Adapter for power tool devices

A method of operating a power tool including an adapter, the adapter including a tool-side connector configured to couple to the power tool, a battery-side connector configured to couple to a battery pack and a communication interface configured to couple with an external device, wherein the power tool is in one of an active state or an idle state, the method comprising:

• determining, by the adapter, that the power tool is in the idle state;
• exchanging data between the external device and one of the power tool or the battery pack when the power tool is in the idle state;
• determining, by the adapter, that the power tool is requested to be in the active state;
• and
• in response to determining that the power tool is requested to be in the active state, switching from exchanging data to transferring, by the tool-side connector and the battery-side connector, electrical power from the battery pack to the power tool to enter the power tool into the active state,
• wherein during the active state a motor of the power tool is in operation and during the idle state, the motor is idle,
• wherein the tool-side connector includes a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact, and wherein determining whether the power tool is in the active state includes detecting a power request signal at the third contact, and further comprising transferring electrical power to the power tool from one of the battery pack or the external device through the first contact and the second contact.

An adapter for a power tool, the adapter comprising:

• a housing including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a sidewall connecting the first side and the second side, wherein the sidewall is a front sidewall
• a tool-side connector supported by the housing and positioned on the first side of the housing, the tool-side connector configured to couple to the power tool;
• a latching mechanism supported by the housing, and positioned on the first side of the housing, the latching mechanism configured to secure the adapter to the power tool;
• a battery-side connector supported by the housing and positioned on the second side of the housing, the battery-side connector configured to couple to a battery pack;
• an indicator supported by the housing and positioned on the front sidewall of the housing, the indicator configured to provide an indication regarding communication between the adapter and an external device;
• and
• a switch supported by the housing and positioned on the front sidewall of the housing.

An adapter for a power tool, the adapter comprising

• a housing;
• a tool-side connector supported by the housing and configured to couple to a power tool;
• a battery-side connector supported by the housing and configured to couple to a battery pack, the battery-side connector in electrical communication with the tool-side connector;
• a communication interface supported by the housing and configured to couple with an external device, the communication interface in electrical communication with the tool-side connector and the battery-side connector;
• and
• a controller supported by the housing and coupled to the tool-side connector, the battery-side connector, and the communication interface, the controller configured to
• determine a state of the power tool, wherein the state of the power tool is one of an active state in which an actuator of the power tool is in operation or an idle state during which the actuator is idle, and
• operate in a data transmission mode, in which the adapter exchanges data between the external device and one of the power tool or the battery pack when the power tool is in the idle state,
• operate in a pass-through mode, in which the adapter transfers power from the battery pack to the power tool when the power tool is in the active state, and
• switch between the data transmission mode and the pass-through mode based on the state of the power tool,
• wherein the adapter also includes a power switch to turn the adapter on and off, and wherein the adapter is configured to operate in the pass-through mode when the power switch indicates the adapter is off.