Systems, tool storage units, and methods for providing electrical power
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsNicholas A. Gabbey, Ottoleo Kuter-Arnebeck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for providing electrical power to an element coupled to a tool storage unit, the system comprising a transmitting unit coupled to the tool storage unit and a receiving unit coupled to the tool storage unit. The transmitting unit including a data processing and communication module and a transmitting antenna configured to be coupled to an electrical power supply and transmit energy. The receiving unit including a receiving antenna, and the element.
Claims20
A tool storage unit comprising:
- a housing configured to store a tool;
- a transmitting unit, mounted within the housing, comprising:
- a transmitting antenna electrically coupled to an electrical power supply and configured to transmit energy, and
- a data processing and communication module coupled to the transmitting antenna;
- a receiving unit, mounted to the housing, comprising:
- a receiving antenna within the housing;
- and
- an electrically powered component, electrically coupled to the receiving antenna, with the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna positioned in a non-parallel orientation and within a predetermined distance of each other, the receiving antenna configured to receive energy transmitted by the transmitting antenna and power the electrically powered component;
- and
- wherein the data processing and communication module comprises a computing system configured to facilitate communication of data between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit according to a communication protocol.
A method for providing electrical power to an electrically powered component coupled to a tool storage unit, wherein the tool storage unit comprises a housing configured to store a tool, a transmitting unit mounted within the housing, comprising a transmitting antenna and a data processing and communication module coupled to the transmitting unit, the data processing and communication module comprising a computing system configured to facilitate communications between the transmitting unit and a receiving unit according to a communication protocol, wherein the receiving unit is mounted to the housing, wherein the receiving unit comprises a receiving antenna within the housing, wherein the electrically powered component is electrically coupled to the receiving antenna, wherein the data processing and communication module comprises a computing system configured to facilitate communication of data between the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, and wherein the method comprises:
- positioning the transmitting antenna within a determined distance of the receiving antenna and in a non-parallel orientation;
- receiving, via an electrical power supply, electrical power at the transmitting antenna;
- transmitting, via the transmitting antenna, both electrical power and data to the receiving antenna;
- and
- powering the electrically powered component using the electrical power received by the receiving antenna.
A tool storage unit comprising:
- a housing configured to store a tool;
- a transmitting unit, mounted within the housing, comprising a transmitting antenna electrically coupled to an electrical power supply and configured to transmit energy;
- a receiving unit, mounted to a door of the housing, wherein the door is configured to be moved such that the receiving unit and transmitting unit are positioned in a non-parallel orientation, comprising:
- a receiving antenna;
- and
- an electrically powered component, mounted to the door and electrically coupled to the receiving antenna, with the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna positioned in the non-parallel orientation and within a predetermined distance of each other, the receiving antenna configured to receive energy transmitted by the transmitting antenna and power the electrically powered component, wherein the electrically powered component is at least one of the group consisting of an electric motor and a speaker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.