Power Tool Adapter Mode Switching for Data and Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power tools lack efficient communication and data exchange capabilities with external devices, limiting user access to tool usage data, maintenance information, and operational parameters, and do not seamlessly switch between data transmission and power transfer modes based on tool state.
Innovation Solution
An adapter for power tools that includes a housing with a tool-side connector, a battery-side connector, and a communication interface, coupled with a controller to determine the tool's state and switch between data transmission and pass-through modes, enabling data exchange with external devices when the tool is idle and power transfer when active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a power tool is designed with both data transmission and power transfer capabilities, then communication and data exchange with external devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data transmission and power transfer functions into a single adapter device. The adapter includes both a communication interface (USB port) and a battery-side connector, allowing it to simultaneously or alternatively perform data exchange and power transfer operations through integrated control logic that switches between modes based on tool state.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal interface that can perform multiple functions: data transmission when the tool is idle, and power transfer when the tool is active. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would otherwise require separate components, addressing the versatility improvement while managing complexity through functional integration.
2Loss of information
If data transmission is enabled during power tool operation, then user access to tool usage data is improved, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter dynamically switches between data transmission mode and power transfer mode based on the operational state of the power tool. When the tool is active, the adapter operates in pass-through mode to prioritize power transfer efficiency. When the tool is idle, it switches to data transmission mode to enable data exchange, thus optimizing performance for the current operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic mode switching between data transmission and power transfer based on the tool's operational cycles. During idle periods, data transmission occurs; during active operation, power transfer takes precedence. This periodic alternation ensures that neither data access nor power transfer efficiency is consistently compromised.
3Reliability
If the adapter continuously monitors tool state to switch modes, then operational reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter utilizes the power tool's existing operational states (idle vs. active) to trigger mode switching, rather than requiring continuous active monitoring. The system leverages the tool's own state information, which is already available for operational control, to automatically determine when to switch between data transmission and power transfer modes, minimizing additional energy consumption while maintaining reliable mode switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool communication system including an external device including a first controller configured to transmit, via wireless communication to a power tool, configuration data including a work light duration parameter value and a work light brightness parameter value. The power tool includes a housing, a brushless direct current (DC) motor, a trigger, a work light, a wireless communication circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with the external device to receive the configuration data, and a second controller configured to control a work light duration of the work light based on the work light duration parameter value, and control a work light brightness of the work light based on the work light brightness parameter value.