JP2014100033A - Charging device and adapter for charger - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging device capable of charging battery packs having different specifications.SOLUTION: A charging device includes: an outer case 10 having an attachment part 11, to which a first battery pack 3A to be charged is detachably attached, on an upper surface; a charging circuit 5 incorporated into the outer case 10; and an adapter 2 which is detachably attached to the attachment part 11. The adapter 2 includes: a casing 20; an attached part 29 which forms a part of the casing 20 and is joined when being attached to the attachment part 11; and a sub-attachment part 21 provided at a portion of the casing 20 which is different from the attached part 29 and to which a second battery pack 3B having a shape different from the first battery pack 3A is detachably attached.

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device and a charger adapter that are charged by attaching different types of battery packs.

  A battery pack that is mounted on a battery-driven device and supplies power can be conveniently used by repeatedly charging it. Battery packs may have different specifications such as capacity and charging current when the battery-driven device models are different. For this reason, in order to avoid an incorrect combination of a battery pack and a charger, a configuration in which physical connection cannot be made is performed.

  However, if the combination of the battery pack and the charger is one-to-one, the user must prepare a charger for each battery pack being used, which is complicated. In particular, when using a plurality of portable battery-powered devices, it is necessary to carry the charger accordingly. In general, since the charger is bulky, carrying a plurality of chargers is not convenient.

  Therefore, it is conceivable that a plurality of different types of battery packs can be charged with a single charger. However, although the specifications such as the charging current can be handled, there is a problem that the mounting is hindered by the difference in the physical shape of the mounting surface when the shape of the mounting portion is physically different.

JP 2012-124997 A

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the conventional problems. A main object of the present invention is to provide a charging device and a charger adapter that can be charged by battery packs having different specifications.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to achieve the above object, according to the charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 having a mounting portion 11 on the upper surface for detachably mounting the first battery pack 3A to be charged, A charging device including a built-in charging circuit 5 and an adapter 2 that is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 11, wherein the adapter 2 is a casing 20 and a part of the casing 20, and A second portion having a shape different from that of the first battery pack 3 </ b> A is provided in a portion different from the portion 29 to be attached and the portion to be attached 29 of the casing 20 to be joined when being attached to the attachment portion 11. And a sub-mounting portion 21 for detachably mounting the battery pack 3B.
With the above configuration, even battery packs having different specifications can be easily and easily charged by being set via an adapter set in the mounting portion. For this reason, even when using a plurality of portable battery-driven devices, battery packs having different specifications can be conveniently charged without carrying a plurality of chargers.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 includes a connection terminal 15 to which the external terminal 36 provided in the first battery pack 3A is connected to the mounting portion 11, and the adapter 10 2, the adapter side external terminal 26 connected to the connection terminal 15 is exposed to the casing 20 and the adapter side connection terminal 25 to which the external terminal 46 provided on the second battery pack 3B is connected is provided. The adapter-side external terminal 26 and the adapter-side connection terminal 25 can be connected to each other inside the casing 20 by being exposed to the sub-mounting portion 21.
With the above configuration, even if the battery pack has a different position of the external terminal, it can be reliably connected to the connection terminal of the mounting portion and charged. In particular, since the adapter connects the adapter-side external terminal and the adapter-side connection terminal inside the casing, the adapter-side external terminal and the adapter according to the positions of the external terminals of the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The adapter-side external terminal and the adapter-side connection terminal can be reliably connected while arranging the side connection terminal at an optimal position.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the casing 20 has a protruding portion 2T protruding from the outer case 10 in a state where the adapter 2 is mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. A drain hole 20m for discharging the water in the casing 20 can be opened on the bottom surface of the protrusion 2T.
By the said structure, the water in a casing can be discharged | emitted smoothly from the drain hole opened on the bottom face of the adapter. In particular, since this adapter is provided with a drainage hole in the protruding part that protrudes from the outer case in a state where it is attached to the outer case, the water discharged from the drainage hole flows into the outer case and the mounting part, and has an adverse effect. It can prevent effectively. Moreover, since the drain hole is opened on the bottom surface of the protrusion, the appearance can be improved by arranging the drain hole at a position where it cannot be seen from the front. Furthermore, since this adapter opens a drain hole on the bottom surface of the protrusion, the adapter can be used to move the adapter by hand by positioning the drain hole at the end of the casing. Water can be effectively discharged from the drain hole.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 includes an operation button 60 on an upper surface, the operation button 60 is disposed adjacent to the mounting portion 11, and the casing 20 includes the sub mounting. Side wall portions 22 may be provided along both sides of the portion 21, and the side wall portions 22 may be provided on both sides of the mounting portion 11 in a state where the adapter 2 is mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. As the protruding shape, a notch 22A can be formed at a position facing the operation button 60, and the notch 22A can be shaped to open above the operation button 60.
With the above configuration, the operation buttons can be operated without difficulty while arranging the operation buttons in a space-saving manner on the upper surface of the outer case and in the vicinity of the mounting portion.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the cutout portion 22A can be formed at a portion of the side wall portion 22 that is provided on both sides of the sub mounting portion 21.
With the above configuration, the adapter can be gripped as if it is picked from both sides with the notches formed in the side wall portions on both sides, and the advantage that the adapter can be easily detached is obtained. Furthermore, even when the operation button is located on either side of the mounting portion, the upper portion of the operation button can be reliably opened by the cutout portions provided on both sides.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 includes a discharge circuit 55 for discharging the battery pack 3 to be mounted, and the operation button 60 is used to calibrate the battery pack 3 to be mounted. It can be a push button 60A to start.
With the above configuration, the battery pack to be mounted can be calibrated by operating a push button provided on the outer case.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 detachably fixes the adapter 2 mounted on the mounting portion 11 via an adapter connection mechanism 8B, and the adapter 2 The second battery pack 3B attached to the sub attachment portion 21 is detachably fixed via the second connection mechanism 8C, and the attachment / detachment force of the adapter connection mechanism 8B is changed to the attachment / detachment force of the second connection mechanism 8C. The adapter 2 can be made more difficult to remove than the second battery pack 3B.
With the above configuration, after charging the second battery pack by attaching the adapter to the outer case, only the second battery pack can be easily removed while preventing the adapter from being removed.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 can include a plurality of the mounting portions 11.
With the above configuration, a plurality of battery packs can be simultaneously attached to the outer case and can be charged efficiently.

According to another charging device of the present invention, the outer case 10 includes the mounting portions 11 on both sides of the upper surface, and the operation buttons 60 can be provided between the mounting portions 11 adjacent to each other.
With the above configuration, by providing the operation buttons between the mounting portions provided on both sides of the outer case, the operation buttons can be arranged at the central portion of the outer case and operated easily.

According to the charger adapter of the present invention, the charger adapter that is mounted and charged with the first battery pack 3A is a charger adapter that can be mounted on the mounting portion 11 that mounts the first battery pack 3A. The casing 20, a part of the casing 20, a mounting part 29 to be joined when the mounting part 11 is mounted, and a part of the casing 20 that is different from the mounted part 29, It has a sub-mounting portion 21 for detachably mounting a second battery pack 3B having a shape different from that of the battery pack 3A.
With the above configuration, the second battery pack can be connected and charged easily and easily by setting the adapter to the mounting portion of the charger. In addition, even when using multiple portable battery-powered devices, you can conveniently carry battery packs with different specifications while you carry them easily by carrying an adapter instead of a charger dedicated to the second battery pack. it can.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the battery pack to the charging device concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the charging device and battery pack shown in FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of the charging device and battery pack shown in FIG. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of the charging device and battery pack shown in FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of the charging device and battery pack shown in FIG. It is the VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of the charging device and battery pack shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing a state where a battery pack is attached to the charging device shown in FIG. 1. It is the partially expanded bottom perspective view which looked at the battery pack and adapter shown in FIG. 7 from the back side. It is a block diagram of the charging device and battery pack concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a horizontal sectional view which shows the internal structure of the opposing wall of an adapter.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies the adapter for the charging device and the charger for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention includes the adapter for the charging device and the charger as follows. Not specified. In addition, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies the member of embodiment. In particular, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the constituent members described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to the description unless otherwise specified. It is just an example. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, the same name and symbol indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing. In addition, the contents described in some examples and embodiments may be used in other examples and embodiments.

Example 1
1 to 10 show a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a battery pack is attached to the charging device, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the battery pack is attached to the charging device, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the charging device of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of the charging device of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a VI-VI line of the charging device of FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing a state in which the battery pack is attached to the charging device, FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged rear perspective view of the adapter and the battery pack shown in FIG. Is a block diagram of the charging device and the battery pack, and FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the opposing wall of the adapter.

  The charging device of the present invention has a structure that can be charged by attaching different types of battery packs. Different types of battery packs are different from each other in the position and shape of the external terminals that are electrical connection parts connected to the charging device or battery-driven device for charging / discharging, or in the mounting portion of the charging device or battery-driven device. The battery packs to be joined are different in shape from each other, and these differences prevent the battery pack from being erroneously attached to a charging device or a battery driving device having a different model or specification. Furthermore, the battery packs of different types can be battery packs having different electrical specifications such as capacity and charging current in addition to the above-described differences in mechanical structure. As such a battery pack, for example, a battery pack that is detachably attached to a battery drive device such as a digital camera and supplies power to these devices can be used. However, the present invention does not limit the use of the battery pack to a digital camera, and can be used as appropriate for other battery-driven devices.

(First battery pack and second battery pack)
The charging device shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 shows a state in which a first battery pack 3A and a second battery pack 3B are mounted as different types of battery packs 3. FIG. The first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B shown in the figure include battery cases 31 and 41 formed in an outer shape that can be attached to a battery driving device (not shown) to be attached. A plurality of rechargeable secondary batteries 30 are built in the cases 31 and 41. The battery pack 3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 accommodates three cylindrical secondary batteries 30 arranged in parallel with each other in battery cases 31 and 41. The secondary battery 30 built in the battery pack 3 is a lithium ion battery. However, the secondary battery may be any other battery that can be charged, such as a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, or a polymer battery. The battery pack 3 has a plurality of secondary batteries 30 connected in series to increase the output voltage. The battery pack can also connect a plurality of secondary batteries in parallel to increase the charge / discharge current. Note that the battery pack does not specify the number of secondary batteries incorporated or the connection state. The battery pack can be designed with various numbers of secondary batteries and output voltage in accordance with the type and application of the battery driving device to be used.

  Furthermore, the first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B are provided with external terminals 36 and 46 which are electrical connection parts connected to a charging device or a battery driving device. The battery cases 31 and 41 are exposed from the terminal windows 33 and 43 opened in one end face 31X and 41X. The external terminals 36 and 46 include a plurality of contact points 36A and 46A (see FIG. 9), and these contact points 36A and 46A are fixed in place by connectors 34 and 44. The connectors 34, 44 are provided with a plurality of rows of vertical slits 34a, 44a in parallel, and contacts 36A, 46A are fixed inside the vertical slits 34a, 44a to form external terminals 36, 46. As shown in FIG. 8, the first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B have terminal windows 33 and 43 opened at different positions of the battery cases 31 and 41, and the external terminals 36 and 46 are different. It is arranged at the position, thereby preventing erroneous attachment to the charging device or the battery-driven device. The first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B shown in FIG. 8 have the same shape of the connectors 34 and 44, and the electrical connection portions are differentiated by changing the arrangement thereof. Different shapes are possible. Furthermore, the first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B shown in the figure are charged in such a way that erroneous attachment to the charging device can be prevented by the difference in the outer shape of the battery cases 31 and 41, as will be described in detail later. The mounted portions 39 and 49 joined to the apparatus have different shapes.

In the present embodiment, the first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B, which are different types of battery packs 3, are arranged with connectors 34 and 44 as external terminals 36 and 46, and mounted portions 39. However, the present invention specifies the arrangement and shape of the connector as the external terminal, and further the shape and structure of the mounted portion in the first battery pack and the second battery pack. is not. For the first battery pack and the second battery pack, the arrangement and shape of the connector as the external terminal, and the shape and structure of the mounted portion are variously changed according to the battery driving device to be attached. Can do.
Hereinafter, a structure in which the first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B, which are different types of battery packs 3, are attached to the charging device 100 and charged will be described in detail.

(Charging device 100)
A charging device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 includes a charger main body 1 that detachably attaches and charges a first battery pack 3A to be charged, and is detachably attached to the charger main body 1. An adapter 2 for detachably mounting a second battery pack 3B having a shape different from that of the first battery pack 3A is provided. As shown on the left side of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7, the charging device 100 is provided with the first battery pack 3 </ b> A attached to the charger main body 1, and the first power is supplied from the charger main body 1. The battery pack 3A is charged, and as shown on the right side of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7, the adapter 2 is attached to the charger main body 1, and the second battery pack 3B is attached to the adapter 2. The second battery pack 3B is charged with the power supplied from the charger main body 1. The charging device 100 shown in the figure is charged by attaching the first battery pack 3A to the left side of the charger main body 1, and the second battery pack 3B is connected to the right side of the charger main body 1 via the adapter 2. Although the charging device 100 is shown in a state where it is mounted and charged, the charging device 100 is charged by mounting the first battery pack 3 </ b> A on the right side of the charger body 1, and the adapter 2 is mounted on the left side of the charger body 1. The second battery pack 3B can be mounted and charged via the cable.

(Charger body 1)
The charger main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 includes an outer case 10 having a mounting portion 11 to which the first battery pack 3A can be detachably mounted, and a built-in mounting portion. And a charging circuit 5 for charging the first battery pack 3 </ b> A attached to 11 and charging the second battery pack 3 </ b> B attached to the attachment part 11 via the adapter 2.

(Outer case 10)
The outer case 10 is molded of plastic so that the entire outer shape is a rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The outer case 10 includes an upper case 10A and a lower case 10B, and a mounting portion 11 for detachably mounting the first battery pack 3A is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 10A. The outer case 10 in the figure has a horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view, and has mounting portions 11 on the upper surfaces of both end portions in the longitudinal direction. In this example, the mounting portions 11 are provided at two locations on the upper surface of the outer case 10, but the mounting portions 11 provided on the outer case 10 may be one location or three or more locations. Needless to say.

(Mounting part 11)
The mounting portion 11 has a concave shape into which the first battery pack 3A mounted here can be fitted, that is, an inner shape along the outer shape of the mounted portion 39 of the first battery pack 3A. In the first battery pack 3 </ b> A shown in the drawing, the bottom surface side of the battery case 31 is used as the mounted portion 39. Therefore, the mounting portion 11 is formed in a shape along the bottom surface of the first battery pack 3A. The mounting portion 11 shown in the figure has a side wall 12 on both sides of the bottom surface, and the entire shape is a groove shape. Furthermore, the mounting portion 11 is provided with an end surface wall 13 that faces the one end surface 31X of the first battery pack 3A to be mounted protruding from the upper surface. That is, the mounting portion 11 has a shape in which both sides are covered with the side wall 12 and one end is covered with the end face wall 13, and the other end is opened, and this one end is opened on the insertion side of the first battery pack 3A. This is part 14. The mounting portion 11 is configured to set the first battery pack 3A at a fixed position while keeping the end of the first battery pack 3A mounted here to protrude outward from the insertion side opening 14. Yes. Accordingly, the outer case 10 has the entire length of the mounting portion 11 shorter than the total length of the first battery pack 3A, and the distance between the pair of side walls 12 that is the lateral width of the mounting portion 11 is equal to the width of the first battery pack 3A. The first battery pack 3A can be slid along the side wall 12 of the mounting portion 11 so as to be approximately equal or slightly larger.

  Furthermore, the mounting portion 11 shown in the figure is provided with a connecting projection 11B extending in the insertion direction of the first battery pack 3A at the center, and two parallel rows of grooves 11A are formed on both sides of the connecting projection 11B. Provided. The first battery pack 3A shown in FIG. 8 has a mounting portion 39 formed on the bottom surface of the battery case 31 between two rows of connecting ridges 39A provided on both sides, and these connecting ridges 39A. The connecting recess 39B is provided. Accordingly, the mounting portion 11 is configured so that the inner shape of the two rows of groove portions 11A is a shape along the opposing connecting projections 39A, and the outer shape of the connecting projection 11B is a shape that can guide the opposing connecting recesses 39B to the opposing connecting recesses 39B. In this structure, the mounted portion 39 of one battery pack 3A can be fitted. The first battery pack 3A shown in the drawing approximates the cross-sectional shape of the connecting ridge 39A to a semicircular shape that follows the outer shape of the built-in cylindrical secondary battery 30, so that the groove portion 11A of the mounting portion 11 is provided. The cross sectional shape is also a shape that approximates the semicircular shape of the connecting ridge 39A. The mounting portion 11 guides the connecting ridge 39A provided on the first battery pack 3A along the groove portion 11A to a fixed position.

(Connection terminal 15)
Furthermore, the mounting portion 11 includes a connection terminal 15 connected to the external terminal 36 of the first battery pack 3A mounted here. The connection terminal 15 is located at a position facing the external terminal 36 provided on the first battery pack 3 </ b> A and is exposed from the end wall 13. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the first battery pack 3 </ b> A is provided with a connector 34 for the external terminal 36 that is unevenly distributed on the right side toward the end surface 31 </ b> X that faces the end surface wall 13. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10 is unevenly distributed on the left side toward the end surface wall 13 to provide the connection terminals 15. The connection terminal 15 is connected to the external terminal 36 of the first battery pack 3A set in the mounting portion 11 to supply charging power to the first battery pack 3A, or from the first battery pack 3A. Various input signals are detected.

  The connection terminal 15 has a plurality of plate-like metal plates 15A arranged side by side in a row (in the left-right direction in the figure). The connection terminals 15 are arranged in a posture parallel to each other with plate-like metal plates 15A having substantially the same outer shape. The plate-shaped metal plate 15A is arranged in a posture perpendicular to the end face wall 13 of the mounting portion 11 and along the insertion direction of the first battery pack 3A. In the charger main body 1 shown in the figure, a plurality of metal plates 15A are fixed to a terminal holder 63, and the plurality of metal plates 15A are arranged in a predetermined posture via the terminal holder 63. Thus, by arranging the metal plate 15A fixed to the terminal holder 63 in a posture extended in the mounting direction of the first battery pack 3A, the external terminal 36 is mounted by the mounting operation of the first battery pack 3A. Each metal plate 15A of the connection terminal 15 can be smoothly inserted and connected to each vertical slit 34a provided in the connector 34. The mounting portion 11 shown in the figure has an opening window 13 </ b> A opened in the end wall 13 for inserting and exposing a terminal holder 63 to which a plurality of metal plates 15 </ b> A are fixed.

  Further, the mounting portion 11 shown in the drawing is provided with a stepped convex portion 17 that protrudes along the boundary between the end surface wall 13 and the bottom surface, located below the exposed window 13A. The step convex portion 17 is provided to face the step concave portion 37 provided along the boundary between the end surface 31X and the bottom surface of the battery case 31 of the first battery pack 3A, and the step convex portion 17 is provided in the step concave portion 37. The first battery pack 3 </ b> A is set at a fixed position of the mounting portion 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the first battery pack 3 </ b> A has an opening window 33 opened along the boundary between the end surface 31 </ b> X of the battery case 31 and the stepped recess 37, and the external window 36 is connected to the opening window 33. A connector 34 is arranged.

  The connection terminal 15 that is the metal plate 15A is made of a metal having excellent conductivity, such as a nickel plate, a copper plate, or a copper alloy plate. However, the connection terminal is not necessarily specified as a plate shape. The connection terminal can be formed in various shapes that are exposed to the inside of the mounting portion and connected to the external terminal of the battery pack mounted therein. The connection terminal 15 made of a plurality of metal plates 15A has positive and negative charging terminals 15a arranged on both sides, and a communication terminal 15b, which is a non-charging terminal, is arranged between these charging terminals 15a. The charging terminal 15a is a positive / negative high voltage terminal for charging the secondary battery 30 built in the first battery pack 3A. The communication terminal 15b is a signal terminal that transmits battery information to and from the first battery pack 3A.

(Sub circuit board 62)
The terminal holder 63 to which the plurality of metal plates 15A are fixed is fixed to the sub circuit board 62 arranged in the outer case 10 and arranged at a fixed position. The outer case 10 of FIGS. 3 to 6 approaches the inner surface side of the bottom surface of the mounting portion 11 and fixes the sub circuit board 62 in a horizontal posture. The sub circuit board 62 fixes the terminal holders 63 of the connection terminals 15 disposed on the mounting portions 11 provided on both sides of the upper case 10 </ b> A, and these terminal holders 63 are disposed at fixed positions of the mounting portion 11. doing.

(Charging circuit 5)
Furthermore, the charger main body 1 includes a first battery pack 3 </ b> A attached to the attachment portion 11 and a charging circuit 5 that charges the second battery pack 3 </ b> B attached to the attachment portion 11 via the adapter 2. Yes. FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the charging device 100 and the battery pack 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the charging circuit 5 built in the charger main body 1 is output from a rectifier circuit 51 that converts AC power supplied from a commercial power supply (not shown) into DC, and the rectifier circuit 51. An electrolytic capacitor 52A that is a smoothing circuit 52 that smoothes the pulsating current, a charge control circuit 53 that converts a DC voltage output from the smoothing circuit 52 into a charging voltage of the battery pack 3 and outputs the same, and this charging control And a control circuit 54 for controlling the circuit 53.

  In the charging circuit 5 that charges the battery pack 3 in which the built-in secondary battery 30 is a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery, the charging control circuit 53 is a DC / DC converter having constant voltage / constant current characteristics. A charging circuit that charges a battery pack that uses a nickel-metal hydride battery as a secondary battery uses a DC / DC converter with a constant current characteristic as a charging control circuit. The output of the charging control circuit 53 is connected to the positive / negative charging terminal 15a arranged in the mounting part 11, and the positive / negative charging / discharging terminal 36a of the first battery pack 3A set in the mounting part 11 or the adapter 2 is connected. Are connected to the positive and negative charge / discharge terminals 46a of the second battery pack 3B mounted on the mounting portion 11 via the, and supply charging power to these battery packs 3.

  The control circuit 54 identifies the type of the battery pack 3 set from the identification signal input from the communication terminal 15b, determines the optimum voltage and current value for charging the battery pack 3, and outputs it from the charging terminal 15a. Adjust the charging voltage and charging current. When the battery pack 3 is mounted, the charger main body 1 detects an identification signal output from the control unit 35 of the battery pack 3 via the communication terminals 36b and 46b by the control circuit 54, and the detected identification From the signal, the control circuit 54 determines the type of the battery pack 3 and controls the charge control circuit 53 so that the voltage and current value are optimal for charging the battery pack 3. The control circuit 54 stores, for example, an identification signal, a charging voltage, a charging current, and the like as information on the rechargeable battery pack 3 in the memory 59, and an optimum charging voltage for the battery pack 3 from the input identification signal. And the charging current is determined to control the charging control circuit 53. The charger main body 1 determines the charging voltage and charging current for charging the battery pack 3 from the identification signal input from the battery pack 3, and switches the battery pack 3 to the optimum voltage and current value for charging. A plurality of types of battery packs 3 having different specifications can be charged by one charger main body 1. However, the charger main body does not necessarily need to switch the output voltage, and can charge the battery pack with a constant output voltage.

  Furthermore, when an abnormal signal is input to the communication terminal 15b, the control circuit 54 determines that the battery pack 3 is abnormal, and switches the charging control circuit 53 off to stop charging. Furthermore, the control circuit 54 can also detect the temperature of the secondary battery 30 built in the battery pack 3 from the temperature signal input to the communication terminal 15b. When the battery temperature becomes higher than the maximum temperature, the control circuit 54 interrupts charging by interrupting the charging current, or reduces the charging current to reduce the battery temperature. When the battery temperature becomes lower than the set temperature, the battery is charged with a normal charging current.

  The battery pack 3 shown in FIG. 9 detects the battery state of the charge / discharge switch 38 connected in series with the secondary battery 30 and the secondary battery 30 to be charged / discharged as the protection circuit 32, and charge / discharge is performed. And a controller 35 that controls the discharge switch 38 to be turned on and off. The control unit 35 of the battery pack 3 shown in the figure detects the current flowing through the secondary battery 30 and detects the voltage to calculate the remaining battery capacity. In order to detect the current of the battery, a current detection resistor (not shown) connected in series with the battery is provided. The voltage at both ends of the current detection resistor is detected, and the charging current flowing through the battery and the discharging current are discriminated and detected. Furthermore, when the control unit 35 detects an overcurrent of the secondary battery 30 or detects an abnormality of the secondary battery 30 in which the battery temperature becomes abnormally high, the control unit 35 switches off the charge / discharge switch 38 to cut off the current. Further, when the controller 35 detects an abnormality in the built-in secondary battery 30, it outputs an abnormality signal to the outside from the communication terminals 36b and 46b. Further, when the secondary battery 30 is fully charged, the control unit 35 switches the charge / discharge switch 38 from on to off to prevent overcharging of the battery. In addition, when the secondary battery 30 is discharged to a predetermined remaining capacity, the control unit 35 turns off the charge / discharge switch 38 to prevent overdischarge of the battery. Further, when the control unit 35 detects that the battery pack 3 is set in the charging device or the battery drive device via the communication terminals 36b and 46b, the control unit 35 switches on the charging / discharging switch 38 to charge the secondary battery 30. Allow discharge.

(Calibration button)
Furthermore, the charger main body 1 in FIG. 9 has a function of calibrating the battery pack 3 to be mounted. The charger main body 1 shown in the figure includes a discharge circuit 55 that discharges the battery pack 3 that is mounted. The battery pack 3 to be calibrated is completely discharged by the discharge circuit 55 and then fully charged by the charge circuit 5. Then, the battery pack 3 is calibrated. The discharge circuit 55 includes a discharge resistor 56 that discharges the battery pack 3 to be discharged, and a discharge switch 57 that connects the output side of the battery pack 3 to the discharge resistor 56. 3 has a plunger switch 68 fixed to the upper surface of the sub circuit board 62 as a switch for starting calibration of the battery pack 3. Further, an operation button 60 is provided that is located above the plunger switch 68 and is exposed from the upper surface of the outer case 10 and operated when the battery pack 3 is calibrated. In the figure, the operation button 60 is a push button 60A, and the user can operate the plunger switch 68 by pressing the push button 60A when starting calibration. The charger main body 1 shown in the figure has a push button 60 </ b> A adjacent to each mounting portion 11 so that each battery pack 3 mounted on the mounting portion 11 can be calibrated. The outer case 10 in the figure is located between the mounting portions 11 provided on both sides, and operation buttons 60 are arranged.

(Main circuit board 61)
Although not shown, electronic components such as a rectifying circuit 51 constituting the charging circuit 5, an electrolytic capacitor 52A realizing the smoothing circuit 52, and a discharging resistor 56 realizing the discharging circuit 55 are fixed to the main circuit board and are externally attached. It is placed at a fixed position in the case. The outer case 10 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 approaches the inner surface of the bottom surface of the lower case 10B, and fixes the main circuit board 61 in a horizontal posture. In particular, the structure in which the electronic component which is a heat generating component is arranged on the main circuit board 61 different from the sub circuit board 62 and arranged at the bottom of the outer case 10 has an influence on the other electronic components due to the heat generated by these heat generating components. There is a feature that can be reduced. Although not shown, the main circuit board 61 and the sub circuit board 62 built in the outer case 10 are connected to each other via a harness or the like.

(Display unit 70)
Furthermore, the charger main body 1 includes a display unit 70 for displaying a charging state of the battery pack 3 to be charged. The display unit 70 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a light source 71 that displays the charging state of the battery pack 3 with light and a lighting circuit 72 that controls the lighting state of the light source 71. As the light source 71, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED or an LD, or a liquid crystal or an organic EL can be used. In this example, an LED 71A is used as the light source 71, and the lighting state of the LED 71A is controlled by the lighting circuit 72 so that the remaining capacity of the battery pack 3 is displayed outside. The charger body 1 includes a plurality of LEDs 71A, and these LEDs 71A are fixed to the upper surface of the sub circuit board 62 as shown in FIG. The display unit 70 including the plurality of LEDs 71 </ b> A can display the charging state of the battery pack 3 mounted on the plurality of mounting units 11 for each mounting unit 11.

  Furthermore, in order to effectively irradiate the light emitted from the LEDs 71A to the outside, the display unit 70 is provided with a lamp reader 73 that guides the light emitted from the LEDs 71A to the outside of the outer case 10 so as to face each LED 71A. The charger main body 1 shown in FIG. 4 has a plurality of display windows 10a opened on the upper surface of the upper case 10A, and a lamp reader 73 is disposed so as to face each display window 10a. The lamp reader 73 is made of a translucent resin or the like, and transmits the light emitted from the LED 71A and irradiates the display window 10a to the outside. However, it is not always necessary to dispose the lamp reader on the charger body, and the upper case can be formed of a light-transmitting resin so that the light from the light source can be transmitted to the upper case and displayed on the outside. The charger main body 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 is provided with a display unit 70 located on the upper surface of the upper case 10 </ b> A and between the mounting units 11 provided on both sides. Thus, by providing the display unit 70 at the center of the upper surface of the upper case 10A, the visibility to the user can be improved.

The above charger body 1 charges the first battery pack 3A and the second battery pack 3B as follows.
[When charging the first battery pack 3A]
(1) The first battery pack 3 </ b> A is set in the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1.
(2) The control circuit 54 detects the identification signal input from the first battery pack 3A to the communication terminal 15b, and identifies the type of the set first battery pack 3A.
(3) Furthermore, the control circuit 54 is connected between the charging terminal 15a of the mounting portion 11 on the side where the first battery pack 3A to be charged is set and the output side of the charging control circuit 53. After the switch 58 is turned on, charging is performed while controlling the charge control circuit 53 so that the voltage and current value are optimal for charging the set first battery pack 3A.
(4) After that, when the first battery pack 3A is fully charged, the charging control circuit 53 is controlled to stop the charging, and then the charging switch 58 is switched off.

[When charging the second battery pack 3B]
(1) The second battery pack 3 </ b> B is set to the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1 via the adapter 2.
(2) The control circuit 54 detects the identification signal input from the second battery pack 3B to the communication terminal 15b, and identifies the type of the set second battery pack 3B.
(3) Further, the control circuit 54 includes a charging switch 58 connected between the charging terminal 15a of the mounting portion 11 in which the second battery pack 3B to be charged is set and the output side of the charging control circuit 53. Is switched on, and charging is performed while controlling the charging control circuit 53 so that the voltage and current value are optimal for charging the set second battery pack 3B.
(4) After that, when the second battery pack 3B is fully charged, the charging control circuit 53 is controlled to stop charging, and then the charging switch 58 is switched off.

[When calibrating battery pack 3]
(1) Push button 60A for starting calibration in a state where first battery pack 3A is set in mounting portion 11 of charger main body 1 or second battery pack 3B is set via adapter 2 Manipulate.
(2) The control circuit 54 switches on the discharge switch 57 connected to the charging terminal 15a of the mounting unit 11 in which the battery pack 3 to be calibrated is set, and starts discharging the battery pack 3. .
(3) When the battery pack 3 is discharged and the remaining capacity becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the control circuit 54 switches the discharge switch 57 to OFF to stop the discharge of the battery pack 3.
(4) Further, after switching on the charging switch 58 connected to the charging terminal 15a of the mounting portion 11 in which the battery pack 3 is set, the optimum voltage and current value for charging the set battery pack 3 Thus, charging is performed while controlling the charging control circuit 53.
(5) Thereafter, when the battery pack 3 is fully charged, the charging control circuit 53 is controlled to stop the charging, and then the charging switch 58 is turned off.

  In the above operation state, the charger main body 1 can display the charge state of the battery pack 3 being charged on the display unit 70 to the outside. In addition, when the battery pack 3 is set in both the mounting portions 11 at the same time, the charger body 1 fully charges or calibrates one of the battery packs 3 and then fully charges or calibrates the other battery pack 3. Do.

(Adapter 2)
The adapter 2 is provided in a part different from the casing 20, a part of the casing 20, a mounted part 22 to be joined when mounted on the mounting part 11, and the mounted part 22 of the casing 20. The second battery pack 3B having a shape different from that of the first battery pack 3A is detachably mounted.

(Casing 20)
The casing 20 includes an upper casing 20A and a lower casing 20B formed of plastic. The casing 20 in the figure has the bottom surface side joined to the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1 and the second battery pack 3B is mounted on the top surface side. Therefore, the casing 20 forms the mounted portion 29 to be joined to the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1 on the bottom surface of the lower casing 20B, and the second battery pack 3B is detachable on the upper surface of the upper casing 20A. A sub-mounting portion 21 to be set is formed.

(Attached part 29)
The mounted portion 29 of the casing 20 is fitted and joined to the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. Therefore, the mounted portion 29 of the casing 20 is formed in substantially the same shape as the mounted portion 39 of the first battery pack 3A. The mounted portion 39 of the first battery pack 3A shown in the figure is composed of two rows of connecting ridges 39A provided on both sides of the bottom surface and a connecting recess 39B provided between these connecting ridges 39A. Therefore, the mounted portion 29 of the casing 20 is also composed of two rows of connecting ridges 29A provided on both sides of the bottom surface, and a connecting recess 29B provided between these connecting ridges 29A. Accordingly, the mounted portion 29 of the casing 20 can have the outer shape of the two rows of connecting projections 29A along the opposing groove portions 11A, and the inner shape of the connecting recess 29B can guide the opposing connecting projections 11B. The shape is a structure that can be fitted into the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. The adapter 2 is also guided to a fixed position by sliding the connecting ridges 29A provided on both sides of the bottom surface along the groove portions 11A on both sides of the mounting portion 11.

(Sub-mounting part 21)
The sub mounting portion 21 has a concave shape in which the second battery pack 3B mounted here can be fitted, that is, an inner shape along the outer shape of the mounted portion 49 of the second battery pack 3B. The second battery pack 3 </ b> B shown in the drawing has a mounted portion 49 on the bottom side. Therefore, the sub mounting portion 21 is formed in a shape along the bottom surface of the second battery pack 3B. Here, in the second battery pack 3B shown in FIG. 8, the outer shape of the mounted portion 49 is similar to the outer shape of the mounted portion 39 of the first battery pack 3A. Therefore, the sub mounting portion 21 formed on the casing 20 has a shape similar to the mounting portion 11 formed on the outer case 10. However, the mounted portion of the second battery pack may have a completely different shape from the mounted portion of the first battery pack.

  The sub mounting portion 21 shown in the figure has a side wall portion 22 on both sides of the bottom surface, and the entire shape is a groove shape. Further, the sub mounting portion 21 is provided with an opposing wall 23 that protrudes from the upper surface and faces one end surface of the second battery pack 3B to be mounted. That is, the sub-mounting portion 21 has a shape in which both sides are covered with the side wall portion 22 and one end is covered with the opposing wall 23, and the other end is opened, and this one end is inserted into the second battery pack 3B. A side opening 24 is provided. The sub-mounting portion 21 sets the second battery pack 3B at a fixed position while keeping the end of the second battery pack 3B to be mounted on the sub-mounting portion 21 so as to protrude outward from the insertion side opening portion 24. ing. Therefore, the total length of the sub mounting portion 21 is made shorter than the total length of the second battery pack 3B, and the distance between the pair of side wall portions 22 that is the lateral width of the sub mounting portion 21 is substantially equal to the width of the second battery pack 3B. Alternatively, the second battery pack 3 </ b> B can be slid along the side wall portion 22 of the sub mounting portion 21.

  Further, the sub-mounting portion 21 shown in the drawing is provided with a connecting convex portion 21B extending in the insertion direction of the second battery pack 3B in the central portion, and two rows of groove portions 21A parallel to each other on both sides of the connecting convex portion 21B. Is provided. The second battery pack 3B shown in FIG. 8 has a mounting portion 49 formed on the bottom surface of the battery case 41, and two rows of connecting ridges 49A provided on both sides, and between these connecting ridges 49A. It is formed by the provided connecting recess 49B. Therefore, the sub-mounting portion 21 has an inner shape of the two rows of groove portions 21A along the opposing connecting projections 49A, and a shape that can guide the outer shape of the connecting projection 21B to the opposing connecting recesses 49B. The mounting portion 49 of the second battery pack 3B can be fitted. The second battery pack 3B shown in the drawing approximates the cross-sectional shape of the connecting ridge 49A to a semicircular shape that follows the outer shape of the cylindrical secondary battery 30 incorporated therein. The cross-sectional shape of 21A is also approximated to the semicircular shape of the connecting ridge 49A. The sub-mounting portion 21 guides the connecting protrusion 49A provided on the second battery pack 3B to a fixed position by sliding along the groove portion 11A.

(Adapter side connection terminal 25)
Further, the sub mounting portion 21 includes an adapter side connection terminal 25 connected to the external terminal 46 of the second battery pack 3B mounted here. The adapter side connection terminal 25 is located at a position facing the external terminal 46 provided on the second battery pack 3B and is exposed from the facing wall 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the second battery pack 3 </ b> B is unevenly distributed on the left side toward the end surface 41 </ b> X facing the facing wall 23 and is provided with a connector 44 for the external terminal 46. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the sub-mounting portion 21 of the casing 20 is unevenly distributed on the right side of the facing wall 23 to provide the adapter-side connection terminal 25. The adapter side connection terminal 25 is connected to the external terminal 46 of the second battery pack 3B set in the sub-mounting portion 21, and supplies charging power to the second battery pack 3B, or the second battery pack 3B. Various signals input from the pack 3B are detected. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the external terminals 46 of the second battery pack 3B and the external terminals 36 of the first battery pack 3A have the same shape. Therefore, the adapter side connection terminal 25 provided in the sub mounting portion 21 can be made of the same material, shape, and structure as the connection terminal 15 provided in the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. However, when the external terminal of the second battery pack has a different shape from the external terminal of the first battery pack, the shape of the adapter side connection terminal of the sub-mounting part connects the external terminal of the second battery pack. Change as appropriate.

  Similarly to the connection terminal 15 described above, the adapter-side connection terminal 25 also has a plurality of plate-like metal plates 25A arranged side by side in a row (in the horizontal direction in the figure). The adapter side connection terminals 25 are arranged in a parallel posture with the plate-shaped metal plates 25A having substantially the same outer shape. The plate-shaped metal plate 25A is arranged in a posture perpendicular to the opposing wall 23 of the sub mounting portion 21 and along the insertion direction of the second battery pack 3B. In the adapter 2 shown in the drawing, a plurality of metal plates 25A are fixed to a terminal holder 65, and the plurality of metal plates 25A are arranged in a predetermined posture via the terminal holder 65. Thus, by arranging the metal plate 25A fixed to the terminal holder 65 in a posture extended in the mounting direction of the second battery pack 3B, the external terminal 46 is mounted by the mounting operation of the second battery pack 3B. Each metal plate 25A of the adapter side connection terminal 25 can be smoothly inserted and connected to each vertical slit 44a provided in the connector 44. The sub-mounting portion 21 shown in the figure has an opening wall 23 </ b> A in the facing wall 23 for inserting and exposing a terminal holder 65 to which a plurality of metal plates 25 </ b> A are fixed.

  Further, the sub-mounting portion 21 in the figure is provided with a stepped convex portion 28 which is located below the exposing window 23A and protrudes along the boundary between the opposing wall 23 and the bottom surface. The step convex portion 28 is provided so as to face the step concave portion 48 provided along the boundary between the end surface 41X and the bottom surface of the battery case 41 of the second battery pack 3B. The second battery pack 3B is set at a fixed position of the sub mounting portion 21. As shown in FIG. 8, the second battery pack 3 </ b> B has an opening window 43 opened along the boundary between the end surface 41 </ b> X of the battery case 41 and the stepped recess 48, and the external window 46 is connected to the opening window 43. A connector 44 is arranged.

  The adapter side connection terminal 25 made of a plurality of metal plates 25A also has positive and negative charging terminals 25a arranged on both sides, and a communication terminal 25b that is a non-charging terminal is arranged between these charging terminals 25a. The charging terminal 25a is a positive / negative high voltage terminal for charging the secondary battery 30 built in the second battery pack 3B. The communication terminal 25b is a signal terminal that transmits battery information to and from the second battery pack 3B.

(Adapter side external terminal 26)
Furthermore, the adapter 2 includes an adapter-side external terminal 26 that is connected to the connection terminal 15 provided in the mounting portion 11 in a state of being mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. The adapter 2 shown in the figure is an end surface 20X of the casing 20 and is exposed to the outside of the opposing wall 23 and includes an adapter-side external terminal 26. The adapter-side external terminal 26 faces the end face wall 13 of the mounting portion 11 so as to be connected to the connection terminal 15 provided in the mounting portion 11 in a state where the casing 20 is mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10. 20X. As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10 is unevenly distributed on the left side toward the end face wall 13 to provide the connection terminals 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the casing 20 is unevenly distributed on the right side toward the end face 20 </ b> X and is provided with the connector 64 of the adapter-side external terminal 26. The adapter-side external terminal 26 is connected to the connection terminal 15 of the mounting unit 11 in a state of being set on the mounting unit 11.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the external terminal 36 of the first battery pack 3A and the adapter-side external terminal 26 of the casing 20 have the same shape. That is, the adapter-side external terminal 26 has a plurality of contacts 26 </ b> A (see FIG. 9) fixed at fixed positions by the connector 64, similarly to the external terminal 36. The connector 64 is provided with a plurality of rows of vertical slits 64a in parallel, and a contact 26A is fixed inside the vertical slit 64a to serve as the adapter-side external terminal 26. The adapter-side external terminals 26 having a plurality of contacts 26A are sandwiched and electrically connected to each other while pressing the metal plate 15A of the connection terminal 15 inserted into the longitudinal slit 64a of the connector 64 from both sides. As shown in FIG. 9, the adapter-side external terminal 26 connected to the connection terminal 15 has positive and negative charging terminals 26a arranged on both sides, and a communication terminal 26b which is a non-charging terminal is arranged between these charging terminals 26a. doing. The charging terminal 26a is a positive / negative high voltage terminal for charging the secondary battery 30 built in the second battery pack 3B. The communication terminal 26b is a signal terminal that transmits battery information to and from the second battery pack 3B.

  In the casing 20, a counter window 23 </ b> B into which the connector 64 is inserted and exposed is opened in the counter wall 23. Further, the casing 20 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a stepped concave portion 27 along the boundary between the end surface 20X and the bottom surface below the counter window 23B. The casing 20 is set to a fixed position of the mounting portion 11 by guiding the step convex portion 17 provided in the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10 to the step concave portion 27.

  The adapter side connection terminal 25 provided in the sub mounting portion 21 and the adapter side external terminal 26 exposed from the end face 20 </ b> X of the casing 20 are connected to each other inside the casing 20. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, the casing 20 has a printed circuit board 66 disposed inside the facing wall 23, and is located above and below the printed circuit board 66 on the opposite surfaces. The terminal holder 65 of the adapter side connection terminal 25 and the connector 64 of the adapter side external terminal 26 are fixed. As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal holder 65 and the connector 64 fixed to the printed circuit board 66 are charged positively and negatively through the connection line 67 provided on the printed circuit board 66 and the adapter side connection terminal 25 and the adapter side external terminal 26. The terminals 25a and 26a are connected to each other, and the communication terminals 25b and 26b of the adapter side connection terminal 25 and the adapter side external terminal 26 are connected to each other.

  The above adapter 2 is attached to the attachment portion 11 of the charger main body 1 when charging the second battery pack 3B. In the adapter 2, the adapter-side external terminal 26 exposed from the casing 20 is connected to the connection terminal 15 provided in the mounting portion 11 in a state where the mounted portion 29 is joined to the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1. . Further, in the adapter 2, the second battery pack 3 </ b> B is attached to the adapter side attachment portion 21, and the external terminal 46 of the second battery pack 3 </ b> B is connected to the adapter side connection terminal 25 provided in the adapter side attachment portion 21. The In this state, the second battery pack 3 </ b> B is connected to the connection terminal 15 of the charger main body 1 via the adapter 2 and supplied with power from the charging circuit 5 to be charged.

  In the adapter 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the facing wall 23 provided on the upper surface of the casing 20 is mounted in a posture facing the end wall 13 provided in the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1. The adapter 2 shown in the figure has a shape in which the upper portion of the opposing wall 23 projects upward from the upper surface of the end wall 13 in a state where the adapter 2 is mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the charger body 1. The adapter 2 having this shape can be easily removed by pressing the upper part of the opposing wall 23 protruding from the end wall 13 in the direction of removing the second battery pack 3B.

(Notch 22A)
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the adapter 2 has side wall portions 22 provided along both sides of the sub mounting portion 21 of the casing 20 in a state where the adapter 2 is mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1. The shape protrudes on both sides of the mounting portion 11. Further, the side wall portion 22 of the casing 20 is provided with a notch 22A at a position facing the operation button 60 provided on the upper surface of the charger main body 1 in a state where the adapter 2 is attached to the attachment portion 11. The notch 22A has a shape in which the side wall 22 is notched so as to open the upper side of the operation button 60, and the user can operate the operation button 60 through the notch 22A without difficulty. The notch 22A shown in FIG. 2 has the side wall 22 notched in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the operation button 60. The cutout portion 22A having this shape opens the upper side of the operation button 60 most effectively, so that the operation button 60 can be reliably operated. Furthermore, the adapter 2 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a notch 22 </ b> A at a portion facing the side wall 22 provided on both sides of the sub mounting portion 21. Even when the adapter 2 is attached to any of the attachment portions 2 provided on both sides of the upper surface of the outer case 10, the upper portion of the operation button 60 can be opened by either the left or right cutout portion 22A. Further, the adapter 2 can be easily removed by grasping the notch 22A by using the notch 22A formed on both sides as a knob.

(Water drain hole 20m)
The adapter 2 described above has a protruding portion 2T that protrudes from the outer case 10 in a state of being mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the charger main body 1. The adapter 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is attached to the attachment portion 11 of the charger main body 1, and is on the insertion side open portion 14 side of the second battery pack 3 </ b> B that is the end opposite to the facing wall 23. The end of each of the two has a shape protruding outward from the outer case 10. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the adapter 2 has a water drain hole 20 m that penetrates the bottom surface of the protruding portion 2 </ b> T and discharges the water in the casing 20 to the outside. The adapter 2 shown in the figure has a drain hole 20m at the center of the end of the lower casing 20B. With this structure, water that enters the casing 20 from the outside and condensed water that occurs in the casing 20 due to a temperature difference can be discharged to the outside from the drain hole 20m. In particular, since the adapter 2 has the water drain hole 20m opened in the protruding portion 2T protruding from the outer case 10 in a state of being mounted on the mounting portion 11, water discharged from the water drain hole 20m is attached to the mounting portion 11. It is possible to effectively prevent an adverse effect caused by flowing inside. Furthermore, the adapter 2 shown in the figure is the bottom surface of the projecting portion 2T, and is located near the wall on the projecting portion 2T side so as to open the drain hole 20m. There is also a feature that the water in the casing 20 can be forcibly discharged to the outside through the water drain hole 20m using the above.

  Here, although the adapter 2 shown in the drawing will be described in detail later, water may enter the inside through a gap 74 around the lock claw 98 provided on the connecting convex portion 21B of the sub mounting portion 21. The water that has entered from the gap 74 flows down in the casing 20 and is discharged to the outside through the drain hole 20m. 3, 5, and 6, the guide rib 76 is formed on the inner surface of the lower casing 20 </ b> B so that water entering from the gap 74 around the lock claw 98 can be smoothly guided to the drain hole 20 m. doing. With this structure, water entering from the gap 74 around the lock claw 98 can smoothly flow down to the drain hole 20m and be discharged to the outside.

  On the other hand, with respect to the gap 74 around the lock claw 88 provided on the connecting convex portion 11B of the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10, as shown in FIGS. The waterproof sheet 75 is fixed and closed. With this structure, the waterproof sheet 75 can reliably prevent water from entering the inside of the outer case 10 through the gap 74. Here, with respect to the adapter 2 as well, the inner surface side of the gap 74 around the lock claw 98 provided in the sub-mounting portion 21 is closed with a waterproof sheet to prevent water from entering through the gap 74. it can. However, as shown in the figure, the adapter 2 does not include electronic components or the like that are vulnerable to water inside the casing 20, so there is no problem even if some water enters the inside. For this reason, a manufacturing cost can be reduced by omitting a waterproof sheet and making it the structure which drains from a drain hole.

(Mounting guides 80, 90)
4, 6, 7, and 8 prevent the different types of battery packs 3 from being erroneously attached to the attachment portion 11 of the outer case 10, and are subject to attachment. In order to slide the first battery pack 3A or the adapter 2 in the correct posture along the bottom surface of the mounting portion 11, the mounting portions 39 and 29 of the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 are opposed to the mounting portion 11. A mounting guide 80 is provided on the surface. The mounting guide 80 shown in the figure includes a guide groove 81 provided in the insertion direction of the first battery pack 3 </ b> A and the adapter 2, and a guide convex portion 82 guided by the guide groove 81. The mounting portion 11 shown in the drawing is provided with guide grooves 81 on both sides of the upper surface of the connecting convex portion 11B, and guide convex portions 82 guided by the guide grooves 81 on the bottom surfaces of the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2. Is provided.

  The connecting convex portion 11B shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a shallow and short first guide groove 81A on the left end face wall side in the drawing and a deep and long second guide groove 81B on the right side. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 are located at positions facing the first guide groove 81A and on the side of the end surfaces 31X and 20X, and the first guide convex portion having a low height. 82A is provided, and a plurality of second guide protrusions 82B having a high height are provided at positions facing the second guide groove 81B. The above mounting guide 80 guides the first guide convex portion 82A to the first guide groove 81A and guides the plurality of second guide convex portions 82B to the second guide groove 81B. The battery pack 3 </ b> A or the adapter 2 is disposed on the mounting portion 11, and the guide convex portion 82 is slid along the guide groove 81 to be mounted at a fixed position. The mounting guide 80 allows the sliding range of the first battery pack 3A or the adapter 2 in a state where the guide convex portion 82 moves along the guide groove 81, and the guide convex portion 82 contacts the end surface of the guide groove 81. The slide range of the first battery pack 3A or the adapter 2 is specified in the state of contact.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the guide groove 81 is provided on the mounting portion 11 side and the guide convex portion 82 is provided on the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 side has been described. For example, a guide groove may be provided on the first battery pack and the adapter side, and a guide convex portion may be provided on the mounting portion side.

  4, 6, 7, and 8 prevent the battery pack 3 of a different type from being erroneously attached to the sub attachment portion 21 of the adapter 2 and become an attachment target. In order to slide the second battery pack 3B in a correct posture along the bottom surface of the sub-mounting portion 21, a mounting guide 90 is provided on the facing surface between the mounted portion 49 and the sub-mounting portion 21 of the second battery pack 3B. ing. The mounting guide 90 shown in the figure includes a guide groove 91 provided in the insertion direction of the second battery pack 3 </ b> B, and a guide convex portion 92 guided in the guide groove 91. The sub mounting portion 21 shown in the figure is provided with guide grooves 91 on both sides of the upper surface of the connecting convex portion 21B, and a guide convex portion 92 guided by the guide groove 91 is provided on the bottom surface of the second battery pack 3B. ing.

  The connection convex part 21B shown in FIG. 7 has a shallow and short guide groove 91 at the left and right opposing positions in the center part. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the second battery pack 3 </ b> B is provided with a guide protrusion 92 having a low height at a position facing the guide groove 91. In the mounting guide 90 described above, the second battery pack 3B is disposed in the sub mounting portion 21 in a state where the guide convex portion 92 is guided to the guide groove 91, and the guide convex portion 92 is slid along the guide groove 91. Install in place. The mounting guide 90 allows the sliding range of the second battery pack 3B in a state where the guide convex portion 92 moves along the guide groove 91, and in a state where the guide convex portion 92 contacts the end surface of the guide groove 91. The slide range of the second battery pack 3B is specified.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the guide groove 91 is provided on the sub-mounting portion 21 side and the guide convex portion 92 is provided on the second battery pack 3B side is described. However, the configuration is not limited to this, For example, a guide groove may be provided on the second battery pack side, and a guide protrusion may be provided on the sub mounting portion side.

  As described above, the mounting portions 39 and 29 of the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 and the mounting portions 49 of the second battery pack 3B are mounted via the mounting guides 80 and 90 having different shapes. The structure that distinguishes the target mounting portion 11 and the sub mounting portion 21 can reliably prevent a different type of battery pack 3 from being erroneously mounted on the mounting portion 11 or the sub mounting portion 21. However, the mounting guide is not necessarily limited to the above-described structure, and may be any other structure that can guide different types of battery packs while reliably distinguishing between the mounting portion and the sub-mounting portion.

(Coupling mechanism 8)
Further, the charging device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to 8 mechanically connects the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 to the mounting portion 11, and connects the second battery pack 3B to the sub-mounting portion 21. A connecting mechanism 8 is provided for mechanically connecting the two. The connection mechanism 8 includes fitting mechanisms 83 and 93 that prevent the battery pack 3 and the adapter 2 attached to the attachment part 11 and the sub attachment part 21 from being lifted off from the bottom surface of the attachment part 11 or the sub attachment part 21. The battery pack 3 and the adapter 2 mounted at fixed positions by the fitting mechanisms 83 and 93 are provided with locking mechanisms 87 and 97 for holding the fixed positions. In the connection mechanism 8 shown below, the connection mechanism 8 that connects the first battery pack 3A to the mounting portion 11 is the first connection mechanism 8A, and the connection mechanism 8 that connects the adapter 2 to the mounting portion 11 is the adapter connection. The mechanism 8B is used, and the connecting mechanism 8 that connects the second battery pack 3B to the sub mounting portion 21 is the second connecting mechanism 8C.

  The fitting mechanisms 83 and 93 include a pair of locking ribs 84 and 94 provided to protrude from the connection recesses 39B, 49B and 29B of the mounted portions 39, 49 and 29 which are the bottom surfaces of the battery pack 3 or the adapter 2. A pair of insertion ribs 86 and 96 provided on the connecting projections 11B and 21B of the mounting portion 11 or the sub mounting portion 21 so as to face the locking ribs 84 and 94.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the locking ribs 86 and 96 are formed in a shape having horizontal portions 86 </ b> A and 96 </ b> A extending in the horizontal direction with the longitudinal cross-sectional shape being L-shaped. The locking ribs 86, 96 extend the horizontal portions 86A, 96A in the insertion direction of the battery pack 3 and the adapter 2 and, as shown in FIG. 3, from the connecting projections 39A, 49A, 29A on both sides toward the center. It has a shape that protrudes toward it. The engaging ribs 84 and 94 are formed with fitting grooves 85 and 95 extending in the insertion direction of the battery pack 3 and the adapter 2 inside the horizontal portions 84A and 94A, and are inserted into the fitting grooves 85 and 95, respectively. Ribs 86 and 96 are inserted so that they can be fitted.

  The insertion ribs 86 and 96 are shaped to protrude from both sides of the upper surface at the ends of the connecting projections 11B and 21B of the mounting portion 11 or the sub mounting portion 21, and are eaves extending in the direction of pulling out the battery pack 3 and the adapter 2. It is molded into a shape. The connecting convex portions 11B and 21B shown in the figure are formed with a pair of insertion ribs 86 and 96 protruding on both sides, and the pair of insertion ribs 86 and 96 are guided to the pair of fitting grooves 85 and 95. It is made to connect with the fitting structure.

  Since the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 are both mounted on the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10, the locking ribs 84 of the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 are mounted as shown in FIG. It is the same position of the connection recessed parts 39B and 29B of the part 39 and 29, Comprising: It shape | molds in a substantially equal shape. Thereby, the first battery pack 3 </ b> A and the adapter 2 are detachably connected to the mounting portion 11 of the outer case 10.

  The above-described fitting mechanisms 83 and 93 are configured such that the insertion rib 86 is fitted into the fitting groove 85 in a state where the first battery pack 3A and the adapter 2 are attached to the attachment portion 11 of the outer case 10, or the second battery. In a state where the pack 3B is mounted on the sub mounting portion 21 of the casing 20, the insertion rib 96 is fitted into the fitting groove 95 and fitted.

  The locking mechanisms 87 and 97 hold the battery pack 3 or the adapter 2 connected to the fixed position of the mounting portion 11 or the sub mounting portion 21 by the fitting mechanisms 83 and 93 in a fixed position by the locking structure. The locking mechanisms 87 and 97 shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 include lock claws 88 and 98 that are integrally formed at the insertion side opening portions 14 and 24 of the connection convex portions 11 </ b> B and 21 </ b> B. The locking claws 88 and 98 are opposed to the locking portions 89 and 99 provided in the connection recesses 39B, 49B and 29B of the battery pack 3 or the adapter 2.

  The lock claws 88 and 98 include elastic arm portions 88A and 98A that elastically deform the tip portions in the vertical direction. The elastic arms 88A and 98A are connected at their rear ends integrally with the connecting projections 11B and 21B, and hooks 88B and 98B projecting upward are provided at the tips of the elastic arms 88A and 98A. Provided. The lock claws 88 and 98 shown in the figure are integrally formed on the upper surfaces of the connecting convex portions 11B and 21B, and the outer periphery excluding the rear end is formed into a shape that separates from the surroundings, and the elastic arm portions 88A and 98A are elastically deformed. I can do it. The lock claws 88 and 98 shown in FIG. 3 are provided with a gap 74 around the periphery excluding the rear end, and are separated from the upper surfaces of the connecting projections 11B and 21B by the gap 74 to elastically deform the elastic arms 88A and 98A. I can do it.

  The locking portions 89 and 99 are convex portions that protrude from the bottom surface at the central portions of the connection concave portions 39B, 49B, and 29B, and the lock claws 88 and 98 are in a state where the battery pack 3 and the adapter 2 are mounted at fixed positions. The hook portions 88B and 98B are formed at positions where they can be locked. Further, the locking portions 89 and 99, which are convex portions, elastically deform the elastic arm portions 88A and 98A so that the hook portions 88B and 98B can be attached and detached in a moderate state. The locking mechanisms 87 and 97 determine the attachment / detachment force with respect to the mounting portion 11 and the sub mounting portion 21 depending on the degree of moderation of the lock claws 88 and 98 and the locking portions 89 and 99.

  The locking mechanisms 87 and 97 make the attaching / detaching force of the adapter connecting mechanism 8B larger than the attaching / detaching force of the second connecting mechanism 8C, thereby making it difficult to remove the adapter 2 from the second battery pack 3B. As described above, the structure for providing a difference in the attaching / detaching force between the adapter 2 and the second battery pack 3B is simple only for the second battery pack 3B while the attaching / detaching direction of the adapter 2 and the second battery pack 3B is the same direction. It is possible to effectively prevent the adapter 2 from being removed together.

  For example, the connection mechanism 8 is configured such that the height of the locking portion 89 provided on the bottom surface of the adapter 2 is higher than the height of the locking portion 99 provided on the bottom surface of the second battery pack 3B. The attaching / detaching force can be made larger than the attaching / detaching force of the second coupling mechanism 8C. Further, the connecting mechanism 8 uses the protruding amount of the hook portion 98B of the locking claw 98 provided on the connecting convex portion 21B of the sub mounting portion 21 as the protruding amount of the hook portion 88B of the locking claw 88 provided on the connecting convex portion 11B of the mounting portion 11. The attachment / detachment force of the adapter connection mechanism 8B can be made larger than the attachment / detachment force of the second connection mechanism 8C. Further, the connection mechanism 8 uses the elastic modulus of the elastic arm portion 98A of the lock claw 98 provided on the connection convex portion 21B of the sub attachment portion 21 to the elastic arm portion 88A of the lock claw 88 provided on the connection convex portion 11B of the attachment portion 11. By making it smaller than the elastic modulus, the attaching / detaching force of the adapter connecting mechanism 8B can be made larger than the attaching / detaching force of the second connecting mechanism 8C. The lock claws 88 and 98 can adjust the elastic modulus by changing the length, thickness or width of the elastic arm portions 88A and 98A, for example.

  The charging device according to the present invention can be suitably used as a charging device for different types of battery packs that are mounted on a plurality of battery-driven devices having different specifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Charging apparatus 1 ... Charger main body 2 ... Adapter 2T ... Protruding part 3 ... Battery pack 3A ... First battery pack
3B ... Second battery pack 5 ... Charging circuit 8 ... Connection mechanism 8A ... First connection mechanism
8B ... Adapter connection mechanism
8C ... Second coupling mechanism 10 ... Outer case 10A ... Upper case
10a ... Display window
10B ... Lower case 11 ... Mounting part 11A ... Groove part
11B: Connection convex part 12 ... Side wall 13 ... End face wall 13A ... Opening window 14 ... Insertion side opening part 15 ... Connection terminal 15A ... Metal plate
15a ... charging terminal
15b ... Communication terminal 17 ... Convex projection 20 ... Casing 20A ... Upper casing
20B ... Lower casing
20X ... end face
20 m ... drain hole 21 ... sub-mounting part 21A ... groove part
21B: Connection convex part 22 ... Side wall part 22A ... Notch part 23 ... Opposite wall 23A ... Opening window
23B ... Opposing window 24 ... Insertion side opening 25 ... Adapter side connection terminal 25A ... Metal plate
25a ... Charging terminal
25b ... Communication terminal 26 ... Adapter side external terminal 26A ... Elastic contact
26a ... charging terminal
26b ... Communication terminal 27 ... Step recess 28 ... Step projection 29 ... Mounted portion 29A ... Connecting projection
29B ... Connection recess 30 ... Secondary battery 31 ... Battery case 31X ... End face 32 ... Protection circuit 33 ... Terminal window 34 ... Connector 34a ... Vertical slit 35 ... Control part 36 ... External terminal 36A ... Contact
36a ... Charge / discharge terminal
36b ... Communication terminal 37 ... Step recess 38 ... Charge / discharge switch 39 ... Attached part 39A ... Connecting protrusion
39B ... Connection recess 41 ... Battery case 41X ... End face 43 ... Terminal window 44 ... Connector 44a ... Vertical slit 46 ... External terminal 46A ... Contact
46a ... Charge / discharge terminal
46b ... Communication terminal 48 ... Step recess 49 ... Attached part 49A ... Connecting protrusion
49B ... Connection recess 51 ... Rectifier circuit 52 ... Smoothing circuit 52A ... Electrolytic capacitor 53 ... Charge control circuit 54 ... Control circuit 55 ... Discharge circuit 56 ... Discharge resistor 57 ... Discharge switch 58 ... Charge switch 59 ... Memory 60 ... Operation button 60A ... Push button 61 ... Main circuit board 62 ... Sub circuit board 63 ... Terminal holder 64 ... Connector 64a ... Vertical slit 65 ... Terminal holder 66 ... Printed circuit board 67 ... Connection line 68 ... Plunger switch 70 ... Display unit 71 ... Light source 71A ... LED
72 ... Lighting circuit 73 ... Lamp reader 74 ... Gap 75 ... Waterproof sheet 76 ... Division rib 80 ... Mounting guide 81 ... Guide groove 81A ... First guide groove
81B ... Second guide groove 82 ... Guide convex portion 82A ... First guide convex portion
82B ... Second guide convex portion 83 ... Fitting mechanism 84 ... Locking rib 84A ... Horizontal portion 85 ... Fitting groove 86 ... Insertion rib 87 ... Locking mechanism 88 ... Lock claw 88A ... Elastic arm portion
88B ... Hook part 89 ... Locking part 90 ... Mounting guide 91 ... Guide groove 92 ... Guide convex part 93 ... Fitting mechanism 94 ... Locking rib 94A ... Horizontal part 95 ... Fitting groove 96 ... Insertion rib 97 ... Locking mechanism 98 ... Lock claw 98A ... Elastic arm
98B ... Hook part 99 ... Locking part

Claims (10)

An outer case having a mounting portion on the top surface for detachably mounting the first battery pack to be charged;
A charging circuit built in the outer case;
A charging device comprising an adapter that is detachably attached to the attachment part,
The adapter is
A casing,
A part of the casing, and a mounted part to be joined when mounted on the mounting part;
A charging device comprising: a sub-mounting portion that is provided in a portion different from the mounted portion of the casing and detachably mounts a second battery pack having a shape different from that of the first battery pack. apparatus. The charging device according to claim 1,
The outer case is provided with a connection terminal to which an external terminal provided in the first battery pack is connected to the mounting portion,
The adapter includes an adapter-side external terminal that is connected to the connection terminal on the casing, and an adapter-side connection terminal that is connected to the external terminal provided on the second battery pack is displayed on the sub-mounting portion. We have prepared
The charging device, wherein the adapter-side external terminal and the adapter-side connection terminal are connected inside the casing. The charging device according to claim 1 or 2,
The casing has a protruding portion protruding from the outer case in a state where the adapter is mounted on a mounting portion of the outer case,
The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is formed with a drain hole for discharging water in the casing on a bottom surface thereof. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The outer case includes an operation button on an upper surface, and the operation button is disposed adjacent to the mounting portion.
The casing includes side wall portions along both sides of the sub mounting portion,
The side wall portion has a shape protruding on both sides of the mounting portion in a state where the adapter is mounted on the mounting portion of the outer case, and a cutout portion is formed at a position facing the operation button, The charging device is characterized in that the notch has a shape that opens above the operation button. The charging device according to claim 4,
The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the notch is formed in a portion facing the side wall provided on both sides of the sub mounting portion. The charging device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
The outer case has a built-in discharge circuit that discharges the battery pack to be installed,
The charging device, wherein the operation button is a push button for starting calibration of a battery pack to be mounted. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The outer case detachably fixes the adapter mounted on the mounting portion via an adapter connection mechanism,
The adapter is configured to removably fix the second battery pack attached to the sub attachment part via a second connection mechanism,
A charging device, wherein the adapter connecting mechanism has a detaching force larger than that of the second connecting mechanism so that the adapter is more difficult to remove the second battery pack. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The charging device, wherein the outer case includes a plurality of the mounting portions. The charging device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the outer case includes mounting portions on both sides of the upper surface, and the operation buttons are provided between the mounting portions adjacent to each other. A charger adapter for charging by mounting the first battery pack, a charger adapter that can be mounted on a mounting portion for mounting the first battery pack,
A casing,
A part of the casing, and a mounted part to be joined when the mounting part is mounted;
A charger adapter, comprising: a sub-mounting portion for detachably mounting a second battery pack having a shape different from that of the first battery pack at a portion different from the mounted portion of the casing.

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