Battery control and protective element validation method

• US 8,766,567 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Ghode, Anil P., Becker, Thomas P., Herres, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): LUO, DAVID S
• Application Number:
  US13/565,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20140035489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 318/139, 318/34, 318/255
• US Class Current: 318/139
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007194 of the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/74 controlling two or more ac dynamo-electric motors H02P5/46, H02P5/60 take precedence

Abstract

A method, system and device for discharging power or validating protective elements of a power source to ensure proper functioning of a tool at various temperatures. The power source communicates with a switch using handshake signals to establish a scheme for power distribution depending on the temperature of the power source. The power source can discharge power at a normal start-up rate or a slower start-up rate depending on the temperature of the power source. Handshake signals can also be used to validate protective elements, where the protective elements respond to wake-up signals with respective handshake signals indicating that the protective elements are functioning property.

Claims

1. A method for controlling output of a power source, comprising:

determining a temperature of the power source;

selecting a handshake signal to be sent to a switch, wherein the handshake signal is selected based on the temperature;

transmitting the handshake signal to the switch;

selecting a power distribution scheme depending on the handshake signal; and

causing a distribution of an amount of power from the power source in accordance with the power distribution scheme.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power distribution scheme includes a first start rate and a second start rate, wherein the first start rate distributes the amount of power at a lower rate compared to the second start rate.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of causing a distribution of an amount of power further includes causing a transistor to at least partially inhibit the amount of power to distribute the amount of power at the first start rate.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the transistor is a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first start rate is selected when the temperature is less than a first predetermined amount and the second start rate is selected when the temperature is greater than a second predetermined amount.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a temperature of the power source is performed by temperature sensing circuitry.

7. A method of validating an element that performs a function, the method comprising:

transmitting a wake-up signal to the element wherein the element permits a flow of power from a power source when performing the function, and wherein the element prohibits the flow of power from the power source when not performing the function;

receiving a handshake signal indicating that the element is performing the function; and

causing the distribution of the flow of power to a load only upon receipt of the handshake signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising reading an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) prior to the step of receiving the handshake signal and the step of transmitting the wake up signal.

9. A method for validating a charger adapted to charge a power source having a power source parameter, the method comprising:

transmitting a wake-up signal to the power source;

receiving a handshake signal from the power source indicating that the power source parameter is sufficient so the power source can be charged by the charger; and

actuating a switch to establish a power connection between the charger and the power source based on the handshake signal received from the power source; and

charging the power source with the charger.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the power source parameter is a temperature of the power source.

11. An apparatus for controlling power distribution comprising:

a power source;

a switch operably coupled to the power source and adapted to transmit and control an amount of power from the power source;

a load operably coupled to the power source and adapted to receive the amount of power; and

a power distribution system including;

a temperature sensing device adapted to sense a temperature of the power source; and

a transistor operably coupled to the temperature sensing device and adapted to allow transmission of the amount of power and control the amount of flow of power from the power source to the switch based on a handshake signal transmitted from the power distribution system indicating the temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the load is a motor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an EEPROM having a computer program adapted to control the power source.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the temperature sensing device is circuitry adapted to measure the temperature of the power source.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an indicator light adapted to selectively illuminate when the power source is in a discharge mode or a charge mode.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a protective element adapted to prohibit transmission of the amount of power from the power source.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transistor is a MOSFET.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transistor is adapted to permit transmission of the amount of power at a first start rate or a second start rate, wherein the first start rate transmits the amount of power at a lower rate compared to the second start rate.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first start rate is initiated when the temperature is less than a first predetermined amount and the second start rate is initiated when the temperature is greater than a second predetermined amount.