Battery pack; system comprising a consumer, a battery adapter and a first battery pack

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery adapter for connecting a battery pack to a consumer, with a single battery pack interface and a single consumer interface, wherein the battery pack interface and the consumer interface are connected to each other via a cable, characterized in that the battery adapter has electronics which are configured to reduce and / or increase a battery voltage to an operating voltage of the consumer.

Description

State of the art

[0001] In DE 10 2008 040 061 A1, an electric tool machine with a coupling device is described. Disclosure of the invention

[0002] The invention relates to a battery adapter for connecting a battery pack to a load, comprising a single battery pack interface and a single load interface, wherein the battery pack interface and the load interface are connected to each other via a cable, characterized in that the battery adapter includes electronics configured to reduce and / or increase a battery voltage to an operating voltage of the load. Advantageously, this allows a battery pack that is not directly compatible to be connected to the load.

[0003] The battery pack is, in particular, part of a system comprising the battery pack and a load, the load being supplied with energy via the battery pack during operation. The battery pack is specifically designed as a power tool battery pack. The battery pack is specifically designed as an interchangeable battery pack, which can preferably be replaced by the user of the load without tools. The battery pack is specifically designed to be connectable to a charging device for recharging the battery pack. The load is preferably designed as a power tool, for example, an angle grinder, a screwdriver, a hammer drill, or the like. Alternatively, the electrical load can also be designed as a means of transportation, for example, an e-bike, a household appliance, for example, a vacuum cleaner, a garden tool, for example, hedge trimmers, or a measuring device.

[0004] The battery pack has a housing, which is preferably designed as an outer casing. The battery pack, and in particular its housing, can be detachably connected to the load and / or a charging device via a mechanical interface. The battery pack housing can have one or more housing parts. The battery pack can have a cell holder designed to receive and / or secure the battery cells within the housing. The cell holder preferably has individual cell receptacles, each designed to hold a single battery cell. Preferably, the cell holder is designed as one of the housing parts. The housing parts are connected to each other by force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit connections. The cell holder is preferably made of a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic. The cell holder can partially form the outer casing of the battery pack.The cell holder is preferably designed as a single piece. In the context of this application, "single piece" refers in particular to a component that is formed from a single piece and not from several components that are joined together by a material bond and / or force-fit and / or form-fit. A single-piece component therefore consists of a single material. In the context of this application, "single piece" refers in particular to a single component, or to several components that are joined together by a material bond, for example, via two-component injection molding. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cell holder is designed as a multi-part component, with the different parts being joined together by a force-fit and / or form-fit.

[0005] The battery pack includes a mechanical interface that allows it to be connected to the load by force and / or form-fit. Advantageously, the mechanical interface includes at least one actuating element that allows the connection between the battery pack and the load and / or the charging device to be released. This actuating element can be, for example, a button, lever, or push button. The battery pack also has at least one electrical interface that allows it to be electrically connected to the load and / or the charging device. The battery pack can be charged and / or discharged via this electrical connection. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that information can be transmitted via the electrical interface.The electrical interface is preferably designed as a contact interface, in which the electrical connection is established via a physical contact between at least two conductive components. The electrical interface preferably comprises at least two electrical contact elements. In particular, one of the electrical contact elements is configured as a positive contact and the other as a negative contact. Additionally, the electrical interface can have at least one auxiliary contact configured to transmit additional information to the consumer and / or the charging device. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical interface can have a secondary charging coil element for inductive charging.

[0006] The battery cell can be designed as a galvanic cell with a structure in which one cell terminal is located at one end and another cell terminal at the opposite end. In particular, the battery cell has a positive cell terminal at one end and a negative cell terminal at the opposite end. Preferably, the battery cells are designed as NiCd or NiMH cells, and especially preferably as lithium-based or Li-ion battery cells. The battery voltage of the battery pack is generally a multiple of the voltage of a single battery cell and results from the connection (parallel or series) of the battery cells. For common battery cells with a voltage of 3.6 V, exemplary battery voltages of 3.6 V, 7.2 V, 10 V, 8 V, 14.4 V, 18 V, 36 V, 54 V, 108 V, etc., are thus obtained. Preferably, the battery cell is designed as a cylindrical cell, at least substantially so, with the cell terminals arranged at the ends of the cylinder.

[0007] The battery pack interface of the battery adapter has an electrical interface and a mechanical interface that correspond to the respective electrical and mechanical interfaces of the battery pack. The battery pack interface is specifically designed to allow information to be received from and / or sent to the battery pack. The battery pack interface has a housing, which includes the mechanical interface.

[0008] The battery adapter's consumer interface comprises an electrical interface and a mechanical interface that correspond to the respective electrical and mechanical interfaces of the consumer device. The consumer interface is specifically designed to allow information to be received from the consumer and / or sent to the battery pack. The consumer interface is enclosed in a housing, which contains the mechanical interface.

[0009] The electronics of the battery adapter comprise at least one electronic component, preferably arranged on a printed circuit board, in particular a rigid or flexible printed circuit board. The electronic component can be, for example, a memory unit, a processing unit (in particular a microcontroller), a power switch, a sensor (in particular a temperature sensor or a motion sensor), etc. The electronics of the battery adapter particularly include a voltage converter configured to adapt the battery pack voltage, when connected, to the operating voltage of the load. For this purpose, the battery adapter can, for example, include a switching regulator in the form of a buck converter, a linear regulator, or a transformer.The electronics are preferably also designed to protect against overload, short circuit and / or overheating of the battery pack.

[0010] The battery pack's voltage is primarily a nominal voltage. The actual voltage of the battery pack can be higher when fully charged and lower when discharged than the nominal voltage. The operating voltage corresponds to the battery voltage of the battery pack intended for the respective device, and can be within a range of the battery voltage. For example, with an operating voltage of 12 V, the device can also be operated within a range of 10 V to 13 V. Thus, the battery pack adapter regulates the voltage supplied by the battery pack to a range within the operating voltage.

[0011] Furthermore, it is proposed that the consumer interface be designed for a force-fit and / or form-fit connection between the battery adapter and the consumer. This advantageously allows for a robust connection between the consumer and the battery adapter.

[0012] It is further proposed that the consumer interface correspond to an interface of the battery pack or another battery pack. If the consumer interface corresponds to the interface of the battery pack, it would be possible to connect the battery pack directly to the consumer. The battery pack and the other battery pack have different interfaces, so they cannot be connected to the same consumer. If the consumer interface corresponds to an interface of another battery pack, the battery pack cannot be directly connected to the consumer.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that the battery pack interface and / or the consumer interface be permanently connected to the cable. The cable connection offers the advantage of flexible positioning and attachment of the battery pack interface and the consumer interface relative to each other.

[0014] Alternatively, it is proposed that the battery pack interface and / or the device interface be interchangeable. This would allow for easier repair of the battery adapter and / or adaptation to different battery packs and / or devices. It is also conceivable that only the cable could be replaced to select the optimal cable length for the application. The cable could, for example, have plugs and / or sockets at its ends for connection to the battery pack interface and / or the device interface.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that the electronics be located in the battery pack interface. This would advantageously reduce the weight at the consumer interface.

[0016] It is further proposed that the consumer interface incorporate a pre-tensioned backlash compensation element. This can advantageously reduce wear in the area of ​​the consumer interface. The backlash compensation element can be made of a plastic, in particular a hard plastic or a soft plastic. It is also conceivable that the consumer interface incorporates at least one metallic reinforcing element to strengthen the mechanical interface.

[0017] Furthermore, it is proposed that the battery pack interface include a fastening device for attaching it to a garment. This advantageously allows the battery pack to be securely fastened when connected to the interface. The fastening device could be, for example, a belt clip for attaching it to a belt or waistband, a hook (especially a carabiner or a fold-out metal clip), or a magnetic holder.

[0018] Furthermore, it is proposed that the electronics be designed to initially regulate the operating voltage to a constant value depending on the state of charge of the battery pack, and then, preferably continuously, to reduce the operating voltage from a certain threshold. This advantageously prevents deep discharge.

[0019] The invention further relates to a system comprising a consumer, a battery adapter, and a first battery pack, wherein the first battery pack is only connectable to the consumer via the battery adapter. The first battery pack thus has a mechanical interface that is not compatible with a mechanical interface of the consumer.

[0020] Furthermore, it is proposed that the consumer be designed to be directly connectable to a second battery pack, wherein the first battery pack has a first battery pack voltage and the second battery pack has a second battery pack voltage, wherein the first battery pack voltage is greater than the second battery pack voltage. Drawings

[0021] Further advantages arise from the following drawing description. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1a a first machine tool with a first battery pack in a side view; Fig. 1b the first battery pack in a perspective view; Fig. 1c a second machine tool with a second battery pack in a side view; Fig. 1d the second battery pack in a side view; Fig. 2 a side view of a battery adapter in the state connected to a first battery pack; Fig. 3 a diagram showing the time course of the voltage of a battery pack and the voltage supplied to a consumer; Fig. 4 A schematic side view of a second machine tool connected to a first battery pack via a battery pack adapter. Description of the exemplary implementations

[0023] In Fig. 1a is a first consumer 99, exemplified by a first machine tool 100, with a first battery pack 200 shown in a side view. The first machine tool 100 is exemplified as a rotary hammer 101, the rotary hammer having an operating voltage of 18 V. The first machine tool 100 has a housing 102 in which a drive unit 104 and a gearbox 106 are arranged. The first machine tool 100 has an operating switch 108, which is provided for activating the first machine tool 100. In addition, the first machine tool 100 has a tool holder 110, which is provided for receiving an insert tool (not shown), for example a drill or a chisel.

[0024] The operating switch 108 is located on a handle 112 of the housing 102 of the first machine tool 100. At the base 113 of the handle 112, the first machine tool 100 has a battery pack interface 114, which is provided for connecting the first battery pack 200. The battery pack interface 114 of the first machine tool 100 has a mechanical interface (not shown) with guide rails and an electrical interface (not shown) with, for example, four electrical contact elements in the form of contact blades.

[0025] In Fig. 1b is the first 200 battery pack from Fig. Figure 1a shows a perspective view. The first battery pack 200 has a battery voltage or a nominal voltage of 18 V. The first battery pack 200 has a housing 202 in which, by way of example, five battery cells (not shown) are arranged. The battery cells are designed as Li-ion cylindrical cells, although other types or shapes of battery cells are also conceivable. The first battery pack 200 has a consumer interface 204, which is designed for connection to the first machine tool 100 and corresponds to the battery pack interface 114 of the first machine tool 100.

[0026] The consumer interface 204 of the first battery pack 200 has an electrical interface 206 and a mechanical interface 208. The electrical interface 206 includes, for example, five electrical contact elements (not shown), which are designed as contact tulips and arranged in recesses 210 of the housing 202 and correspond to the contact elements of the first machine tool 100. The mechanical interface 208 is designed for a force-fit and form-fit connection of the first battery pack 200 to the first machine tool 100. The mechanical interface 208 of the first battery pack 200 has two guide rails 212 which, when connected, engage in corresponding guide grooves (not shown) of the first machine tool 100. In addition, the mechanical interface 208 of the first battery pack 200 has a locking element 214 for locking the battery pack 200 to the first machine tool 100.The locking element 214 is, by way of example, movable, in particular rotatably movable, in the housing 202 of the battery pack 200. The locking element 214 is designed to be actuated by an actuating element (not shown), the actuating element being, by way of example, arranged on the battery pack 200. In addition, the mechanical interface 206 of the battery pack 200 includes a mechanical encoding 216.

[0027] Furthermore, the first battery pack 200 includes a charge status indicator 220, which is designed to display the charge status of the battery pack 200. The charge status indicator 220 has, by way of example, three light elements 222 in the form of LEDs, which are arranged on the outside of the housing 202 and can be activated via a control element 224.

[0028] In Fig. 1c is a second consumer 299, exemplified by a second machine tool 300, with a second battery pack 400, shown in a side view. The second machine tool 300 is exemplified as an eccentric sander 301, the eccentric sander having an operating voltage of 12 V. The second machine tool 300 has a housing 302 in which a drive unit (not shown) and a gearbox (not shown) are arranged. The second machine tool 300 has an operating switch (not shown) for activating the second machine tool 300. Furthermore, the second machine tool 300 has a tool holder 310 for receiving an insert tool 311 in the form of a grinding wheel.

[0029] The operating switch is located on a handle 312 of the housing 302 of the second machine tool 300. At the base 313 of the handle 312, the second machine tool 300 has a battery pack interface 314, which is provided for connecting the second battery pack 400. The battery pack interface 314 of the second machine tool 300 has a mechanical interface (not shown) with guide elements and an electrical interface (not shown) with, for example, four electrical contact elements in the form of contact blades and contact surfaces.

[0030] In Fig. 1d is the second 400 battery pack. Fig. Figure 1c shows a perspective view. The second battery pack 400 has a battery voltage or a nominal voltage of 12 V. The second battery pack 400 has a housing 402 in which, by way of example, three battery cells (not shown) are arranged. The battery cells are designed as Li-ion cylindrical cells, although other types or shapes of battery cells are also conceivable. The second battery pack 400 has a consumer interface 404, which is designed for connection to the second machine tool 300 and corresponds to the battery pack interface 314 of the second machine tool 300.

[0031] The consumer interface 404 of the second battery pack 400 has an electrical interface 406 and a mechanical interface 408. The electrical interface 406 includes, for example, five electrical contact elements (not shown), which are designed as contact tips in recesses 410 of the housing 402 and as contact springs 411, and correspond to the contact elements of the second machine tool 300. The mechanical interface 408 is designed for a force-fit and form-fit connection of the second battery pack 400 to the second machine tool 300. The mechanical interface 408 of the second battery pack 400 has two guide rails 412 which, when connected, engage in corresponding guide grooves (not shown) of the second machine tool 300. Furthermore, the mechanical interface 408 of the second battery pack 400 has two locking elements 414 for locking the battery pack 400 in the second machine tool 300.The locking elements 414 are exemplified as locking lugs 415, with an operating element 413 arranged adjacent to the locking lugs 415. The locking lugs 415 and the operating elements 413 are formed as a single piece and are movable, so that by applying force to the operating element 413 the locking lugs move inwards and the battery pack 400 can be unlocked. In addition, the mechanical interface 406 of the battery pack 400 includes a mechanical coding element 416.

[0032] The second battery pack 400 does not have a charge level indicator. This is provided by the second machine tool 300. A charge level indicator 330 is arranged on the outside of the housing 302 of the second machine tool 300. When connected to the second battery pack 400, this indicator displays the charge level of the second battery pack 400. The charge level indicator 330 includes, for example, three light elements 333. The charge level is determined by the second machine tool 300 by means of a voltage measurement. The voltage of the second battery pack 400 decreases as the charge level decreases.

[0033] The first battery pack (200) and the second battery pack (400) are designed as interchangeable battery packs, allowing them to be detached from the respective power tools (100 and 300) and connected to a charger (not shown). It is also possible to replace a discharged first battery pack (200) or a fully charged second battery pack (400). The first battery pack (200) has a higher voltage than the second battery pack (400). Furthermore, the first battery pack (200) and the second battery pack (400) have different mechanical interfaces, meaning they are only compatible with their designated power tools (100 and 300). Therefore, the first battery pack (200) is not compatible with the second power tool (300), and the second battery pack (400) is not compatible with the first power tool (100).

[0034] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a battery adapter 500 in a side view, which is designed to connect the first battery pack 200 to the second machine tool 300.

[0035] The battery adapter 500 has a single battery pack interface 502 for detachable electrical and mechanical connection with the first battery pack 200 and a single consumer interface 504 for detachable electrical and mechanical connection with the second machine tool 300.

[0036] The battery pack interface 502 has an electrical and mechanical interface for connection to the first battery pack 200. The battery pack interface 502 essentially corresponds to the battery pack interface 114 of the first consumer 99.

[0037] The battery pack interface 502 has a housing 505, the housing 505 at least partially forming the mechanical interface to the first battery pack 200. The housing 505 of the battery pack interface 502 is, by way of example, made of plastic.

[0038] Since the battery voltage of the first battery pack 200 (18 V) does not correspond to the operating voltage of 12 V of the second machine tool 300, the battery voltage must be reduced to the operating voltage. The battery adapter 500 includes electronics 510 for this purpose, which, for example, comprise a transformer 512. The electronics 510 also include a processing unit 514 designed for controlling or regulating the voltage. The electronics 510 are preferably located in the battery pack interface 502, although it would also be conceivable for them to be located in the consumer interface 504.

[0039] The battery adapter 500 also includes a fastening element 516. The fastening element 516 is exemplified as a metal clip 518. The fastening element 516 is designed, by way of example, for attachment to clothing.

[0040] The consumer interface 504 has a housing 520, wherein the housing 520 of the consumer interface 504 at least partially forms the mechanical interface to the second machine tool 300. The housing 520 of the consumer interface 504 is, by way of example, made of a plastic. In particular, the housing 520 of the consumer interface 504 essentially corresponds to the housing 402 of the second battery pack 400. The consumer interface 504 is designed such that, when connected to the second machine tool 300, the consumer interface 504 is at least partially located within the housing 302 of the second machine tool 300.

[0041] The consumer interface 504 and the battery pack interface 502 are electrically and mechanically connected to each other via a cable 522. The cable 522 is, for example, permanently and non-removably connected, although it is also conceivable that the cable 522 is detachably connected, for example, via a plug / socket connection to the battery pack interface 502 and / or the consumer interface 504. The cable 522 is preferably flexible and has a rubber or silicone sheathing.

[0042] Thus, the second machine tool 300 can be connected to and powered by the first battery pack 200 using the battery adapter 500. This offers the advantage of reducing the weight the user has to carry while working with the second machine tool 300, since the consumer interface 504 of the battery adapter 500 contains no battery cells and is therefore significantly lighter than the second battery pack 400. Furthermore, the battery adapter 500 also allows a battery pack that is not normally compatible to be connected to the machine tool.

[0043] The first battery pack 200 has such a high voltage that even when discharged, it has a significantly higher voltage than the second battery pack 400 when fully charged. Therefore, the battery adapter 500 can provide the 12V operating voltage for the second power tool 300 until the first battery pack 200 is completely discharged. The disadvantage of this is that, in this case, the charge indicator 330 of the second power tool 300, when connected to the battery adapter 500 and the first battery pack 200, always shows a full charge, and then suddenly there is no more power.

[0044] To remedy this disadvantage, the battery adapter 500, in particular the electronics 510 of the battery adapter 500, is designed to reduce the voltage supplied to the second machine tool 300 depending on the charge level of the first battery pack 200, in particular to values ​​that are lower than the nominal voltage of the second battery pack 400.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a time-lapse graph 550 of the voltage 552 of the first battery pack 200 and a time-lapse graph 554 of the voltage 552 supplied to the second machine tool 300. The voltage 554 is controlled or regulated by the electronics 510 of the battery adapter 500. The time 556 refers to the operating time of the second machine tool 300, starting from a fully charged first battery pack 200.

[0046] In the first section 558, the battery voltage of the first battery pack 200 decreases continuously until it reaches a first threshold value of 560. In the first section 558, a constant voltage of 12 V, for example, is supplied to the second machine tool 300 by the battery adapter 500. The charge level indicator 330 of the second machine tool 300 determines that the battery pack is fully charged based on the supplied voltage.

[0047] The second section 562 begins at the first threshold 560 and ends at a second threshold 564. The second section 562 is, for example, significantly smaller than the first section 558. In the second section 562, the voltage supplied by the battery adapter 500 is continuously reduced. Due to this reduction in voltage, the second machine tool 300 detects a lower state of charge, which is indicated by the charge indicator 330.

[0048] From the second threshold value 564, which is below the first threshold value 560, the electronics 510 of the battery adapter 500 further and more drastically reduce the voltage supplied to the second machine tool 300. Due to this further reduction, for example to voltage values ​​below 10 V, the second machine tool 300 detects an empty battery pack and displays this via the charge level indicator 330.

[0049] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the second machine tool 300 connected to the first battery pack 200 via the battery pack adapter 500. An 18 V battery pack is connected to a 12 V machine tool as an example, although other combinations are also conceivable, for example a 40 V battery pack with an 18 V machine tool or a 12 V battery pack with a 3.6 V machine tool.

[0050] Alternatively, other numbers of areas and threshold sizes are also conceivable. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2008 040 061 A1

[0001]

Claims

[1] Battery adapter for connecting a battery pack (200) to a consumer (299), with a single battery pack interface (502) and with a single consumer interface (504), wherein the battery pack interface (502) and the consumer interface (504) are connected to each other via a cable (522), characterized by , that the battery adapter (500) has electronics (510) designed to reduce and / or increase a battery voltage to an operating voltage of the consumer (299). [2] Battery adapter according to claim 1, characterized by , that the consumer interface (504) is designed for force-fit and / or form-fit connection of the battery adapter (500) with the consumer (299). [3] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the consumer interface (504) corresponds to an interface of the battery pack (200) or of another battery pack (400). [4] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery pack interface (502) and / or the consumer interface (504) are permanently connected to the cable (522). [5] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery pack interface (502) and / or the consumer interface (504) are designed to be interchangeable. [6] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electronics (510) are arranged in the battery pack interface (502). [7] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the consumer interface (504) has a pre-tensioned backlash compensation element. [8] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the battery pack interface (502) has a fastening means (516) for attaching the battery pack interface (502) to a garment. [9] Battery adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electronics (510) are designed to first regulate the operating voltage to a constant value depending on the charge level of the battery pack (400) and, from a threshold value, preferably to continuously reduce the operating voltage. [10] System comprising a consumer (299), a battery adapter (500) and a first battery pack (200), wherein the first battery pack (200) is configured to be connectable to the consumer (299) only via the battery adapter (500). [11] System according to claim 10, characterized by , that the system has a second battery pack (400), wherein the consumer (299) is designed to be directly connected to the second battery pack (400), wherein the first battery pack (200) has a first battery pack voltage and the second battery pack (400) has a second battery pack voltage, wherein the first battery pack voltage is designed to be greater than the second battery pack voltage.

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