Adapter for power tools, power tool system and method of operating the same

• US 9,595,839 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Original Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Inventors: Furui, Nobuyasu, Suzuki, Hitoshi, Fukumoto, Masaaki, Umemura, Takuya, Ito, Kosuke, Sengiku, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer, Firmin
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUN, NAY L
• Application Number:
  US14/233,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20140159919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• 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: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/024 in which a parameter or coefficient is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An adapter for a power tool powered by a detachable battery pack includes a connector for directly connecting the adapter only to the power tool in a detachable manner, a controller, at least one memory and/or storage device in communication with the controller, and at least one communication port configured to transmit electrical communications from the adapter controller to a controller located in the power tool and vice versa. The adapter is further configured such that, when a battery pack, which also includes a controller, is connected to the power tool, a communication path is established from the battery pack controller to the adapter controller via the power tool controller.

Claims

1. An adapter for a power tool powered by a detachable battery pack, comprising:

an adapter housing,

means for detachably connecting the adapter housing to only the power tool,

an adapter controller disposed within the adapter housing,

at least one memory and/or storage device disposed within the adapter housing and in communication with the adapter controller, and

at least one communication port disposed on the adapter housing configured to transmit electrical communications from the adapter controller to a controller located in the power tool and from the controller located in the power tool to the adapter controller when the adapter housing is connected to the power tool,

wherein the adapter is configured such that, when a battery pack having a battery pack controller, is connected to the power tool, a communication path is established from the battery pack controller to the adapter controller via the power tool controller,

wherein the adapter is configured to change one or more operating parameters stored in a memory of the battery pack and/or the power tool,

wherein the one or more operating parameters includes a maximum charged level of the battery pack, and

wherein the maximum charged level determines a stopping point for a charging operation of the battery pack.

2. An adapter for a power tool powered by a detachable battery pack, comprising:

an adapter housing,

a connector configured to directly, detachably, connect the adapter housing to the power tool,

an adapter controller disposed within the adapter housing,

at least one memory and/or storage device disposed within the adapter housing and in communication with the adapter controller, and

at least one communication port disposed on the adapter housing and configured to transmit electrical communications from the adapter controller to a controller located in the power tool and from the controller located in the power tool to the adapter controller when the adapter housing is connected to the power tool,

wherein the adapter is configured such that, when a battery pack having a battery pack controller, is connected to the power tool, a communication path is established from the battery pack controller to the adapter controller via the power tool controller,

wherein the adapter is configured to change one or more operating parameters stored in a memory of the battery pack and/or the power tool,

wherein the one or more operating parameters includes a maximum charged level of the battery pack, and

wherein the maximum charged level determines a stopping point for a charging operation of the battery pack.