Power Tool Battery Charger With Adaptive AI Charging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power tool battery chargers rely on hard-coded thresholds that fail to adapt to changing conditions, such as inconsistent power sources or user-specific charging needs, leading to suboptimal charging operations.
Innovation Solution
A power tool battery charger system incorporating a machine learning controller that uses data like usage patterns, environmental conditions, and sensor data to dynamically adjust charging rates and targets, optimizing charging based on real-time inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hard-coded thresholds are used for charging control, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charging control system transitions from static hard-coded thresholds to dynamic adaptive control. The electronic controller continuously monitors charging conditions (temperature, charge level, power source stability) and adjusts charging parameters in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through software-based control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (charging rate, voltage, current) based on monitored conditions rather than using fixed thresholds. The electronic controller modifies charging parameters dynamically according to battery state, environmental conditions, and power source characteristics, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and adaptive performance.
2Device complexity
If hard-coded thresholds are used for charging control, then device complexity is reduced, but charging operation optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery charge level, temperature, and power source conditions, then adjusting charging parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables optimized charging operations without significantly increasing device complexity, as the control logic processes sensor data and modifies charging output in real-time based on actual system state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic adjustment based on power tool device data is implemented, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller serves multiple functions: monitoring battery parameters, analyzing power tool device data, determining optimal charging strategies, and controlling charging output. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system automatically analyzes power tool device data and adjusts charging parameters without user intervention. The electronic controller self-determines optimal charging strategies based on collected data, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual configuration while maintaining high adaptability to specific user needs and tool characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool battery charger includes a housing, at least one charging circuit coupled to the housing, and an electronic controller coupled to the housing. The electronic controller is configured to receive power tool device data from a power tool device, which may be the same or another power tool battery charger, a battery pack, and/or a power tool. The power tool device data indicate various data associated with the power tool device. Charger operation data are generated by the electronic controller based on the power tool device data, and can include a charging rate, charging target, and/or time indication for when to adjust the charging rate and/or charging target of the at least one charging circuit. A machine learning or artificial intelligence controller can also be used when generating the charger operation data. The at least one charging circuit is then operated based on the charger operation data. Alternatively the above functions can be provided by a battery pack for use with a power tool, the battery pack comprising a charging circuit.