Electric apparatus and electric apparatus system

Abstract

Provided are a compact electric apparatus and an electric apparatus system. A first adapter 200 is an adapter to which a battery pack 100 can be attached. The first adapter includes a battery-side terminal 206 connected to a battery terminal 102 of the battery pack 100, and a first adapter board 220 to which the battery-side terminal 206 is connected. In a state where the battery pack 100 is attached, ranges in the vertical direction in which the first adapter board 220 and the battery terminal 102 are present overlap. The battery-side terminal 206 has a first end part connected to the first adapter board 220 from above, and a second end part positioned behind the first end part and connected to the battery terminal 102. The second end portion is located or extends below the first adapter board 220.

Description

Electrical equipment and electrical equipment systems

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric device and an electric device system.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an adapter for connecting a battery pack with different interface specifications to an electrical device. Patent Document 2 discloses a battery pack capable of switching output voltage and an extension adapter connected between the battery pack and an electrical device. Patent Document 3 discloses a battery pack (battery pack 1) having a pair of power terminals (charge / discharge terminals 33) and signal terminals (temperature detection terminal 35, communication terminal 36). Patent Document 4 discloses a battery pack having a latch portion provided forward of the terminals.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 172776 Patent No. 7255252 JP 2001-143768 A U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0280394

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the following problems 1 and 2: Problem 1: To provide a compact electric device and an electric device system; Problem 2: To provide an electric device and an electric device system that are easy to assemble.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is an electrical device that can accommodate a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; and a circuit board to which the first terminal portion is connected; and when the battery pack is attached, the vertical extents of the circuit board and the battery terminal overlap.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device that can be attached to a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a terminal of a battery terminal of the battery pack; and a circuit board to which the first terminal portion is connected, wherein the first terminal portion has a first end portion connected to the circuit board from above, and a second end portion located rearward of the first end portion and connected to the battery terminal, and the second end portion is located below or extends below the circuit board.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device that can be attached between a battery pack and a second electrical device, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; a second terminal portion connected to an equipment terminal of the second electrical device; and a circuit board to which the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are connected, wherein all terminals of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are mounted on a first surface of the circuit board and extend in a direction away from the first surface.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical equipment system comprising the electrical equipment and a battery pack that can be attached to the electrical equipment, wherein the battery pack has a battery cell unit having one or more battery cells, and a battery terminal that is electrically connected to the battery cell unit and to which the first terminal portion is connected, and wherein when the electrical equipment and the battery pack are attached, the battery terminal and the circuit board have overlapping ranges in the vertical direction.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device that can accommodate a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; a circuit board to which a first end of the first terminal portion is connected; a pair of second guide portions spaced apart in the left-right direction and engaging with a pair of first guide portions of the battery pack to guide sliding movement of the battery pack; and a storage portion located between the pair of second guide portions in the left-right direction and storing at least a portion of the circuit board and the first end, wherein the storage portion and the pair of second guide portions have overlapping ranges in the up-down direction.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical device that can accommodate a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; a circuit board to which a first end of the first terminal portion is connected; a pair of second guide portions spaced apart in the left-right direction and having opposing surfaces that face the pair of first guide portions of the battery pack in the up-down direction and engage with the pair of first guide portions to guide the sliding movement of the battery pack; and a storage portion located between the pair of second guide portions in the left-right direction and that stores at least a portion of the circuit board and the first end, wherein the storage portion protrudes downward from the opposing surfaces.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is an electrical equipment system comprising the electrical equipment and a battery pack that can be attached to the electrical equipment, wherein the battery pack has a battery cell unit having one or more battery cells, a battery terminal that is electrically connected to the battery cell unit and to which the first terminal portion is connected, and a pair of first guide portions that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and guide the sliding movement of the electrical equipment, and wherein when the battery pack is attached to the electrical equipment, the storage portion and the pair of first guide portions and the pair of second guide portions have overlapping ranges in the up-down direction.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a battery pack that can be attached to an electrical device via an adapter, comprising: a battery cell unit having one or more battery cells; a battery case that houses the battery cell unit and has a top surface, a pair of first guide portions provided on the top surface that guide the sliding movement of the adapter, a bottom surface that is located below the top surface, and side surfaces that connect the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the top surface has an engaged portion that is recessed downward from the top surface and into which a latch engagement portion of the adapter fits when the adapter is attached, and the engaged portion is configured with a groove that prevents the latch engagement portion from disengaging from the latch engagement portion when a force acts to move the battery pack in a direction to remove it from the adapter along the pair of first guide portions without operating the latch operation portion of the adapter, causing the latch engagement portion to rotate around a rotation axis.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is an adapter that can be attached to the top of a battery pack by sliding in the forward / backward direction, and includes a pair of second guide portions that are spaced apart in the left / right direction and guide the sliding movement of the battery pack, and a latch portion that prevents relative sliding movement between the battery pack and the adapter, wherein the latch portion has a latch operation portion that is operated by an operator, and a latch engagement portion that rotates about a rotation axis by operating the latch operation portion and enters an engaged portion of the battery pack, and the latch engagement portion is configured to prevent disengagement from the engaged portion when a force acts to move the adapter in a direction to remove it from the battery pack along the pair of second guide portions without operating the latch operation portion, and the latch engagement portion rotates about the rotation axis.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is an adapter system comprising the battery pack and an adapter attachable to the battery pack, wherein the adapter is an adapter that can be attached to the upper side of the battery pack by sliding in a forward / backward direction, and comprises a pair of second guide portions that are spaced apart in the left / right direction and guide the sliding movement of the battery pack, and a latch portion that prevents relative sliding movement between the battery pack and the adapter, wherein the latch portion has a latch operation portion that is operated by an operator, and a latch engagement portion that rotates about a rotation axis by operating the latch operation portion and enters an engaged portion of the battery pack, and at least one of the engaged portion and the latch engagement portion is configured to prevent disengagement between the engaged portion and the latch engagement portion when a force acts to move the adapter in a direction to remove it from the battery pack along the pair of first and second guide portions without operating the latch operation portion, and the latch engagement portion rotates about the rotation axis.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is an adapter system comprising the adapter and a battery pack attachable to the adapter, wherein the battery pack comprises a battery cell unit having one or more battery cells, a top surface portion, a pair of first guide portions provided on the top surface portion to guide sliding movement of the adapter, a bottom surface portion located below the top surface portion, and side surfaces connecting the top surface portion and the bottom surface portion, and a battery case that houses the battery cell unit, wherein the top surface portion is recessed downward from the top surface and has an engaged portion into which a latch engagement portion of the adapter fits when the adapter is attached, and at least one of the engaged portion and the latch engagement portion is configured to prevent disengagement between the engaged portion and the latch engagement portion when a force acts to move the adapter in a direction to remove it from the battery pack along the pair of first and second guide portions without operating the latch operation portion, and the latch engagement portion rotates around the rotation axis.

[0016] According to the present invention, at least one of the above problems 1 and 2 can be solved.

[0017] 3(B) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 with the battery case 106 omitted; and FIG. 3(C) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 with the battery case 106 omitted, viewed from a different direction from FIG. 3(B). 3(D) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the battery terminal 102 in FIG. 3(B). 3(A) is a perspective view of the first adapter 200 as viewed from above. 3(B) is a perspective view of the first adapter 200 as viewed from below. 3(C) is a rear view of the first adapter 200. 3(D) is a rear cross-sectional view of the first adapter 200, taken at the position of the first latch operation portion 216a of the first latch portion 216. 6(E) is a plan view of the first adapter 200 with the first adapter upper case 211a omitted. (A) is a perspective view of the first adapter 200 with the first adapter upper case 211a omitted. (B) is a perspective view of the first adapter lower case 211b. (C) is a perspective view of the main parts of the second electrical device (36V device) 40 to which the first adapter 200 is connected. (D) is a perspective view of the first adapter board 220, the battery-side terminals 206, and the device-side terminals 210. (E) is a perspective view of FIG. 5(D) with a battery-side terminal support member 235 added. (F) is a perspective view showing the procedure for assembling the battery-side terminal support member 235. (A) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 and the first adapter 200 assembled. (B) is the same plan view. (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G of FIG. 6(B). (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along H-H in FIG. 6(C). (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along J-J in FIG. 6(C). (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along K-K in FIG. 6(C). (A) is a perspective view showing the connection between the terminals of the battery pack 100 and the first adapter 200. (B) is a right-side cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 9(A), taken between the power terminal 103 and the signal terminal 105 on the right side of FIG. 9(A). (C) is a right-side cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 9(A), taken between the power terminals 103 and 104 on the right side of FIG. 9(A). (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the second latch portion 217 of the first adapter 200 is engaged. (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the state where the second latch portion 217 of the first adapter 200 is disengaged. (C) is a perspective view of the second latch portion 217. (A) is a perspective view of the second adapter 300 seen from above. 1B is a perspective view of the second adapter 300 as seen from below, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the second adapter 300 with the upper case omitted.(D) is a perspective view of the main parts of the third electric device 60 to which the second adapter 300 is connected. (A) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 attached to the first electric device 80. (B) is a perspective view of the main parts of the first electric device 80 from above. (C) is a perspective view of the main parts of the first electric device 80 from below. (A) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 attached to the first electric device 400. (B) is a perspective view of the main parts of the first electric device 400.

[0018] In this specification, "specifications" specify the configuration of the interface relating to the interconnection between the battery pack and the electrical device, such as the configuration of the guide section, the configuration of the terminals, the communication method, etc. If the interfaces of the battery pack and the electrical device are configured according to common specifications, these battery packs and electrical devices can be directly connected to each other.

[0019] The front-rear, top-bottom, and left-right directions of battery pack 100, first adapter 200, and second adapter 300 are defined in accordance with FIG.

[0020] [Overall System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment.

[0021] The battery pack 100 is a voltage-switchable battery pack having a first battery interface 101 of a first specification and configured to be able to switch the output voltage. The battery pack 100 may also be a fixed-voltage battery pack having a fixed output voltage.

[0022] The first electric device 80 has a first device interface 81 of a first specification. The first device interface 81 is configured to be connectable to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100. The first electric device 80 is an electric power tool with a rated voltage of 36 V, and has a terminal structure that outputs 36 V to the connected battery pack 100 (inputs 36 V from the battery pack 100).

[0023] The second electrical devices 30, 40, and 50 have second device interfaces 32, 42, and 52 of the second specification, respectively.

[0024] The second device interfaces 32, 42, 52 are configured so as not to be connectable to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100. The second device interfaces 32, 42, 52 are configured so as to be connectable to the second battery interface 12 of a second specification different from the first specification of the second voltage switching battery pack 10 capable of switching the output voltage.

[0025] The second electrical device 30 is a charger configured to be directly connected to the second-voltage switching battery pack 10 for charging. The second electrical device 40 is a power tool with a rated voltage of 36 V and has a terminal structure that outputs 36 V to the connected second-voltage switching battery pack 10 (inputs 36 V from the second-voltage switching battery pack 10). The second electrical device 50 is a power tool with a rated voltage of 18 V and has a terminal structure that outputs 18 V to the connected second-voltage switching battery pack 10 (inputs 18 V from the second-voltage switching battery pack 10). Each of the second electrical devices 40, 50 is directly connected to the second-voltage switching battery pack 10 so that it can operate using power from the second-voltage switching battery pack 10. The second-voltage switching battery pack 10 is configured to switch its output voltage between 36 V and 18 V depending on the terminal structure of the connected device. The second electrical devices 30, 40, 50 and the second-voltage switching battery pack 10 all correspond to existing products.

[0026] The first adapter 200, which is an example of an electrical device, is configured to be connectable between the battery pack 100 and the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50. The first adapter 200 has a first adapter interface 201 of a first specification connectable to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100, and a second adapter interface 202 as an equipment-side adapter interface connectable to second equipment interfaces 32, 42, 52 of a second specification different from the first specification of the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50.

[0027] The third electrical devices 60, 70 have third device interfaces 63, 73 of a third specification. The third device interfaces 63, 73 are configured so as not to be connectable to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100. The third device interfaces 63, 73 are configured so as to be connectable to the third battery interface 23 of a third specification, which is different from the first specification, of the third voltage fixed battery pack 20, whose output voltage is fixed.

[0028] The third electrical device 60 is an electric power tool with a rated voltage of 18 V, and is configured to be directly connected to the third fixed voltage battery pack 20 so that it can operate using the power from the third fixed voltage battery pack 20. The third electrical device 70 is a charger, and is configured to be directly connected to the third fixed voltage battery pack 20 so that it can be charged. The third fixed voltage battery pack 20 is configured to output 18 V. The third electrical devices 60, 70 and the third fixed voltage battery pack 20 are all compatible with existing products.

[0029] The second adapter 300, which is an example of an electrical device, is configured to be connectable between the battery pack 100 and the third electrical devices 60, 70. The second adapter 300 has a first adapter interface 301 of a first specification connectable to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100, and a third adapter interface 303 as an equipment-side adapter interface connectable to third equipment interfaces 63, 73 of a third specification different from the first specification of the third electrical devices 60, 70.

[0030] [Configuration of Battery Pack 100] The battery pack 100 is a battery pack that can be attached to the battery pack attachment portions of the first electrical device 80, the first adapter 200, and the second adapter 300 while facing forward.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2, 3(A) to 3(D), and 6(D), the battery pack 100 has a battery terminal 102, a battery case 106, a pair of left and right battery guide portions 107 (first guide portions), a terminal accommodating portion 108, an engaged portion 110 (regulating recess), a remaining charge display portion 111, a remaining charge display button 112, a battery control board 113, a battery cell unit 115, a separator 116, a tab 135, and a bus bar 137.

[0032] The battery terminals 102 constitute part of the first battery interface 101. The battery terminals 102 have a pair of power terminals 103, a pair of power terminals 104, and a signal terminal 105. The pair of power terminals 103, the pair of power terminals 104, and the signal terminals 105 are aligned in the left-right direction. There are six signal terminals 105, and the front ends (connection portions with the signal terminals 205 of the first adapter 200) are divided into upper and lower three terminals. In Figures 9(A) and (B), the upper three signal terminals 105 are distinguishably referred to as upper signal terminals 105-U, and the lower three signal terminals 105 are distinguishably referred to as lower signal terminals 105-L.

[0033] The battery case 106 is, for example, a resin molded body with a two-part structure, with a top and bottom section, and has a top section 106a, a bottom section 106b, and a side section 106c. The bottom section 106b is located below the top section 106a. The side section 106c connects the top section 106a and the bottom section 106b. The battery case 106 houses a battery control board 113, a battery cell unit 115, a separator 116, etc.

[0034] The pair of battery guides 107 are erected on both the left and right ends of the top surface 106a, extend in the front-to-rear direction, and are configured to guide the battery pack 100 forward relative to the device to be connected. The battery guides 107 form part of the first battery interface 101. Each battery guide 107 has four engaging portions 107a arranged in the front-to-rear direction. Each engaging portion 107a is a convex portion that protrudes outward in the left-to-right direction (on the side opposite the center of the top surface 106a in the left-to-right direction). The number of engaging portions 107a can be any number.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3(A), the battery guide 107 has a front end 107b located on the front side and a rear end 107c located on the rear side. A second rear protrusion 151 that protrudes upward from the top surface 106a is provided at the rear of the battery case 106. The upper end of the second rear protrusion 151 forms the upper end of the battery pack 100. The upper surface of the second rear protrusion 151 forms a second inclined surface that slopes gently rearward from the upper end. The second rear protrusion 151 is located outside the area where the battery guide 107 is provided in the front-to-rear direction.

[0036] The terminal accommodating portion 108 is provided on the top surface 106a of the battery case 106. Specifically, the terminal accommodating portion 108 is erected in the center of the rear portion of the top surface 106a. In the front-rear direction, the terminal accommodating portion 108 extends to a position corresponding to the rear end portion 107c of the battery guide portion 107. The terminal accommodating portion 108 has multiple slots 109 that accommodate the battery terminals 102. Each of the multiple slots 109 opens on the front side, allowing the battery terminals 102 to face forward.

[0037] The battery terminals 102 housed in the terminal housing 108, i.e., the pair of power terminals 103, the pair of power terminals 104, and the signal terminal 105, are positioned to correspond to the multiple slots 109 in the left-right direction and to correspond to the rear end 107c of the battery guide portion 107 in the front-rear direction. This ensures a large space in front of the battery terminals 102, which can be used to arrange the first adapter 200. Therefore, even if a circuit or the like is provided inside the first adapter 200, the vertical dimension of the battery pack 100 and the first adapter 200 when connected can be kept from increasing. In addition, the rear side of the terminal housing 108 is covered by the second rear protrusion 151, which prevents the terminal housing 108 from being subjected to impacts from behind.

[0038] When the battery pack 100 is attached to the first electrical device 80, the first adapter 200, or the second adapter 300, the engaged portion 110 engages with the latch portion 80a (FIG. 1) of the first electrical device 80, the second latch portion 217 (FIG. 4(B)) of the first adapter 200, or the second latch portion 317 (FIG. 11(B)) of the second adapter 300, thereby preventing the battery pack 100 from moving backward. The engaged portion 110 constitutes a part of the first battery interface 101. The engaged portion 110 is provided integrally with the upper surface portion 106a of the battery case 106. The locking structure provided by the engaged portion 110 will be described later.

[0039] 2, the remaining capacity display unit 111 and the remaining capacity display button 112 are provided on the upper rear portion (second rear protrusion 151) of the battery case 106. The remaining capacity display unit 111 displays the remaining capacity of the battery pack 100 in four stages in response to operation of the remaining capacity display button 112. The number of stages for displaying the remaining capacity may be any number.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3(C), the battery control board 113 is located above the battery cell unit 115 and is fixed to the separator 116 with screws or the like in a vertically perpendicular position. The battery control board 113 is equipped with a protection IC, a battery controller, etc. The rear of the battery control board 113 is equipped with the battery terminals 102, as well as four remaining capacity indicator LEDs 121 and a remaining capacity indicator switch 122. When the remaining capacity indicator switch 122 is turned on, the remaining capacity indicator LEDs 121 light up in a number corresponding to the remaining capacity of the battery pack 100. The number of remaining capacity indicator LEDs 121 can be arbitrary. Light emitted by the remaining capacity indicator LEDs 121 passes through the remaining capacity indicator 111 and reaches the outside. The remaining capacity indicator switch 122 is turned on by operating the remaining capacity indicator button 112.

[0041] The battery cell unit 115 includes a first battery cell unit 118 having five battery cells electrically connected to each other, and a second battery cell unit 119 having five battery cells electrically connected to each other. The battery cells are, for example, lithium-ion secondary battery cells. The first battery cell unit 118 and the second battery cell unit 119 may include any number of battery cells. A pair of power supply terminals 103 are connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the first battery cell unit 118, respectively. A pair of power supply terminals 104 are connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the second battery cell unit 119, respectively.

[0042] The separator 116 is, for example, a resin molded body, and holds each battery cell that makes up the battery cell unit 115 in a predetermined position within the battery case 106. The tabs 135 electrically connect the battery cells to each other and to the battery control board 113. The bus bar 137 forms a current path that provides a low-resistance connection from the tabs 135 connected to the front of the battery control board 113 to the vicinity of the battery terminals 102.

[0043] [Configuration of First Adapter 200] The first adapter 200 is configured to connect the battery pack 100 having the first battery interface 101 of a first specification to the second electrical device 30, 40, 50 having the second device interface 32, 42, 52 of a second specification different from the first specification. The first adapter 200 is positioned between the battery pack 100 and any one of the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50 in the up-down direction, and is configured to be attachable to the battery pack 100 and any one of the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50 by sliding in the front-rear direction intersecting the up-down direction.

[0044] 1 , the first adapter 200 has a first adapter interface 201 of a first specification connectable to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100, and a second adapter interface 202 of a second specification connectable to the second device interfaces 32, 42, 52 of the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50. The first adapter interface 201 and a battery pack mounting section 213 (described later) include areas that face the battery pack 100 (first battery interface 101) when the battery pack 100 is mounted on the first adapter 200, and that face the first battery interface 101 with almost no gap between them. The second adapter interface 202 and an electrical device mounting section 214 (described later) include areas that face the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50 (second device interfaces 32, 42, 52) when the first adapter 200 is mounted on the second electrical devices 30, 40, 50.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first adapter 200 has a battery-side terminal 206 as a first terminal portion, an equipment-side terminal 210 as a second terminal portion, a first adapter case 211, a battery pack mounting portion 213, an electrical equipment mounting portion 214, a first latch portion 216, a second latch portion 217, a first adapter board 220 as a circuit board, a battery-side terminal support member 235, and an equipment-side terminal support member 236.

[0046] A first rear protrusion 230 is provided on the rear side of the first adapter 200, protruding above the lower end 214a of the electrical device mounting portion 214. A first latch portion 216 is provided on the first rear protrusion 230. A first inclined surface that slopes gently from the upper front to the lower rear is formed on the upper surface of the first rear protrusion 230. The first rear protrusion 230 is provided on the upper side of the first adapter 200, rearward of the electrical device mounting portion 214 in the front-to-rear direction. The first rear protrusion 230 is located outside (rearward of) an area in which a third guide portion 215, described below, is provided.

[0047] The battery-side terminals 206 are provided at the rear of the first adapter board 220 and are connected to the battery terminals 102 of the battery pack 100. When the battery pack 100 is attached to the first adapter 200, as shown in FIG. 6C , the first adapter board 220 and the battery terminals 102 overlap in the vertical direction. The first adapter board 220 and the battery-side terminals 206 overlap in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 4C and 5D , the battery-side terminals 206 include a pair of power terminals 203, a pair of power terminals 204, and a signal terminal 205. The pair of power terminals 203, the pair of power terminals 204, and the signal terminals 205 are aligned in the horizontal direction. There are six signal terminals 205, and the rear ends (connecting portions with the signal terminals 105 of the battery pack 100) are divided into three on the top and bottom. The front ends (connecting portions with the first adapter board 220) of the signal terminals 205 are divided into three on the front and back. In FIGS. 5F and 6C, the upper three signal terminals 205 are distinguishably represented as upper signal terminals 205-U and the lower three signal terminals 205 as lower signal terminals 205-L.

[0048] 9A, the pair of power supply terminals 203, the pair of power supply terminals 204, and the signal terminal 205 are configured to be connectable to the pair of power supply terminals 103, the pair of power supply terminals 104, and the signal terminal 105 of the battery pack 100, respectively. The battery side terminal 206 forms part of the first adapter interface 201. The battery side terminal 206 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rear end 107c (FIG. 3A) of the battery guide portion 107 in the front-rear direction.

[0049] The pair of power supply terminals 203 and the pair of power supply terminals 204 have the same shape. As shown in FIG. 5(F), the power supply terminal 204 has a first end 204a, a first upward extension 204b extending from the first end 204a above the first adapter board 220, a first rearward extension 204c extending rearward from the first upward extension 204b, a first downward extension 204d extending downward from the first rearward extension 204c, a second rearward extension 204e extending rearward from the first downward extension 204d, and a second end 204f connected to the rear of the second rearward extension 204e. The first end 204a is connected to the first adapter board 220. The second end 204f is located rearward of the first end 204a and is connected to the battery terminal 102 (power supply terminal 104).

[0050] The second end 204f is located or extends below the first adapter board 220. The second end 204f is located rearward of the first adapter board 220. The first upward extending portion 204b, the first rear extending portion 204c, the first downward extending portion 204d, and the second rear extending portion 204e form a connection portion that connects the first end 204a and the second end 204f. The vertical extent of this connection portion overlaps with that of the first adapter board 220.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6C , the upper signal terminal 205-U and the lower signal terminal 205-L each have a first end 205a, a first upward extension 205b extending from the first end 205a upwardly of the first adapter board 220, a first rearward extension 205c extending rearward from the first upward extension 205b, a first downward extension 205d extending downwardly from the first rearward extension 205c, a second rearward extension 205e extending rearward from the first downward extension 205d, and a second end 205f connected to the rear of the second rearward extension 205e. The first end 205a is connected to the first adapter board 220. The second end 205f is located rearward of the first end 205a and is connected to the battery terminal 102 (signal terminal 105).

[0052] The second end 205f of the upper signal terminal 205-U is located or extends above the first adapter board 220. The second end 205f of the lower signal terminal 205-L is located or extends below the first adapter board 220. The second ends 205f of the upper signal terminal 205-U and the lower signal terminal 205-L are aligned behind the first adapter board 220 and spaced apart in the vertical direction. The second ends 205f are located behind the first adapter board 220. The upper signal terminal 205-U is connected to the upper signal terminal 105-U of the battery pack 100, and the lower signal terminal 205-L is connected to the lower signal terminal 105-L of the battery pack 100. The first upward extending portion 205b, the first rearward extending portion 205c, the first downward extending portion 205d, and the second rearward extending portion 205e constitute a connecting portion that connects the first end portion 205a and the second end portion 205f. The connecting portion overlaps with the first adapter board 220 in the vertical direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5D , the device-side terminal 210 has a pair of power supply terminals 207, a pair of power supply terminals 208, and a signal terminal 209. The device-side terminal 210 has a lower end (third end) connected to the first adapter board 220, extends upward and forward from the lower end, and a front end (fourth end) connected to a device terminal of the second electrical device 30, 40, or 50. As shown in FIGS. 5C , 5D , and 5E , the pair of power supply terminals 207, 208, and signal terminal 209 are configured to be connectable to a pair of power supply terminals 43 a, a pair of power supply terminals 43 b, and a signal terminal 43 c of the second electrical device 40, respectively. The device-side terminal 210 constitutes a part of the second adapter interface 202. The pair of power supply terminals 43 a, a pair of power supply terminals 43 b, and a signal terminal 43 c of the second electrical device 40 constitute device terminals 43 and constitute a part of the second device interface 42.

[0054] 5A, the battery-side terminal 206 and the device-side terminal 210 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The battery-side terminal 206 is disposed rearward of the device-side terminal 210.

[0055] All terminals constituting the battery-side terminal 206 and the device-side terminal 210 are inserted into terminal insertion holes (insertion portions), which are through-holes in the first adapter board 220, from the top surface (first surface) of the first adapter board 220, and are soldered to the first adapter board 220 on the bottom surface (second surface) of the first adapter board 220, thereby being mounted on the first adapter board 220 and extending upward from the first adapter board 220 (extending in a direction away from the first surface). The terminal insertion holes into which the battery-side terminals 206 are inserted are shown in Figure 5(F).

[0056] The first adapter case 211 is, for example, a resin molded body, has a second guide portion 212 and a third guide portion 215, and houses the first adapter board 220. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first adapter case 211 has a housing portion 240 that houses the first adapter board 220 and at least a portion of the ends (ends connected to the first adapter board 220) of the battery-side terminal 206 and the device-side terminal 210. As shown in FIGS. 4D and 7A, the first adapter case 211 is formed by fixing and integrating a first adapter upper case 211a and a first adapter lower case 211b by screws or the like. The housing portion 240 is provided in the first adapter lower case 211b.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4(B), the battery pack attachment section 213 is provided at the bottom of the first adapter case 211. The battery pack attachment section 213 constitutes the first adapter interface 201. The battery pack 100 is attached and detached by sliding it back and forth relative to the battery pack attachment section 213. The battery pack attachment section 213 has a battery-side terminal 206 and a pair of second guide sections 212 on the left and right.

[0058] The second guide portions 212 protrude downward from both the left and right ends of the battery pack mounting portion 213 and are configured to guide the sliding movement of the battery pack 100. Each second guide portion 212 has four engagement portions 212a arranged in the front-to-rear direction. Each engagement portion 212a is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the left-to-right direction (toward the center of the battery pack mounting portion 213 in the left-to-right direction). The number of engagement portions 212a is optional. The engagement portions 212a engage with the engagement portions 107a of the battery guide portion 107.

[0059] The second guide portion 212 has an opposing surface 212b that faces the pair of battery guide portions 107 of the battery pack 100 in the up-down direction. The storage portion 240 is located between the pair of second guide portions 212 in the left-right direction. The storage portion 240 and the pair of second guide portions 212 overlap in their up-down ranges. The storage portion 240 protrudes downward from the opposing surface 212b. The second guide portion 212 has insertion grooves 212c into which the pair of battery guide portions 107 are inserted. The storage portion 240 protrudes downward from the upper ends of the insertion grooves 212c. When the battery pack 100 is attached to the first adapter 200, the storage portion 240 and the pair of battery guide portions 107 overlap in their up-down ranges. Furthermore, when battery pack 100 is attached to first adapter 200, housing portion 240 is located in a recess formed by top surface portion 106a, the pair of battery guide portions 107, and terminal housing portion .

[0060] 6(A), when battery pack 100 is attached to first adapter 200, the first inclined surface at the rear of first rear protrusion 230 of first adapter 200 is configured to extend continuously with the second inclined surface at the rear of second rear protrusion 151 of battery pack 100. In other words, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed to be smoothly connected without any steps (no bumps or irregularities). This eliminates the feeling that first adapter 200 protrudes (feels separate), creates a sense of unity with battery pack 100, and improves the aesthetic appearance.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 4A, the electrical device mounting portion 214 is provided on the upper part of the first adapter case 211. The electrical device mounting portion 214 constitutes the second adapter interface 202. The second electrical devices 30, 40, 50 are attached and detached by sliding in the front-rear direction relative to the electrical device mounting portion 214. The electrical device mounting portion 214 has an appliance-side terminal 210 and a third guide portion 215.

[0062] The pair of third guide portions 215 are spaced apart in the left-right direction and are configured to guide the sliding movement of the second electric devices 30, 40, 50. The third guide portions 215 allow the second electric devices 30, 40, 50 to slide relative to the first adapter 200 in a transverse direction (front-rear direction) that intersects with the up-down direction. The third guide portions 215 restrict the up-down movement of the second electric devices 30, 40, 50 relative to the first adapter 200. The battery-side terminal 206 and the device-side terminal 210 are located or extend in the area where the pair of second guide portions 212 and the pair of third guide portions 215 are provided in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 5C , the second electric device 40 has a pair of device guide portions 42a that serve as fourth guide portions and engage with the third guide portions 215.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4A, the pair of first latch portions 216 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of first latch portions 216 is, for example, a resin molded body and has a first latch operation portion 216a and a first latch engagement portion 216b. The first latch portion 216 is biased outward in the left-right direction by a coil spring 216c. The first latch engagement portion 216b engages with a recess (not shown) in the second electrical device 40, 50 to lock the first adapter 200 to the second electrical device 40, 50. The first latch operation portion 216a is operated by an operator to release the locking by the first latch engagement portion 216b. The first latch portion 216 forms part of the electrical device mounting portion 214. As shown in FIG. 4D, the pair of first latch portions 216 are provided on the first adapter upper case 211a. The lower side of the first latch portion 216 is supported by a cover member 221. The cover member 221 is fixed to the first adapter upper case 211a by screws 222. This prevents the first latch portions 216 from coming off the first adapter upper case 211a. The signal terminal 205 overlaps the pair of first latch portions 216 in the front-rear and up-down directions, and is located centrally between the pair of first latch portions 216 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4(C) and other figures, six communication terminals 205, which are some of the multiple terminals that make up the battery-side terminal 206, are lined up in the left-right direction, three apart in groups. In the left-right direction, the signal terminal 205 is located between two screws 222 that fix the cover member 221. In the up-down direction, the signal terminal 205 overlaps the screw 222 in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0064] The first adapter board 220 is fixed to the first adapter lower case 211b by screws, etc. The first adapter board 220 has the battery side terminals 206 and the main body side terminals 210 mounted thereon.

[0065] The battery-side terminal support member 235 is, for example, a resin molded body, and prevents short circuits between the battery-side terminals 206 and supports the battery-side terminals 206 so as to prevent deformation of the battery-side terminals 206. The battery-side terminal support member 235 has grooves 235a into which the battery-side terminals 206 are inserted. As shown in FIG. 6C , the battery-side terminal support member 235 is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the first downward extending portion 205d of the upper signal terminal 205-U and the first downward extending portion 205d of the lower signal terminal 205-L, and is also sandwiched in the top-to-bottom direction between the second rear extending portion 205e of the upper signal terminal 205-U and the second rear extending portion 205e of the lower signal terminal 205-L, thereby holding the battery-side terminal 206 so as not to come off.

[0066] 5(F), when assembling the battery-side terminal 206 and the battery-side terminal support member 235, the lower signal terminal 205-L is first mounted on the first adapter board 220, the battery-side terminal support member 235 is then attached to the lower signal terminal 205-L from behind, and the upper signal terminal 205-U, the pair of power supply terminals 203, and the pair of power supply terminals 204 are mounted on the first adapter board 220 while being attached to the battery-side terminal support member 235 from above. The battery-side terminal support member 235 is provided so as to cover the through-hole 238 of the first adapter lower case 211b, in which the battery-side terminal 206 is to be disposed.

[0067] The device-side terminal support member 236 is, for example, a resin molded body, and prevents short circuits between the device-side terminals 210 and supports the battery-side terminals 206 so that the device-side terminals 210 do not deform.

[0068] 10 , the second latch portion 217 is, for example, a resin molded body, and prevents relative sliding movement between the battery pack 100 and the first adapter 200. The second latch portion 217 constitutes a locking mechanism that locks the first adapter 200 to the battery pack 100. The second latch portion 217 is located forward of the device-side terminal 210. The second latch portion 217 has a second latch operating portion 217a, a second latch engaging portion 217b, and a shaft portion 217c.

[0069] The second latch engaging portion 217b engages with (enters into) the engaged portion 110 of the battery pack 100, and restricts the battery pack 100 from moving backward relative to the first adapter 200. The second latch engaging portion 217b is configured to prevent the second latch engaging portion 217b from disengaging from the engaged portion 110 when a force acts to move the first adapter 200 in a direction to remove it from the battery pack 100 along the pair of second guide portions 212 without operating the second latch operating portion 217a, causing the second latch engaging portion 217b to rotate around the shaft portion 217c.

[0070] The second latch engagement portion 217b has a second inclined surface 217d that abuts against the engaged portion 110 when a force is applied to move it in the removal direction. When the second latch engagement portion 217b is engaged with the engaged portion 110, the direction of the normal line L of the second inclined surface 217d is inclined toward the shaft portion 217c compared to the normal line direction of a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the normal line L of the second inclined surface 217d passes through the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c. In Figures 10(A) and (B) , for ease of understanding, the symbol for the central axis O is shifted from the actual central axis, and the position of the central axis is indicated by a lead line.

[0071] The second latch operating portion 217a is operated by an operator to release the locking by the second latch engaging portion 217b (to remove the battery pack 100 from the battery pack mounting portion 213). The shaft portion 217c is the central axis of rotation of the second latch portion 217.

[0072] The coil spring 219 is an elastic member that biases the second latch operating portion 217a upward (biases the second latch engaging portion 217b downward, i.e., in the direction of entering the engaged portion 110).

[0073] When attaching the first adapter 200 to the battery pack 100, the second latch engagement portion 217b abuts against the upper surface of the battery pack 100, and the second latch operation portion 217a rotates about the shaft portion 217c against the biasing force of the coil spring 219. Then, when the first adapter 200 is connected (attached) to the battery pack 100 by sliding it along the second guide portion 212 and the battery guide portion 107, the second latch engagement portion 217b is biased by the coil spring 219 in a direction in which it enters the engaged portion 110. In other words, when attaching the first adapter 200 to the battery pack 100, the second latch engagement portion 217b and the engaged portion 110 automatically engage with each other without the operator having to operate the second latch operation portion 217a. This configuration saves the operator time and allows for smooth attachment.

[0074] The engaged portion 110 is recessed downward from the upper surface portion 106a, and when the first adapter 200 is attached, the second latch engaging portion 217b of the first adapter 200 fits into it. The engaged portion 110 is configured as a groove that prevents the second latch engaging portion 217b from being disengaged when a force acts to move the battery pack 100 in the direction of removal from the first adapter 200 along the pair of battery guide portions 107 without operating the second latch operating portion 217a of the first adapter 200, causing the second latch engaging portion 217b to rotate around the shaft portion 217c that serves as the rotation axis.

[0075] The engaged portion 110 has a first inclined surface 110a that abuts against the second latch engaging portion 217b when a force is applied to move it in the removal direction. The normal line L of the first inclined surface 110a is inclined in a direction approaching the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c compared to the normal line direction of a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the normal line L of the first inclined surface 110a passes through the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c.

[0076] [Configuration of second adapter 300] The second adapter 300 is configured to connect the battery pack 100 having the first battery interface 101 of the first specification to the third electrical device 60, 70 having the third device interface 63, 73 of the third specification different from the first specification. The second adapter 300 is positioned between the battery pack 100 and either of the third electrical devices 60, 70 in the up-down direction, and is configured to be attachable to the battery pack 100 and either of the third electrical devices 60, 70 by sliding in the front-rear direction that intersects the up-down direction.

[0077] 1 , the second adapter 300 has a first adapter interface 301 of a first specification that can be connected to the first battery interface 101 of the battery pack 100, and a third adapter interface 303 of a third specification that can be connected to the third device interfaces 63, 73 of the third electrical devices 60, 70. The first adapter interface 301 has the same configuration as the first adapter interface 201 of the first adapter 200. That is, the second adapter 300 has the same connection configuration with the battery pack 100 as the first adapter 200. The third adapter interface 303 includes an area that faces the third electrical devices 60, 70 (third device interfaces 63, 73) when the second adapter 300 is attached to the third electrical devices 60, 70.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11 , the second adapter 300 includes a battery-side terminal 306 , a device-side terminal 310 , a second adapter case 311 , a second latch portion 317 , and a second adapter board 320 .

[0079] 11(B), the battery-side terminal 306 has a pair of power supply terminals 304, a pair of power supply terminals 305, and a signal terminal 307. The battery-side terminal 306 is connected to the battery terminal 102 of the battery pack 100. The pair of power supply terminals 304, the pair of power supply terminals 305, and the signal terminal 307 are configured to be connectable to the pair of power supply terminals 103, the pair of power supply terminals 104, and the signal terminal 105 of the battery pack 100, respectively. The battery-side terminal 306 constitutes a part of the first adapter interface 301. The battery-side terminal 306 has a structure similar to that of the battery-side terminal 206 of the first adapter 200.

[0080] 11(C), the device-side terminal 310 has a pair of power supply terminals 308 and signal terminals 309. The device-side terminal 310 is connected to device terminals of the third electric devices 60 and 70. As shown in Fig. 11(D), the pair of power supply terminals 308 and signal terminals 309 are configured to be connectable to a pair of power supply terminals 64a and signal terminals 64b, which are device terminals 64 of the third electric device 60, respectively. The device-side terminal 310 constitutes a part of the third adapter interface 303.

[0081] The second adapter case 311 is, for example, a resin molded body, has a first guide portion 312 and a second guide portion 315 , and houses the second adapter board 320 .

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11A , the electrical device mounting portion 314 is provided on the upper portion of the second adapter case 311. The electrical device mounting portion 314 constitutes the third adapter interface 303. The third electrical devices 60, 70 are attached and detached by sliding in the front-to-rear direction relative to the electrical device mounting portion 314. The electrical device mounting portion 314 includes an electrical device terminal 310 and a second guide portion 315. The second guide portion 315 is configured to guide the sliding movement of the third electrical devices 60, 70. The second guide portion 315 allows the sliding movement of the third electrical devices 60, 70 in a direction intersecting the up-to-down direction (front-to-rear direction) relative to the second adapter 300. The second guide portion 315 restricts the up-to-down movement of the third electrical devices 60, 70 relative to the second adapter 300. The third electrical device 60 has a pair of device guide portions 62a that engage with the third guide portion 215.

[0083] [Connection of battery pack 100 and first electric device 80] Fig. 12(A) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 attached to the first electric device 80. Fig. 12(B) is a perspective view of the main parts of the first electric device 80 from above. Fig. 12(C) is a perspective view of the main parts of the first electric device 80 from below.

[0084] The first device interface 81 of the first electrical device 80 has the same configuration as the first adapter interface 201 of the first adapter 200 and the first adapter interface 301 of the second adapter 300. That is, the first electrical device 80 has the same connection configuration with the battery pack 100 as the first adapter 200 and the second adapter 300.

[0085] The device terminals 83 of the first electrical device 80 include a pair of power supply terminals 83 a, a pair of power supply terminals 83 b, and a signal terminal 83 c. The pair of power supply terminals 83 a, the pair of power supply terminals 83 b, and the signal terminals 83 c are configured to be connectable to the pair of power supply terminals 103, the pair of power supply terminals 104, and the signal terminals 105 of the battery pack 100, respectively.

[0086] [Connection of Battery Pack 100 and First Electrical Device 400] Fig. 13(A) is a perspective view of the battery pack 100 attached to the first electrical device 400. Fig. 13(B) is a perspective view of the main part of the first electrical device 400.

[0087] The first electric device 400 is a charger. A first device interface 401 of the first electric device 400 has the same configuration as the first adapter interface 201 of the first adapter 200 and the first adapter interface 301 of the second adapter 300. That is, the first electric device 400 has the same connection configuration with the battery pack 100 as the first adapter 200 and the second adapter 300.

[0088] The device terminals 402 of the first electrical device 400 include a pair of power supply terminals 403, a pair of power supply terminals 404, and a signal terminal 405. The pair of power supply terminals 403, the pair of power supply terminals 404, and the signal terminals 405 are configured to be connectable to the pair of power supply terminals 103, the pair of power supply terminals 104, and the signal terminals 105 of the battery pack 100, respectively.

[0089] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0090] (1) When the battery pack 100 is attached to the first adapter 200, the vertical extents of the first adapter board 220 and the battery terminals 102 overlap, as shown in Fig. 6(C) . Therefore, the vertical dimension when the battery pack 100 is attached to the first adapter 200 can be reduced compared to when the vertical extents of the first adapter board 220 and the battery terminals 102 do not overlap.

[0091] (2) Of the battery-side terminals 206 of the first adapter 200, the pair of power supply terminals 203, the pair of power supply terminals 204, and the rear end (second end) of the lower signal terminal 205-L are located or extend below the first adapter board 220. Therefore, the vertical dimension of the first adapter 200 can be reduced compared to when the battery-side terminals 206 are located at the same level as or above the first adapter board 220.

[0092] (3) The second ends 205f of the upper signal terminals 205-U and the lower signal terminals 205-L are aligned rearward of the first adapter board 220 and spaced apart in the vertical direction. This allows the number of signal terminals 205 to be increased while minimizing the length of the range in which the signal terminals 205 are located in the horizontal direction. Because the range in which the upper signal terminals 205-U are located overlaps the range in which the first latch portion 216 is located, i.e., because the upper signal terminals 205-U are located at a different position in the horizontal direction from the first latch portion 216, the vertical dimension of the first adapter 200 can be minimized even if the signal terminals 205 are separated into upper and lower parts. In the horizontal direction, the signal terminals 205 are located between two screws 222 that secure the cover member 221 that supports the lower side of the first latch portion 216. Because the range in which the signal terminals 205 are located overlaps the range in which the screws 222 are located in the vertical direction, the vertical dimension of the first adapter 200 can be minimized even if the signal terminals 205 are separated into upper and lower parts.

[0093] (4) The battery-side terminal support member 235 is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the first downward extending portion 205d of the upper signal terminal 205-U and the first downward extending portion 205d of the lower signal terminal 205-L, and is sandwiched in the top-to-bottom direction between the second rear extending portion 205e of the upper signal terminal 205-U and the second rear extending portion 205e of the lower signal terminal 205-L, and is held so as not to come off the battery-side terminal 206. Therefore, there is no need to directly attach the battery-side terminal support member 235 to the first adapter board 220, simplifying the configuration and assembly.

[0094] (5) All of the terminals constituting the battery-side terminals 206 and the device-side terminals 210 are inserted into terminal insertion holes (insertion portions), which are through-holes in the first adapter board 220, from the top surface (first surface) of the first adapter board 220, and are soldered to the bottom surface (second surface) of the first adapter board 220, thereby being mounted on the first adapter board 220 and extending upward (away from the first surface) from the first adapter board 220. Therefore, compared to a case where terminals inserted from the top surface of the first adapter board 220 and terminals inserted from the bottom surface coexist, terminal mounting on the first adapter board 220 is easier and assembly is easier.

[0095] (6) The housing 240, which houses at least a portion of the first adapter board 220 and the ends (ends connected to the first adapter board 220) of the battery-side terminals 206 and the device-side terminals 210, overlaps in the vertical range with the second guide 212. Therefore, the vertical dimension of the first adapter 200 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the housing 240 is limited to a position above the second guide 212.

[0096] (7) Second guide portion 212 has opposing surfaces 212b that face the pair of battery guide portions 107 of battery pack 100 in the vertical direction, and housing portion 240 protrudes downward from opposing surfaces 212b. Therefore, the vertical dimension of first adapter 200 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which housing portion 240 does not protrude downward from opposing surfaces 212b.

[0097] (8) When battery pack 100 is attached to first adapter 200, the vertical extent of housing 240 overlaps with the pair of battery guides 107. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which housing 240 is limited to being above battery guides 107, the vertical dimension when battery pack 100 is attached to first adapter 200 can be reduced.

[0098] (9) When battery pack 100 is attached to first adapter 200, housing 240 is located in a recess formed by top surface 106a, the pair of battery guides 107, and terminal housing 108. Therefore, compared to a configuration without such a recess, such as a configuration in which top surface 106a and the top of battery guide 107 are flush with each other, the vertical dimension when battery pack 100 is attached to first adapter 200 can be reduced.

[0099] (10) The second latch engagement portion 217b is configured to prevent disengagement with the engaged portion 110 when a force acts to move the first adapter 200 in a direction to remove it from the battery pack 100 along the pair of second guide portions 212 without operating the second latch operation portion 217a, causing the second latch engagement portion 217b to rotate around the shaft portion 217c. This prevents the locking by the second latch engagement portion 217b from being released due to vibration, impact, etc. without operating the second latch operation portion 217a.

[0100] (11) The second latch engagement portion 217b has a second inclined surface 217d ( FIG. 10A ) that abuts against the engaged portion 110 when a force is applied to move it in the removal direction. When the second latch portion 217 is engaged with the engaged portion 110, the direction of the normal line L of the second inclined surface 217d is inclined toward the shaft portion 217c compared to the normal line of the plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. This makes it easier for the second inclined surface 217d to catch on the engaged portion 110, and prevents the second latch engagement portion 217b from being released due to vibration, impact, or the like without operating the second latch operation portion 217a. This effect is more pronounced when the normal line L of the second inclined surface 217d passes through the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c.

[0101] (12) The engaged portion 110 is configured with a groove that prevents the second latch engaging portion 217b from being disengaged when a force acts to move the battery pack 100 in the direction of removal from the first adapter 200 along the pair of battery guide portions 107 without operating the second latch operating portion 217a of the first adapter 200, causing the second latch engaging portion 217b to rotate around the shaft portion 217c that serves as the rotation axis. This prevents the locking by the second latch engaging portion 217b from being disengaged due to vibration, impact, etc. without operating the second latch operating portion 217a.

[0102] (13) The engaged portion 110 has a first inclined surface 110a ( FIG. 10A ) that abuts against the second latch engaging portion 217b when a force is applied to move it in the removal direction. The normal line L of the first inclined surface 110a is inclined toward the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c, compared to the normal line L of a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the normal line L of the first inclined surface 110a passes through the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c. This makes it easier for the second latch engaging portion 217b to be caught by the first inclined surface 110a, preventing the second latch engaging portion 217b from being released from its engagement due to vibration, impact, or the like without operating the second latch operating portion 217a. This effect is more pronounced when the normal line L of the first inclined surface 110a passes through the central axis O of the shaft portion 217c.

[0103] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications are possible to each of the items specifically described in the embodiments within the scope of the claims. The number of terminals and voltages of each interface, which are exemplified 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.

[0104] 10...Second voltage switchable battery pack, 12...Second battery interface, 20...Third voltage fixed battery pack, 23...Third battery interface, 30...Second electrical device (charger), 32...Second device interface, 40...Second electrical device (36V device), 42...Second device interface, 42a...Device guide section (fourth guide section), 43...Device terminal, 43a...Power supply terminal, 43b...Power supply terminal, 43c...Signal terminal, 50...Second electrical device (18V device), 52...Second device interface, 60...Third electrical device, 62a...Device guide section (fourth guide section), 63...Third device interface , 64...device terminal, 64a...power supply terminal, 64b...signal terminal, 70...third electrical device (charger), 73...third device interface, 80...first electrical device (36V device), 80a...latch portion, 81...first device interface, 83...device terminal, 83a...pair of power supply terminals, 83b...pair of power supply terminals, 83c...signal terminal, 100...battery pack, 101...first battery interface, 102...battery terminal, 103...power supply terminal, 104...power supply terminal, 105...signal terminal, 106...battery case, 106a...top surface portion, 106b...bottom surface portion, 106c...side surface portion, 107...battery guide portion (first guide portion), 107a...engaging portion, 107b...front end portion, 107c...rear end portion, 108...terminal accommodating portion, 109...slot portion, 110...engaged portion (restriction recess), 110a...first inclined surface, 111...remaining charge display portion, 112...remaining charge display button, 113...battery control board, 115...battery cell unit, 116...separator, 118...first cell unit, 119...second cell unit, 121...remaining charge display LED, 122...remaining charge display switch, 135...tab, 137...bus bar, 200...first adapter, 201...first adapter interface, 202...second adapter interface base, 203...power supply terminal, 204...power supply terminal, 204a...first end, 204b...first upper extending part, 204c...first rear extending part, 204d...first downward extending part, 204e...second rear extending part, 204f...second end, 205...signal terminal, 205-U...upper signal terminal, 205-L...lower side Signal terminal, 205a...first end, 205b...first upwardly extending part, 205c...first rearwardly extending part, 205d...first downwardly extending part, 205e...second rearwardly extending part, 205f...second end, 206...battery side terminal, 207...power supply terminal, 208...power supply terminal, 209...signal terminal, 210...equipment side terminal,211...first adapter case, 211a...first adapter upper case, 211b...first adapter lower case, 212...second guide portion, 212a...engagement portion, 212b...opposing surface, 213...battery pack mounting portion, 214...electrical device mounting portion, 215...third guide portion, 216...first latch portion, 216a...first latch operation portion, 216b...first latch engagement portion, 216c...coil spring, 217...second latch portion, 217a...second latch operation portion, 217b...second latch engagement portion, 217c...shaft portion, 217d...second inclined surface, 219...coil spring (elastic member), 220...first adapter board, 235...battery side terminal support member, 236...device side Terminal support member, 238...through hole, 240...accommodating portion, 300...second adapter, 301...first adapter interface, 303...third adapter interface, 304...power terminal, 305...power terminal, 306...battery side terminal, 307...signal terminal, 308...power terminal, 309...signal terminal, 310...device side terminal, 311...second adapter case, 312...first guide portion, 314...electrical device mounting portion, 315...third guide portion, 317...second latch portion, 320...second adapter board, 400...first electrical device (charger), 401...first device interface, 402...device terminal, 403...power terminal, 404...power terminal, 405...signal terminal.

Claims

1. An electrical device that can accommodate a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; and a circuit board to which the first terminal portion is connected, wherein, when the battery pack is attached, the circuit board and the battery terminal have overlapping vertical extents.

2. An electrical device as described in claim 1, wherein the first terminal portion has a first end connected to the circuit board from above, and a second end located rearward of the first end and connected to the battery terminal, and the second end is located or extends below the circuit board.

3. An electrical device that can be attached to a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; and a circuit board to which the first terminal portion is connected, wherein the first terminal portion has a first end portion connected to the circuit board from above, and a second end portion located rearward of the first end portion and connected to the battery terminal, and wherein the second end portion is located below or extends below the circuit board.

4. An electrical device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second end is located rearward of the circuit board.

5. An electrical device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first terminal portion has a connection portion that connects the first end portion and the second end portion, and the presence range of the connection portion and the circuit board overlap in the vertical direction.

6. An electrical device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first terminal portion has a first terminal and a second terminal, each of the first terminal and the second terminal having: the first end, a first upward extending portion extending from the first end above the circuit board, a first rearward extending portion extending rearward from the first upward extending portion, a first downward extending portion extending downward from the first rearward extending portion, a second rearward extending portion extending rearward from the first downward extending portion, and the second end connected to the rear of the second rearward extending portion, wherein the second end of one of the first terminal and the second terminal is located or extends above the circuit board, and the second end of the other of the first terminal and the second terminal is located or extends below the circuit board, and the second ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are arranged rearward of the circuit board and spaced apart in the vertical direction.

7. An electrical device as claimed in claim 6, comprising a terminal support member that supports the first terminal portion, wherein the terminal support member is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the first downward extending portion of the first terminal and the first downward extending portion of the second terminal, and is sandwiched in the top-to-bottom direction between the second rear extending portion of the first terminal and the second rear extending portion of the second terminal.

8. An electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a terminal support member that supports the first terminal portion, and the terminal support member is sandwiched by the first terminal portion.

9. An electrical device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a pair of latch portions spaced apart in the left-right direction and operated by an operator when removing the electrical device from the battery pack, wherein the first terminal portion overlaps with the pair of latch portions in its range of presence in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions and is located between the pair of latch portions in the left-to-right direction.

10. An electrical device according to claim 9, characterized in that some of the terminals constituting the first terminal section are arranged vertically spaced apart in the center in the left-right direction.

11. An electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured to be mounted between the battery pack and a second electrical device, and comprising a second terminal portion connected to an equipment terminal of the second electrical device and connected to the circuit board, wherein all terminals of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are mounted on a first surface of the circuit board and extend in a direction away from the first surface.

12. An electrical device that can be attached between a battery pack and a second electrical device, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; a second terminal portion connected to an equipment terminal of the second electrical device; and a circuit board to which the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are connected, wherein all terminals of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are mounted on a first surface of the circuit board and extend in a direction away from the first surface.

13. An electrical device as described in claim 12, wherein the first terminal portion has a first end connected to the circuit board and a second end located rearward of the first end and connected to the battery terminal, the second terminal portion has a third end connected to the circuit board and a fourth end located forward of the third end and connected to the device terminal, the circuit board has a plurality of insertion portions into which the first end and the third end are respectively inserted, and the first end and the third end are each inserted into each of the plurality of insertion portions from the first surface side.

14. An electric device according to claim 13, wherein the first end and the third end are each soldered to the circuit board on a second surface side opposite the first surface of the circuit board.

15. An electrical equipment system comprising an electrical equipment as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 and a battery pack attachable to the electrical equipment, wherein the battery pack comprises: a battery cell unit having one or more battery cells; and a battery terminal electrically connected to the battery cell unit and to which the first terminal portion is connected; and wherein, when the electrical equipment and the battery pack are attached, the battery terminal and the circuit board have overlapping ranges in the vertical direction.

16. An electrical equipment system according to claim 15, characterized in that the electrical equipment has a second terminal portion, and a second electrical equipment to which the electrical equipment can be attached, and the second electrical equipment has an equipment terminal to which the second terminal portion is connected.

17. An electrical device that can accommodate a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; a circuit board to which a first end portion of the first terminal portion is connected; a pair of second guide portions spaced apart in the left-right direction and engaging with a pair of first guide portions of the battery pack to guide sliding movement of the battery pack; and a storage portion located between the pair of second guide portions in the left-right direction and storing at least a portion of each of the circuit board and the first end portion, wherein the storage portion and the pair of second guide portions overlap in the up-down range.

18. An electrical device that can accommodate a battery pack, comprising: a first terminal portion connected to a battery terminal of the battery pack; a circuit board to which a first end portion of the first terminal portion is connected; a pair of second guide portions that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and have opposing surfaces that face the pair of first guide portions of the battery pack in the up-down direction and engage with the pair of first guide portions to guide the sliding movement of the battery pack; and a storage portion that is located between the pair of second guide portions in the left-right direction and stores at least a portion of each of the circuit board and the first end portion, wherein the storage portion protrudes downward from the opposing surfaces.

19. An electrical device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the pair of second guide parts have insertion grooves into which the pair of first guide parts are inserted, and the accommodating part protrudes downward from the upper ends of the insertion grooves.

20. An electrical device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, when the battery pack is attached, the housing section and the pair of first guide sections overlap in their vertical ranges.

21. An electric device according to claim 17 or 18, comprising a second terminal portion to which a device terminal of a second electric device is connected and which has a third end portion connected to the circuit board, and wherein the accommodating portion accommodates at least a portion of the third end portion.

22. An electrical device as claimed in claim 21, comprising a pair of third guide portions spaced apart in the left-right direction and guiding sliding movement relative to the second electrical device, and wherein the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are located or extend in the area where the pair of second guide portions and the pair of third guide portions are provided in the up-down direction.

23. An electrical equipment system comprising an electrical equipment as defined in claim 17 or 18 and a battery pack attachable to the electrical equipment, wherein the battery pack comprises: a battery cell unit having one or more battery cells; a battery terminal electrically connected to the battery cell unit and connected to the first terminal portion; and a pair of first guide portions spaced apart in the left-right direction and guiding the sliding movement of the electrical equipment, wherein, when the battery pack is attached to the electrical equipment, the storage portion and the pair of first guide portions and the pair of second guide portions have overlapping ranges in the up-down direction.

24. An electrical equipment system as described in claim 23, wherein the battery pack has an upper surface portion, the battery terminals and the pair of first guide portions protrude upward from the upper surface portion, and when the battery pack is attached to the electrical equipment, the storage portion is located in a recess formed by the upper surface portion and the pair of first guide portions.

25. An electrical equipment system as claimed in claim 23, comprising a second electrical equipment to which the electrical equipment can be attached, the electrical equipment having a second terminal portion having a third end connected to the circuit board, and a pair of third guide portions that guide the sliding movement of the second electrical equipment, and the second electrical equipment having an equipment terminal connected to the second terminal portion, and a pair of fourth guide portions that engage with the pair of third guide portions.

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