Battery pack displaying residual capacity of built-in battery

Abstract

The present invention increases the degree of freedom of exterior design while improving the durability of a switch for specifying the timing of displaying the residual capacity of a built-in battery. This battery pack is detachably connected to a charger 7 and a body apparatus. A built-in battery 1 of a secondary battery is housed in an exterior case 2. The battery pack is electrically connected to the body apparatus and the charger 7 via a connector 3. The exterior case 2 is provided with a residual capacity display unit 4 for displaying the residual capacity of the built-in battery 1. The residual capacity display unit 4 is provided with a residual capacity display switch 6 for specifying the timing of displaying the residual capacity of the built-in battery 1. The residual capacity display switch 6 is a built-in type sensor which is not exposed to the surface of the exterior case 2 and outputs a trigger signal in response to an operation by a user. The built-in type sensor is an acceleration sensor, an attitude sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, or a human body proximity sensor.

Description

Battery pack that displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack that can be detachably attached to both the main unit and the charger, and which can display the remaining capacity when separated from the main unit.

[0002] The battery pack has the advantage of being easy to charge because it can be detached from the main device and placed in a charger for charging. This is because the battery pack can be moved and placed in the charger for charging without having to move the main device to the charger. A battery pack that can be detached from the charger and placed in the charger for charging can also be conveniently used by displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery while it is detached from the main device (Patent Document 1).

[0003] A battery pack that displays the remaining capacity when detached from the main unit or charger consumes power to display the remaining capacity. Therefore, it can suppress power consumption of the built-in battery by displaying the remaining capacity only when the user wants to check it. To determine when the user wants to check the remaining capacity, the battery pack needs to be equipped with a remaining capacity display switch that outputs a signal to start displaying the remaining capacity. A device that provides a remaining capacity display switch in a charger has been developed (Patent Document 2).

[0004] A charger provided with a remaining capacity display switch can display the remaining capacity by operating the remaining capacity display switch. Further, it is possible to adopt a circuit configuration in which the remaining capacity is displayed on the charger and the internal battery of the battery pack is not consumed for displaying the remaining capacity. However, this structure has the problem that the remaining capacity cannot be displayed when the battery pack is separated from the charger. Further, as described in Patent Document 2, a push-button switch that is switched by pressing a button is used for the remaining capacity switch of the charger, and a structure in which a switch that is switched by pressing a button is provided on the battery pack to display the remaining capacity has various problems. For example, in a battery pack that is electrically connected to a main device and a charger by inserting and removing a connector, the push button is exposed on the display of the case, and a movable part with a stroke for pressing the push button to bring the movable contact into contact with the fixed contact is required. Therefore, deterioration of the switch is accelerated in the usage environment of the battery pack, and the degree of freedom in exterior design is restricted by the structure in which the push button is arranged on the surface of the outer case. Furthermore, for battery packs used outdoors, there is a problem that the structure for maintaining waterproof performance becomes complicated.

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-233163, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-280873

[0006] The present invention has been developed for the purpose of further solving the above problems. An important object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that can increase the degree of freedom in exterior design while improving the durability of a switch for displaying remaining capacity, and can simply, easily and realize an ideal waterproof structure in applications that require waterproof performance.

[0007] A battery pack according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises all of the following (a) through (f): (a) A battery pack that is detachably connected to the main unit and the charger, connected to the main unit to supply power to the main unit, and connected to the charger to be charged, (b) comprising a built-in battery consisting of a plurality of secondary batteries, an outer case housing the built-in battery, a detachable connector provided on the outer case and detachably connected to the fixed connector of the main unit and the charger, and a remaining capacity display unit provided on the outer case for displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery, (c) The remaining capacity display unit includes a remaining capacity display switch that specifies the timing for displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery, (d) The remaining capacity display switch is a built-in type sensor that is built in without being exposed on the surface of the outer case and outputs a trigger signal to display the remaining capacity by user operation, (e) The built-in type sensor is one of the following: an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration due to displacement of the outer case, an attitude sensor that detects the orientation of the outer case, a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field inside the outer case, an acoustic sensor that detects vibration sounds of the outer case, or a human proximity sensor that detects when a human body comes into contact with the surface of the outer case. (f) A battery pack in which the remaining capacity display unit displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery based on a trigger signal input from a built-in sensor.

[0008] The battery packs described above offer excellent features, including improved durability of the switch that displays the remaining capacity, greater flexibility in exterior design, and the ability to easily and simply achieve an ideal waterproof structure for applications requiring waterproofing.

[0009] This is a schematic perspective view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention set in a charger. This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part showing the state in which the detachable connector of the battery pack and the fixed connector of the charger are electrically connected.

[0010] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises all of the following (a) through (f): (a) A battery pack that is detachably connected to the main unit and the charger, connected to the main unit to supply power to the main unit, and connected to the charger to be charged, (b) comprising a built-in battery consisting of a plurality of secondary batteries, an outer case housing the built-in battery, a detachable connector provided on the outer case and detachably connected to the fixed connector of the main unit and the charger, and a remaining capacity display unit provided on the outer case for displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery, (c) The remaining capacity display unit includes a remaining capacity display switch that specifies the timing for displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery, (d) The remaining capacity display switch is a built-in type sensor that is built in without being exposed on the surface of the outer case and outputs a trigger signal to display the remaining capacity by user operation, (e) The built-in type sensor is one of the following: an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration due to displacement of the outer case, an attitude sensor that detects the orientation of the outer case, a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field inside the outer case, an acoustic sensor that detects vibration sounds of the outer case, or a human proximity sensor that detects when a human body comes into contact with the surface of the outer case. (f) The remaining capacity display unit displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery based on a trigger signal input from a built-in sensor.

[0011] The battery pack described above uses a built-in sensor that places the entire switch inside the outer casing, rather than using a conventional push-button switch that exposes the operating part such as a push-button switch on the surface of the outer casing. Furthermore, the built-in sensor uses one of the following: an acceleration sensor to detect acceleration due to displacement of the outer casing, an attitude sensor to detect the orientation of the outer casing, a magnetic sensor to detect the magnetic field inside the outer casing, an acoustic sensor to detect vibration noise from the outer casing, or a proximity sensor to detect when a human body comes into contact with the surface of the outer casing. This improves the durability of the remaining capacity indicator switch while increasing the freedom of the outer casing design. In addition, for applications requiring waterproofing, it has the advantage of easily and simply achieving an ideal waterproof structure.

[0012] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of this disclosure have an outer case that is waterproof and can house the internal components. The above battery packs, with their waterproof outer cases, can be conveniently used for various outdoor applications.

[0013] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided with an insertion part in the outer case that can be detachably set in the charging insertion space, and the structure can be conveniently used by detachably inserting the insertion part into the charging insertion space.

[0014] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of the present disclosure can have a structure in which a detachable connector for connecting to a charger is fixed to an insertion part of the outer casing, the insertion part is inserted into the insertion space of the charger, and an electrical connection is made to a fixed connector located in the insertion space.

[0015] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of the present disclosure are equipped with a determination circuit in the remaining capacity display unit that calculates the detection pattern of a signal detected by a built-in sensor, confirms user operation, and outputs a trigger signal, thereby confirming that the user has performed an operation and displaying the remaining capacity.

[0016] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of the present disclosure can have a determination circuit in the remaining capacity display unit that compares the detection pattern of a built-in sensor with a threshold and outputs a trigger signal when the detection pattern exceeds the threshold.

[0017] In addition to the above embodiments, a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage unit in the remaining capacity display unit's determination circuit that stores the detection pattern detected by the built-in sensor when the battery pack is set in the main unit as a remaining capacity non-display pattern that does not output a trigger signal. The detection pattern of the built-in sensor can be compared with the non-display pattern, and a trigger signal can be output when it is confirmed that the detection pattern is different from the non-display pattern. This battery pack can output a trigger signal and display the remaining capacity when it is confirmed that it has been separated from the main unit.

[0018] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of the present disclosure can, in addition to the above embodiments, have a remaining capacity display unit that calculates a detection pattern of a built-in sensor to confirm that the battery pack has been separated from the main device, and then display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery on the remaining capacity display unit. The above battery packs can display the remaining capacity after confirming that they have been separated from the main device.

[0019] In addition to the above embodiments, a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a separation sensor in the remaining capacity display unit that detects when the battery pack is separated from the charger and the main unit, and the separation sensor confirms that the battery pack has been separated from the charger and the main unit, and outputs a trigger signal in the detection pattern of the built-in sensor to display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery.

[0020] In addition to the above embodiments, battery packs according to other embodiments of the present disclosure include a separation sensor that detects the electrical connection between the detachable connector and the fixed connector of the main unit, which determines when the battery pack has been separated from the charger and the main unit, and displays the remaining capacity.

[0021] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., "up," "down," and other terms including these) will be used as needed. The use of these terms is for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the invention by referring to the drawings, and the meaning of these terms does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, parts with the same reference numerals appearing in multiple drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts or components. The embodiments shown below are concrete examples of the technical concept of the present invention and do not limit the present invention to these. Also, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., of the components described below are intended as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these unless specifically stated. Furthermore, the content described in one embodiment or example is applicable to other embodiments and examples. Also, the size and positional relationships of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity in the explanation. (Embodiment 1)

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the battery pack 100 in the state of being set in the charger 7. The battery pack 100 is structured to be detachably set in both the charger 7 and the main unit (not shown). When set in the main unit, it supplies operating power to the main unit via the connector 3, and when separated from the main unit and set in the charger 7, it connects to the charger 7 via the connector 3 and charges the built-in battery 1.

[0023] The battery pack 100 shown in the figure includes a built-in battery 1 that is set in a charger 7 for charging, an outer case 2 that houses the built-in battery 1 and is detachable from both the charger 7 and the main unit (not shown), a detachable connector 3A fixed to the outer case 2 and detachably connected to the fixed connector 3B of the main unit and the charger 7, a remaining capacity display unit 4 that detects and displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1, and a remaining capacity display switch 6 that outputs a trigger signal to the remaining capacity display unit 4 to start displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1.

[0024] The outer casing 2 is shaped to allow the built-in battery 1 to be detachably connected to both the charger 7 and the main unit (not shown) which receives power from the battery pack 100. The detachable connector 3A is positioned to be electrically connected to the fixed connector 3B provided on the charger 7 and the main unit when the outer casing 2 is set in its designated position on both the charger 7 and the main unit.

[0025] The remaining capacity display switch 6 is a sensor that, when operated by the user, outputs a trigger signal to the remaining capacity display unit 4. The remaining capacity display unit 4 displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 on the surface of the outer casing 2 based on the trigger signal from the remaining capacity display switch 6. The remaining capacity display switch 6 is a built-in type sensor that is entirely contained within the outer casing 2, unlike conventional push-button switches which are exposed on the surface of the outer casing 2. The built-in type sensor can be any of the following: an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration due to the displacement of the outer casing 2, an attitude sensor that detects the orientation of the outer casing 2, a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field inside the outer casing 2, an acoustic sensor that detects vibration sounds from the outer casing 2, or a proximity sensor that detects contact between a fingertip or other part of the human body and the surface of the outer casing 2. The remaining capacity display unit 4 displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 based on the trigger signal input from any of the above sensors. (Built-in battery 1)

[0026] The built-in battery 1 can achieve a high output voltage by connecting multiple secondary batteries in series, and a large output current and charge / discharge capacity by connecting them in parallel. Preferably, the secondary batteries are non-aqueous secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, which have a large charge / discharge capacity relative to their volume and weight. The built-in battery 1 can be set to the optimal voltage for the externally connected device to be powered by adjusting the number of secondary batteries connected in series. For example, in a battery pack 100 where the externally connected device is an electric bicycle, the output voltage can be preferably set to 24 to 45V to supply optimal power to the motor. (Outer case 2)

[0027] The outer casing 2 has a waterproof structure and can house internal components. The battery pack 100 with a waterproof outer casing 2 can be used with main equipment used outdoors, such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and four-wheeled vehicles for seniors, and can be conveniently used separately from the main equipment while preventing damage from rainwater. However, the battery pack 100 of this disclosure can also be used for purposes such as being placed inside the main equipment without making the outer casing 2 waterproof.

[0028] The battery pack 100 in Figure 1 uses an internal type that houses the entire unit within the outer case 2, instead of a conventional push-button switch, to display the remaining capacity. Therefore, there is no need to provide through-holes in the outer case 2 for placing the push-button switch or the like. Consequently, the outer case 2 can achieve an ideal waterproof structure without through-holes, and the internal components, consisting of the internal battery 1 and circuit board, can be placed in a waterproof bag 9 and housed in the outer case 2 to achieve a waterproof structure. In the battery pack 100, which has a waterproof structure with the internal components placed in a waterproof bag 9, the sensor, which is the remaining capacity display switch 6, placed inside the waterproof bag 9 can be positioned close to the inner surface of the outer case 2 to enable operation. The structure in which the sensor can be built into the waterproof bag 9 eliminates the need to connect the push-button switch fixed to the outer case 2 and the internal components in the waterproof bag 9 with lead wires, as in conventional designs. This structure has the advantage of achieving a reliable waterproof structure while simplifying and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0029] The outer casing 2 is equipped with a charger 7 and a detachable connector 3A for electrical connection to the main unit, but this battery pack 100 can have the detachable connector 3A fixed to the outer casing 2 in a waterproof structure, thereby making the outer casing 2 waterproof.

[0030] The outer casing 2 of the battery pack 100 is provided with a detachable insertion part 2A for the main unit and charger 7. The outer casing 2 in Figure 1 is slender and columnar in shape, with the insertion part 2A at its tip. The outer casing 2 in Figure 1 has an overall rectangular cylindrical shape with a rectangular columnar insertion part 2A at its tip. The insertion part 2A is detachably inserted into the insertion space 8 provided in the charger 7 and main unit, and is set in a fixed position on the charger 7 and main unit. The cylindrical outer casing 2 can be manufactured from a cylindrical main unit case 2H with openings at both ends, and a lid part 2F that seals the openings at both ends of the main unit case 2H with a watertight structure. In the battery pack 100 in Figure 1, a detachable connector 3A is fixed to the lid part 2F that seals the tip opening of the outer casing 2 with a waterproof structure. (Connector 3)

[0031] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a waterproof connector 3 that connects the battery pack 100 to the charger 7. The connector 3 charges the built-in battery 1 by connecting the battery pack 100 to the charger 7. The connector 3 connects the battery pack 100 to the charger 7 with the insertion portion 2A of the battery pack 100 inserted into the insertion space 8 of the charger 7. The connector 3 in Figure 2 consists of a detachable connector 3A fixed to the battery pack 100 and a fixed connector 3B fixed to the main unit and the charger 7. The cross-sectional view of the connector 3 in Figure 2 shows the state in which the insertion portion 2A of the battery pack 100 is inserted into the insertion space 8 of the charger 7 and the detachable connector 3A is electrically connected to the fixed connector 3B. The detachable connector 3A in Figure 2 is fixed to the lid portion 2F of the battery pack 100 in a waterproof structure. The detachable connector 3A has a mating recess 3AO into which the mating projection 3BT of the fixed connector 3B is inserted. The detachable connector 3A has a connection terminal 10 fixed to the inner surface of the mating recess 3AO. The fixed connector 3B has an elastic terminal 11 on the outer surface of the mating projection 3BT, which is inserted into the mating recess 3AO, and is elastically pressed by the connection terminal 10 of the detachable connector 3A. With this structure, the connector 3 allows the battery pack 100 to be inserted into the insertion space 8 of the main unit, and the connection terminal 10 and the elastic terminal 11 can be electrically connected. The connection terminal 10 of the detachable connector 3A is connected to the built-in battery 1 via a switching element (not shown) that controls charging and discharging, and charges the built-in battery 1 when the battery pack 100 is set on the charger 7. Although not shown, the detachable connector 3A of the battery pack 100 can connect the battery pack 100 to the fixed connector 3B of the main unit, supplying operating power to the main unit. (Remaining capacity display section 4)

[0032] The remaining capacity display unit 4 calculates the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 using a calculation circuit and displays the calculated remaining capacity at a timing specified by the user. The remaining capacity display unit 4 has a display unit 12 for displaying the remaining capacity provided in the outer casing 2. The display unit 12 can display the remaining capacity by lighting, flashing, displaying, etc., such as the number of lights, the area, range, shape, position, scale, numbers, characters, etc., and can be displayed using multiple light-emitting diode LEDs, for example. This display unit 12 can display the remaining capacity by changing the number of lit light-emitting diode LEDs corresponding to the remaining capacity. The light-emitting diode LEDs of the display unit 12 are arranged inside a light-transmitting section of the outer casing 2, which is a part of the outer casing 2. This display unit 12 can display the remaining capacity by checking the lit light-emitting diode LEDs inside the light-transmitting section of the outer casing 2. The display unit 12 is equipped with a timer to specify the time for displaying the remaining capacity, and can display the remaining capacity at a preset time.

[0033] The remaining capacity display unit 4 displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 at a specific timing instructed by the user. The remaining capacity display unit 4 is equipped with a remaining capacity display switch 6 that outputs a trigger signal to determine the timing for displaying the remaining capacity. The remaining capacity display switch 6 outputs an activation signal, i.e., a trigger signal, that the user operates to display the remaining capacity. The remaining capacity display switch 6 is a built-in type sensor that is entirely located inside the outer case 2, rather than being a push button like a conventional switch where part of it is exposed on the surface of the outer case 2. The built-in type sensor can be an acceleration sensor or posture sensor that detects acceleration and posture due to displacement such as reciprocating motion, tilting, or vibration when the user holds the outer case 2 in their hand; a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic field generated by bringing a permanent magnet (not shown) close to the surface of the outer case 2; an acoustic sensor that detects vibration sounds from the outer case 2; or a human proximity sensor or contact sensor that detects when the user's fingertips or the like come into contact with the surface of the outer case 2.

[0034] The acceleration sensor is placed inside the outer casing 2 to detect the acceleration of the displaced outer casing 2. Any sensor capable of detecting acceleration can be used as the acceleration sensor, such as a piezoelectric acceleration sensor, a capacitive acceleration sensor, a piezoresistive acceleration sensor, or a MEMS acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor can be one that detects only the reciprocating motion of the outer casing 2 in a specific direction, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the elongated outer casing 2, or one that detects the three-dimensional displacement of the outer casing 2. An acceleration sensor that detects acceleration in only a specific direction has the advantage of being able to accurately output a trigger signal when the user picks up the battery pack 100 and moves it back and forth in a specific direction to detect the acceleration.

[0035] For attitude sensors, gyro sensors and accelerometers can be used, but sensors that place a rolling weight inside an inclined cylinder and detect the weight's position using a limit switch or the like can also be used. For magnetic sensors, a permanent magnet can be brought close to the surface of the outer casing 2 to detect changes or strengths in the magnetic field inside the outer casing 2 and output a trigger signal. For acoustic sensors, vibrations generated when the user taps the surface of the outer casing 2 are detected and a trigger signal is output. Microphones and vibration detection sensors can be used for acoustic sensors. For acoustic sensors, the acoustic level of the surface of the outer casing 2 is detected and a trigger signal is output. For acoustic sensors in the main unit or battery pack 100 set in the charger 7 used in environments with high noise levels, the detected acoustic level will always be high, so a trigger signal can be output only when the user taps the outer casing 2 in a specific state, allowing for differentiation between external noise and the sound made by the user. For human proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, inductive proximity sensors, and contact sensors can be used, where the capacitance changes when a finger or other part of the human body makes contact.

[0036] The remaining capacity display unit 4 displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 based on a trigger signal from a built-in sensor. The remaining capacity display unit 4 can be configured not to display the remaining capacity when the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit or charger 7. When the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit or charger 7, the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 can be displayed to the user on the main unit or charger 7, rather than on the battery pack 100 itself.

[0037] The battery pack 100, which does not display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 when it is set in the main unit or charger 7, is equipped with a determination circuit 5 that determines whether it is set in the main unit or charger 7, and can display the remaining capacity on the remaining capacity display unit 4 only when it is separated from the main unit or charger 7. This determination circuit 5 can determine whether to display or not to display the remaining capacity by calculating the detection pattern of the signal detected by the sensor. The determination circuit 5 confirms from the detection pattern that it has been separated from the main unit and displays the remaining capacity. The determination circuit 5 compares the sensor's detection pattern with a threshold, and when the detection pattern exceeds the threshold, the remaining capacity display unit 4 can display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1. The threshold for displaying the remaining capacity is set to a value that exceeds the detection pattern detected by the determination circuit 5 when the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit, so that it can detect from the detection pattern that the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit.

[0038] Furthermore, the determination circuit 5 stores the detection pattern detected when the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit as a non-display pattern that does not display the remaining capacity. By comparing the sensor's detection pattern with the non-display pattern and confirming that the detection pattern is different from the non-display pattern, it determines that the battery pack 100 is not set in the main unit and charger 7, and the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1 can be displayed on the remaining capacity display unit 4. Since the battery pack 100 stores the detection pattern detected by the sensor when it is set in the main unit and charger 7 as a non-display pattern, if the sensor's detection pattern is a non-display pattern, it determines that the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit or charger 7, and does not display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1. The fact that the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit or charger 7 can be confirmed by the fact that the detachable connector 3A is electrically connected to the fixed connector 3B. The storage unit confirms that it is set in the main unit or charger 7 and stores the sensor's detection pattern as a non-display pattern.

[0039] For example, in applications where the detection pattern differs significantly between riding and non-riding times, such as with electric bicycles, the significantly fluctuating detection pattern is stored in the memory unit as a hidden pattern. The battery pack 100 can determine that it has been separated from the main device by the user separating the battery pack 100 from the main device and moving it back and forth in a state different from the hidden pattern, or by moving the battery pack 100 back and forth so that it becomes a detection pattern once it exceeds the hidden pattern.

[0040] The battery pack 100, which is set in a main unit that is stationary or moves only slightly, has a detection pattern detected at the time it is set in the main unit that is a small displacement detection pattern, and this pattern is stored in the memory as a non-display pattern. When this battery pack 100 is separated from the main unit, it can be determined that it has been separated from the main unit by being slightly displaced or fluctuating.

[0041] Furthermore, the remaining capacity display unit 4 can also calculate the sensor's detection pattern to confirm that the battery pack 100 has been separated from the main unit. This battery pack 100 can determine that it has been separated from the main unit by considering the detection pattern and the assumed detection pattern and threshold, which are assumed to be detection patterns and thresholds that are not recognized when the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit. Detection patterns that are not recognized when the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit include, for example, detection patterns that fluctuate at a constant period or detection patterns whose peak value changes at a specific timing. Since it can be assumed that these patterns are not detected when the battery pack 100 is set in the main unit, it is also possible to detect such detection patterns and determine that it has been separated from the main unit.

[0042] Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the battery pack 100 has been separated from the main unit by the connection of connector 3. When the battery pack 100 is set from the charger 7 or the main unit, the detachable connector 3A and the fixed connector 3B are electrically connected, so it is possible to detect whether the battery pack 100 has been connected to the main unit and the charger 7 from the connection of the detachable connector 3A and the fixed connector 3B. The battery pack 100 then confirms that it is not connected to the main unit and the charger 7 and displays the remaining capacity using a signal from the sensor.

[0043] When a user detaches the above battery pack 100 from the charger 7 or the host device and reciprocates it vertically, horizontally or just horizontally, the acceleration sensor outputs a trigger signal to display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery 1.

[0044] The battery pack of the present disclosure can display the remaining capacity of the built-in battery in a state separated from a charger or a host device, and is convenient to use.

[0045] 100...Battery pack 1...Built-in battery 2...Exterior case 2A...Insertion portion 2H...Main body case 2F...Cover portion 3...Connector 3A...Detachable connector 3AO...Fitting recess 3B...Fixed connector 3BT...Fitting projection 4...Remaining capacity display portion 5...Determination circuit 6...Remaining capacity display switch 7...Charger 8...Insertion space 9...Waterproof bag 10...Connection terminal 11...Elastic terminal 12...Display portion LED...Light-emitting diode

Claims

1. (a) A battery pack that is detachably connected to a main unit and a charger, connected to the main unit to supply power to the main unit, and connected to the charger to be charged, (b) comprising a built-in battery consisting of a plurality of secondary batteries, an outer case housing the built-in battery, a detachable connector provided on the outer case and detachably connected to the fixed connector of the main unit and the charger, and a remaining capacity display unit provided on the outer case for displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery, (c) the remaining capacity display unit comprises a remaining capacity display switch that specifies the timing for displaying the remaining capacity of the built-in battery, (d) the remaining capacity display switch is a built-in type sensor that is built in without being exposed on the surface of the outer case and outputs a trigger signal to display the remaining capacity by user operation, (e) the built-in type sensor comprises an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration due to displacement of the outer case, an attitude sensor that detects the orientation of the outer case, a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field inside the outer case, and an acoustic sensor that detects vibration noise of the outer case, (f) A battery pack in which the remaining capacity display unit displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery in response to a trigger signal input from the built-in sensor, which is one of the human body proximity sensors that detects when a human body comes into contact with the surface of the outer case.

2. A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the outer case has a waterproof structure and houses the internal components.

3. A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the outer case comprises an insertion portion that is detachably set in an insertion space provided in the charger, and the built-in battery is charged when the insertion portion is set in the insertion space of the charger.

4. A battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the detachable connector is fixed to the insertion portion of the outer casing, the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion space of the charger, and the battery pack is electrically connected to the fixed connector which is arranged in the insertion space.

5. A battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remaining capacity display unit comprises a determination circuit that calculates the detection pattern of the signal detected by the built-in sensor, confirms user operation, and outputs a trigger signal.

6. A battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the determination circuit compares the detection pattern of the built-in type sensor with a threshold and outputs a trigger signal when the detection pattern exceeds the threshold.

7. A battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the determination circuit includes a storage unit that stores a detection pattern detected by the built-in sensor when the battery pack is set in the main unit and the charger as a remaining capacity non-display pattern that does not output a trigger signal, and the battery pack outputs a trigger signal after confirming that the detection pattern is different from the non-display pattern by comparing the detection pattern of the built-in sensor with the non-display pattern.

8. A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the remaining capacity display unit calculates a detection pattern of the built-in type sensor, confirms that the battery pack is separated from the main unit and the charger, and displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery in the remaining capacity display unit.

9. A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the remaining capacity display unit includes a separation sensor that detects when the battery pack is separated from the charger and the main unit, and the separation sensor determines that the battery pack is separated from the charger and the main unit, and displays the remaining capacity of the built-in battery which outputs a trigger signal according to the detection pattern of the built-in sensor.

10. A battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the separation sensor determines that the battery pack has been separated from the charger and the main unit by the electrical connection between the detachable connector and the fixed connector of the main unit.

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