Modular Power Tool Platform With Shared Battery and PWM Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools lack a unified platform that allows for interchangeable battery packs and standardized control mechanisms, limiting versatility and efficiency in power delivery and user control.
Innovation Solution
A power tool system featuring a removable battery pack and a common base housing with integrated controllers and actuators, enabling proportional power delivery and user control across various tools, including rotary tools, soldering irons, lamp lights, and fans, through a unified control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power tools use separate battery packs and control systems for each tool, then each tool can be optimized independently, but the overall system complexity increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal base housing design that can accommodate multiple different tool portions (rotary tool, soldering iron, lamp light, fan). The common base housing includes standardized battery pack engagement and control systems that work across all tool types, allowing one base unit to perform multiple functions by simply changing the tool portion attached to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The power tool system is divided into modular components: a common base housing containing the battery pack and controller, and interchangeable tool portions (motor assembly, heating element, light source, fan blades). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each tool portion while sharing the standardized base infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If a unified platform with common base housing and controller is used across multiple tools, then versatility and efficiency improve, but the ability to optimize each tool independently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to provide different operational parameters and control strategies depending on which tool portion is detected or selected. For example, the motor controller adjusts PWM duty cycle ranges and speed profiles based on whether a rotary tool or fan is attached, while the heating element receives different temperature profiles when a soldering iron is used versus other tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The common base housing and controller are designed with universal interfaces and adaptive control algorithms that automatically adjust to the specific tool portion attached. This allows the unified platform to maintain tool-specific optimization capabilities through software/configuration rather than hardware differentiation.
3Ease of operation
If proportional power delivery with PWM control is implemented, then power delivery efficiency and user control improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical power control (such as variable resistors or mechanical switches) with electronic PWM control. The controller uses pulse-width modulation to adjust power delivery to the motor and heating element, providing precise user control through digital signal processing rather than mechanical adjustments, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving control precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient power delivery and user control across multiple tools using a single battery pack, enhancing versatility and reducing the need for multiple power sources and control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a removable battery pack
Implementation Method 2
a first controller that provides a proportional power delivery system for the first tool
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool system includes a removable battery pack a first tool and a second tool. The first tool includes a first base housing that is selectively engageable with the removable battery pack and a first tool portion connected to the first base housing by a first connecting section. The second tool includes a second base housing that is selectively engageable with the removable battery pack and a second tool portion connected to the second base housing by a second connecting section. The second tool base housing houses a second controller that provides a proportional power delivery system for the second tool and second tool base housing also includes a second actuator for providing user control of the second tool.