Simultaneous Multi-Pack Battery Charging System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for power tools require users to charge multiple battery packs sequentially and manage them manually, leading to inefficiencies in charging and storage, and it is difficult to track the usage and condition of individual packs due to their identical appearance.
Innovation Solution
A battery system that includes a detachable battery holder allowing simultaneous charging and management of multiple battery packs, with a charger that transmits information about each pack's condition and usage to an external device for easy selection and monitoring, and a scalable charging system with master and slave chargers for adaptable capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple battery packs are charged sequentially using individual battery interfaces, then each battery pack can be charged, but the charging time and user operation time are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery interfaces are integrated into a single charger body, allowing multiple battery packs to be charged simultaneously. This merging of charging functions into one device eliminates the need to sequentially connect different chargers and significantly reduces total charging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The charger is designed with multiple battery interfaces that can accept different battery packs simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows the single charger to serve multiple charging purposes at once, improving productivity while reducing time loss.
2Loss of information
If multiple battery packs are managed separately, then each pack can be tracked individually, but the complexity of management and tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charger integrates multiple battery interfaces and includes a display that shows information from all connected battery packs simultaneously. This unified management approach consolidates tracking of multiple packs into a single device, reducing management complexity while preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The charger includes a display that provides real-time feedback on the charging status, capacity, and other information of each connected battery pack. This feedback mechanism allows users to easily monitor and manage multiple packs without increasing complexity, as all information is centrally displayed.
3Ease of manufacture
If battery packs have identical appearance, then they are easy to manufacture, but it becomes difficult to identify their usage status and condition
Solution Approach 1:
The charger's display provides visual feedback that shows the usage status, capacity, and condition of each battery pack. This feedback system allows users to easily identify the status of identical-looking battery packs through the displayed information, solving the identification problem without affecting manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system for a power tool includes two or more battery packs (12), at least one battery holder (14) adapted to detachably engage two or more of the battery packs and a charger (16, 216, 316, 416) adapted to detachably engage the battery holder and to simultaneously electrically communicate with two or more of the battery packs while the at least one battery holder engages both the charger and the battery packs.