Universal Battery Interface for Multi-Voltage Power Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power tools are limited to adapting to only one specific battery pack dimension and voltage, restricting their compatibility with different battery packs and complicating their design and usage.

Innovation Solution

A power tool body is designed to be adaptable to multiple battery packs with different nominal voltages and output terminal sets, featuring a versatile input terminal set that can selectively connect to various output terminal sets, along with a controller and conversion circuit to manage power supply and prevent over-discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the power tool is designed to adapt to only one specific battery pack dimension and voltage, then the design is simple, but the adaptability to different battery packs is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different battery packsVSAvoidcomplexity of power tool body
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input terminal set is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple battery pack types. The terminal set includes multiple contact points that can selectively connect to different output terminal sets, allowing the power tool to work with various battery pack dimensions and voltages without requiring multiple dedicated terminal sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The power tool incorporates a voltage conversion circuit that can dynamically adjust its operating parameters based on the detected battery pack voltage. The controller identifies the connected battery pack type and switches between different working modes, enabling the tool to adapt to different voltages (e.g., 18V, 36V, 54V) while maintaining simple physical hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the power tool includes multiple input terminal sets for different battery packs, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various battery packsVSAvoidnumber of terminal sets
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing separate input terminal sets for each battery pack type, the invention uses a single universal input terminal set that can connect to multiple output terminal sets. This universal terminal set includes all necessary contact points to interface with different battery pack configurations, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated terminal sets while maintaining full compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of multiple input terminal sets into one unified terminal set. By combining all necessary contact points and connection paths into a single terminal interface, the power tool achieves multi-battery-pack compatibility without the physical complexity of having separate terminal sets for each battery type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the power tool uses a universal input terminal set, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of power connection may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of battery pack connectionVSAvoidreliability of electrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically detects the connected battery pack type through the universal terminal set and switches between different working modes accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable power transmission by optimizing the electrical connection path based on the specific battery pack configuration, maintaining connection reliability while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power tool incorporates a detection mechanism that provides feedback about the connected battery pack type through the universal terminal set. The controller uses this feedback information to adjust its operating parameters and ensure optimal, reliable power transmission, thereby maintaining connection reliability while benefiting from the simplified universal interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4269033B1Power tool
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 NANJING CHERVON IND
  • EP4269033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269033B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4269033B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a power tool and a power tool system. The power tool includes a power tool body. The power tool body is configured to be adapted to at least a first battery pack having a first nominal voltage and a first output terminal set and a second battery pack having a second nominal voltage and a second output terminal set, where the first nominal voltage is different from the second nominal voltage. The power tool body includes a first input terminal set configured to be selectively electrically connected to one of the first output terminal set and the second output terminal set to supply power to the power tool body.