Resistive Battery Pack Identification for Power Tool Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller, lower voltage battery packs lack intelligence, making it difficult for devices to determine their features or configurations, which hinders optimal performance and charging optimization.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating identification circuits with resistive elements, thermistors, capacitors, and inductive coupling to provide an external device with necessary information about the battery pack's identity, allowing for optimized operations and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If smaller, lower voltage battery packs are used, then device portability and form factor are improved, but the ability to provide intelligent battery information and configuration data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the intelligence function from the battery pack itself and places it in the external device (power tool or charger). The battery pack only needs to provide passive identification through simple resistive elements, while the external device contains the controller that reads these elements and determines battery configuration, capacity, and other parameters. This resolves the contradiction by removing the need for complex intelligence within the small battery pack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces resistive elements as intermediaries between the battery pack and the external device. These passive resistive elements encode battery identification information that the external device's controller can read through the battery interface. This intermediary mechanism allows small battery packs to convey intelligent information without containing active electronics.
2Measurement precision
If intelligent battery management is implemented in all battery packs, then battery information accuracy and charging optimization are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing intelligence only where needed - in the external devices (power tools and chargers) that benefit from battery information. The battery packs themselves remain simple and uniform in structure, while the external devices contain the sophisticated controllers that read battery identification and optimize operation accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by concentrating complexity in the right location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses passive resistive elements in the battery pack that copy or represent battery characteristics without containing the full intelligence. The external device's controller reads these resistive element values and creates a digital representation of the battery's capacity, voltage, and other parameters, then uses this copied information for optimized charging and operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If passive identification methods are used in small battery packs, then manufacturing cost and simplicity are improved, but the ability to communicate detailed battery parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the resistive elements to encode multiple levels of battery information. By varying resistance values, combinations of resistive elements, or positions of resistive elements, the system can communicate different battery parameters such as voltage class, capacity level, and cell configuration. This allows simple passive components to convey detailed information without complex electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the resistive elements multi-functional by using them for both electrical connection and information encoding. The same resistive elements that provide electrical pathways also serve as the identification medium, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware. This universal use of components maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling parameter communication.
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 devices to recognize battery pack parameters, optimizing performance and charging based on the pack's identity, preventing overtemperature conditions and ensuring efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a first resistive element connected to a positive electrode of a first battery cell... The second resistive element is configured to be in series with the first resistive element... measure a voltage between the first resistive element and the second resistive element
Implementation Method 2
a thermistor, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the thermistor... The resistive element is configured to be in series with the thermistor and the capacitor... measure a voltage between the resistive element and the thermistor, determine a time for the voltage to exceed a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Systems described herein include a battery pack including one or more battery cells and a first resistive element connected to a positive electrode of a first battery cell. The systems also include an external device capable of receiving the battery pack. The external device includes a second resistive element, a switch, and a controller. The second resistive element is configured to be in series with the first resistive element upon the battery pack being received within the external device. The switch is positioned in series with the second resistive element and a common potential is coupled to both the battery pack and the external device. The controller is configured to activate the switch, measure a voltage between the first resistive element and the second resistive element in response to the switch being activated, and determine an identification of the battery pack based on the measured voltage.