Universal Power Tool Charging Receiver with Selective Terminal Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of different types of power tools operating at various voltages leads to manufacturing, storage, and charging complexities due to the need for multiple devices and charging systems.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising power tools and receivers that operate at different voltages, with a selective engagement mechanism using terminal blocks and slots to ensure that only compatible tools are charged, simplifying manufacturing and storage by allowing identical tool and receiver housings with adaptable terminal blocks and slots to match specific voltage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different types of power tools operating at various voltages are used to address varied user needs, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal receiver design with a standardized housing that can accommodate multiple voltage configurations (18V, 36V, 54V) through interchangeable terminal blocks. This allows a single receiver type to serve multiple voltage requirements, reducing the need for separate charging devices for each voltage level and thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging systems are used to support power tools at different voltages, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing and storage complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is designed as a universal platform with standardized housing dimensions and battery engagement mechanisms that work across multiple voltage configurations. By using interchangeable terminal blocks rather than creating entirely different receiver models for each voltage, the manufacturing process is simplified while still providing adaptability to support 18V, 36V, and 54V power tools
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is segmented into modular components: a universal receiver housing that remains constant, and interchangeable terminal blocks that provide voltage-specific functionality. This segmentation allows the majority of the receiver structure to be manufactured once and reused, while only the terminal blocks need to be produced in different voltage configurations, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging systems are used to support power tools at different voltages, then adaptability is improved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal receiver design consolidates multiple charging functions into a single device platform. Users only need to store one type of receiver housing and a small set of interchangeable terminal blocks, rather than storing multiple complete charging systems, thereby significantly reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to charge power tools at different voltages
Data Source
AI summary
A kit comprising a plurality of power tools configured to operate at different voltages, a plurality of receivers configured to provide different output charging voltages and means for selectively engaging each receiver with only one or more power tools having an operating voltage equal to or greater than the output charging voltage of the receiver to charge the one or more power tool. The selective engagement means being in the form of a plurality of terminal block. Each terminal block may be secured to a respective one of the power tools. Each terminal block may include a rib and each receiver may define a slot to receivingly engage one of the ribs. The rib of each terminal block may be disposed at a different location than the ribs of the other terminal blocks, and the slot of each receiver may be positioned at a different location than the slots of the other receivers. Some of the receivers may engage more than one of the terminal blocks so that the receivers may engage the power tools that operate at the same or greater voltages than the charging voltage of the receivers.