Abstract:
A power tool accessory identification system includes a power tool which has a motor, an output spindle actuatable by the motor, and a tool holder connected to the spindle and configured to hold an accessory therein. The power tool includes an accessory reader to decoding an identification device on the accessory. In a method of controlling the power tool with an accessory operatively coupled thereto, the accessory is inserted in the tool and a communication interface between the accessory and tool is read. An accessory identification is decoded via an accessory reader of the tool. A tool setting for the power tool is accessed based on the decoded accessory identification.
Abstract:
In a cordless power tool system, a battery pack (450) which may removably attachable to a cordless power tool and to a charger may include at least one battery cell (410) and a power limiting device (490). The power limiting device may be arranged in series with the at least one battery cell for limiting power output of the battery pack based on the component that is connected to the pack. Current and hence power out of the battery pack may be controlled as a function of total internal impedance in the battery pack, which may be adjusted depending on the component that is connected to the pack.
Abstract:
A battery pack for a cordless power has a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells are interconnected with a laminated plate structure having non-conductive layers interspersed with conductive layers, at least one of the conductive layers connected to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells in a battery pack are interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board having conductive traces thereon that are attached to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, a cordless power tool has one or the other of the foregoing battery packs. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells.
Abstract:
In a cordless power tool system, protection methods, circuits and devices are provided to protect against fault conditions within a battery pack that is operatively attached to a power tool or charger, so as to prevent internal or external damage to the battery pack or attached tool or charger. The exemplary methods, circuits and devices address fault conditions such as over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-temperature, etc.
Abstract:
A battery-monitoring device of a battery configured for powering a cordless power tool may include an integrated circuit (220) connected to a microprocessor (250) of the pack (210) that is external to the integrated circuit, and which is connected to each of N battery cells of the pack. The integrated circuit may be configured to take, singly or sequentially, a sampled reading comprising one of an individual cell voltage or a total pack voltage for all cells in the pack. The sampled reading is filtered in the integrated circuit prior to being read by the microprocessor.
Abstract:
A battery pack (104) for a cordless power tool (102) and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member (452) that pivotally engages a retention member (408) of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball (404) and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch (416) that engages the ball. A battery pack for a cordless power and a cordless poser tool and battery pack combination may additionally or alternatively include the battery pack having a modular interface section (802) that interfaces with the power tool (102) and a battery cup section (804) mated to the modular interface section where the battery cup section has one of a plurality of different battery/voltage configurations.
Abstract:
A battery pack for a cordless power tool and a cordless power tool and battery pack combination includes the battery pack having a retention member that pivotally engages a retention member of the power tool and a latch system in which one of the battery pack and power tool has a ball and the other of the power tool and battery pack has a latch that engages the ball. A battery pack for a cordless power and a cordless poser tool and battery pack combination may additionally or alternatively include the battery pack having a modular interface section that interfaces with the power tool and a battery cup section mated to the modular interface section where the battery cup section has one of a plurality of different battery/voltage configurations.
Abstract:
A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
Abstract:
A battery pack with a first battery and a second battery, wherein each battery is a plurality of cells connected in series, and operable in a storage mode and a use mode, a storage mode defined by isolating the first battery from the second battery, and a use mode defined by electrically connecting the first battery to the second battery. The storage mode may include: electrically isolating said first plurality of cells from said second plurality of cells or physically isolating said first plurality of cells from said second plurality of cells.
Abstract:
A control system for use with a cordless power tool having a trigger switch includes a microcontroller having an analog I/O pin and a pin I/O driver driving the pin to high output and low output, and setting the pin to high impedance input. A temperature sensor connected to the analog I/O pin is comprised of a voltage divider circuit and a thermistor disposed proximate to a heat source to be measured. A control module of the microcontroller measures and records temperature of the heat source by first setting the analog I/O pin high, waiting a predetermined amount of time for a capacitor of the voltage divider circuit to discharge, setting the analog I/O pin to high impedance input, taking the temperature reading, and storing the temperature reading in a computer readable medium.