Power driver and charger with flexible mounting system for battery pack
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsJames B. Watson, Danh Trinh, Alan Phillips, Daniel P. Wall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power tool may include a housing that supports an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may include at least two terminal sets that are arranged in parallel to each other. The at least two terminal sets may include a first terminal set configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration and a second terminal set configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second, different configuration. A battery charger may include a housing, and an interface that is electrically and mechanically compatible with at least two battery packs having different configurations and battery cell chemistries.
Claims20
A power driver comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an electrical circuit supported by the housing;
- wherein the electrical circuit includes at least two terminal sets forming physical interfaces, the physical interfaces located, at least in part, within a cavity formed by the housing, the at least two terminal sets including
- a first terminal set located on the power driver configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration, and
- a second terminal set located on the power driver and configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second configuration.
A power driver comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an electrical circuit supported by the housing;
- wherein the power driver includes physical interface portions having
- a first physical interface configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration, and
- a second physical interface configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second configuration, wherein the first and second interfaces are located at least in part, in a cavity in the housing.
A cordless drill comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an electrical circuit supported by the housing;
- wherein the electrical circuit includes
- a motor,
- a first interface located on the cordless drill and electrically coupled to the motor and configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration, and
- a second interface located on the cordless drill and electrically coupled to the motor and configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second configuration, wherein the first and second interfaces are located within the housing.
A battery charger comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an interface having
- a tower interface portion with a first terminal set that is electrically compatible with a tower battery pack having one of nickel-cadmium battery cells and nickel-metal-hydride battery cells, and
- a rail interface portion with a second terminal set that is electrically compatible with a rail battery pack having lithium ion battery cells;
- the first terminal set and second terminal set configured so that when a battery is charging, one of the terminal sets is idle and not charging the battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.