JP2002254355A - Cordless tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient cordless tool capable of suppressing the size thereof by improving a layout of a battery cell and a latch to suppress the height of a storage battery having a high nominal voltage and suppressing the whole height of the cordless tool itself even if equipped with the storage battery, and of standing up while keeping a balance even in a state of a bottom surface of the storage battery set downward. SOLUTION: A space 19 surrounded the battery cell 4 and larger than the width of the battery cell 4 is provided in a battery case 5. A supporting portion 10 contacting with the battery case 5 is provided at one end of an operating piece 9 disposed in the space 19, and an engaging projected portion 8a is provided at the other end. A middle coupling portion 9d is provided, which extends from a middle part between the supporting portion 10 and the engaging projected portion 9a in an energizing direction of an elastic element 11. A part of the middle coupling portion 9d projecting out from the battery case 5 is formed to be an operating portion 9b releasing engagement between the engaging projected portion 9a provided on the operating piece 9 and an engaging recessed portion 8b provided on a housing 8, by rotating the operating piece 9 rotatable about the supporting portion 10 against the energizing force of the elastic element 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cordless tool such as a driver drill or an impact driver powered by a storage battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional cordless tool and a storage battery used therein will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
9 and a storage battery 3 (3a) such as a nickel cadmium battery or a nickel hydride battery having a shape shown in FIGS.
Is a nominal voltage of 9.6 V, and 3b is a nominal voltage of 12 V). Each of these storage batteries 3a and 3b has a battery cell 4 having a nominal electromotive force of 1.2 V, and a plastic battery case 5 for accommodating these battery cells 4. In the battery case 5, About 2 to 20 battery cells 4 are housed in a state of being connected in series. Further, the battery case 5 forming the external appearance of the storage batteries 3a and 3b is composed of two main parts, a first battery case 5a and a second battery case 5b, and the first battery forming the base (base) of the storage batteries. A second battery case 5b having a connection terminal 7 for supplying electric power to a motor 6 as a driving source is provided at a position rising from the case 5a. The storage batteries 3a and 3b are provided with an operation piece 9 (latch) for attaching and detaching the storage batteries 3a and 3b to / from a split housing 8 (outer frame) forming a cordless tool body.

The storage battery 3b having a nominal voltage of 12 V will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. In a battery case 5, ten battery cells 4 connected in series are accommodated.
Eight battery cells 4 of the present battery cells 4 are arranged in the first battery case 5a, and the remaining two battery cells are arranged in the second battery case 5b. The first battery case 5a has an operation piece 9 having an engagement protrusion 9a rotatable around a support section 10 by an external operation, and an operation section 9b formed on the operation piece 9 on the outer peripheral side of the storage battery. An elastic body 11 (spring) which is always energized is stored. Next, a configuration for attaching and detaching the storage battery 3b to and from the cordless tool body will be described. When attaching the storage battery 3b to the cordless tool main body, the second battery case 5b is inserted into the storage battery storage section 8a of the cordless tool main body. When it is inserted to a certain position, the engaging projection 9a also having the inclined surface 9c moves along the inclined surface 8c formed on the housing 8 provided with the engaging concave portion 8b engaged with the engaging convex portion 9a. Thereafter, the operation piece 9 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow 12 by the reaction force of the elastic body 11, and the engagement protrusion 9a is automatically engaged with the engagement recess 8b. Thereby, the storage battery 5 can be mounted on the cordless tool body. Conversely, from the cordless tool body to the storage battery 5
Is disengaged, the operation piece 9 is rotated in the direction of arrow 12 against the urging force of the elastic body 11 to release the engagement between the engaging projection 9a and the engaging recess 8b. Thereby, the storage battery 3b can be detached from the cordless tool body. In addition,
The example shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 is an example in which one attachment / detachment mechanism is provided in the storage battery 5, but there is also a configuration having two similar attachment / detachment mechanisms.

[0004] Normally, the storage battery 3 is fully charged by a charger, and then reset and used in the storage battery storage section 8a of the cordless tool body. Since some users use various storage batteries 3 having different nominal voltages, versatile chargers that can charge various storage batteries 3 with one unit are now provided. In order to obtain versatility, it is necessary to make the shape of the second battery case 5b of various storage batteries 3 the same, and to provide a charging fitting hole in which the second battery case 5b is inserted in the charger. Further, by making the shape of the second battery case 5b of the various storage batteries 3 the same, even if the cordless tools have different nominal voltages such as 9.6V and 12V, the storage battery storage portion 8a has the same shape of the housing. 8 can be shared and used.

[0005]

As a storage battery used for a cordless tool, for example, 9.6 V,
Various types having different nominal voltages, such as 12V, 14.4V, 18V, 24V, etc., are provided. Generally, as the nominal voltage increases, the number of battery cells increases.
The actual situation is that the external shape of the battery case for storing the battery cells, that is, the storage battery is large. In order to fit a storage battery with a large nominal voltage to the storage battery storage unit without changing the size of the storage battery storage unit formed in the housing forming the cordless tool body, the battery cells of the storage battery are further arranged in the vertical direction. Because of the necessity, the overall height of the storage battery is increased. Therefore, when such a storage battery is mounted on the cordless tool main body, there is a problem that the overall height of the cordless tool itself is increased and compactness cannot be achieved. In addition, even when trying to make the cordless tool stand with the bottom surface of the storage battery down, the overall balance cannot be obtained, that is, the center of gravity of the cordless tool becomes high, so that the cordless tool becomes unstable, and as a result, the cordless tool can stand up. There was a problem that it was not possible.

Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange the battery cells not in the vertical direction but in the horizontal direction. In the case of a type of storage battery in which operation pieces are provided on both sides of the storage battery,
Since the operating piece is designed to engage with a part of the housing that has almost the same width as the storage battery, if the width of the storage battery is increased in the horizontal direction while considering the overall height of the storage battery, Since the size must be increased in the direction, the housing cannot be shared, and as a result, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to reduce the height of a storage battery having a high nominal voltage by devising the arrangement of battery cells and latches. The cordless tool itself can be kept low, so the cordless tool can be made more compact. It is to provide. In addition, it is a detachable mechanism that has no trouble that occurs when the battery cells are arranged in the horizontal direction instead of the vertical direction,
Further, since the present configuration is provided in common for various storage batteries having different nominal voltages, and the shape of the storage battery storage portion of the cordless tool main body does not need to be changed, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0008] Further, the object is to improve the workability and operability by operating the operation piece with a minimum necessary force when attaching and detaching the storage battery from the cordless tool main body.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage battery having a housing having a storage battery accommodating portion, a storage battery engaging portion formed in the housing, an operation piece engageable with the storage battery engaging portion, and an appearance of the storage battery. In a cordless tool including a battery case forming a battery case and a plurality of battery cells housed in the battery case, a space surrounded by the battery cells and larger than the width of the battery cells is provided in the battery case, and the elasticity is provided in the space. This is achieved by providing an operating piece that is biased by the body.

The object is to provide a housing having a storage battery housing, a storage battery engaging portion formed in the housing, a storage battery having an operation piece engageable with the storage battery engaging portion, and a battery case forming an appearance of the storage battery. In a cordless tool including a plurality of battery cells housed in a battery case,
In the battery case, a space surrounded by the battery cells is provided, an operation piece urged by an elastic body is provided in the space, and the operation piece has a support portion that contacts the battery case at one end and a storage battery at the other end. A first operation piece having an engagement protrusion engaged with the engagement portion, and a second operation piece having an intermediate connection portion connected to the first operation piece via the connection portion and extending in the biasing direction of the elastic body. It is achieved by being comprised from.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cordless tool and a storage battery which can be mounted on the cordless tool will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal side view showing a cordless tool according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a storage battery 3 that can be mounted on the cordless tool according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the cordless tool according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a partial vertical side view showing a modification of the storage battery attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG.

[0012] A wide variety of cordless tools used depending on the application include a driver drill 1 shown in Figs. The driver drill 1 has a substantially T-shape, and has a split housing 8 forming a cordless tool body.
The main body 8d formed by a housing (hereinafter referred to as a housing) accommodates the motor 6 and the reduction mechanism 13 as a driving source, and the handle 6e hanging from the main body 8d supplies electric power to the motor 6. A trigger switch 14 for supplying power, a contact 15 electrically connected to the connection terminal 7 of the storage battery, and the like are accommodated. Also, the handle portion 8e
Is an open end 8f. This open end 8f
, The storage battery 3 is inserted. The storage battery 3 has 9.6
V, 12V, 14.4V, 18V, 24V, etc., with different nominal voltages. These storage batteries 3 have a battery cell 4 having a nominal electromotive force of 1.2V and a battery for accommodating these battery cells 4. A plastic battery case 5 of
Operation piece 9 for engaging storage battery 3 with housing 8
(Latch). Usually, a battery case 5 in which about 2 to 20 battery cells 4 are housed in a state of being connected in series includes a base portion (base portion) that houses most of the battery cells 4, and an upper portion from the base portion. And one or two battery cells 4 inserted into the storage battery storage portion 8a provided in the housing 8 (outer frame). And a connection terminal 7 for supplying electric power to the motor 6 is provided.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the storage battery 3 will be described in detail. A storage battery 3c having a nominal voltage of 12 V shown in FIG.
, The battery case 5 for housing the battery cell 4 is formed of three large parts, which are a first battery case 5a disposed below, a second battery case 5b having a connection terminal 7, and a first battery case. It is composed of a third battery case 5c which covers the front part of the second battery case 5b above the 5a. Each battery case 5 has a claw 15
And is fixed by a fixing screw 16. Since the nominal voltage of each battery cell 4 is 1.2 V, ten battery cells 4 are used here.
Are stored in the battery case 5 in a state of being connected in series. In the vicinity including the terminal portion 7, the positive electrode 7a,
Negative electrode 7b, thermostat terminal 17, thermistor terminal 1
A positive electrode 7a and a negative electrode 7b are electrically connected to a charging contact provided on a charger or a contact 15 provided on a storage battery storage section 8a of a cordless tool when the storage battery 3 is charged or discharged, respectively. At the same time, the thermostat terminal 17 and the thermistor terminal 18 come into contact with the terminals of the charger during charging, and function to control charging such as detection of full charge and prevention of overcharge. The thermostat terminal 17 is provided with a thermostat, and the thermistor terminal 18 is provided.
Thermistors (not shown) are electrically connected to each other, and are appropriately disposed on the wall surfaces of the battery cells 4 so as to detect the temperature of each battery cell 4. Further, eight of the ten battery cells 4 in the battery case 5 are arranged in the first battery case 5a, and the remaining two battery cells 4 are arranged in the second battery case 5b. And two of the eight are arranged below the third battery case 5c.
By arranging each battery cell 4 in the battery case 5 in this manner, two battery cells 4 arranged below the third battery case 5c among the battery cells 4 arranged in the first battery case 5a. Since a space 19 is formed between the operating piece 9 and the remaining six battery cells 4, the operation piece 9 having the engaging projection 9 a capable of engaging with the housing 8 is arranged in the space 19. The space 19 is formed so as to be surrounded by the battery cells 4.
The width of the space 19 is formed larger than the width of the battery cell 4.

The operation piece 9 has a support portion 10 at one end for contacting the battery case and a storage battery engaging portion 8b at the other end.
, And is formed so as to rotate about the support portion 10. The operation piece 9 has an intermediate connecting member 9d extending in a direction urged by a spring, which is an elastic body 11, and the intermediate connecting member 9d is inserted through the space 19 to make the battery case 5
The part that protrudes from the part functions as a storage battery attaching / detaching operation part 9b. The elastic body 11 may be a leaf spring or the like other than the spring, and the length of the intermediate connecting member 9d is at least as long as the width of the battery cell 4.

Next, an operation method for attaching and detaching the storage battery 3 to and from the cordless tool body using the operation piece 9 will be described. First, when the storage battery 3 is mounted on the cordless tool main body, the protrusion formed by the second battery case 5b of the storage battery 3 is inserted into the storage battery housing portion 8a provided in the housing 8, and reaches a certain position. The engagement protrusion 9a provided on the latch 9 of the storage battery 5 engages with the engagement recess 8b provided on the housing 8 forming the storage battery housing 8a.
Thereby, the storage battery 3 is securely fixed to the storage battery accommodating portion 8a. Conversely, when detaching the storage battery 3 from the cordless tool main body, by pushing the operation piece 9 in the direction of the arrow 20 shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate connecting member 9 d rotates while compressing the spring 11 around the support portion 10. Therefore, since the engaging projection 9a of the operation piece 9 is disengaged from the engaging recess 8b, the protrusion of the storage battery 3 can be pulled out from the inside of the storage battery housing 8a. When the storage battery 3 is attached to and detached from the cordless tool body, there is no need to press the operation piece 9. This is because, when the storage battery 3 is inserted into the storage battery accommodating portion 8a, the slope 9c provided on the engagement projection 9a moves along the slope 8c provided on the engagement recess 8b and moves to a certain position. This is because the coupling member 9d is rotated by the reaction force of the spring 11 and the engagement projection 9a is automatically engaged with the engagement recess 8b.

In this embodiment, for example, 9.6 V, 1
Since the housing 8 is shared so that the storage batteries 3 having different nominal voltages, such as 2V, can be mounted in the storage battery storage portion 8b of the housing 8, the waste of the housing mold can be eliminated. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Note that the arrangement and shape of the terminal 7 are as follows.
Needless to say, the storage batteries 3 are designed in common, and with such a design, the charging of each storage battery 3 can be performed by a single charger, so that both the economy and the user's convenience can be improved. Are better.

Next, a modification of the above-mentioned attaching / detaching mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the storage battery 3 having a nominal voltage of 12 V will be described as an example. Eight of the ten battery cells 4 in the battery case 5 are arranged in the first battery case 5a, and the remaining two battery cells are arranged in the second battery case 5b. Two of the eight batteries are the third battery case 5
c. By arranging each battery cell 4 in the battery case 5 in this manner, the first battery case 5a
A space 19 that is larger than the width of the battery cell is formed between the two battery cells 4 arranged below in the third battery case 5c and the remaining six battery cells 4 among the battery cells 4 arranged therein. Therefore, the operation piece 9 having the engaging projection 9a engageable with the housing 8 is arranged in the space 19.

The operating piece 9 is composed of two main members, a first latch member 9e and a second latch member 9f. The second latch member 9f, which is formed so as to rotate about the supporting portion 10 that comes into contact with the intermediate connecting portion 9g and has the intermediate connecting portion 9g, via the connecting portion 22 rotatably connected to the intermediate connecting portion 9g. Further, it is connected to the first latch member 9e. Normally, the second latch member 9f is
A part thereof projects from the outer periphery of the storage battery 3 due to the urging force of 1, and the projecting portion is connected to the operation unit 9b for attaching and detaching the storage battery.
And

In such a configuration, when the storage battery 3 is mounted on the cordless tool main body, the projecting portion of the storage battery 3 is inserted into the storage battery storage section 8a provided in the housing 8, and when the storage battery 3 reaches a certain position, the storage battery 3 is inserted. The engagement protrusion 9a provided on the first latch member 9e, which is the operation piece 9 of FIG. 3, engages with the engagement recess 8b provided on the housing 8 forming the storage battery housing 8a. Storage battery 3
Is securely fixed. Conversely, when the storage battery 3 is to be detached from the cordless tool body, the second latch member 9f is pushed in the direction of arrow 21 shown in the figure, so that the intermediate connection portion 9g, the connection portion 22, and the support portion provided on the second latch member 9f. By rotating the first latch member 9e about the support portion 10 while compressing the spring 11 via the portion 10, and by removing the engaging convex portion 9a of the operation piece 9 from the engaging concave portion 8b, The protrusion of the storage battery 3 can be pulled out from the storage battery storage section 8a. When the storage battery 3 is attached to and detached from the cordless tool body, there is no need to press the operation piece 9. This is because if the storage battery 3 is inserted into the storage battery storage section 8a, the slope 9c provided on the engagement projection 9a becomes the engagement recess 8b.
Move along the slope 8c provided to the intermediate connecting member 9g by the reaction force of the spring 11
Is rotated so that the engaging projection 9a is automatically engaged with the engaging recess 8b.

By using the above-mentioned attaching / detaching mechanism, the operating piece 9
2 has to be pressed to the upper left (arrow 20) in the figure, the user presses the operation piece 9 in the left direction (arrow 21) in the figure. When the elastic body 11 is compressed while pressing the 9b, the engaging convex portion 9a can be detached from the engaging concave portion 8b with a minimum necessary force without applying unnecessary force. Can be performed reliably and easily.

[0021]

According to the present invention, a space surrounded by battery cells and larger than the width of the battery cells is provided in the battery case,
By providing an operation piece biased by an elastic body in the space, by devising the arrangement of the battery cell and the latch,
Since the height of the storage battery with a high nominal voltage can be reduced, the overall height of the cord lace tool itself can be kept low even if the storage battery is mounted on the cordless tool main body, so that the cordless tool can be made more compact and the bottom of the storage battery can be lowered. The cordless tool is excellent in usability, for example, because the balance can be maintained even when the cordless tool is in a standing state. In addition, it is an attachment / detachment mechanism that does not have any trouble that occurs when the battery cells are arranged in the horizontal direction instead of the vertical direction. Further, the present configuration is provided in common with various storage batteries having different nominal voltages, and the storage battery of the cordless tool body is provided. Since the shape of the storage section does not need to be changed, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Further, a space surrounded by the battery cells is provided in the battery case, an operation piece urged by an elastic body is provided in the space, and the operation piece has a support portion at one end for contacting the battery case. And the other end has a first operation piece having an engagement protrusion engaged with the storage battery engagement part, and an intermediate connection part connected to the first operation piece via the connection part and extending in the biasing direction of the elastic body. With the configuration including the second operation piece, a force for operating the operation piece can be provided with a minimum necessary force when attaching and detaching the storage battery from the cordless tool main body, so that workability and operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal side view showing a cordless tool according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a storage battery that can be mounted on a cordless tool according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a cordless tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially longitudinal side view showing a modification of the storage battery attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially longitudinal side view showing a state in which a storage battery having a nominal voltage of 9.6 V is mounted on a driver drill which is a conventional cordless tool.

6 shows a storage battery with a nominal voltage of 9.6 V mounted on the cordless tool of FIG. 5, (a) is a plan view thereof,
(B) is the longitudinal side view.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which a storage battery having a nominal voltage of 12 V is mounted on a conventional cordless tool.

8 shows a nominal voltage 1 mounted on the cordless tool of FIG.
2A shows a storage battery of 2V, (a) is a plan view thereof, (b)
Is a longitudinal side view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view showing a state where a storage battery having a nominal voltage of 12 V is mounted on an impact driver which is a conventional cordless tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a driver drill, 2 is an impact driver, 3 is a storage battery, 3a is a storage battery with a nominal voltage of 9.6V, 3b is a storage battery with a nominal voltage of 12V, 4 is a battery cell, 5 is a battery case, 5
a is a first battery case, 5b is a second battery case, 5c is a third battery case, 6 is a motor, 7 is a terminal, 7a is a positive electrode, 7
b is a negative electrode, 8 is a housing, 8a is a battery storage section, 8b
Is an engaging concave portion, 8c is a slope, 9 is an operating piece, 9a is an engaging convex portion, 9b is an operating portion, 9c is a slope, 9d is an intermediate connecting portion, 9d
e first latch member, 9f second latch member, 9g is an intermediate connection portion, 10 is a support portion, 11 is an elastic body, 12 is an operation direction arrow, 13 is a deceleration mechanism, 14 is a trigger switch, 15 is a contact, 16 Is a fixing screw, 17 is a thermostat terminal, 1
8 is a thermistor terminal, 19 is a space, 20 is an operation direction arrow, 21 is an operation direction arrow, and 22 is a connection point.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takao Tanabe 1060 Takeda, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage battery having a housing having a storage battery storage portion, a storage battery engaging portion formed in the housing, an operation piece engageable with the storage battery engaging portion, and a battery case forming an appearance of the storage battery. And a plurality of battery cells housed in the battery case. In the cordless tool, a space surrounded by the battery cells and larger than the width of the battery cells is provided in the battery case; A cordless tool comprising the operating piece biased by a body. 2. The operation piece disposed in the space has a support portion at one end which is in contact with the battery case, and has an engagement protrusion which is engaged with the storage battery engagement portion at the other end. An intermediate connecting portion extending from a middle portion between the support portion and the engagement convex portion in a biasing direction of the elastic body, further includes a part of the intermediate connecting portion protruding from the battery case, By rotating the operation piece rotatable about the portion against the urging force of the elastic body, the engagement between the engagement protrusion provided on the operation piece and the engagement recess provided on the housing is established. The cordless tool according to claim 1, wherein the cordless tool is an operation unit for canceling the combination. 3. The cordless tool according to claim 2, wherein a length of the intermediate connecting portion is larger than a width of the battery cell. 4. A storage battery having a housing having a storage battery storage portion, a storage battery engaging portion formed in the housing, an operation piece engageable with the storage battery engaging portion, and a battery case forming an appearance of the storage battery. And a plurality of battery cells housed in the battery case, wherein a space surrounded by the battery cells is provided in the battery case, and the operation is urged by an elastic body in the space. A first operating piece having a support portion at one end having a support portion in contact with the battery case and having an engagement convex portion at the other end for engaging with the storage battery engaging portion; A cordless tool comprising: one operating piece; and a second operating piece connected via a connecting portion and having an intermediate connecting portion extending in a biasing direction of the elastic body. 5. A part of the intermediate connecting portion protruding from the battery case, the first operating piece and the second operating piece resisting the urging force of the elastic body via the connecting part and the support part. The cordless tool according to claim 4, wherein the cordless tool is an operation unit for releasing the engagement between the engagement protrusion and the engagement recess provided in the housing by moving the engagement protrusion. 6. The battery according to claim 4, wherein a length of the intermediate connecting portion is larger than a width of the battery cell.
The cordless tool according to any one of the above. 7. The cordless tool according to claim 4, wherein the space is formed so as to be surrounded by the battery cells, and is larger than a width of the battery cells.