Battery Pack Adapter for Power Tool Overdischarging Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power tools that use multiple battery packs struggle with overdischarging, especially when older battery packs without alarm or auto-stop functions are used, leading to potential damage due to uneven charge levels and lack of monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An adapter system that connects the power tool to battery packs, featuring a connector, battery receiving portions, a power supply circuit, a measuring portion for charge level monitoring, and a controller to stop or restrict power supply based on measured charge levels and alarm signals, ensuring appropriate prevention of overdischarging regardless of the battery pack's features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electric power tool relies solely on the battery pack's alarm function to prevent overdischarging, then the electrical structure of the power tool is simplified, but older battery packs without alarm functions cannot be used and overdischarging protection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device between the power tool and battery pack. The adapter includes a measuring portion that detects the battery pack's charged level and a controller portion that stops power supply when the charged level is low. This intermediary component enables older battery packs without alarm functions to be used with protection against overdischarging, while newer battery packs with alarm functions continue to work as before.
2Reliability
If the electric power tool measures the charged level itself, then protection against overdischarging is ensured, but the electrical structure becomes more complex and the need for battery pack monitoring circuits is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary that performs the charged level measurement and control functions. The measuring portion in the adapter detects the charged level of the battery pack, and the controller portion stops power supply when the charged level is low. This approach ensures reliable overdischarging protection while keeping the power tool's electrical structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack with alarm function performs self-monitoring of its charged level and outputs an alarm signal when the charged level is low. The power tool's controller receives this signal and stops power supply. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the power tool to have its own measuring circuits, simplifying the electrical structure while maintaining reliable overdischarging protection.
3Power
If two battery packs are connected in series to provide higher power, then the power tool can handle heavy work, but the risk of overdischarging and reverse charging increases due to different charged levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the charged level of each battery pack and using this information to control power supply. When the charged level of either battery pack becomes low, the controller stops power supply to prevent overdischarging and reverse charging. This feedback mechanism ensures safe operation when two battery packs are connected in series to provide higher power for heavy work.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter is provided with a connecter portion configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the electric power tool and at least one battery receiving portion configured to be detachably attached to the battery pack. The battery pack attached to the battery receiving portion is electrically coupled with the main body of the power tool attached to the connecter portion via a power supply circuit of the adapter. The adapter is provided with a measuring portion configured to measure an index corresponding to a charged level of the battery pack and a signal receiving portion configured to receive an alarm signal outputted from the battery pack, and is configured to stop or restrict power supply to the main body of the electric power tool based upon a measurement by the measuring portion and the alarm signal that is received.