JP2023173825A - Electric equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving the visibility of a display part.SOLUTION: Electric equipment comprises a housing, a first light-emitting element and a display part. The housing comprises a lens fitting part. The display part comprises a lens which is fitted to the lens fitting part, and lit up by the first light-emitting element. The lens comprises a base part and an inside projection part. The inside projection part comprises a projection surface, a first connection surface which connects an end of the projection surface on a first side in a first direction to a surface of the base part on the side of the first light-emitting element, and a second connection surface which connects an end part of the projection surface on a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction to the surface of the base part on the side of the first light-emitting element. Viewing a cross section, including the first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and a second direction, of a center part of the projection surface in the second direction, the first connection surface and the second connection surface are inclined to the projection surface. An optical axis of the first light-emitting element passes the projection surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to electrical equipment.

Patent Document 1 discloses a charger that includes a housing, a light emitting element housed inside the housing, and a display section provided in the housing. The housing includes a lens mounting groove. The display section is attached to the lens attachment groove and includes a lens that is lit by a light emitting element. The lens includes a base and a lower protrusion that protrudes from the lower surface of the base when the lens is attached to the lens mount.

JP2021-44888A

In the charger of Patent Document 1, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element along the optical axis of the light emitting element (hereinafter referred to as "light amount") is tilted from the light emitting element to the optical axis of the light emitting element. The amount of light irradiated in the direction of In this case, in the lens, the brightness of the area illuminated by the light that is irradiated in the direction along the optical axis of the light emitting element and passes through the lower protrusion is different from the brightness of the area that is illuminated in the direction oblique to the optical axis of the light emitting element, and the lower part The brightness will be lower than the brightness of the area illuminated by the light passing through the protrusion. In this case, the visibility of the display section will deteriorate.

This specification provides a technique that can improve the visibility of a display unit.

The electrical device disclosed in this specification may include a housing, a first light emitting element housed inside the housing, and a display section provided in the housing. The housing may include a lens attachment part. The display section may include a lens attached to the lens attachment section and lit by the first light emitting element. The lens may include a base and an inner protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side when the lens is attached to the lens attachment part. The inner protrusion is spaced apart from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side, and includes a protrusion surface extending in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the protrusion in the first direction. a first connection surface that connects an end of the first side of the surface and a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side; and a first connection surface that connects the end of the first side of the surface with the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side; The light emitting device may further include a second connection surface that connects the second side end and the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side. When looking at a cross section including the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction at the central portion of the protruding surface in the second direction, the first connection surface , and the second connection surface may be inclined with respect to the protrusion surface. The optical axis of the first light emitting element may pass through the protruding surface.

According to the above configuration, among the light emitted from the first light emitting element, the light incident on the first connection surface and the second connection surface of the lens is emitted in a direction along the optical axis of the first light emitting element. , can be refracted towards light passing through the protruding surface. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed toward the area illuminated by the light that is irradiated in the direction along the optical axis of the first light emitting element and passes through the protruding surface, and the brightness of the area can be increased. Therefore, visibility of the display section can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charger 2 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the front left and upper side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the charger 2 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the front. It is a figure showing an outline of LED36 concerning a 1st example. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens 32 according to the first embodiment, seen from the front left and upper side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lens 32 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the front left and lower side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the charger 2 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the left. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charger 2 with the lens 32 removed, viewed from the front left and upper side in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of a lens according to a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of the lens 32 according to the first example. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a charger 202 according to a second embodiment, viewed from the front left and upper side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lens 232 according to a second embodiment, viewed from the front left and upper side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lens 232 according to a second embodiment, viewed from the front left and lower side. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a charger 202 according to a second embodiment, viewed from the left. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a charger 202 according to a second embodiment, viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the charger 202 with a lens 232 removed, viewed from the front left and upper side in the second embodiment.

Representative and non-limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to provide those skilled in the art with details for implementing the preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the additional features and inventions disclosed can be used separately or in conjunction with other features and inventions to provide further improved electrical equipment.

Furthermore, the features and combinations of steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential to practicing the invention in its broadest sense, and are intended solely for the purpose of specifically illustrating representative embodiments of the invention. shall be described. Moreover, various features of the exemplary embodiments below, as well as those recited in the claims, are described herein in providing additional and useful embodiments of the invention. They do not have to be combined exactly as shown in the specific examples or in the order listed.

All features recited in the specification and/or claims are included in the original disclosure and in the claims, independently of the embodiments and/or the features recited in the claims. are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other as limitations to the specific matters identified. Furthermore, all references to numerical ranges and groups or populations are intended to be used as limitations on the specific subject matter recited in the original disclosure and claims, and are intended to disclose intermediate configurations thereof.

In one or more embodiments, an electrical device may include a housing, a first light emitting element housed inside the housing, and a display section provided in the housing. The housing may include a lens attachment part. The display section may include a lens attached to the lens attachment section and lit by the first light emitting element. The lens may include a base and an inner protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side when the lens is attached to the lens attachment part. The inner protrusion is spaced apart from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side, and includes a protrusion surface extending in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the protrusion in the first direction. a first connection surface that connects an end of the first side of the surface and a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side; and a first connection surface that connects the end of the first side of the surface with the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side; The light emitting device may further include a second connection surface that connects the second side end and the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side. When looking at a cross section including the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction at the central portion of the protruding surface in the second direction, the first connection surface , and the second connection surface may be inclined with respect to the protrusion surface. The optical axis of the first light emitting element may pass through the protruding surface.

In one or more embodiments, the optical axis of the first light emitting element may extend perpendicularly to the protruding surface.

According to the above configuration, light incident on the protruding surface along the optical axis of the light emitting element passes through the protruding surface without being refracted. In this case, compared to a configuration in which the optical axis of the first light emitting element is inclined with respect to the protruding surface, that is, a configuration in which light incident on the protruding surface is refracted along the optical axis of the light emitting element, the first The brightness of the area illuminated by the light emitted in the direction along the optical axis of the light emitting element can be increased.

In one or more embodiments, when looking at the cross section, the optical axis of the first light emitting element is located between an end on the first side and an end on the second side of the protruding surface. It may pass through the center position between.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to increase the amount of light that passes through the protrusion surface, the first connection surface, and the second connection surface among the light emitted from the first light emitting element. Therefore, the lens can be illuminated more clearly, and the visibility of the display section can be further improved.

In one or more embodiments, a first inclination angle of the first connecting surface relative to the protruding surface when viewed in the cross section, the angle being inclined from the protruding surface toward the first side. The first inclination angle is the same as the second inclination angle, which is a second inclination angle of the second connection surface with respect to the protrusion surface and is an angle inclined from the protrusion surface toward the second side. But that's fine.

According to the above configuration, the amount of light that is refracted by entering the first connection surface and the amount of light that is refracted by entering the second connection surface can be made equal. Therefore, the first side and the second side of the area illuminated by the light emitted in the direction along the optical axis of the first light emitting element and passing through the protruding surface can be equally illuminated. Therefore, the visibility of the display section can be further improved.

In one or more embodiments, when looking at the cross section, the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side in the state where the lens is attached to the lens attachment part is the first light emitting element. may be inclined with respect to the optical axis.

According to the above configuration, the lens can be attached to the housing while the lower surface of the base of the lens is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the first light emitting element. Therefore, the degree of freedom in layout of the lens and the first light emitting element can be increased.

In one or more embodiments, the lens includes an outer protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base opposite to a surface on the first light emitting element side when the lens is attached to the lens attachment part. The housing may include the outer protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the housing.

According to the above configuration, visibility when the lens is lit can be improved.

In one or more embodiments, the first light emitting element may emit light in a first color. The electrical device may further include a second light emitting element that emits light in a second color different from the first color.

According to the above configuration, a lighting pattern of two colors can be realized on a single display unit, and more information can be presented to the user compared to a configuration that realizes a lighting pattern of only one color. can.

In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may further include a third light emitting element that emits light in a third color different from the first color and the second color.

According to the above configuration, a lighting pattern of three colors can be realized on a single display unit, and more information can be displayed to the user compared to a configuration that realizes a lighting pattern of one color or a lighting pattern of two colors. can be presented to.

In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may be a charger.

The charger lights up the display section to inform the user of the state of the charger. By improving the visibility of the display unit, it becomes easier for the user to check the status of the charger. According to the above configuration, the visibility of the display section can be improved and is useful.

(First example)
The charger 2 shown in FIG. 1 is used to charge a battery pack (not shown). The battery pack is, for example, a sliding type battery pack that is used by being attached to an electric tool such as a screwdriver or drill, or an electric working machine such as a lawn mower or blower. The battery pack contains, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. The charger 2 can charge the battery pack using power supplied from an external AC power source (not shown) via the power cord 4.

Charger 2 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a lower housing 12 that defines the outer shape of a lower portion of the housing 10, and an upper housing 14 that defines the outer shape of an upper portion of the housing 10. A battery mounting portion 20 is provided on the right side of the upper housing 14. A portion of the upper surface of the upper housing 14 where the battery mounting portion 20 is provided is inclined downward from the rear toward the front. By sliding the battery pack into the battery attachment part 20, the battery pack can be attached to and detached from the charger 2.

A display section 30 is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the upper housing 14 . Among the upper surfaces of the upper housing 14, the left upper surface 14a where the display section 30 is provided is approximately parallel to a plane including the left-right direction and the front-back direction. The display section 30 includes a lens 32. As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board 34 and LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are housed inside the housing 10. The LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are, for example, bullet-shaped LEDs. As shown in FIG. 3, the LED 36 includes a transparent case 42, an LED chip 44, and an LED lens 46. The LED chip 44 and the LED lens 46 are housed within the case 42. The upper part 42a of the case 42 has a hemispherical shape. The LED lens 46 has a shape that follows the outer shape of the upper part 42a of the case 42. The thickness T of the LED lens 46 is the thickest at the center and becomes thinner toward the outside from the center. As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board 34 and the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 are arranged below the display section 30 (specifically, the lens 32). The lens 32 is turned on by light emitted from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. In this embodiment, the LED 36 emits green light, the LED 38 emits blue light, and the LED 40 emits red light. Therefore, the lens 32 can be lit in any one of green, blue, and red. The upper end of the LED 36 is arranged at a lower position than the upper ends of the LEDs 38 and 40, and the upper end of the LED 38 is arranged at a lower position than the upper end of the LED 40. In the display section 30, a label (not shown) is attached to the outer surface of the upper housing 14. The label shows the correspondence between the lighting pattern of the lens 32 and the state of the charger 2. The user of the charger 2 can understand the state of the charger 2 from the lighting pattern of the lens 32.

In this embodiment, the circuit board 34 controls the operations of the LEDs 36, 38, and 40 according to the state of the charger 2, and realizes, for example, the following lighting pattern for the lens 32. When the battery pack is not attached to the charger 2, the lens 32 repeatedly turns on and off in green for a long time. When a battery pack is attached to the charger 2 and before charging of the battery pack is started, the lens 32 repeatedly turns on and off in blue for a long time. While the battery pack is being charged, the lens 32 repeatedly turns on and off in blue for a short time. When the battery pack is fully charged to a practical level, the lens 32 continues to light up in blue. When the battery pack is fully charged, the lens 32 continues to light up in green. When the battery pack is being charged and an abnormality occurs in the cooling system (not shown) housed in the housing 10, the lens 32 turns on and off in red for a short period of time and turns off in blue. Alternately turns on and off for short periods of time. When the battery pack is being charged and an abnormality has occurred in the circuit board 34 or in communication with the battery pack, the lens 32 continues to light in red.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lens 32 includes a base 50, an upper protrusion 52, and a lower protrusion 54 (see FIG. 5). The base 50 has a flat plate shape. The base 50 extends in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Ribs 56 are provided on the front and left surfaces of the base 50. Although not shown, ribs are also provided on the right and rear surfaces of the base 50. The upper protrusion 52 protrudes upward from the upper surface 50a of the base 50. The upper protrusion 52 has an octagonal shape in a cross section including the left-right direction and the front-back direction. The width of the upper protrusion 52 in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the upper protrusion 52 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the base 50 further includes a peripheral wall 58 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral end of the lower surface 50b of the base 50. As shown in FIG. The lower protrusion 54 protrudes downward from the lower surface 50b of the base 50. The lower protrusion 54 is provided inside the peripheral wall 58. The lower protrusion 54 includes a bottom surface 60, a front surface 62, a rear surface 64, a right surface 66, and a left surface 68. The bottom surface 60 is parallel to a plane including the front-back direction and the left-right direction. The bottom surface 60 is parallel to the lower surface 50b of the base 50 and the upper surface of the upper protrusion 52 (see FIG. 4). The bottom surface 60 is located below the lower surface 50b of the base 50. That is, the bottom surface 60 is spaced apart from the base 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface 60 is located below the lower end of the surrounding wall 58. As shown in FIG. 5, the front surface 62 connects the front end 60a of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The lower side of the front surface 62 is inclined rearward. As shown in FIG. 6, the front surface 62 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 60 by a first predetermined angle a1. The rear surface 64 connects the rear end 60b of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The rear surface 64 has a lower side inclined forward. The rear surface 64 is inclined at a second predetermined angle a2 with respect to the bottom surface 60. The first predetermined angle a1 and the second predetermined angle a2 are the same angle. In this embodiment, the first predetermined angle a1 and the second predetermined angle a2 are 40 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 2, the right surface 66 connects the right end 60c of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The lower side of the right surface 66 is inclined to the left. The right surface 66 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 60 by a third predetermined angle a3. The left surface 68 connects the left end 60d of the bottom surface 60 and the lower surface 50b. The left surface 68 has a lower side inclined to the right. The left surface 68 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 60 by a fourth predetermined angle a4. The third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are the same angle. The third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are larger than the first predetermined angle a1 and the second predetermined angle a2 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are 70 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper housing 14 is formed with a lens attachment portion 14b into which the base portion 50 of the lens 32 (see FIG. 5) is fitted. When the lens 32 (see FIG. 5) is attached to the lens attachment portion 14b, the rib 56 (see FIG. 5) of the base portion 50 is pressed and deformed, so that the lens 32 (see FIG. 5) is attached to the lens attachment portion 14b. Fixed. An opening 14c is provided on the lower surface of the lens attachment portion 14b. As shown in FIG. 2, when the lens 32 is attached to the lens attachment part 14b, the right end of the wall that defines the opening 14c is closer to the right side connection point 60f between the right surface 66 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. The left end of the wall defining the opening 14c is located to the left of the left connection point 60g between the left surface 68 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lens 32 is attached to the lens attachment portion 14b, the front end of the wall defining the opening 14c is closer to the front connection point 60h between the front surface 62 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. is also located on the front side, and the rear end of the wall defining the opening 14c is located on the rear side of the rear connection point 60i between the rear surface 64 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. That is, in a state where the lens 32 is attached to the lens attachment portion 14b, the wall defining the opening 14c is provided outside the connection portion between the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. According to the above configuration, the LEDs 36, 38, 40 are provided on the entire surface of the lower protrusion 54 (i.e., the front surface 62, the rear surface 64, the right surface 66 (see FIG. 2), and the left surface 68 (see FIG. 2)). light is irradiated. Therefore, for example, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed toward the area illuminated by the light that is irradiated in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passes through the bottom surface 60, and the brightness of the area can be increased. In addition, in the modified example, when the lens 32 is attached to the lens attachment part 14b, the position of the wall defining the opening 14c in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is the same as the connection part between the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b. The position may be the same in the left-right direction and the front-back direction. The upper housing 14 is further formed with a light-shielding tube 14d that extends downward from the lens attachment portion 14b to the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. The lower end of the light-shielding tube 14d is located above the upper end of the LED 38. The light-shielding tube 14d surrounds the optical path from the LEDs 36, 38, 40 to the lens 32, and prevents the light from the LEDs 36, 38, 40 from leaking to the surroundings.

The LEDs 36, 38, 40 are mounted on the circuit board 34 via spacers 70, 72, 74. The LEDs 36, 38, 40 are held on the circuit board 34 so that the optical axes 36a, 38a, 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, 40 are parallel to the vertical direction. Also in FIG. 6, the EDs 36, 38, 40 are held on the circuit board 34 so that the optical axes 36a, 38a, 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, 40 are parallel to the vertical direction. That is, the optical axes 36a, 38a, 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, 40 are parallel to the vertical direction and extend in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 60 of the base 50. The optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 60 of the base 50 in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion between the front surface 62 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located forward of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. The connection portion between the rear surface 64 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located behind the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 60 of the base 50 in the left-right direction. That is, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center 60e of the bottom surface 60 (see FIG. 5). Center 60e is the geometric center of bottom surface 60. The connection portion between the right surface 66 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located to the left of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. The connection portion between the left surface 68 of the lower protrusion 54 and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 is located to the right of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the optical axes 38a, 40a of the LEDs 38, 40 do not pass through the lower protrusion 54 of the base 50.

The effect of the lens 32 (see FIG. 1) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution when the lens of the comparative example is used, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution when the lens 32 (see FIG. 1) is used. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the results when the green LED 36 (see FIG. 2) lights up. The lens of the comparative example has the same configuration as the lens 32 of the present example (see FIG. 1), except that it does not have the lower protrusion 54 of FIG. In FIGS. 8 and 9, black indicates lower brightness.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the lens of the comparative example, the brightness of region R1 is low. Region R1 is a region through which the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 in FIG. 6 passes. As shown in FIG. 3, in the LED 36, the thickness T of the LED lens 46 is the thickest at the portion through which the optical axis 36a passes. Therefore, since the amount of light emitted from the LED 36 along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 is smaller than the amount of light emitted from the LED 36 in a direction oblique to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36, the brightness of the region R1 is considered to be low.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the lens 32 of this example, the brightness of region R2 is higher than the brightness of region R1 (see FIG. 8). Region R2 is a region through which the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 in FIG. 6 passes. In the case of this embodiment, a portion of the light emitted from the LED 36 in a direction oblique to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 is directed to the front surface 62, rear surface 64, right surface 66 (see FIG. 5) of the lower protrusion 54, and The light is incident on the left surface 68 (see FIG. 5). Then, the light incident on the front surface 62, rear surface 64, right surface 66 (see FIG. 5), and left surface 68 (see FIG. 5) of the lower protrusion 54 is irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36, The light passing through the bottom surface 60 is refracted. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed to the region R2 (see FIG. 9) that is illuminated by the light that is irradiated in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passes through the bottom surface 60. Brightness can be increased. Note that the above phenomenon does not occur in the LED 38 that emits blue light and the LED 40 that emits red light. This is presumed to be caused by the wavelength of the light emitted from the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. Therefore, in this embodiment, the positions of the LED 36 and the lower protrusion 54 are designed such that the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the bottom surface 60 of the lower protrusion 54 of the base 50.

In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, charger 2 (an example of an "electrical device") includes a housing 10 and an LED 36 ("first (one example of a light emitting element) and a display section 30 provided in the housing 10. The housing 10 includes a lens attachment portion 14b. The display section 30 is attached to the lens attachment section 14b and includes a lens 32 that is lit by an LED 36. The lens 32 is attached to the base 50 and the lower protrusion 54 that protrudes from the lower surface 50b of the base 50 (an example of "the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side") when the lens 32 is attached to the lens attachment part 14b. (an example of an "inner protrusion"). The lower protrusion 54 is spaced apart from the lower surface 50b of the base 50 and extends in the front-rear direction (an example of a "first direction") and (an example of a "second direction"). ), a front surface 62 (an example of a "first connection surface") that connects the front end 60a of the bottom surface 60 (an example of a "first side end") and the lower surface 50b of the base 50 in the front-back direction, and A rear surface 64 (a "second connection surface") that connects a rear end 60b (an example of a "second side end") and a lower surface 50b of the base 50 is provided. In the center portion of the bottom surface 60 in the left-right direction, a cross section (hereinafter referred to as a "first cross section") including the front-back direction and the up-down direction (an example of the "third direction") perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction The front surface 62 and the rear surface 64 are slanted relative to the bottom surface 60 when viewed from the bottom surface 60 . The optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the bottom surface 60. According to the above configuration, among the light emitted from the LED 36, the light that enters the front surface 62 and the rear surface 64 of the lens 32 is converted into light that is emitted in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passes through the bottom surface 60. It can be refracted towards the target. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed toward the area illuminated by the light that is irradiated in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passes through the bottom surface 60, and the brightness of the area can be increased. Therefore, the visibility of the display section 30 can be improved.

In one or more embodiments, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 extends perpendicular to the bottom surface 60, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. According to the above configuration, light incident on the bottom surface 60 along the optical axis 36a of the light emitting element passes through the bottom surface 60 without being refracted. In this case, compared to a configuration in which the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 60, that is, a configuration in which light incident on the bottom surface 60 is refracted along the optical axis 36a of the light emitting element, the light of the LED 36 is The brightness of the area illuminated by the light emitted in the direction along the axis 36a can be increased.

In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, when looking at the first cross-section, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through a central location between the front end 60a and the rear end 60b of the bottom surface 60. are doing. According to the above configuration, it is possible to increase the amount of light that passes through the bottom surface 60, the front surface 62, and the rear surface 64 among the light emitted from the LED 36. Therefore, the lens 32 can be illuminated more clearly, and the visibility of the display section 30 can be further improved.

In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. The first predetermined angle a1 (an example of a "first inclination angle") may be the same as the second predetermined angle a2 (an example of a "second inclination angle") of the rear surface 64 with respect to the bottom surface 60. According to the above configuration, the amount of light that is refracted by entering the front surface 62 and the amount of light that is refracted by entering the rear surface 64 can be made equal. Therefore, the front side and the rear side of the area illuminated by the light emitted in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 60 can be equally illuminated. Therefore, the visibility of the display section 30 can be further improved.

In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. An upper protrusion 52 (an example of an "outer protrusion") that protrudes from the upper surface 50a of the housing 10 (an example of an "outer protrusion"). . According to the above configuration, visibility when the lens 32 is turned on can be improved.

In one or more embodiments, LED 36 emits green light. The charger 2 further includes an LED 40 (an example of a "second light emitting element") that emits blue light. According to the above configuration, a lighting pattern of two colors can be realized on the single display unit 30, and more information can be presented to the user than when only a lighting pattern of one color is realized. I can do it.

In one or more embodiments, the charger 2 further includes an LED 40 (an example of a "third light emitting element") that emits red light. According to the above configuration, a lighting pattern of three colors can be realized on a single display unit 30, and more information can be displayed than when realizing a lighting pattern of one color or a lighting pattern of two colors. can be presented to the user.

In the charger 2, the display section 30 is turned on to inform the user of the state of the charger 2. By improving the visibility of the display unit 30, the user can easily check the status of the charger 2. According to the above configuration, the visibility of the display section 30 can be improved and is useful.

(Second example)
The charger 202 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. Note that configurations that are common between the embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, charger 202 includes a housing 210. The housing 210 includes a lower housing 12 that defines the outer shape of a lower portion of the housing 210, and an upper housing 214 that defines the outer shape of an upper portion of the housing 210. A display section 230 is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the upper housing 214. Among the upper surfaces of the upper housing 214, the left upper surface 214a where the display section 230 is provided is inclined downward from the rear toward the front. The display section 230 includes a lens 232.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lens 232 includes a base 250, an upper protrusion 252, and a lower protrusion 254 (see FIG. 12). The base 250 extends in the first inclination direction and in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 13, the first inclination direction is a direction in which the front side is inclined downward with respect to the front-rear direction. The first inclination direction is inclined by 8 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction. That is, the base 250 is inclined at 8 degrees with respect to a plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Hereinafter, a direction perpendicular to the first inclination direction and the left-right direction will be referred to as a "second inclination direction." The upper protrusion 252 protrudes forward and upward from the upper surface 250a of the base 250 (ie, in the second inclination direction). The upper protrusion 252 has an octagonal cross-section. As shown in FIG. 12, the base 250 further includes a peripheral wall 258 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral end of the lower surface 250b of the base 250. As shown in FIG. Lower protrusion 254 is provided inside peripheral wall 258 . The lower protrusion 254 protrudes rearward and downward (ie, in the second inclination direction) from the lower surface 250b of the base 250. The lower protrusion 254 includes a bottom surface 260, a front surface 262, a rear surface 264, a right surface 266, and a left surface 268. The bottom surface 260 extends in the first inclination direction and in the left-right direction. The bottom surface 260 is parallel to the lower surface 250b of the base 250 and the upper surface of the upper protrusion 252 (see FIG. 11). The bottom surface 260 is located below the lower surface 250b of the base 250. That is, the bottom surface 260 is spaced apart from the base 250. Front surface 262 connects front end 260a of bottom surface 260 and lower surface 250b. The front surface 262 is sloped rearward on the lower side. As shown in FIG. 13, the front surface 262 is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 260 by a first predetermined angle a11. The rear surface 264 connects the rear end 260b of the bottom surface 260 and the lower surface 250b. The rear surface 264 is sloped forward on the lower side. The rear surface 264 is inclined at a second predetermined angle a12 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The first predetermined angle a11 is larger than the second predetermined angle a12. The first predetermined angle a11 and the second predetermined angle a12 are approximately 50° and approximately 30°, respectively. The first predetermined angle a11 and the second predetermined angle a12 are set so that the amount of light that is refracted by entering the front surface 262 and the amount of light that is refracted by entering the rear surface 264 are the same. Therefore, the front side and the rear side of the area illuminated by the light emitted in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 260 can be equally illuminated, and the visibility of the display section 230 can be improved. I can do it.

As shown in FIG. 14, the right surface 266 connects the right end 260c of the bottom surface 260 and the lower surface 250b. The lower side of the right surface 266 is inclined to the left. The right surface 266 is inclined at a third predetermined angle a13 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The left surface 268 connects the left end 260d of the bottom surface 260 and the lower surface 250b. The left surface 268 has a lower side inclined to the right. The left surface 268 is inclined at a fourth predetermined angle a14 with respect to the bottom surface 260. The third predetermined angle a13 and the fourth predetermined angle a14 are the same. In this embodiment, the third predetermined angle a3 and the fourth predetermined angle a4 are approximately 70 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 15, the upper housing 214 is formed with a lens attachment portion 214b into which the base 250 (see FIG. 12) of the lens 232 is fitted. An opening 214c is provided on the lower surface of the lens attachment portion 214b. As shown in FIG. 14, when the lens 232 is attached to the lens attachment portion 214b, the right end of the wall defining the opening 214c is the right virtual connection between the right surface 266 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. The left end of the wall defining the opening 214c is located to the right of the point 260f, and the left end of the wall defining the opening 214c is located to the left of the left virtual connection point 260g between the left surface 268 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. Here, the right virtual connection point 260f is the connection point between the extension line of the lower surface 250b and the extension line of the straight part of the right surface 266 of the lower protrusion 254, and the left virtual connection point 260g is the connection point between the extension line of the lower surface 250b and the extension line of the straight part of the right surface 266 of the lower protrusion 254. This is the connection point between the lower protrusion 254 and the extension line of the straight portion of the left surface 268. As shown in FIG. 13, when the lens 232 is attached to the lens attachment part 214b, the front end of the wall defining the opening 214c is the front virtual connection point 260h between the front surface 262 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. The rear end of the wall defining the opening 214c is located further forward than the rear connection point 260i between the rear surface 264 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. Here, the front virtual connection point 260h is a connection point between an extension of the lower surface 250b and an extension of the straight portion of the front surface 262 of the lower protrusion 254. In a state where the lens 232 is attached to the lens attachment portion 214b, the wall defining the opening 214c is provided outside the connection portion between the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b. According to the above configuration, the LEDs 36, 38, 40 are provided on the entire surface of the lower protrusion 254 (i.e., the front surface 262, the rear surface 264, the right surface 266 (see FIG. 14), and the left surface 268 (see FIG. 14)). light is irradiated. Therefore, for example, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed toward the area illuminated by the light irradiated in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passing through the bottom surface 260, and the brightness of the area can be increased. The upper housing 214 is further formed with a light-shielding tube 214d that extends downward from the lens attachment portion 214b to the LEDs 36, 38, and 40. The lower end of the light-shielding tube 214d is located above the upper end of the LED 38.

In a cross-sectional view of the charger 202 in FIG. 13 viewed from the left, the base 250 is inclined at 8 degrees with respect to the optical axes 36a, 38a, 40a of the LEDs 36, 38, 40. The optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 260 of the base 250 in the first inclination direction. The connecting portion between the front surface 262 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b of the base 250 is located forward of the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 250. The connection portion between the rear surface 264 of the lower protrusion 254 and the lower surface 250b of the base 250 is located behind the portion where the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 intersects with the base 250. In the sectional view of the charger 202 in FIG. 14 viewed from the front, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center of the bottom surface 260 in the left-right direction. That is, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through the center 260e of the bottom surface 260 (see FIG. 12). Center 260e (see FIG. 12) is the geometric center of bottom surface 260. The optical axes 38a, 40a of the LEDs 38, 40 do not pass through the bottom surface 260 of the base 250.

If the lens 232 in FIG. 12 does not have the lower protrusion 254, the lens 232 would be illuminated by light that is irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 (see FIG. 13) and passes through the bottom surface 260. The brightness of the area illuminated by the light in a direction oblique to the optical axis 36a (see FIG. 13) of the LED 36 is lower than the brightness of the area illuminated by the light passing through the bottom surface 260. According to the above configuration, a portion of the light emitted from the LED 36 in FIG. ) and the left surface 268 (see FIG. 14). Then, the light incident on the front surface 262, rear surface 264, right surface 266 (see FIG. 14), and left surface 268 (see FIG. 14) of the lower protrusion 254 is irradiated in a direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36, The light passing through the bottom surface 260 is refracted. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of light directed toward the region illuminated by the light that is irradiated in the direction along the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 and passes through the bottom surface 260, and the brightness of the region can be increased.

In one or more embodiments, when looking at the cross section of FIG. 13, the lower surface 250b of the base 250 (the "light emitting element side surface of the base") with the lens 232 attached to the lens attachment part 214b is example) is inclined with respect to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36. According to the above configuration, the lens 232 can be attached to the housing 210 in a state where the base 250 of the lens 232 is inclined with respect to the optical axis 36a of the LED 36. Therefore, the degree of freedom in layout of the lens 232 and the LED 36 can be increased.

In this embodiment, the first tilt direction, the left-right direction, and the second tilt direction are examples of the "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction," respectively.

(First variation) "Electrical equipment" is not limited to the chargers 2 and 202, but includes power tools such as screwdrivers and drills, electric working machines such as mowers and blowers, transport vehicles, robot vacuum cleaners, and robot lawn mowers. , a reinforcing bar binding robot, a light, a compressor, etc.

(Second Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the optical axis 36a of the LED 36 passes through a region different from the centers 60e, 260e of the bottom surfaces 60, 260 of the lower protrusions 54, 254. It's okay.

(Third Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the lenses 32, 232 do not need to include the upper protrusions 52, 252.

(Fourth Modification) In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the charger 2, 202 may not include at least one of the LEDs 38, 40.

(Fifth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the optical axis of at least one of the LEDs 38 and 40 may pass through the bottom surfaces 60 and 260 of the lower protrusions 54 and 254. .

(Sixth Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the right surfaces 66, 266 and left surfaces 68, 268 of the lower protrusions 54, 254 do not have to be inclined with respect to the bottom surfaces 60, 260. .

(Seventh Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the lens attachment portions 14b, 214b may protrude from the outer surface of the housing 10, 210. In this modification, when the lenses 32, 232 are attached to the lens attachment parts 14b, 214b, the upper protruding parts 52, 252 of the lenses 32, 232 protrude outward from the lens attachment parts 14b, 214b. Good too.

(Eighth Modification) In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the charger 2, 202 does not need to be provided with the light-shielding tubes 14d, 214d.

2: Charger 4: Power cord 10: Housing 12: Lower housing 14: Upper housing 14a: Upper left surface 14b: Lens mounting part 14c: Opening 14d: Light-shielding tube 20: Battery mounting part 30: Display part 32: Lens 34: Circuit board 36: LED
36a: Optical axis 38: LED
38a: Optical axis 40: LED
40a: Optical axis 42: Case 42a: Top 44: LED chip 46: LED lens 50: Base 50a: Top surface 50b: Bottom surface 52: Upper protrusion 54: Lower protrusion 56: Rib 58: Surrounding wall 60: Bottom surface 60a: Front end 60b: Rear end 60c: Right end 60d: Left end 60e: Center 60f: Right side connection point 60g: Left side connection point 60h: Front side connection point 60i: Rear side connection point 62: Front side 64: Rear side 66: Right side 68: Left side 70: Spacer 72: Spacer 74: Spacer 202: Charger 210: Housing 214: Upper housing 214a: Upper left surface 214b: Lens mounting portion 214c: Opening 214d: Light shielding tube 230: Display portion 232: Lens 250: Base 250a: Upper surface 250b: Lower surface 252 : Upper protrusion 254 : Lower protrusion 258 : Surrounding wall 260 : Bottom surface 260a : Front end 260b : Rear end 260c : Right end 260d : Left end 260e : Center 260f : Right virtual connection point 260g : Left virtual connection point 260h : Front virtual connection Point 260i: Rear connection point 262: Front surface 264: Rear surface 266: Right surface 268: Left surface R1: Region R2: Region T: Thickness a1, a11: First predetermined angle a2, a12: Second predetermined angle a3, a13: Third Predetermined angles a4, a14: fourth predetermined angle

Claims (9)

An electrical device,
housing and
a first light emitting element housed inside the housing;
A display section provided on the housing,
The housing is
Equipped with a lens mount,
The display section is
a lens attached to the lens attachment part and lit by the first light emitting element;
The lens is
The base and
an inner protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side when the lens is attached to the lens attachment part;
The inner protrusion is
a protruding surface that is spaced apart from a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side and extends in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
a first connection surface that connects a first side end of the protruding surface in the first direction and a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side;
a second connection surface connecting an end of the second side opposite to the first side of the protruding surface in the first direction and a surface of the base on the first light emitting element side; and
When looking at a cross section including the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction at the central portion of the protruding surface in the second direction, the first connection surface , and the second connection surface is inclined with respect to the protrusion surface,
an optical axis of the first light emitting element passes through the protruding surface;
electrical equipment. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the first light emitting element extends perpendicularly to the protruding surface. When looking at the cross section, the optical axis of the first light emitting element passes through a center position between the first side end and the second side end of the protruding surface. The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2. When viewed in the cross section, the first inclination angle is a first inclination angle of the first connection surface with respect to the protrusion surface, which is an angle inclined from the protrusion surface toward the first side, and the protrusion A second inclination angle of the second connecting surface with respect to the surface, the second inclination angle being an angle inclined from the protruding surface toward the second side, is the same. device. When looking at the cross section, the surface of the base on the first light emitting element side in a state where the lens is attached to the lens attachment part is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the first light emitting element. The electrical device according to claim 1. The lens is an outer protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the base opposite to the first light emitting element side surface in a state where the lens is attached to the lens attachment portion, and is further protruded from the outer surface of the housing. The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the outer protrusion that protrudes outward. the first light emitting element emits light in a first color;
The electrical device further includes:
The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a second light emitting element that emits light in a second color different from the first color. The electrical device further includes:
The electrical device according to claim 7, further comprising a third light emitting element that emits light in a third color different from the first color and the second color. The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrical device is a charger.

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