Power Tool Activation Sled With Boosted Voltage Anti-Theft Unlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tools, especially valuable ones, are prone to theft from point-of-sale locations due to existing anti-theft systems that drain batteries quickly and require continuous wireless scanning, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs for retailers.
Innovation Solution
A power tool system that includes a sled with a battery pack interface and a step-up voltage converter, allowing for a boosted voltage to power the tool only when needed, and a point-of-sale device that communicates with the sled to unlock the tool via a wired connection, conserving battery life and expanding anti-theft verification to more tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous wireless scanning is used for anti-theft verification, then theft prevention capability is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs wireless scanning periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The sled only activates wireless communication when triggered by a wired connection from a POS device, converting continuous energy consumption into periodic action that maintains security while preserving battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
A wired connection intermediary (POS device) is introduced to trigger the wireless verification process. The wired connection serves as a low-power trigger that activates the higher-power wireless scanning only when needed, preventing unnecessary battery drain while maintaining theft prevention capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If boosted voltage is provided only when needed, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step-up voltage converter is pre-configured and ready to activate immediately when a wired connection is detected. The system performs preliminary setup of the voltage conversion pathway during manufacturing, allowing rapid activation without complex real-time decision-making logic, thus balancing energy efficiency with acceptable device complexity.
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
The solution effectively reduces battery drain and extends the life of the sled, enabling efficient and secure activation of power tools post-purchase, thereby reducing theft and operational costs for retailers.
Implementation Method 1
a step-up voltage converter electrically connected to the battery. An output of the step-up voltage converter can be configured to be electrically connected to the battery pack interface to provide a boosted voltage to the power tool
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool is provided that can include a body, a battery pack interface coupled to the body, an electronic controller coupled to the body, and a sled configured to engage with the battery pack interface. The sled can include a battery, and a boost converter electrically connected to the battery. An output of the boost converter can be configured to be electrically connected to the battery pack interface to provide a boosted voltage to the power tool.