Back to results
US 8,299,749 B2Granted
Cordless power tool battery and charging system therefore
AssigneeIngersoll-Rand Company
InventorsDaniel Jay Becker, William M. Ball, Jr., Gil Holtzman, Warren Andrew Seith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cordless power tool battery pack including an onboard circuit configured to electronically communicate with an associated battery charging system. The onboard circuit communicates information relating to the batter pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery charging system and charging of the battery pack is controlled based on such communication.
Claims19
A battery for use with a cordless power tool having a body, the battery comprising:
- at least one battery cell positioned in a battery housing, the battery housing removably engaged with the body of the cordless power tool, the battery housing including support keys and alignment keys extending radially outward from a stem portion and defining one of a plurality of key configurations that engage with the body of the cordless power tool, wherein the key configuration is distinct for each of different battery voltages;
- and
- an onboard circuit that electronically communicates with an associated battery charging system.
A charging system for use with a removable battery of a cordless power tool having a body, the charging system comprising:
- a charger housing having a battery receiving opening, the battery receiving opening including at least one keyway to receive at least two distinct key configurations of the battery, the battery key configurations removably engage with the body of the cordless power tool;
- and
- a charging circuit configured to charge the removable battery when engaged within the battery receiving opening, the charging circuit configured to charge in accordance with various charging protocols in dependence on the battery engaged within the battery receiving opening based on said distinct key configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.