Remote Power Tool Control Through a Smart Battery Pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools lack remote control capabilities, requiring manual operation and leading to inefficiencies, such as manual dust collection during operations like miter saw usage, which increases project time and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a battery pack with a pack electronic processor and transceiver that communicates with a mobile device to remotely control power tools, allowing for wireless control of power tool actions and automating functions like dust collection by integrating with other power tools like shop vacuums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used for power tools, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to manual switching and increased project time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the power tool. The mobile device transmits control signals wirelessly to the power tool, enabling remote operation without requiring the user to physically handle or switch between tools. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by automating control functions through a separate communication device, thereby improving productivity while keeping the power tool itself relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with wireless electronic control. Instead of physically switching between tools or manually operating them, the system uses wireless communication signals transmitted from a mobile device to control the power tool's operations. This substitution of mechanical interaction with electronic signaling improves productivity by enabling remote and automated control while reducing the complexity of manual operation.
2Productivity
If remote control capability is added to power tools, then productivity increases through automation, but device complexity increases due to additional control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as a remote control interface, a signal transmitter, and a communication hub between different power tools. By consolidating these control functions in a universal device rather than embedding complex control systems in each individual power tool, the system achieves automated operation and improved productivity while minimizing the complexity increase of any single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of wireless communication and control signal processing. Rather than each power tool requiring its own complex control system, the intermediary mobile device manages all control functions, thereby improving operational efficiency while distributing complexity to a separate, dedicated device.
3Loss of time
If manual dust collection is performed during power tool operation, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of time increases due to manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation of power tools by allowing remote control and monitoring through a mobile device. The system maintains continuous useful action by eliminating interruptions for manual dust collection or tool switching. The mobile device continuously transmits control signals and receives status information, enabling uninterrupted operation and reducing project time without requiring complex automated dust collection systems integrated into each tool.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for remote power tool control are provided. In one example, a battery pack is coupled to a power tool device. The battery pack includes a pack transceiver and a pack electronic processor. The pack electronic processor is coupled to the pack transceiver and is configured to determine that the power tool device is remotely controllable. The pack electronic processor is further configured to receive, wirelessly via a pack transceiver of the battery pack, a remote control command from a mobile device, and to provide the remote control command to the power tool device. The system further includes a tool electronic processor of the power tool device in communication with the pack electronic processor. The tool electronic processor is configured to control the power tool device to perform an action specified by the remote control command in response to receiving the remote control command.