Power tool charging system having battery reconditioning and battery capacity data updating functions
First Claim
1. A power tool charging system, comprising:
- an electric power tool including at least one rechargeable battery on which the electric power tool operates; and
a charger on which the electric power tool is set for charging the at least one battery, the charger including a discharge means for forcibly discharging the at least one battery.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved charging system for preventing battery deterioration and for accurate indication of the remaining battery charge level includes an electric power tool (2) and a charger (1). The electric power tool (2) is provided with an internal rechargeable batteries (6) and a second controller (9). The charger (1) is provided with circuitry for charging, a microcomputer (19), and discharge circuitry which is comprised of a manually-operated battery refreshing button (25), a discharge relay (23) and a discharge resistor (24). Upon depression of the battery refreshing button (25), the microcomputer (19) causes the batteries (6) of the electric power tool (2) to be charged to a full level and discharged to a predetermined level twice. When the two-cycle operation of full charge and discharge is completed, the second controller (9) of the electric power tool (2) updates the remaining charge level of the batteries (6).
87 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A power tool charging system, comprising:
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an electric power tool including at least one rechargeable battery on which the electric power tool operates; and
a charger on which the electric power tool is set for charging the at least one battery, the charger including a discharge means for forcibly discharging the at least one battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 12. A method for charging an electric power tool including at least one rechargeable battery on which the electric power tool operates, said method comprising the step of cycling the at least one battery through at least one cycle of charging the at least one battery fully and discharging the at least one battery to a predetermined level.
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17. A method for monitoring the charge level of an electric power tool including at least one rechargeable battery on which the electric power tool operates, said method comprising the steps of
computing the charge level of the at least one battery, and updating the data on the charge level of the at least one battery after the at least one battery has been discharged.
Specification