Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with a plurality of battery modules; a pack main body that removably receives the plurality of battery modules; a movable member that prohibits the plurality of battery modules from being attached to and removed from the pack main body at a first position; at least one sensor that detects whether the movable member is located at the first position or not; and a controller that performs at least one predetermined processing based on detection by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A power supply device includes battery interfaces configured to removably receive at least three batteries and a connection circuit configured to electrically connect the at least three batteries to each other. The connection circuit is capable of connecting at least two batteries in parallel and connecting at least one other battery to the at least two parallel-connected batteries in series. According to this power supply device, it is possible to supply high power to an electric device by connecting the batteries in series. In addition, it is possible to supply almost all of the electric power stored in the batteries to the electric device, even if amount of the remaining electric power in each battery is substantially uneven.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric device is disclosed which includes: a group of battery cells interconnected in series; discharge control circuitry for converting DC voltage of the group into AC voltage; an AC-output terminal through which an output of the discharge control circuitry is supplied to the device; charge control circuitry for converting AC voltage of a commercial power source into DC voltage, to thereby charge the group; and a charging terminal through which electric power of the source is supplied into the group, wherein the AC-output terminal is connectable with a power-input connector of the device, and the charging terminal is connectable with a charging connector of the source, the pack further comprising a detector for detecting insertion of the power-input connector into the AC-output terminal, wherein the discharge control circuitry initiates a discharge control sequence for the group, if the insertion is detected, and does not initiate the discharge control sequence, in response to non-det

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: A power tool includes a body, a tool bit, a driving mechanism and a handgrip extending from an end of the handgrip proximal to the body to a grip distal end in a direction that crosses the axial direction of the tool bit. The power tool includes a holding optimization region that is arranged on the handgrip and shaped to match the shape of the user's fingers while the user is holding the handgrip. The holding optimization region at least includes a rearward end surface of a grip distal end region configured such that a normal extending from the rearward end surface crosses the axial direction of the tool bit forward of the handgrip, whereby it is possible to optimize the force of the user's fingers and palm applied to the handgrip.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: A battery pack usable as a power source of an electric device, is disclosed, in which battery modules are in series; each battery module is configured to include battery cells in series; a discharge controller controls discharge power which is supplied from the battery modules to the electric device; a modulator modulates a voltage of each module between a high voltage and a low voltage which is higher than zero and lower than the high voltage; the high voltage and the low voltage are set to allow a load device of the electric device to operate by the high voltage, and to allow the load device not to operate by the low voltage; and the discharge controller operates by the battery modules, irrespective of whether each module outputs the high voltage or the low voltage.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: A system for charging a power tool battery includes a charging device capable of charging a battery, a memory device capable of storing data of a plurality of sound patterns, a selecting device capable of selecting a sound pattern data from the plurality of sound patterns, and a sound generating device capable of generating a sound based on the selected sound pattern data when the charging operation of the battery by the charging device has been completed.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an effective technique for reducing the load of user's fingers in a power tool. A representative power tool includes a body, a tool bit, a driving means and a handgrip that extends from a grip proximal end on the side of the body to a grip distal end in a direction that crosses the axial direction of the tool bit. The power tool includes a holding optimization region that is arranged on the handgrip and shaped to match with the holding form of the fingers of the user when the user holds the handgrip. Specifically, the holding optimization region at least includes the rear end surface of the grip distal end region such that a normal on the rear end surface crosses an axis of the tool bit forward of the handgrip. As a result, according to the invention, the force of the user's fingers and palm on the handgrip can be optimized.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed, including: a battery cell group of serially interconnected battery cells; discharge control circuitry for the battery cell group; and a discharge output terminal through which a discharge output of the battery cell group is supplied to an externally coupled electric device. The battery cell group cooperates with an input/output terminal electrically connected with the battery cell group to constitute one of battery modules which are serially connected with one another to constitute a battery module group. The battery pack further includes: a first detector detecting at least one of a voltage, a temperature and a current; and a first selector configured to select one of an enabling mode for the input/output terminal and a disabling mode.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with a plurality of battery modules; a pack main body that removably receives the plurality of battery modules; a movable member that prohibits the plurality of battery modules from being attached to and removed from the pack main body at a first position; at least one sensor that detects whether the movable member is located at the first position or not; and a controller that performs at least one predetermined processing based on detection by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric device is disclosed which includes: a group of battery cells interconnected in series; discharge control circuitry for converting DC voltage of the group into AC voltage; an AC-output terminal through which an output of the discharge control circuitry is supplied to the device; charge control circuitry for converting AC voltage of a commercial power source into DC voltage, to thereby charge the group; and a charging terminal through which electric power of the source is supplied into the group, wherein the AC-output terminal is connectable with a power-input connector of the device, and the charging terminal is connectable with a charging connector of the source, the pack further comprising a detector for detecting insertion of the power-input connector into the AC-output terminal, wherein the discharge control circuitry initiates a discharge control sequence for the group, if the insertion is detected, and does not initiate the discharge control sequence, in response to non-det

Abstract: A cordless power tool system is provided which is driven by using a battery pack as a power source, and which has work performance equivalent to an AC power tool is driven by using a commercial power source as a power source. The cordless power tool system is configured to include: a battery pack in which DC voltage of battery modules is converted into AC voltage, to thereby output the AC voltage having a level which is comparable to that of the commercial power source; a cordless power tool which is driven by using the battery pack as a power source; an electrical cord adapter which allows power supply from the commercial power source to the battery pack for charging the battery pack; and an electrical cord adapter which allows power supply from the commercial power source to the cordless power tool for driving the cordless power tool.

Abstract: Object of the invention is to provide an improved technique of suitably charging a battery assembly irrespective of the kind of the battery assembly. The representative battery charger 100 includes a power supply section 110, a detecting section 130 that detects voltage that represents a temperature index of the battery assembly 200, 300 a reference voltage that is compared with the detected temperature-representing voltage of the battery assembly. The battery charger 100 stops supplying the charging current when the temperature-representing voltage of the battery assembly reaches or exceeds the reference voltage. The reference voltage varies according to the charging voltage of the battery assembly and thus, the threshold temperature to complete the charge can be varied according to the charging voltage of the battery assembly 200, 300. As a result, an overload state for the battery assembly with high charging voltage and high temperature can effectively be prevented.