POWER TOOL BATTERY PACK WIRELESS CHARGER

• US 20160079800A1
• Filed: 08/04/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ashinghurst, Jeremy D., Bailey, JR., Rouse Roby, Busschaert, Jason F., Eshleman, Scott J., Murthy, Sankarshan, Potter, Christine H., Puzio, Daniel, Schell, Craig A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,948,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A power tool system includes a power tool, a power tool battery pack and a battery pack charger. The power tool battery pack is separable from and attachable to the power tool, and electrically connectable to the power tool electrical terminals when attached to the power tool. The power tool battery pack has at least one battery cell, a receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the at least one battery cell. The battery pack charger has at least one transmitter coil for generating a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the transmitter coil.

Claims

1. A power tool system comprising:

a power tool having a housing and electrical terminals disposed within the power tool;

a first power tool battery pack separable from and attachable to the power tool housing, the first power tool battery pack being electrically connectable to the power tool electrical terminals when attached to the power tool, the first power tool battery pack comprising at least one battery cell, a receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the at least one battery cell; and

a battery pack charger comprising at least one transmitter coil for generating a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the receiver coil, a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the transmitter coil.

2. The power tool system of claim 1, wherein the power tool is at least one of the group consisting of a drill, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw and a jigsaw.

3. The power tool system of claim 1, wherein the battery pack has a communication circuit providing control information to the battery pack charger control circuit.

4. The power tool system of claim 3, wherein the battery pack charger has a communication circuit that receives information from the battery pack communication circuit.

5. The power tool system of claim 4, wherein the battery pack charger communication circuit demodulates control information from a modulated load signal.

6. A wireless charger for charging multiple power tool battery packs, comprising:

a housing with a deck for supporting a first power tool battery pack, and a wall for directing movement of the first power tool battery pack relative to the deck;

a first wireless charging circuit disposed within the housing, the first wireless charging circuit having a first transmitter coil disposed below the deck, a first control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the first transmitter coil, and a first communication circuit connected to the first control circuit, the first communication circuit that receives information from the first power tool battery pack; and

a second wireless charging circuit disposed within the housing, the second wireless charging circuit having a second transmitter coil disposed below the deck, a second control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the second transmitter coil, and a second communication circuit connected to the second control circuit, the second communication circuit that receives information from a second power tool battery pack disposed on the deck.

7. The wireless charger of claim 6, wherein the first power tool can be moved along the deck to couple with the second wireless charging circuit for charging thereof.

8. The wireless charger of claim 6, further comprising a non-wireless charger circuit electrically connectable to a power tool battery pack.

9. The wireless charger of claim 6, further comprising an audio circuit for amplifying an audio signal generated by a radio circuit.

10. The wireless charger of claim 6, further comprising at least one indicator light disposed on the deck for indicating the charging status of at least one of the first and second power tool battery packs.

11. A power tool battery pack comprising:

a housing having first and second walls;

at least one rechargeable battery cell disposed within the housing;

a first receiver coil disposed within the housing for receiving a magnetic field generated by a wireless charger, a voltage induced in the first receiver coil being used to charge the at least one rechargeable battery cell;

a control circuit connected to the first receiver coil for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the at least one rechargeable battery cell; and

a communication circuit connected to the control circuit for providing control information to the wireless charger.

12. The power tool battery pack of claim 11, wherein the communication circuit modulates a reflected load signal.

13. The power tool battery pack of claim 11, wherein a rectifying circuit is connected to the first receiver coil.

14. The power tool battery pack of claim 11, further comprising a second receiver coil disposed within the housing

15. The power tool battery pack of claim 14, wherein the first and second receiver coils are disposed adjacent to first and second walls, respectively.

16. The power tool battery pack of claim 14, wherein the second receiver coil receives a magnetic field generated by the wireless charger, a voltage induced in the second receiver coil being used to charge the at least one rechargeable battery cell.

17. The power tool of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is connected to the second receiver coil.