Power Tool Wireless State Switching for Battery-Off Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools lack efficient wireless communication capabilities that allow for seamless data exchange with external devices, especially when the battery pack is detached, and there is a need for a secure time-based lockout feature to manage tool usage.
Innovation Solution
A power tool with multiple wireless communication states, including a connectable state for data exchange with an external device when the battery pack is attached and an advertisement state for identifying the tool when detached, using a wireless communication controller with a backup power source to maintain time and enable a time-based lockout feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power tool uses a backup power source to maintain wireless communication when the battery pack is detached, then the tool can be identified and basic communication is maintained, but the communication functionality is limited compared to when the battery pack is attached
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication controller dynamically switches between two operational states: a first state when the battery pack is attached (enabling full communication functionality including data exchange and configuration), and a second state when the battery pack is detached (enabling only advertisement and identification). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing reliable basic communication through the backup power source while acknowledging the limited adaptability in the detached state.
2Reliability
If the power tool enters a lockout state based on time comparison, then tool security and usage management are improved, but the tool becomes inoperable during the lockout period
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary time comparison between the current time (maintained by the real-time clock powered by the backup power source) and the lockout time before allowing tool operation. This preliminary check ensures security requirements are met before enabling productivity, resolving the contradiction by preventing unauthorized or unscheduled use while allowing full operability when conditions are satisfied.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the real-time clock is powered by the backup power source, then time is maintained continuously even when the battery pack is detached, but the power source available for other functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time clock is extracted as a separate function that operates independently on the backup power source, separate from the main battery pack that powers the motor and other high-power components. This extraction allows continuous time maintenance (improving duration) while minimizing the impact on overall power source capacity, as the backup power source is dedicated solely to time-keeping and wireless communication controller operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.