Battery pack adaptor with overstress detection circuit

• US 10,454,264 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2018
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Friedman, Brian E., Gorti, Bhanuprasad V., Held, Christopher R., Moturu, Abhisheka, Varipatis, Michael, Wisniewski, Paul J., Roberts, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Stephen W
• Application Number:
  US15/871,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20180138690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6235 Power tools
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/087 for dc applications
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/20 for electronic equipment for converters H02H7/10; for electric measuring instruments G01R1/36; for dc voltage or current semiconductor regulators G05F1/569; for amplifiers H03F1/52; for electronic switching circuits H03K17/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool includes a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool. The adaptor includes a control circuit disposed within the housing. The control circuit is configured to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition.

Claims

1. An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool, the adaptor comprising:

a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool; and

a lockout mechanism integrated as part of the housing, wherein the lockout mechanism prevents the first end from connecting to the power source when the second end is not connected to the power tool.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the housing is configured to slidably connect with a battery pack; and

the second end of the housing comprises a tower portion that is configured to insertably connect with the power tool.

3. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the lockout mechanism allows the first end to connect to the power source only when then second end is first connected to the power tool.

4. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the lockout mechanism comprises:

a first pin disposed on a top surface of the housing;

a second pin disposed within a cavity of the housing; and

a pin movement mechanism disposed between the first pin and the second pin.

5. The adaptor of claim 4, wherein the pin movement mechanism comprises a ball bearing secured between the first pin and the second pin.

6. The adaptor of claim 4, wherein the second pin moves out of the cavity to allow the first end to connect to the power source when the first pin is depressed by connecting the second end to the power tool.

7. The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit disposed within the housing, the control circuit being configured to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition.

8. The adaptor of claim 7, wherein the control circuit controls the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition by causing the power tool to stop.

9. The adaptor of claim 7, wherein the control circuit comprises:

a transistor that is configured to measure a power source current; and

a microcontroller that is operably connected to the transistor and that is configured to control the transistor to cause the power tool to stop in response to the measured power source current exceeding a threshold current limit.

10. An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool, the adaptor comprising:

a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool; and

a lockout mechanism, wherein the lockout mechanism comprises;

a first pin disposed on a top surface of the housing,

a second pin disposed within a cavity of the housing, and

a pin movement mechanism disposed between the first pin and the second pin.

11. The adaptor of claim 10, wherein:

the first end of the housing is configured to slidably connect with a battery pack;

the second end of the housing comprises a tower portion that is configured to insertably connect with the power tool; and

the lockout mechanism prevents the first end from connecting to the battery pack when the tower portion is not inserted into to the power tool.

12. The adaptor of claim 10, wherein the lockout mechanism allows the first end to connect to the power source only when then second end is first connected to the power tool.

13. The adaptor of claim 10, wherein the pin movement mechanism comprises a ball bearing secured between the first pin and the second pin.

14. The adaptor of claim 10, wherein the second pin moves out of the cavity to allow the first end to connect to the power source when the first pin is depressed by connecting the second end to the power tool.

15. The adaptor of claim 10, further comprising a control circuit disposed within the housing, the control circuit being configured to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition.

16. A cordless power tool system, comprising:

a cordless power tool configured to receive a power source to power the power tool;

a power source; and

an adaptor for connecting the power source to the cordless power tool, the adaptor comprising;

a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to the cordless power tool, and

a lockout mechanism integrated as part of the housing, wherein the lockout mechanism prevents the first end from connecting to the power source when the second end is not connected to the power tool.

17. The cordless power tool system of claim 16, wherein:

the first end of the housing is configured to slidably connect with a battery pack; and

the second end of the housing comprises a tower portion that is configured to insertably connect with the cordless power tool.

18. The cordless power tool system of claim 16, wherein the lockout mechanism comprises:

a first pin disposed on a top surface of the housing;

a second pin disposed within a cavity of the housing; and

a pin movement mechanism disposed between the first pin and the second pin.

19. The cordless power tool system of claim 18, wherein the pin movement mechanism comprises a ball bearing secured between the first pin and the second pin.

20. The cordless power tool system of claim 18, wherein the second pin moves out of the cavity to allow the first end to connect to the power source when the first pin is depressed by connecting the second end to the cordless power tool.