units via the USB connector; and a control unit that controls the input or output of power via the USB connector, wherein the control unit is configured to allow the input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery pack is connected to the device body.

2. A battery pack as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, when the battery pack is connected to the device body, the multiple cell units are connected to each other in series or parallel due to the terminal structure of the device body.

3. A battery pack as described in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit is configured to prohibit the input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery pack is not connected to the device main body.

4. A battery pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit determines whether or not the battery pack is connected to the device main body based on the voltage of at least one of the positive and negative sides and the interconnection parts of the plurality of cell units.

5. A battery pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a battery side terminal electrically connected to the plurality of cell units and electrically connected to an equipment side terminal of the equipment main body, and wherein the control unit is configured to prohibit the input or output of power via the USB connector when discharging or charging via the battery side terminal.

6. A battery pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a battery side terminal electrically connected to the plurality of cell units and electrically connected to an equipment side terminal of the equipment main body, and wherein the control unit is configured to prohibit discharging or charging via the battery side terminal when power is being input or output via the USB connector.

7. An electrical device comprising: a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an equipment main body to which the battery pack can be connected, wherein the battery pack has a battery side terminal electrically connected to the plurality of cell units, the equipment main body has an equipment side terminal electrically and mechanically connected to the battery side terminal, and the control unit is configured to allow input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery side terminal and the equipment side terminal are connected.

8. An electrical device comprising a device main body to which a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3 can be connected, wherein the battery pack has a battery side terminal electrically connected to the plurality of cell units, the device main body has an equipment side terminal electrically and mechanically connected to the battery side terminal, and the control unit is configured to permit input or output of power via the USB connector when the battery side terminal and the equipment side terminal are connected.

Images