Reconfigurable Battery Pack Voltage Switching for Multi-Tool Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric tools require different battery packs with varying voltages, leading to high costs and resource waste due to the need for multiple voltage platforms.

Innovation Solution

An electric energy storage device with four energy units, divided into two modules, allowing for three output voltage configurations through series and parallel connections, and a plug system to switch between these configurations, accommodating tools with different voltage requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different battery packs with different voltages are prepared for electric tools with different rated voltages, then each battery pack can provide the required voltage for its corresponding tool, but the cost increases and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage matchingVSAvoidnumber of battery packs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is designed with four energy units that can be reconfigured through switching mechanisms to provide multiple voltage outputs (18V, 36V, 54V). This allows a single universal battery pack to replace multiple specialized battery packs, enabling compatibility with electric tools of different voltage requirements while reducing the total number of battery packs needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single battery pack with fixed voltage configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to electric tools with different voltage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack structureVSAvoidvoltage compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack incorporates dynamic switching mechanisms (parallel switches and series switches) that allow the configuration of energy units to change based on the voltage requirements of the connected tool. The switching part in the plug automatically configures the circuit connection mode when the plug is inserted into the socket, enabling the battery pack to adapt its voltage output dynamically without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3890144B1Electric energy storage device and electric tool system
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 GLOBE (JIANGSU) CO LTD
  • EP3890144B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3890144B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3890144B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An electric energy storage device comprises four energy units with a same rated voltage and a socket. The four energy units are divided into two energy modules each comprising with two energy units. Each energy module is provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The socket includes four voltage output terminals connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the two energy modules and is provided with two control parts, which respectively control the two energy units in the two corresponding energy modules to switch between parallel state and series state. An electric tool system is also provided, comprising a plug that is connected to the socket, and different plugs can connect the four energy units in different connection states. The electric energy storage device with multiple output voltages can be matched with various electric tools with different rated voltages and reduces the cost.