Battery management system for a cordless tool
First Claim
1. A tool comprising:
- an output head;
a motor operatively connected to the output head;
a resistance sensor that measures the output head'"'"'s resistance to movement; and
a controller connected to the motor and the resistance sensor, the controller being constructed and arranged to connect to a plurality of battery cells,wherein the controller is constructed and arranged to connect the plurality of battery cells to each other and the motor in series, and subsequently automatically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor when the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor exceeds a predetermined shift resistance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held, battery powered tool (e.g., nutrunner, drill) includes an output head operatively connected to a motor, a plurality of battery cells, an ON/OFF start switch, a resistance sensor that measures a resistance of the output head to movement, and a controller. When the start switch is ON and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor does not exceed a predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other and the motor in series. When the start switch is ON and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor exceeds the predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A tool comprising:
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an output head; a motor operatively connected to the output head; a resistance sensor that measures the output head'"'"'s resistance to movement; and a controller connected to the motor and the resistance sensor, the controller being constructed and arranged to connect to a plurality of battery cells, wherein the controller is constructed and arranged to connect the plurality of battery cells to each other and the motor in series, and subsequently automatically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor when the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor exceeds a predetermined shift resistance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A tool comprising:
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an output head; a motor operatively connected to the output head; a start switch having ON and OFF positions; a resistance sensor that measures the output head'"'"'s resistance to movement; and a controller connected to the motor, the start switch, and the resistance sensor, the controller being constructed and arranged to connect to a plurality of battery cells, wherein the controller is constructed and arranged such that when the start switch is in its ON position and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor does not exceed a predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other and the motor in series, and the controller is constructed and arranged such that when the start switch is in its ON position and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor exceeds the predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of using a battery powered tool, comprising:
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(a) connecting a plurality of battery cells to each other and to a motor in series; and (b) automatically connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor in response to a resistance sensor sensing that a resistance of an output head to movement exceeds a predetermined shift resistance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of using a battery powered tool, comprising:
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in response to sensing that a start switch is in its ON position and a resistance of an output head to movement does not exceed a predetermined shift resistance, automatically connecting a plurality of battery cells to each other and a motor in series; and in response to sensing that the start switch is in its ON position and the resistance exceeds the predetermined shift resistance, automatically connecting the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A tool comprising:
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an output head; a plurality of battery cells disposed in a detachable battery pack; a motor operatively connected to the output head and configured to be powered by the plurality of battery cells; and a switch configured to be operatively connected to the plurality of battery cells, the switch being automatically switchable between a first configuration, where at least two of the plurality of battery cells are connected to each other in series, and a second configuration, where the at least two of the plurality of battery cells are connected to each other in parallel, based on a sensed characteristic of the tool. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of using a battery powered tool wherein the battery powered tool comprises a plurality of battery cells disposed in a battery pack that is detachable from the tool, the plurality of battery cells being in either a first configuration wherein at least two of the plurality of battery cells are connected to each other in series or a second configuration wherein at least two of the plurality of battery cells are connected to each other in parallel, the method comprising:
automatically switching the at least two of the plurality of battery cells to the first configuration or the second configuration based on a sensed characteristic of the tool. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
Specification