Removable Battery Communication Module for Tool Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-operated tools often require complex and costly communication systems to connect with remote computing devices and data networks, which increases their cost and complexity, and they may not be able to provide communication functionality for multiple tools effectively.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery pack with communication functionality that can be removably coupled with tools, allowing data exchange with remote computing devices and data networks via wireless or wired connections, eliminating the need for communication systems within the tools and enabling a single battery pack to provide communication for multiple tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If battery-operated tools include integrated communication systems to connect with remote computing devices and data networks, then communication functionality is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is extracted from the tool and relocated to the battery pack. The battery pack now contains the communication module, allowing it to handle all communication functions independently while the tool focuses solely on its operational functions. This separation eliminates the need for each tool to have its own communication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is given multiple functions: it provides power to the tool and simultaneously serves as a communication hub. By integrating the communication module into the battery pack, a single component performs both energy storage and data transmission roles, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each battery-operated tool includes its own communication system, then each tool can communicate independently, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack serves as a universal communication device that can interface with multiple different tools. Instead of manufacturing communication systems for each tool type, a single communication module in the battery pack can work with various tools, reducing manufacturing costs through standardization and economies of scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication functionality is merged into the battery pack, which is a common component across multiple tools. This consolidation means that the communication capability is shared across the entire tool ecosystem rather than being duplicated in each individual tool, significantly reducing overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication modules are integrated into each tool, then tool-specific communication is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication functionality is extracted from the tool's core operational system and placed in the battery pack. This allows the tool to remain simple and focused on its primary function while the battery pack handles all communication protocols, data transmission, and network connectivity independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack acts as an intermediary between the tool and the external communication network. It receives data from the tool through simple interfaces and handles the complex communication protocols externally, shielding the tool from communication complexity while enabling full data transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an implementation, a pressure washer system may include a pump and an engine drivingly coupled with the pump. A pressure washer controller may be associated with one or more of the pump and the engine. A battery may be communicatively coupleable with the pressure washer controller for one or more of receiving data from the pressure washer controller and transmitting data to the pressure washer controller. The battery may include a memory module for storing one or more of data received from the pressure washer controller and data to be transmitted to the pressure washer controller.