JP2013046512A - Power supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize a total residual capacity of all batteries in a power supply device for fixing two or more batteries for power tools to output an AC or DC power supply to other devices, which individually displays residual capacities of the fixed batteries and is inconvenient for recognizing a total residual capacity thereof.SOLUTION: A power supply device 1 capable of fixing batteries for power tools to supply power to other electric devices includes a total residual capacity notification part 31 which can view a total residual capacity of the fixed batteries from the outside. The total residual capacity notification part 31 notifies the total residual capacity of the batteries based on lighting states of indicator lamps 35-35.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply device that can be used as a power supply for various electric devices.

In recent years, for example, mainly hand-held power tools such as screwing machines and drilling electric drills, for example, a lithium-ion battery (DC power supply) that can be repeatedly used by charging in addition to a 100 V AC power supply. Rechargeable electric tools that use a power source are becoming popular. In the case of the latter rechargeable electric tool, since it is not necessary to connect a long power cord to the power outlet as in the case of the former AC power supply type, particularly high workability or usability outdoors can be obtained.
In the case of a rechargeable electric tool, by preparing a plurality of batteries, one of them is attached to the tool body and used as a power source, and another one is charged with a separately prepared charger. As a result, the electric tool can be used continuously for a long time, and the work efficiency can be improved. However, since there is a trouble of replacing the charged battery, a power supply device that can output a large remaining capacity by attaching a plurality of batteries in parallel has been provided. For example, the following patent document discloses a technique related to the power supply device. According to this power supply device, it is possible to realize both long-time output of power and high output by coexisting parallel connection and series connection for a plurality of batteries, and output by appropriate control of the remaining capacity of each battery. Can be made more efficient.

JP 2011-97766 A

However, according to the above-described conventional power supply device, although the total remaining capacity of a plurality of batteries connected in parallel and in series is displayed by a display unit such as a light emitting diode, the remaining capacity of each battery is not displayed. However, it was necessary to improve the usability of the power supply device in this respect.
According to the present invention, in a power supply device capable of attaching a plurality of batteries and outputting the total power, both the total remaining capacity of the plurality of attached batteries and the individual remaining capacity of each battery are displayed. With the goal.

The above problems are solved by the following invention.
A first invention is a power supply device capable of attaching a plurality of batteries and outputting the total power as a power source, the total remaining capacity notifying function for notifying the total remaining capacity of the plurality of batteries, and the plurality of batteries It is a power supply device provided with both the individual remaining capacity alerting | reporting functions which alert | report each remaining capacity separately.
According to the first invention, both the total remaining capacity of the attached batteries and the remaining capacity of each battery are notified, so that the usability of the power supply device can be improved as compared with the conventional one. As a form of notification, a display that can be visually confirmed (visually), or a notification means by sound such as melody or voice can be used.
2nd invention is a power supply device using the display which can confirm visually about both of a total remaining amount alerting | reporting function and an individual remaining capacity alerting | reporting function in 1st invention.
According to the second invention, both the individual remaining capacity and the total remaining capacity of the attached battery can be visually confirmed quickly and intuitively. In this respect, the usability of the power supply device is further enhanced. Can do.
A third invention is the power supply device according to the second invention, wherein the display can be confirmed from the outside.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the remaining capacity can be quickly confirmed without performing an operation such as opening the lid.
A fourth invention is the power supply apparatus according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the notification by the total remaining capacity notification function is made by a switch operation.
According to the fourth invention, since the total remaining capacity is notified only when necessary by the switch operation, it is possible to save power consumption as compared with the configuration in which notification is always made.

It is a front view of the power supply device concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a power supply device. It is a front view of the power supply device in a state where a lid is opened. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line (IV)-(IV) of FIG. 3 and a remaining capacity notification unit. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line (V)-(V) of FIG. It is a whole perspective view of the rechargeable electric plane as an example of an electric tool.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a power supply device 1 of the present embodiment. The power supply device 1 includes a main body 10 to which four batteries 11 to 14 are attached, and a lid 2 that covers the four batteries 11 to 14 on the front side of the main body 10. The lid portion 2 is supported on the upper portion of the main body portion 10 via the hinge portion 3 so as to be rotatable up and down. The lid 2 can be opened by rotating upward about the hinge 3 and can be closed by rotating downward. The closed position of the lid portion 2 is locked by hooking the lock lever 4 provided at the lower portion of the lid portion 2 to the hooking claw 5 provided at the lower portion of the main body portion 10. The lock lever 4 is biased to the lock side by a compression spring 6.
A total of four leg portions 7 to 7 are provided on the lower surface side of the main body portion 10 and the lid portion 2. With the legs 7 to 7, the power supply device 1 can be installed in a self-standing state (vertically placed state). In addition, a carrying handle 8 for carrying is provided at the upper part of the main body 10. The carrying handle 8 is provided so as to be pivotable up and down around the hinge portion 3. The carrying handle 8 can be stood up and gripped by the user, and tilted downward and stored. 2 shows a state where the carrying handle 8 is tilted downward and stored, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the carrying handle 8 is raised upward.
At the four corners of the back surface of the main body 10, leg portions 9 to 9 for horizontal installation are provided. The power supply device 1 can be installed in a horizontal posture with the legs 9 to 9 grounded.

  FIG. 3 shows a state where the lid 2 is opened or removed. For this reason, the front of the main body 10 is visible in FIG. On the front surface of the main body 10, four batteries 11 to 14 of a slide mounting type are mounted in parallel in the vertical direction. In the following description, the first battery 11, the second battery 12, the third battery 13, and the fourth battery 14 are also referred to from the upper side. The first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 are used, for example, as power sources for electric tools such as a rechargeable electric plane 50 shown in FIG. It has been. Each battery 11-14 accommodates a plurality of battery cells 11b-11b in a battery case 11a (12a, 13a, 14a), and can be repeatedly used by charging with a separate charger (2). Next battery). As the batteries 11 to 14 themselves, those already known can be used as they are. Lock claws 11c to 14c for locking the attachment state to the battery attachment portion 51 provided at the rear portion of the tool main body are provided on the side portions of the batteries 11 to 14, respectively.

Battery mounting portions 21 to 24 for mounting the four batteries 11 to 14 are arranged in parallel in four locations in the vertical direction on the front surface of the main body portion 10. The main body 10 includes a box-shaped main body case 15 that opens to the front side, and a pedestal 16 that is screwed along the opening of the main body case 15. Four battery attachment portions 21 to 24 are attached to the pedestal portion 16. Each battery attachment part 21-24 is the same slide attachment structure as the battery attachment part 51 of the said rechargeable electric plane 50 (electric tool), and has the same slide attachment structure in four places. Each battery attachment portion 21 to 24 is provided with a pair of upper and lower slide rails 21a, 21a to 24a, 24a. Connector connecting portions 21b-24b are arranged between the slide rails 21a, 21a-24a, 24a. In FIG. 3, the batteries 11 to 14 can be mounted by sliding the batteries 11 to 14 laterally from the left side to the right side with respect to the battery mounting portions 21 to 24, and conversely from the right side to the left side. Each battery 11-14 can be removed from the battery attachment parts 21-24 by making it slide to a direction. If each battery 11-14 is attached to each battery attachment part 21-24, each battery 11-14 will be electrically connected via each connector connection part 21b-24b. The four batteries 11 to 14 can be individually attached and detached. When the lock claws 11c to 14c of the batteries 11 to 14 are unlocked with the fingertips against the spring biasing force, the locks are released and can be removed.
Each of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 has mounting compatibility with respect to all the battery mounting portions 21 to 24. Two of the attached first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 are connected in parallel to achieve long-time output, and two sets connected in parallel are connected in series to achieve 36V output.

The power supply device 1 of this embodiment is provided with the remaining capacity notification function Z which shows the remaining capacity of the attached batteries 11-14. The remaining capacity notification function Z is an individual remaining capacity notification unit 30 to 30 that notifies the individual remaining capacity Ze of each of the batteries 11 to 14 and the total remaining capacity Zt that notifies the total remaining capacity Zt of the four batteries 11 to 14. This is achieved by the notification unit 31.
As shown in FIG. 3, the former individual remaining capacity notification units 30 to 30 are arranged on the left side of the battery attachment units 21 to 24. Each individual remaining capacity notification unit 30 includes two indicator lamps 30 a and 30 a attached to the pedestal unit 16. When the two indicator lamps 30a and 30a are lit or blinking as follows, the individual remaining capacities Ze of the corresponding first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 are individually notified.
In each individual remaining capacity notification unit 30, when both indicator lamps 30a and 30a are lit in green, the fully charged state of the individual remaining capacity Ze of the batteries 11 to 14 is notified. In a state where one is green and the other is lit red, a state in which the individual remaining capacity Ze is small is notified. In a state where both of them are lit in red, a state where the individual remaining capacity Ze is insufficient and power cannot be supplied (required charging state) is notified. Further, when both indicator lamps 30a and 30a are flashing red, an error state relating to the temperature and current value of the batteries 11 to 14 is notified.

The latter total remaining capacity notifying unit 31 is disposed substantially at the front center of the main body unit 10. The total remaining capacity notifying unit 31 is provided on the upper surface of the support cylinder part 32 having an oval cross section provided at the substantially front center of the main body part 10 and substantially at the center of the pedestal part 16. The total remaining capacity notifying part 31 and the support cylinder part 32 are between the second battery 12 that is second from the top and the third battery 13 that is third from the top. It is provided at approximately the center in the width direction.
The total remaining capacity notifying unit 31 includes five indicator lamps 35 to 35 and one operation switch 36 as shown in the figure. As the total remaining capacity Zt of the four batteries 11 to 14 increases, the number of indicator lamps 35 to 35 that are lit red increases. When all the five indicator lamps 35 to 35 are lit in red, it is notified that the total remaining capacity Zt of the batteries 11 to 14 is sufficient. It is notified that the total remaining capacity Zt of the batteries 11 to 14 is reduced by decreasing the number of lighting of the indicator lamps 35 to 35. When all the individual remaining capacities Ze of the four batteries 11 to 14 are exhausted, the total remaining capacities Zt are also disappeared, so that all five indicator lamps 35 to 35 are not lit.
From this, for example, even if the total remaining capacity Zt is sufficient when four or all the indicator lamps 35 to 35 are turned on, any one of the individual remaining capacity notification sections 30 to 30 is confirmed. There are cases where the individual remaining capacity Ze of the battery 11 (or 12, 13, 14) is insufficient (when one or both of the indicator lamps 30a, 30a are lit in red), and this requires a battery to be charged. 11 (or 12, 13, 14) can be specified reliably.

In the present embodiment, whether or not the indicator lamps 35 to 35 are lit can be confirmed only when the operation switch 36 is pressed. For this reason, even if the total remaining capacity Zt is insufficient, the indicator lamps 35 to 35 are not turned on when the operation switch 36 is not pressed. When the operation switch 36 is pressed, a part or all of the indicator lamps 35 to 35 are not turned on when the total remaining capacity Zt is insufficient, whereby the user can add up the total remaining power of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14. It can be confirmed that the capacity Zt is insufficient. It is possible to confirm that the total remaining capacity Zt of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 is sufficient by turning on all the indicator lamps 35 to 35 when the operation switch 36 is pushed.
As described above, since the indicator lamps 35 to 35 are turned on by pressing the operation switch 36 only when necessary, power consumption can be saved.
In the power supply device 1 of the present embodiment, the entire remaining capacity notification unit 31 can be visually confirmed from the outside even when the lid 2 is closed. An oblong window portion 2 a that is similar to the oval shape of the overall remaining capacity notification unit 31 is provided in the approximate center of the lid portion 2. When the lid portion 2 is closed with respect to the main body portion 10, the entire remaining capacity notification portion 31 enters the window portion 2a and is closed. Thus, the total remaining capacity notification unit 31 can be visually confirmed from the outside with the lid 2 closed.
As described above, the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 are electrically connected in parallel, and two sets connected in parallel are connected in series. For this reason, the power supply device 1 according to the present embodiment has not only the state where the batteries 11 to 14 are attached to all the battery attachment portions 21 to 24 but also at least two battery attachment portions 21 and 22 (or 23, 24, or 21). , 23 or 22, 24 or 21, 24), one battery 11 to 14 is attached at a time, so that at least series connection is established, so that 36V power is reliably output.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control circuit for electrically controlling the attached first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 and the battery attachment parts 21 to 24 and the remaining capacity display function Z is provided in the main body part 10. And a control board 40 including a power supply circuit for outputting DC 36V power. The control board 40 is fixed along the back side of the pedestal portion 16 in a state where the entire control board 40 is molded with resin.
A power cord 41 for supplying direct current 36V power is drawn from the lower side of the right side of the main body 10. Power can be supplied to the external device through the power cord 41. In FIG. 1, the drawing position of the power cord 41 can be changed to the left side of the main body 10 as indicated by a two-dot chain line. Usability of the power supply device 1 can be improved by arbitrarily selecting one of the drawing positions to facilitate the handling of the power cord 41.
A main switch 42 is provided on the right side of the main body 10. When the main switch 42 is turned on, power can be supplied via the power cord 41. In a state where the main switch 42 is turned off, the power supply circuit is cut off and no power is supplied, thereby suppressing wasteful standby power consumption.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a backpack belt (backpack belt 43) can be attached to the back surface of the main body 10. The shoulder belt 43 can be attached along the back surface of the main body 10 using the leg portions 9 to 9 for horizontal installation. The leg portions 9 to 9 are configured to be attached by tightening a screw portion, and the shoulder belt 43 can be attached by removing this once and fastening the shoulder belt 43 to the back surface of the main body portion 10 together. The user can carry the power supply device 1 on the back using the shoulder belt 43.

According to the power supply device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, four batteries 11 to 14 used as the power source of the electric tool such as the rechargeable electric plane 50 are attached, and the total power (36V) is maintained for a long time. Can be output. For this reason, it is possible to work efficiently even in a work environment where an AC power source cannot be used particularly outdoors.
Moreover, the power supply device 1 is provided with the remaining capacity notification function Z of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14. The remaining capacity notifying function Z includes the first to fourth batteries 11 to 11 attached to the main body 10 in addition to the individual remaining capacity notifying part 30 for notifying the individual remaining capacity Ze of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14. 14 includes a total remaining capacity notifying unit 31 that notifies the total remaining capacity Zt of all 14 or a part thereof. For this reason, not only the individual remaining capacities Ze of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 but also the remaining capacities Zt that can be output as the entire power supply device 1 are confirmed, and the operation of the power supply device 1 is efficiently performed. It can be carried out. In particular, according to the illustrated embodiment, the individual remaining capacities Ze of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 can be visually confirmed by the indicator lamps 30a to 30a of the individual remaining capacity notifying unit 30, and the entire remaining capacities can be confirmed. Since the capacity Zt can also be confirmed at a glance by the indicator lamps 35 to 35 of the total remaining capacity notifying unit 31, it can be confirmed instantly from a distant place even in a dark place such as at night. The usability of the power supply device 1 can be improved.
In addition, the indicator lamps 35 to 35 of the total remaining capacity notification unit 31 can be viewed from the outside through the window 2a even when the lid 2 is closed. For this reason, it is possible to instantly confirm the entire remaining capacity Zt of the first to fourth batteries 11 to 14 from a place away without bothering to open the lid 2, and in this respect also, the remaining capacity notification function is easy to handle. Is further enhanced.
Further, the operation switch 36 of the total remaining capacity notification unit 31 can be operated from the outside through the window 2a with the lid 2 closed. The total remaining capacity notification unit 31 is configured to exhibit a notification function by, for example, turning on the indicator lamps 35 to 35 only when the operation switch 36 is turned on. For this reason, the indicator lamps 35 to 35 are not turned on even when the remaining capacity Zt is insufficient when the operation switch 36 is not turned on, thereby eliminating unnecessary power consumption such as standby power when unnecessary. Therefore, the batteries 11 to 14 can be made to last longer than the configuration in which notification is always made.

Various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above. For example, although the power supply device 1 to which four batteries 11 to 14 can be attached is illustrated, the number of the plurality of batteries that can be attached can be arbitrarily set. In addition to the state in which the batteries 11 to 14 are attached to all the battery attachment portions 21 to 24 set in the main body unit 10 as described above, some of the battery attachment portions are attached even when the battery is not attached. The power supply device 1 can be used for the battery, and the battery with the remaining capacity notification function Z attached can function equally.
Further, the configuration in which the entire remaining capacity notification unit 31 is provided between the second battery 12 and the third battery 13 in the front center of the main body unit 10 is illustrated. It is good also as a structure provided in the part 2. FIG.
Furthermore, the operation switch 36 is provided in the total remaining capacity notification unit 31 and the notification is performed only when the operation switch 36 is turned on. However, the operation switch 36 may be omitted and the notification may be performed constantly. .
Moreover, although the structure which provided the five indicator lamps 35-35 in the total remaining capacity alerting | reporting part 31 was illustrated, it can change and implement about the number of indicator lamps. For example, even with one indicator lamp, the change in the total remaining capacity Zt can be notified by changing its lighting color or blinking, and changing the blinking interval.
Further, the remaining capacity may be displayed numerically (digitally) instead of the indicator lamp.
It is good also as a structure which abbreviate | omits the window part 2a of the cover part 2, opens the cover part 2, and confirms the whole remaining capacity alerting | reporting part 31 visually.
Further, by visually observing (visually) the indicator lamps 30a to 30a of the individual remaining capacity notification unit 30 and the indicator lamps 35 to 35 of the total remaining capacity notification unit 31, the individual remaining capacity Ze and the total remaining capacity Zt are notified. However, the notification means is not limited to visual observation, and may be configured to be notified by sounds such as a buzzer or a melody, voice, vibration, or the like.
Further, the main switch 42 may be omitted, and the power supply may be output when the battery is attached to the battery attachment portion.
Furthermore, although a configuration in which a DC 36V power supply is output by the power cord 41 is illustrated, a configuration in which higher voltage power is output by using a booster circuit or the like may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which outputs alternating current power supply instead of direct current power supply, or both.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Power supply device 2 ... Cover part, 2a ... Window part 3 ... Hinge part 4 ... Lock lever 5 ... Hook claw 6 ... Compression spring 7 ... Leg part (for vertical installation)
8 ... Carrying handle 9 ... Leg (for horizontal installation)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main-body part 11 ... 1st battery 11a ... Battery case, 11b ... Battery cell, 11c ... Lock claw 12 ... 2nd battery 12a ... Battery case, 12b ... Battery cell, 12c ... Lock claw 13 ... 3rd battery 13a ... Battery Case, 13b ... Battery cell, 13c ... Lock claw 14 ... Fourth battery 14a ... Battery case, 14b ... Battery cell, 14c ... Lock claw 15 ... Main body case 16 ... Pedestal part 21-24 ... Battery mounting part 21a-24a ... Slide Rails 21b to 24b ... Connector connection Z ... Remaining capacity notification function Ze ... Individual remaining capacity Zt ... Total remaining capacity (total remaining capacity)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Individual remaining capacity notification part, 30a ... Indicator lamp 31 ... Total remaining capacity notification part 32 ... Supporting cylinder part 35 ... Indicator lamp 36 ... Operation switch 40 ... Control board 41 ... Power cord 42 ... Main switch 43 ... Backpack belt 50 ... Rechargeable electric plane 51 ... Battery mounting part

Claims (4)

A power supply device capable of attaching a plurality of batteries and outputting a total power as a power source, a total remaining capacity notification function for notifying a total remaining capacity of the plurality of batteries, and a remaining capacity of each of the plurality of batteries A power supply device provided with both of the individual remaining capacity notification function for individually reporting. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply apparatus uses a display that can be visually confirmed for both the total remaining capacity notification function and the individual remaining capacity notification function. The power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the display can be confirmed from the outside. The power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein notification by the total remaining capacity notification function is performed by a switch operation.

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