Battery pack and method for detecting voltage of load connected to battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack and a method for detecting a voltage of a load connected to the battery pack, the battery pack configured to power a common load and comprising: at least one battery comprising a high-side battery interface and a low-side battery interface. And the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface are electrically connected with a common load. The battery pack also includes a voltage detection circuit assembly configured to perform a plurality of operations including: determining whether a hardware trigger is performed only on the high voltage side battery interface by referring to ground to the low voltage side battery interface; detecting the load type of the common load based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered; sending a notification whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface; and in response to sending the notification, determining whether to allow the firmware to operate the common load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to handheld power tools, particularly to an isolation voltage detection circuit for a battery pack of a handheld power tool, and more particularly to a battery pack and a method for detecting the voltage of a load connected to the battery pack. Background Art

[0002] Portable battery-powered tools can rely on rechargeable battery packs for power supply. The battery pack can be directly connected to the tool (i.e., inserted into the tool), or can be configured as an independent unit carried by the user and electrically connected to the tool, such as a backpack or a carry-on battery pack. With the increasing use and convenience of portable tools, the requirements for the power density and efficiency of these battery packs are also getting higher and higher, in order to provide greater power and longer operating time for the tools.

[0003] The battery packs can be regularly charged in compatible battery chargers. The battery chemistries and nominal voltages of these battery packs vary, and can be used to power a variety of tools and electrical devices. In this regard, the use of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in battery packs is increasing, largely due to the higher power density characteristics of these batteries. Multiple lithium-ion batteries can be combined in parallel in the battery pack to further increase the capacity of the battery pack. In addition, the series use of back-to-back MOSFETs between the lithium-ion battery pack and the output load is a known configuration in traditional battery protection circuits. An integrated circuit (IC) controls the on / off state of the MOSFETs and the charging and discharging modes of the battery.

[0004] In some cases, the battery pack is designed to work only with certain tools that use a common battery interface. However, such battery packs do not have a means for differentiating between different types of power tools. For example, some battery packs include series battery connections to achieve higher voltages, but the batteries therein are still isolated systems. The backpack must replicate the isolation system to prevent potential failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and user error issues. However, the existing systems cannot detect whether the battery is connected to the high side or the low side of the system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Various aspects and advantages of the invention in accordance with the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology.

[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a battery pack configured to supply power to a common load. The battery pack includes at least one battery having a high-voltage side battery interface and a low-voltage side battery interface. The high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface are electrically coupled to the common load. The battery pack further includes a voltage detection circuit assembly configured to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations including but not limited to: determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface; detecting the load type of the common load based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered; sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface; and determining whether to allow firmware to operate the common load in response to sending the notification.

[0007] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for detecting the voltage of a load connected to a battery pack. The method includes determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack via a voltage detection circuit assembly. The method further includes detecting the load type of the load via the voltage detection circuit assembly based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered. Additionally, the method further includes sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface via the voltage detection circuit assembly. The method includes determining whether to allow the firmware of the battery pack to operate the load via the voltage detection circuit assembly in response to sending the notification.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For the ordinary skilled person in the art, a complete and practicable disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode of manufacturing and using the systems and methods of the present invention, is set forth in the description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a battery pack having a first battery and a second battery according to the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Showing the configuration of a conventional battery protection circuit using back-to-back MOSFETs;

[0012] Figure 3A and Figure 3BShows various schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a system for powering a common load according to the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 4 Shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for detecting the voltage of a load connected to a battery pack by a voltage detection circuit assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 Shows a simplified schematic diagram of an embodiment of a voltage detection circuit assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Shows a simplified schematic diagram of an embodiment of a voltage detection circuit assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for powering a common load according to the present disclosure, particularly showing the batteries of the system that are disconnected from each other;

[0017] Figure 8 Shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a voltage detection circuit assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 9 Shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a voltage detection circuit assembly according to the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figure 10 Shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a voltage detection circuit assembly according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, with one or more embodiments of this aspect shown in the accompanying drawings. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Additionally, each example is provided by way of explanation and not limitation of the technology. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the present technology without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed technology. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield additional embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Numbers and letters are used in the detailed description to refer to features in the drawings. The same or similar names in the drawings and the description are used to refer to the same or similar parts of the present invention.

[0021] As used herein, the terms "first", "second", and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to denote the position or importance of the individual elements. The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "coupled", "fixed", "attached to", etc. refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attachment and indirect coupling, fixing, or attachment through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "has", "having", or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited to only those features but may also include other features not expressly listed or inherent to the process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not an exclusive or. For example, condition A or B is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present); A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present); A and B are both true (or present).

[0022] Approximating terms such as "about", "generally", "approximately", or "substantially" include values within 10% greater than or less than the stated value. When used with respect to an angle or a direction, these terms include directions within 10 degrees greater than or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, "substantially perpendicular" includes directions within ten degrees of the perpendicular position in any direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise).

[0023] As used herein, the term "power tool" is intended to mean a device for performing a work operation, such as: trimming objects such as tree branches; cutting materials such as wood, metal, concrete, grass, etc.; biasing fluids such as air and water; and so on. By way of non-limiting example, power tools may include hedge trimmers, circular saws, band saws, reciprocating saws, grinders, pruning shears, wire cutters, lawn mowers, edgers, blowers, vacuum cleaners, snow throwers, mixers, augers, pumps, pipe threading machines, electric drills, and impact wrenches. Although the embodiments provided below are directed to hedge trimmers, one or more components of the hedge trimmer described below (such as a single-piece crankshaft) may be used in one or more different types of power tools.

[0024] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems are described below with respect to specific embodiments. However, these benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any features that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more apparent are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the claims.

[0025] Now referring to Figure 1, shows a battery pack 10 having a first battery 12, a second battery 14, and a controller 20. The battery pack 10 is configured to be worn by a user in a backpack 15 and is electrically connected to a power tool 18 through an electrical tether 17 to supply power to the power tool 18. Figure 1 Only known uses of the battery pack 10 are shown and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should be understood that the battery pack 10 incorporating various aspects of the present invention can be configured in any embodiment where multiple batteries are arranged in parallel to supply power to a load, such as a power tool. Additionally, for ease of illustration only, the batteries 12 and 14 are described herein as lithium-ion batteries. The present disclosure is not limited to the use of lithium-ion batteries.

[0026] Figure 2A and Figure 2B shows a configuration of a conventional battery protection circuit utilizing a back-to-back MOSFET structure, which is discussed herein to provide a background reference for the present disclosure.

[0027] Referring to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the back-to-back MOSFET structure includes two power MOSFETs 24 and a driver 26 that is implemented with or otherwise communicates with a solid-state drive device (SSD) within the controller 20. Additionally, as shown, the MOSFETs 24 are connected in series between the lithium-ion battery 12 and the output load. The controller 20 can be a dedicated integrated circuit (IC) that is used to control the gating (i.e., on and off states) of the MOSFETs 24 to manage the charging and discharging modes of the battery 12. One of the MOSFETs 24 (e.g., Q1) is used to discharge the battery 12 to supply power to the load ( Figure 2A ), and the other MOSFET 24 (e.g., Q2) is used to charge the battery 12 ( Figure 2B ). The MOSFETs 24 are shown located at the positive electrode (“high side”) of the battery 12. In other embodiments, the MOSFETs 24 can be located at the negative electrode (“low side”) of the battery 12. The MOSFETs 24 can be P-channel or N-channel MOSFETs, and as Figure 2A and Figure 2B shown, their drains can be connected in a back-to-back configuration.

[0028] In Figure 2A the discharge mode of the battery 12 shown in, the IC controller 20 provides a gate drive signal to the driver 26 to drive the discharge MOSFET Q1 to a high level (on) state. When Q1 is on, the discharge path (in Figure 2AIn (indicated by the arrow), it passes through Q1, through the parasitic diode around Q2, and reaches the load. In some embodiments, the controller 20 can also turn on Q2 (the resistance of Q2 is lower than the resistance of the parasitic diode around Q2) to avoid the conduction loss (voltage drop) of the parasitic diode.

[0029] In Figure 2B In the charging mode of the battery 12 shown in, the IC controller 20 provides a gate drive signal to the driver 26 to drive the charging MOSFET Q2 to a high level (on) state. When Q2 is turned on, the charging path (in Figure 2B indicated by the arrow) passes through Q2, through the parasitic diode around Q1, and reaches the battery 12. In some embodiments, the controller 20 can also turn on Q1 (the resistance of Q1 is lower than the resistance of the parasitic diode around Q1) to avoid the conduction loss (voltage drop) of the parasitic diode.

[0030] Now referring to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , various schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a system 100 for powering a common load 116 according to the present disclosure are shown. For example, in one embodiment, the common load 116 can be a power tool, such as any suitable handheld power tool. More particularly, as shown, the system 100 includes a battery pack 102 having at least one battery 104, 106, and the batteries are connected to the common load 116 through a high-voltage side battery interface 108 and a low-voltage side battery interface 110. For example, as shown, the battery pack 102 includes a first battery 104 and a second battery 106, and the first battery 104 and the second battery 106 are electrically connected in series to the common load 116 through the high-voltage side battery interface 108 and the low-voltage side battery interface 110. In addition, as Figure 3A and Figure 3B shown, the battery pack 102 further includes voltage detection circuit components 112 each electrically connected to each of the batteries 104, 106. In addition, in one embodiment, as Figure 3A shown, each voltage detection circuit component 112 includes a first circuit 113 and a second circuit 114. For example, Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the second circuit 114. In addition, as Figure 3B , Figure 5 , Figure 6A and Figure 6BAs shown, the first circuit 113 and the second circuit 114 respectively include a first diode 124 and a second diode 125, and respectively include one or more first isolators 119, 121 and second isolators 118, 120. In such an embodiment, by way of example, the first isolators 119, 121 and the second isolators 118, 120 can be optical couplers respectively, while the first diode 124 and the second diode 125 can be Zener diodes 126, 127 respectively.

[0031] In addition, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first battery 104 is connected to the positive side (+) of the high-voltage side battery interface 108, and the second battery is connected to the positive side (+) of the low-voltage side battery interface 110. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, V GND2 is less than V GND1 . In such an embodiment, the difference in the reference voltage is driven by the tool-side series connection 122 connecting other isolation modules (such as the first battery 104 and the second battery 106). By referencing the isolated voltage detection circuit component 112 to other modules (such as the first battery 104 and the second battery 106) and the B-voltage (such as the corresponding GND(X)), the voltage detection circuit component 112 can become an automatic trigger circuit that trips only when there is a superimposed battery voltage (this can also be achieved by the size of the Zener diode 126).

[0032] In one embodiment, as shown, if the voltage detection circuit component 112 is in an active state (i.e., current flows through the voltage detection circuit component 112) or an inactive state (i.e., current does not flow through the voltage detection circuit component 112), the voltage detection circuit component 112 operates as a Boolean signal to the controller 138 ( Figure 3B ). In one embodiment, for example, as Figure 3A shown, the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface 110 is connected to the negative side of the high-voltage side battery interface 108, and the negative side of the low-voltage side battery interface 110 is connected to the ground (GND2). Therefore, in one embodiment, as Figure 3B shown, when the X(V) source voltage 131 is greater than Vzener (referred to herein as the voltage threshold), the voltage detection circuit component 112 is in an active state. Therefore, if the voltage detection circuit component 112 is in an active state, the circuit component 112 will activate a series pair of optical couplers (such as optical couplers 118, 120), which are isolated from the following devices: on-board electronic modules (such as the controller 133 on the electronic module of the voltage detection circuit component 112) and off-board electronic modules (such as the controller on another electronic module (such as a part of the first circuit 113)).

[0033] Now refer to Figure 4, in accordance with the present disclosure, a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 200 for detecting the voltage of a load (such as a common load 116) connected to a battery pack 102 through a voltage detection circuit component 112 is shown. As shown at 202, method 200 includes: determining, via voltage detection circuit component 112, whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface 108 by referencing the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface 110. For example, in one embodiment, determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface 108 by referencing the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface 110 may include: comparing the voltage at the high-voltage side battery interface 108 and the voltage at the low-voltage side battery interface 110 with a voltage threshold (e.g., Vzener); and implementing a hardware trigger only on the high-voltage side battery interface 108 when the voltage at the high-voltage side battery interface 108 exceeds the voltage threshold.

[0034] More particularly, in one embodiment, determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface 108 by referencing the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface may include: triggering the first isolators 119, 121 when the voltage of the high-voltage side battery interface 108 exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage at the low-voltage side battery interface 110 is lower than the voltage threshold. Additionally, in one embodiment, triggering the first isolators 119, 121 when the voltage of the high-voltage side battery interface 108 exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage at the low-voltage side battery interface 110 is lower than the voltage threshold may include: using the first Zener diode 127 of the first circuit 113 to trigger the first isolators 119, 121 by allowing current to flow through the first isolators 119, 121, and using the second Zener diode 126 of the second circuit 114 to prevent current from flowing through the second isolators 118, 120, regarding Figure 9 which is further illustrated and explained.

[0035] Still referring to Figure 4 , as shown at 204, method 200 includes detecting the load type of load 116 through voltage detection circuit component 112 based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface 108 is triggered. For example, in one embodiment, the load type may include an 18-volt power tool or a 36-volt power tool. As shown at 206, method 200 includes sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface 108 is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface 108 and the low-voltage side battery interface 110 through voltage detection circuit component 112. As shown at 208, method 200 includes determining, in response to sending the notification, through voltage detection circuit component 112 whether to allow the firmware of battery pack 102 to operate the common load 116. For example, in one embodiment, determining whether to allow the firmware to operate the common load may include allowing the firmware to operate the common load when the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered, or preventing the firmware from operating the common load when the high-voltage side battery interface is not triggered.

[0036] Reference Figures 5 to 10 may better understand Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 4 the system 100 and method 200 in. In particular, with reference to Figures 5 to 7 , a schematic simplified diagram of an embodiment of the voltage detection circuit assembly 112 is shown. In particular, as shown, in order to simplify the voltage detection circuit assembly 112, the corresponding voltage sources have been removed and are simply shown as GND1 and GND2. In these embodiments, GND1 and GND2 are the corresponding B-signals of the first battery 104 and the second battery 106 or the power sources that will be used to power the module. As Figure 5 and Figure 6A shown, there is no inherent circuit between GND1 and GND2 itself before the first battery 104 and the second battery 1106 are connected in series and superimposed. Therefore, as Figure 6A shown, the reference voltage of GND1 is higher than that of GND2. Due to the voltage difference between GND1 and GND2, the zener diode 126 is turned off, thus allowing current to flow (as shown by the arrow 128), as Figure 6A shown. On the contrary, as Figure 6B shown, in the case where VGND2 is greater than VGND1, current flows as shown by the arrow 130. In addition, as Figure 7 shown, in the case where the first battery 104 and the second battery 106 are disconnected (such as when operating a power tool in an akimbo state), the voltage between GND1 and GND2 does not change. In such an embodiment, the voltage detection circuit assembly 112 remains in an untriggered state.

[0037] Now with reference to Figures 8 to 10 , a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the operation of the voltage detection circuit assembly 112 is shown. More particularly, Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the voltage detection circuit assembly 112 with no load applied to the circuit. Therefore, Figure 8 the voltage detection circuit assembly 112 of

[0038] abstracts the connections of the first circuit 113 (connected to the high-voltage side battery interface 108) and the second circuit 114 (connected to the low-voltage side battery interface 110) as two power sources respectively, labeled HS or LS. In addition, as shown, these power sources are simplified to XS_BATT (such as HS_BATT or LS_BATT) representing the battery voltage and XS_3v3 (HS_3v3 or LS_3v3) representing the enabled low-voltage power source. Figure 9As shown, the circled area 132 indicates that LS+ is connected to HS-, resulting in a 36V battery pack. In such an embodiment, the 36V battery pack causes the HS_3v3 to display a 24.3V signal. Additionally, the 24.3V signal causes the zener diode 127 to turn off and enables current 134 to pass through the optocouplers 119, 121. This current 134 also enables the HS and LS to achieve a 3.3V signal on their respective general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pins. On another module (LS), the zener diode 126 implements a negative voltage, thus not allowing current to pass through the pair of series-connected optocouplers 118, 120.

[0039] Conversely, as Figure 10 shown, the circled area 136 indicates that LS and HS are grounded, meaning there is no way to achieve a higher voltage on the 3.3V signal. Therefore, neither the zener diode 127 nor the zener diode 126 is triggered due to the voltage failing to exceed the diode's voltage threshold (e.g., Vzener). In such an embodiment, the outputs of the optocouplers 118, 119, 120, 121 remain tied to the GND reference - or 0V. In other words, the voltage detection circuit assembly 112 can be used to detect a battery pack in which individual batteries are electrically coupled to a common load.

[0040] More aspects of the present invention are provided by one or more of the following embodiments:

[0041] A battery pack configured to power a common load, the battery pack comprising: at least one battery including a high-voltage side battery interface and a low-voltage side battery interface, the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface being electrically coupled to the common load; and a voltage detection circuit assembly configured to perform a plurality of operations including: determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the grounding of the low-voltage side battery interface; detecting the load type of the common load based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered; sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface; and determining whether to allow firmware to operate the common load in response to sending the notification.

[0042] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the at least one battery includes a first battery and a second battery, the first battery and the second battery together being electrically connected to the common load through the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface, the first battery being connected to the positive side of the high-voltage side battery interface, and the second battery being connected to the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface.

[0043] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the plurality of operations further include: connecting the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface to the negative side of the high-voltage side battery interface; and connecting the negative side of the low-voltage side battery interface to ground.

[0044] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein determining whether to perform a hardware trigger only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface further includes: comparing the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface with a voltage threshold; and when the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold, performing a hardware trigger only on the high-voltage side battery interface.

[0045] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the voltage detection circuit assembly includes a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit includes a first diode and one or more first isolators, and the second circuit includes a second diode and one or more second isolators.

[0046] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein determining whether to perform a hardware trigger only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface further includes: triggering the one or more first isolators when the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold.

[0047] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein triggering the one or more first isolators when the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold further includes: using the first diode of the first circuit to trigger the one or more first isolators by allowing current to flow through the one or more first isolators; and using the second diode of the second circuit to prevent current from flowing through the one or more second isolators.

[0048] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the one or more first isolators and the one or more second isolators include one or more optocouplers.

[0049] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein at least one of the first diode and the second diode is a Zener diode.

[0050] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the at least one battery includes a single battery electrically connected to the common load through the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface, wherein the negative side of the high-voltage side battery interface and the negative side of the low-voltage side battery interface are grounded.

[0051] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein determining whether to allow the firmware to operate the common load further includes: allowing the firmware to operate the common load when the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered, or preventing the firmware from operating the common load when the high-voltage side battery interface is not triggered.

[0052] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the common load is a power tool.

[0053] The battery pack according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the load type includes one of an 18-volt power tool or a 36-volt power tool.

[0054] A method for detecting the voltage of a load connected to a battery pack, the method including: via a voltage detection circuit component, determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack; detecting the load type of the load by the voltage detection circuit component based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered; sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered by the voltage detection circuit component to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface; and determining whether to allow the firmware of the battery pack to operate the load by the voltage detection circuit component in response to sending the notification.

[0055] The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the battery pack includes a first battery and a second battery, the first battery and the second battery are electrically connected in series to the load together through the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface, the first battery is connected to the positive side of the high-voltage side battery interface, the second battery is connected to the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface, the method further includes: connecting the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface to the negative side of the high-voltage side battery interface; and connecting the negative side of the low-voltage side battery interface to the ground.

[0056] The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein determining whether a hardware trigger is implemented only on the high-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack further includes: comparing the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface with a voltage threshold; and implementing a hardware trigger only on the high-voltage side battery interface when the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold.

[0057] The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the voltage detection circuit component includes a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit includes a first diode and one or more first isolators, and the second circuit includes a second diode and one or more second isolators.

[0058] The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein determining whether to perform a hardware trigger only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the grounding of the low-voltage side battery interface further includes: when the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold, triggering the one or more first isolators.

[0059] The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein triggering the one or more first isolators when the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold further includes: using the first diode of the first circuit to trigger the one or more first isolators by allowing current to pass through the one or more first isolators; and using the second diode of the second circuit to prevent current from flowing through the one or more second isolators.

[0060] The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the one or more first isolators and the one or more second isolators include one or more optocouplers, and wherein at least one of the first diode and the second diode is a Zener diode.

[0061] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any included method. The patent scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If these other embodiments include structural elements that do not differ from the literal meaning of the claims, or if these other embodiments include equivalent structural elements that do not differ significantly from the literal meaning of the claims, then these other embodiments fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack configured to supply power to a common load, the battery pack comprising: At least one battery, the at least one battery comprising a high-voltage side battery interface and a low-voltage side battery interface, the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface being electrically connected to the common load; as well as A voltage detection circuit component configured to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations comprising: Determining whether to implement hardware triggering only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the grounding of the low-voltage side battery interface; Detecting a load type of the common load based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered; Sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface; and In response to sending the notification, it is determined whether to allow the firmware to operate the common load.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one battery includes a first battery and a second battery, and the first battery and the second battery are electrically connected to the common load through the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface. The first battery is connected to the positive side of the high-voltage side battery interface, and the second battery is connected to the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of operations also include: Connecting the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface to the negative side of the high-voltage side battery interface; and Connect the negative side of the low voltage side battery connector to ground.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein: Determining whether to implement hardware triggering only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the grounding of the low-voltage side battery interface also includes: Comparing the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface with a voltage threshold; and When the voltage on the high-side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold, hardware triggering is performed only on the high-side battery interface.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: The voltage detection circuit assembly includes a first circuit including a first diode and one or more first isolators and a second circuit including a second diode and one or more second isolators.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: Determining whether to implement hardware triggering only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the grounding of the low-voltage side battery interface also includes: When the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold, the one or more first isolators are triggered.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: When the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold, triggering the one or more first isolators further includes: triggering the one or more first isolators by allowing current to pass through the one or more first isolators using the first diode of the first circuit; and The second diode of the second circuit is used to prevent current from flowing through one or more second isolators.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: The one or more first isolators and the one or more second isolators include one or more optical couplers.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: At least one of the first diode and the second diode is a Zener diode.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one battery comprises a single battery electrically coupled to the common load via the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface, wherein a negative side of the high-voltage side battery interface and a negative side of the low-voltage side battery interface are grounded.

11. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: Determining whether to allow the firmware to operate the common load further includes one of: allowing the firmware to operate the common load when the high-side battery interface is triggered, or preventing the firmware from operating the common load when the high-side battery interface is not triggered.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The common load is an electric tool.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein: The load type includes one of an 18-volt power tool or a 36-volt power tool.

14. A method for detecting a voltage of a load connected to a battery pack, the method comprising: Determining, via a voltage detection circuit component, whether to implement hardware triggering only on the high-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack; Based on whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered, detecting the load type of the load through the voltage detection circuit component; Sending a notification of whether the high-voltage side battery interface is triggered to the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface through the voltage detection circuit component; as well as In response to sending the notification, determining, by the voltage detection circuit component, whether to allow the firmware of the battery pack to operate the load.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The battery pack includes a first battery and a second battery, the first battery and the second battery are electrically connected to the load through the high-voltage side battery interface and the low-voltage side battery interface, the first battery is connected to the positive side of the high-voltage side battery interface, and the second battery is connected to the positive side of the low-voltage side battery interface, and the method further includes: Connecting the positive electrode side of the low-voltage side battery interface to the negative electrode side of the high-voltage side battery interface; and Connect the negative side of the low voltage side battery connector to ground.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: Determining whether to implement hardware triggering only on the high-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack by referring to the ground of the low-voltage side battery interface of the battery pack also includes: Comparing the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface with a voltage threshold; and When the voltage on the high-side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold, hardware triggering is performed only on the high-side battery interface.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The voltage detection circuit assembly includes a first circuit including a first diode and one or more first isolators and a second circuit including a second diode and one or more second isolators.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Determining whether to implement hardware triggering only on the high-voltage side battery interface by referring to the grounding of the low-voltage side battery interface also includes: When the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold, the one or more first isolators are triggered.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: When the voltage on the high-voltage side battery interface exceeds the voltage threshold and the voltage on the low-voltage side battery interface is lower than the voltage threshold, triggering the one or more first isolators further includes: triggering the one or more first isolators by allowing current to pass through the one or more first isolators using the first diode of the first circuit; and The second diode of the second circuit is used to prevent current from flowing through one or more second isolators.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The one or more first isolators and the one or more second isolators include one or more optocouplers, and wherein at least one of the first diode and the second diode is a Zener diode.

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