Adapter for connecting battery and electrical device

An adapter may be configured to connect a battery and an electrical device to each other. The adapter may include a control board; a battery-side terminal mounted on a first surface of the control board and configured to be electrically connectable to the battery; and a device-side terminal mounted on a second surface of the control board and configured to be electrically connectable to the electrical device, the second surface being opposite from the first surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-208166, filed on Nov. 18, 2019 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-208168, filed on Nov. 18, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herewith relates to an adapter.

BACKGROUND

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-300867 describes an adapter. The adapter is configured to connect a battery and an electrical device to each other. The adapter includes a control board, a battery-side terminal, and a device-side terminal. The battery-side terminal is mounted on the control board and is configured to be electrically connectable to the battery. The device-side terminal is connected to the control board via a lead and is configured to be electrically connectable to the electrical device.

SUMMARY

In the above-described adapter, the device-side terminal is connected to the control board via a lead. This requires a space for disposing the lead to be provided, resulting in increase in size of the adapter. The present disclosure discloses a technology that can prevent increase in size of an adapter.

The disclosure herein discloses an adapter. The adapter may be configured to connect a battery and an electrical device to each other. The adapter may comprise a control board, a battery-side terminal, and a device-side terminal. The battery-side terminal may be mounted on a first surface of the control board and configured to be electrically connectable to the battery.

The device-side terminal may be mounted on a second surface of the control board and configured to be electrically connectable to the electrical device, the second surface being opposite from the first surface.

In the above configuration, since the battery-side terminal and the device-side terminal are both mounted on the control board, the battery-side terminal and the device-side terminal are disposed on the control board without use of another member such as a lead. Due to this, a space for disposing the lead is not required to be provided, which can prevent increase in size of the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one or more embodiments, an adapter may be configured to connect a battery and an electrical device to each other. The adapter may comprise a control board, a battery-side terminal, and a device-side terminal. The battery-side terminal may be mounted on a first surface of the control board and configured to be electrically connectable to the battery. The device-side terminal may be mounted on a second surface of the control board and configured to be electrically connectable to the electrical device, the second surface being opposite from the first surface.

In the above configuration, since the battery-side terminal and the device-side terminal are both mounted on the control board, the battery-side terminal and the device-side terminal are disposed on the control board without use of another member such as a lead. Due to this, a space for disposing the lead is not required to be provided, which can prevent increase in size of the adapter.

In one or more embodiments, the adapter may further comprise: a battery mounting portion to which a battery-side mounting portion of the battery is to be detachably attached; and a device mounting portion to which a device-side mounting portion of the electrical device is to be detachably attached. The battery-side mounting portion of the battery may be configured to be unattachable to the device-side mounting portion of the electrical device.

The above configuration enables the battery and the electrical device, which cannot be connected directly to each other, to be connected to each other via the adapter.

In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may be configured to be detachably attached to the adapter by being slid in a slide direction with respect to the adapter. The battery-side terminal may be disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal in the slide direction.

In a case where the battery-side terminal is mounted on the first surface of the control board and the device-side terminal is mounted on the second surface of the control board, the battery-side terminal needs to be disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal. If the battery-side terminal is disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal, however, the adapter may be increased in size. In the above configuration, the battery-side terminal is disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal in the slide direction. In a configuration in which the electrical device is configured to be detachably attached by being slid with respect to the adapter, the adapter usually has an enough size in the slide direction, thus the adapter can be prevented from being increased in size in the slide direction, even in a case where the battery-side terminal is disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal in the slide direction.

In one or more embodiments, the adapter may further comprise: a housing which houses the control board; and a water blocking wall disposed inside the housing. The housing may include an opening facing the battery when the battery is attached to the adapter, the water blocking wall may be disposed to isolate the opening from the control board.

In the above configuration, the water blocking wall prevents water that has entered an inside of the housing from the opening from flowing toward the control board. This can prevent the water from reaching the control board.

In one or more embodiments, the housing may include a water blocking groove configured to receive water which has entered an inside of the housing from the opening and flows along the water blocking wall. A distal end of the water blocking wall may be disposed in the water blocking groove.

In the above configuration, the water blocking groove functions as a water receiver configured to receive the water that has entered the inside of the housing from the opening.

This can prevent the water from reaching the control board.

In one or more embodiments, the housing may further include a drain opening configured to drain water which has entered the inside of the housing from the opening to an outside of the housing. The drain opening may be disposed in the water blocking groove.

In the above-described configuration, the water trapped in the water blocking groove is drained from the drain opening to the outside of the housing. This can prevent the water from remaining trapped inside the housing.

In one or more embodiments, the adapter may further comprise a housing which houses the control board. The housing may include a battery mounting surface and a device mounting surface. The battery may be attached to the battery mounting surface. The device mounting surface may be opposite from the battery mounting surface and the electrical device may be attached to the device mounting surface. The battery mounting surface may be inclined relative to the device mounting surface.

In the above configuration, the battery mounting surface is inclined relative to the device mounting surface. Therefore, even when a member such as a hook is provided, the housing can have a required height at and near a portion where the member such as a hook is provided and can have a decreased height at another portion. This can further downsize the adapter.

In one or more embodiments, the battery mounting surface may be inclined relative to the device mounting surface at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than or equal to 10 degrees.

The above configuration can prevent the battery mounting surface from being excessively inclined relative to the device mounting surface. This can prevent increase in size of the adapter.

In one or more embodiments, the battery may be configured to be detachably attached to the adapter by being slid with respect to the adapter. The battery-side terminal may comprise a protrusion which protrudes from the battery mounting surface. The protrusion may include a distal surface located farthest from the battery mounting surface. The distal surface may be parallel to the battery mounting surface.

The above configuration can prevent the distal surface of the battery-side terminal from catching on the battery when the battery is slid along the batten mounting surface of the adapter. This enables the battery to be easily attached to the adapter.

In one or more embodiments, a front direction may be defined as a direction in which the battery is slid to be attached to the adapter. The protrusion may include a rear surface. The rear surface may be perpendicular to the battery mounting surface.

The above configuration can prevent the rear surface of the battery-side terminal from catching on the battery when the battery is slid along the battery mounting surface of the adapter. This enables the battery to be easily attached to the adapter.

In one or more embodiments, the electrical device may be configured to be detachably attached to the adapter by being slid with respect to the adapter. The device-side terminal may comprise a protrusion which protrudes from the device mounting surface. The protrusion may include a distal surface located farthest from the device mounting surface. The distal surface may be parallel to the device mounting surface.

The above configuration can prevent the distal surface of the device-side terminal from catching on the electrical device when the electrical device is slid along the device mounting surface of the adapter. This enables the adapter to be easily attached to the electrical device.

In one or more embodiments, a front direction may be defined as a direction in which the adapter is slid to be attached to the electrical device. The protrusion may include a rear surface. The rear surface may be perpendicular to the device mounting surface.

The above configuration can prevent the rear surface of the device-side terminal from catching on the electrical device when the electrical device is slid along the device mounting surface of the adapter. This enables the adapter to be easily attached to the electrical device.

In one or more embodiments, the adapter may further comprise a display disposed on the battery mounting surface and configured to display information of the electrical device.

According to the above configuration, when the device mounting surface is placed horizontal to a placement surface, the battery mounting surface is inclined relative to the placement surface. The display is thus inclined relative to the placement surface. This enables an operator to easily see the display in comparison with a case where the display is horizontal to the placement surface.

In one or more embodiments, an adapter may be configured to connect a battery and an electrical device to each other. The adapter may comprise a housing, a control board, and a terminal. The control board may be housed in the housing. The terminal may be mounted on the control board. The housing may include a battery mounting surface and a device mounting surface. The battery may be attached to the battery mounting surface. The device mounting surface may be opposite from the battery mounting surface and the electrical device may be attached to the device mounting surface. The battery mounting surface may be inclined relative to the device mounting surface.

In the above configuration, the battery mounting surface is inclined relative to the device mounting surface. Therefore, even when a member such as a hook is provided, the housing can have a required height at and near a portion where the member such as a hook is provided and can have a decreased height at another portion. This can further downsize the adapter.

First Embodiment

With reference toFIGS.1to9, an adapter2according to a first embodiment will be described. The adapter2is used to connect a battery4and a battery checker6to each other. The battery4is a battery used by being attached to a power tool such as a driver or a drill, or power work equipment such as a string trimmer or a blower. The battery4is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The battery checker6is an electrical device that conforms with the battery4. The battery checker6is an electrical device for displaying, for example, remaining life of the battery4or the cumulative number of charges of the battery4. When the battery4fails, the battery checker6also displays a point of failure. For example, in a case where an old-model battery4and an old-model battery checker6are configured to be connectable to each other, and where a late-model battery4and the old-model battery checker6are not configured to be connectable to each other, the adapter2that can connect the late-model battery4and the old-model battery checker6is prepared so as to connect the late-model battery4to the old-model battery checker6. In a case where the old-model battery4and a late-model battery checker6are not configured to be connectable to each other, the adapter2that can connect the old-model battery4and the late-model battery checker6may be prepared so as to connect the old-model battery4to the late-model battery checker6.

As shown inFIG.1, the battery4includes a lower surface on which a battery-side mounting portion4ais provided. The battery checker6includes an upper surface on which a checker-side mounting portion6ais provided. The checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6is unattachable to the battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4. The battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4is therefore unattachable to the checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6. The adapter2includes a lower surface on which a checker mounting portion8(seeFIG.8) attachable to the checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6is provided. The adapter2includes an upper surface on which a battery mounting portion10(seeFIG.2) attachable to the battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4is provided. The adapter2is detachably attached to the battery checker6by sliding the checker mounting portion8of the adapter2with respect to the checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6. The battery4is detachably attached to the adapter2by sliding the battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4with respect to the battery mounting portion10of the adapter2. The battery4is connected to the battery checker6via the adapter2by attaching the adapter2to the battery checker6and attaching the battery4to the adapter2. Hereinafter, a direction in which the adapter2is slid with respect to the battery checker6will be called a font-rear direction, a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be called a right-left direction, and a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the right-left direction will be called an up-down direction.

As shown inFIG.2, the adapter2comprises a housing12and a terminal cover14. The housing12comprises an upper housing28and a lower housing30. The upper housing28defines an outer shape of an upper portion of the adapter2. The battery mounting portion10is provided on an upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The lower housing30defines an outer shape of a lower portion of the adapter2. As shown inFIG.8, the checker mounting portion8is provided on a lower surface30aof the lower housing30. The upper housing28and the lower housing30are fixed to each other with srews31.

As shown inFIG.2, rails34,36, openings38,40(for the opening40, seeFIGS.4to7), and terminal mounting portions42(seeFIG.4) are formed on the upper housing28. The rails34,36have a longitudinal direction along a slide direction in which the battery4is slid with respect to the adapter2. The rail34is disposed at a right end of the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The rail36is disposed at a left end of the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. When the battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4is to be attached to the battery mounting portion10of the adapter2, the rails34,36guide the battery-side mounting portion4ain the front-rear direction.

The opening38is disposed close to the rail34. The opening38has a longitudinal direction along the slide direction. As shown inFIG.6, the opening40is disposed close to the rail36. As shown inFIG.4, the opening40has a longitudinal direction along the slide direction. When the battery4is attached to the adapter2, the openings38,40face the battery4. The terminal mounting portions42are disposed between the rails34,36.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, a right end of the terminal cover14is slidably attached to a left edge of the opening38of the upper housing28. A left end of the terminal cover14is slidably attached to a right edge or the opening40of the upper housing28. The terminal cover14is held by the upper housing28slidably in the front-rear direction. The terminal cover14is slidable between a protecting position (seeFIG.2) at which it covers battery-side terminals76to be described below and an exposing position (seeFIG.3) at which it exposes the battery-side terminals76. The terminal cover14is biased by biasing springs26a,26b(seeFIG.7) in a direction from the exposing position toward the protecting position. Therefore, in a state where the battery4is not attached to the adapter2, the terminal cover14is held at the protecting position as shown inFIG.2. In a case where the battery4is to be attached to the adapter2, the terminal cover14is pressed by the battery4to thereby move from the protecting position to the exposing position.

As shown inFIG.6, the adapter2further comprises a control board16and water blocking walls18,20. The control board16and the water blocking walls18,20are housed inside the upper housing28and the lower housing30. As shown inFIG.5, the control board16is positioned relative to the upper housing28by positioning pins44of the upper housing28at two opposing corners out of four corners of the control board16. Moreover, the control board16is fixed to the upper housing28with screws46at its other two opposing corners out of the four corners.

The water blocking walls18,20extend downward from an upper inner surface of the upper housing28(seeFIG.4). As shown inFIG.6, the water blocking wall18extends in a direction along the left edge of the opening38and in the slide direction. The water blocking wall18is disposed to isolate the opening38from the control board16. A lower end of the water blocking wall18is disposed below the control board16. The water blocking wall20extends in a direction along the right edge of the opening40and in the slide direction. The water blocking wall20is disposed to isolate the opening40from the control board16. A lower end of the water blocking wall20is disposed below the control board16. The control board16is disposed between the water blocking walls18,20with respect to the right-left direction. In a case where water has entered an inside of the housing12from the opening38, the water blocking wall18is configured to guide the entered water downward. In a case water has entered the inside of the housing12from the opening40, the water blocking wall20is configured to guide the entered water downward.

As shown inFIG.7, pins32a,32bare disposed on the upper inner surface of the upper housing28and extend downward. With respect to the right-left direction, the pin32ais disposed between the water blocking wall18and a right edge of the opening38. With respect to the right-left direction, a distance W1between the pin32aand the water blocking wall18is approximately equal to a distance W2between the pin32aand the right edge of the opening38. With respect to the right-left direction, the pin32bis disposed between the water blocking wall20and a left edge of the opening40. With respect to the right-left direction, a distance W1between the pin32band the water blocking wall20is approximately equal to a distance W2between the pin32band the left edge of the opening40.

The biasing spring26aincludes one end attached to the pin32a. The other end of the biasing spring26ais attached to the right end of the terminal cover14. The biasing spring26ais inclined to be apart from the water blocking wall18from its front toward its rear. If the pin32ais disposed closer to the water blocking wall18than the pin32ain the present embodiment is and the biasing spring26ais disposed parallel to the front-rear direction, the biasing spring26awould interfere with the water blocking wall18, by which it becomes difficult to attach the biasing spring26ato the pin32aand to the terminal cover14. In the present embodiment, since the biasing spring26ais inclined to be apart from the water blocking wall18from its front toward its rear, the biasing spring26acan be prevented from interfering with the water blocking wall18, by which it becomes easy to attach the biasing spring26ato the pin32aand the terminal cover14. One end of the biasing spring26bis attached to the pin32b. The other end of the biasing spring26bis attached to the left end of the terminal cover14. The biasing spring26bis inclined to be apart from the water blocking wall20from its front toward its rear. The biasing spring26bcan therefore be prevented from interfering with the water blocking wall20, by which it becomes easy to attach the biasing spring26bto the pin32band the terminal cover14.

As shown inFIG.8, rails50,52and a terminal mounting portion54arc formed on the lower housing30. The rails50,52have a longitudinal direction along the front-rear direction. The rail50is disposed at a right end of the lower surface30aof the lower housing30. The lower surface30ais disposed opposite from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The rail52is disposed at a left end of the lower surface30aof the lower housing30. The rails50,52are longer than rails (not shown) of the battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4. This prevents the adapter2from being erroneously attached to an electrical device other than the battery checker6, such as an electric power tool or an electric power working machine. The rail52extends such that a front end of the rail52is positioned forward of a front end of the rail50. The adapter2is thereby detachably attached to the old-model battery checker6but is unattachable to the late-model battery checker6. In a case where the checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6is to be attached to the checker mounting portion8of the adapter2, the rails50,52guide the checker-side mounting portion6ain the slide direction. The terminal mounting portion54is disposed between the rails50,52.

The adapter2further comprises a hook130. The hook130is disposed at a rear end of the adapter2. The hook130usually protrudes downward relative to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30by being biased by a biasing spring132(seeFIG.9). The hook130has a longitudinal direction along the up-down direction. The adapter2is held by the battery checker6by the hook130being engaged in an engagement groove (not shown) defined in the upper surface of the battery checker6.

As shown inFIG.6, the adapter2further comprises inner walls22,24. The inner walls22,24are housed inside the upper housing28and the lower housing30. The inner walls22,24extend upward from a lower inner surface of the lower housing30. The inner walls22,24have a longitudinal direction along the front-rear direction. The inner wall22is disposed leftward of the water blocking wall18and rightward of the control board16. An upper end of the inner wall22is disposed above the control board16and the lower end of the water blocking wall18. The inner wall24is disposed rightward of the water blocking wall20and leftward of the control board16. An upper end of the inner wall24is disposed above the control board16and the lower end of the water blocking wall20. With respect to the right-left direction, the control board16is disposed between the inner walls22,24. With respect to the right-left direction, the inner walls22,24are disposed between the water blocking walls18,20. With respect to the right-left direction, the inner wall22overlaps the water blocking wall18, and the inner wall24overlaps the water blocking wall20, by which the inner walls22,24and the water blocking walls18,20form a labyrinth structure. This can further prevent the water that has entered the inside of the housing12from the openings38,40from reaching the control board16in comparison with a case where the adapter2includes only one of the water blocking walls18,20and the inner walls22,24.

Steps58,60are formed at an inner surface of the lower housing30. The step58is disposed rightward of the inner wall22and the water blocking wall18. A portion of the lower inner surface of the lower housing30located rightward of the step58is located above a portion of the lower inner surface of the lower housing30between the step58and the inner wall22. A water blocking groove64is formed between the step58and the inner wall22. The step60is disposed leftward of the inner wall24and the water blocking wall20. A portion of the lower inner surface of the lower housing30located leftward of the step60is located above a portion of the lower inner surface of the lower housing30between the step60and the inner wall24. A water blocking groove66is formed between the step60and the inner wall24. The water blocking grooves64,66have a longitudinal direction along the front-rear direction. The lower end of the water blocking wall18is disposed in the water blocking groove64. The lower end of the water blocking wall20is disposed in the water blocking groove66. The water blocking grooves64,66are configured to receive water guided by the water blocking walls18,20, respectively.

Drain openings68,70are formed in the lower housing30. The drain opening68is disposed at a front end of the water blocking groove64. The drain opening70is disposed at a front end of the water blocking groove66.

In a case where the adapter2is attached to the battery checker6placed on a horizontal surface, the lower surface30aof the lower housing30is inclined downward relative to the horizontal surface from its rear toward its front. Due to this, each of the water blocking grooves64,66is inclined downward relative to the horizontal surface from its rear toward its front. This allows water that has dropped from the water blocking walls18to the water blocking groove64to flow forward to be drained from the drain opening68to an outside of the housing12. Similarly, this allows water that has dropped from the water blocking wall20to the water blocking groove66to flow forward to be drained from the drain opening70to an outside of the housing12. The water that has been drained from the drain openings68,70runs on an outer surface of the battery checker6and drops downward from the battery checker6.

In a case where the adapter2is placed on the horizontal surface as well, the lower surface30aof the lower housing30is inclined downward relative to the horizontal surface from its rear toward its front. Due to this, each of the water blocking grooves64,66is inclined downward relative to the horizontal surface from its rear toward its front. This allows the water that has moved from the water blocking wall18to the water blocking grooves64to flow forward to be drained from the drain opening68to the outside of the housing12. Similarly, this allows the water that has moved from the water blocking wall20to the water blocking groove66to flow forward to be drained from the drain opening70to the outside of the housing12.

As described above, the adapter2comprises the control board16. As shown inFIG.9, the control board16is disposed parallel to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30. The control board16is inclined relative to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. In the present embodiment, the upper surface28aof the upper housing28is inclined relative to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30at an angle of 5 degrees. The upper surface28aof the upper housing28may be inclined relative to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than or equal to 10 degrees, or at an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than or equal to 15 degrees.

A device-side terminal74is mounted on a lower surface16aof the control board16. The device-side terminal74extends downward from the lower surface16aof the control board16, is then bent and extends forward. The device-side terminal74protrudes to an outside of the lower housing30through the terminal mounting portion54of the lower housing30. When the adapter2is attached to the battery checker6, the device-side terminal74is electrically connected to terminal(s) of the battery checker6(not shown).

Six battery-side terminals76are mounted on an upper surface16bof the control board16. The upper surface16bis opposite from the lower surface16aof the control board16. The six battery-side terminals76respectively protrude to an outside of the upper housing28through the terminal mounting portions42of the upper housing28. When the adapter2is attached to the battery4, the six battery-side terminals76are electrically connected to terminal(s) of the battery4(not shown). Positions of the six battery-side terminals76mounted on the control board16in the front-rear direction are forward of a position of the device-side terminal74mounted on the control board16in the front-rear direction. In other words, the six battery-side terminals76are offset from the device-side terminal74in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIG.3, the six battery-side terminals76are classified as two first battery-side terminals78, two second battery-side terminals80, and two third battery-side terminals82. The two first battery-side terminals78are arranged in the right-left direction. The two third battery-side terminals82are arranged in the right-left direction. With respect to the right-left direction, one of the second battery-side terminals80is disposed rightward of the first battery-side terminals78and the third battery-side terminals82, and the other of the second battery-side terminals80is disposed leftward of the first battery-side terminals78and the third battery-side terminals82. As shown inFIG.9, with respect to the front-rear direction, the first battery-side terminals78, the second battery-side terminals80, and the third battery-side terminals82are arranged in this order from rear toward front. The first battery-side terminals78, the second battery-side terminals80, and the third battery-side terminals82each have a shape equal to one another. Therefore, a detailed structure of the battery-side terminals76will be described by taking one of the first battery-side terminals78as an example.

As shown inFIG.9, the first battery-side terminal78comprises a base86, a fixed portion88, and a protrusion90. A lower portion of the base86is inserted into a mounting hole92of the control board16. The base86extends vertically from the upper surface16bof the control board16. The base86is fixed to the control board16with use of, for example, solder. The fixed portion88is disposed on the base86. The fixed portion88is fixed to the upper housing28through the terminal mounting portion42. The protrusion90is disposed on the fixed portion88. The protrusion90protrudes to the outside of the upper housing28. The protrusion90includes a front surface94, a rear surface96, and a distal surface98. With respect to the front-rear direction, the front surface94of the protrusion90is a surface of the protrusion90on its front side, and the rear surface96of the protrusion90is a surface of the protrusion90on its rear side. The front surface94is perpendicular to the upper surface16bof the control board16and is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The rear surface96is perpendicular to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28and is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the upper surface16bof the control board16. The rear surface96is perpendicular to the slide direction in which the battery4is slid with respect to the adapter2. The distal surface98is a surface located farthest from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The distal surface98is parallel to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28and is inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to the upper surface16bof the control board16. The distal surface98is parallel to the slide direction in which the battery4is slid with respect to the adapter2.

A height from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28to the distal surface98of the first battery-side terminal78is equal to a height from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28to a distal surface112of the second battery-side terminal80. The upper surface28aof the upper housing28is inclined relative to the upper surface16bof the control board16, and approaches the upper surface16bof the control board16toward its front. This allows a base102of the second battery-side terminal80to be inserted deeper into a corresponding one of the mounting holes92of the control board16than the base86of the first battery-side terminal78is. A height from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28to a distal surface124of the third battery-side terminal82is larger than the height from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28to the distal surface98of the first battery-side terminal78by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, equal to or smaller than 1 mm. Since the predetermined amount is set to be equal to or smaller than 1 mm, the battery4can be prevented from catching on the third battery-side terminals82when the battery4is to be attached to the adapter2. Moreover, an amount by which a base114of the third battery-side terminal82protrudes downward from the lower surface16aof the control board16can be decreased in comparison with a case where the height from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28to the distal surface124of the third battery-side terminal82is equal to the height from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28to the distal surface98of the first battery-side terminal78. The adapter2can thereby be downsized with respect to the up-down direction.

Next, a method of mounting the battery-side terminals76on the upper surface16bof the control board16will be described. Firstly, the six battery-side terminals76are molded integrally with the upper housing28by insert molding. Next, the two opposing corners out of the four corners of the control board16are inserted into the positioning pins44of the upper housing28. The control board16is thereby positioned relative to the upper housing28, and the bases of the six battery-side terminals76are respectively inserted into the mounting holes92of the control board16to protrude downward from the lower surface16aof the control board16. Subsequently, the other two opposing corners out of the four corners of the control board16are fixed with the screws46. Afterwards, the bases of the six battery-side terminals76are soldered to the control board16.

The adapter2of the present embodiment is configured to connect the battery4and the battery checker6to each other. The adapter2comprises the control board16, the battery-side terminals76, and the device-side terminal74. As shown inFIG.8, the battery-side terminals76are mounted on the upper surface16bof the control board16and configured to be electrically connectable to the battery4. The device-side terminal74is mounted on the lower surface16aof the control board16and configured to be electrically connectable to the battery checker6, the lower surface16abeing opposite from the upper surface16b. In the above configuration, since the battery-side terminals76and the device-side terminal74are both mounted on the control board16, the battery-side terminals76and the device-side terminal74are disposed on the control board16without use of another member such as a lead. Due to this, a space for disposing the lead is not required to be provided, which can prevent increase in size of the adapter2.

The adapter2further comprises: the battery mounting portion10to which the battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4is to be detachably attached; and the checker mounting portion8to which the checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6is to be detachably attached. The battery-side mounting portion4aof the battery4may be configured to be unattachable to the checker-side mounting portion6aof the battery checker6. The above configuration enables the battery4and the battery checker6, which cannot be connected directly to each other, to be connected to each other via the adapter2.

The battery checker6is configured to be detachably attached to the adapter2by being slid in a slide direction with respect to the adapter2. The battery-side terminals76are disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal74in the slide direction. In a case where the battery-side terminals76arc mounted on the upper surface16bof the control board16and the device-side terminal74is mounted on the lower surface16aof the control board16, the battery-side terminals76need to be disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal74. If battery-side terminals76are disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal74, however, the adapter2may be increased in si/e. In the above configuration, the battery-side terminals76are disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal74in the slid direction. In a configuration in which the battery checker6is configured to be detachably attached by being slid with respect to the adapter2, the adapter2usually has an enough size in the slide direction, thus the adapter2can be prevented from being increased in size in the slide direction, even in a case where the battery-side terminals76arc disposed to be offset from the device-side terminal74in the slide direction.

As shown inFIG.5, the adapter further comprises: the housing12which houses the control board16; and the water blocking walls18,20disposed inside the housing12. The housing12includes the openings38,40facing the battery4when the battery4is attached to the adapter2. Each of the water blocking walls18,20is disposed to isolate corresponding one of the openings38,40from the control board16. In the above configuration, each of the water blocking walls18,20prevents water that has entered the inside of the housing from corresponding one of the openings38,40from flowing toward the control board. This can prevent the water from reaching the control board16.

As shown inFIG.5, the housing12includes the water blocking grooves64,66each configured to receive water which has entered the inside of the housing12from corresponding one of the openings38,40and flows along corresponding one of the water blocking walls18,20. The distal end of each of the water blocking walls18,20is disposed in corresponding one of the water blocking grooves64,66. In the above configuration, each of the water blocking grooves64,66functions as a water receiver configured to receive the water that has entered the inside of the housing12from corresponding one of the openings38,40. This can prevent the water from reaching the control board16.

As shown inFIG.5, the housing12further includes the drain openings68,70each configured to drain water which has entered the inside of the housing12from corresponding one of the openings38,40to the outside of the housing12. Each of the drain openings68,70is disposed in corresponding one of the water blocking grooves64,66. In the above-described configuration, the water trapped in each of the water blocking grooves64,66is drained from corresponding one of the drain openings68,70to the outside of the housing12. This can prevent the water from remaining trapped inside the housing12.

The adapter2further comprises the housing12which houses the control board16. The housing12includes the upper surface28aand the lower surface30a. The battery4is attached to the upper surface28a. The lower surface30ais opposite from the upper surface28aand the battery checker6is attached to the lower surface30a. As shown inFIG.8, the upper surface28ais inclined relative to the lower surface30a. In the above configuration, the upper surface28ais inclined relative to the lower surface30a. Therefore, even when a member such as the hook130is provided, the housing12can have a required height at and near a portion where the member such as the hook130is provided and can have a decreased height at another

The upper surface28ais inclined relative to the lower surface30aat an angle that is larger than 0 degrees and smaller than or equal to 10 degrees. The above configuration can prevent the upper surface28afrom being excessively inclined relative to the lower surface30a. This can prevent increase in size of the adapter2.

The battery4is configured to be detachably attached to the adapter2by being slid with respect to the adapter2. Each of the battery-side terminals76comprises the protrusion90which protrude from the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The protrusion90includes the distal surface98located farthest from the upper surface28a. The distal surface98is parallel to the upper surface28a. The above configuration can prevent the distal surface98of each of the battery-side terminals76from catching on the battery4when the battery4is slid along the upper surface28a. This enables the battery4to be easily attached to the adapter2.

The front direction is defined as a direction in which the battery4is slid to be attached to the adapter2. The protrusion90includes the rear surface96. The rear surface96is perpendicular to the upper surface28a. The above configuration can prevent the rear surface96of each of the battery-side terminals76from catching on the battery4when the battery4is slid along the upper surface28a. This enables the battery4to be easily attached to the adapter2.

The adapter2of the present embodiment is configured to connect the battery4and the battery checker6to each other. The adapter2comprises the housing12, the control board16, and the terminals74,76. The control board16is housed in the housing12. The terminals74,76are mounted on the control board16. The housing12includes the upper surface28aand the lower surface30a. The battery4is attached to the upper surface28a. The lower surface30ais opposite from the upper surface28aand the battery checker6is attached to the lower surface30a. As shown inFIG.8, the upper surface28ais inclined relative to the lower surface30a. In the above configuration, the upper surface28ais inclined relative to the lower surface30a. Therefore, even when a member such as the hook130is provided, the housing12can have a required height at and near a portion where the member such as the hook130is provided and can have a decreased height at another portion. This can further downsize the adapter2.

The upper surface16hof the control board16is an example of a “first surface of the control board”, and the lower surface16aof the control board16is an example of a “second surface of the control board”. The upper surface28aof the upper housing28is an example of a “battery mounting surface”, and the lower surface30aof the lower housing30is an example of a “device mounting surface”.

(Variant of First Embodiment)

With reference toFIG.10, a variant of the first embodiment will be described. The variant of the first embodiment will be described regarding its differences from the first embodiment. The same reference signs well be allocated to the same points as the first variant and the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. In the variant of the first embodiment, the adapter2further includes a display15. The display15is disposed on the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. The display15is, for example, an LED panel. The display15is configured to display, for example, information on connection between the adapter2and the battery checker6by being controlled by the control board16. An operator determines whether the adapter2is correctly connected to the battery checker6by seeing the information on connection displayed on the display15.

The adapter2comprises the display15disposed on the upper surface28aand configured to display information of the battery checker6. According to the above configuration, when the lower surface30ais placed horizontal to a placement surface, the upper surface28ais inclined relative to the placement surface. The display15is thus inclined relative to the placement surface. This enables an operator to easily see the display15in comparison with a case where the display15is horizontal to the placement surface.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described regarding its differences from the first embodiment. The same reference signs well be allocated to the same points as the first variant and the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the control board16is disposed parallel to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28and is inclined relative to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30. The terminal74in the second embodiment is mounted on the upper surface16bof the control board16. The terminal74is electrically connectable to the battery4. The terminals76in the second embodiment are mounted on the lower surface16aof the control board16. The terminals76are electrically connectable to the battery checker6. A structure of the terminals76will be described by taking one of the first terminals78out of the terminals76as an example.

The base86of the first terminal78is fixed to the control board16with use of, for example, solder. The fixed portion88of the first terminal78is fixed to the lower housing30. The protrusion90of the first terminal78protrudes to the outside of the lower housing30. The front surface94of the protrusion90is perpendicular to the lower surface16aof the control board16and is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30. The rear surface96of the protrusion90is perpendicular to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30and is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the lower surface16aof the control board16. The distal surface98of the protrusion90is parallel to the lower surface30aof the lower housing30and is parallel to the front-rear direction in which the battery checker6is slid with respect to the adapter2.

The battery checker6is configured to be detachably attached to the adapter2by being slid with respect to the adapter2. Each of the terminals76comprises the protrusion90which protrudes from the lower surface30a. The protrusion90includes the distal surface98located farthest from the lower surface30a. The distal surface98is parallel to the lower surface30a. The above configuration can prevent the distal surface98of each of the terminals76from catching on the battery checker6when the battery checker6is slid along the lower surface30a. This enables the adapter2to be easily attached to the battery checker6.

A front direction is defined as a direction in which the adapter2is slid to be attached to the battery checker6. The protrusion90includes the rear surface96. The rear surface96is perpendicular to the lower surface30a. The above configuration can prevent the rear surface96of each of the terminals76from catching on the battery checker6when the battery checker6is slid along the lower surface30a. This enables the adapter2to be easily attached to the battery checker6.

The adapter2according to an embodiment may be configured to connect the battery4to an electrical device other than the battery checker6. The other electrical device may be, for example, an electric power tool such as a driver or a drill, or an electric power working machine such as a string trimmer or a blower.

In the adapter2according to an embodiment, the front surfaces94of the first battery-side terminals78may be perpendicular to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. Respective front surfaces of the second battery-side terminals80and the third battery-side terminals82may also be perpendicular to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28.

The adapter2according to an embodiment may not comprise the water blocking walls18,20. The adapter2may not comprise the inner walls22,24. The adapter2may comprise neither of the water blocking walls18,20nor the inner walls22,24.

In the adapter2according to an embodiment, the rear surfaces96of the first battery-side terminals78may be inclined relative to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28. Respective rear surfaces of the second battery-side terminals80and the third battery-side terminals82may be inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to the upper surface28aof the upper housing28.

In the adapter2according to an embodiment, the positions of the six battery-side terminals76mounted on the control board16in the front-rear direction may be rearward of the position of the device-side terminal74mounted on the control board16in the front-rear direction.