Battery pack adaptor with overstress detection circuit
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsBrian E. Friedman, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Christopher R. Held, Abhisheka Moturu, Michael Varipatis, Paul J. Wisniewski, Michael W. Roberts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool includes a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool. The adaptor includes a control circuit disposed within the housing. The control circuit is configured to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition.
Claims14
An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool, the adaptor comprising:
- a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool;
- and
- a control circuit disposed within the housing, wherein the control circuit comprises a microcontroller and a transistor that is operably connected to the microcontroller, the control circuit being configured to:
- determine if the power tool is in a pulse width modulation mode,
- determine if a current through the transistor is greater than a threshold current limit, and
- responsive to determining the power tool is in the pulse width modulation mode and the current is greater than the threshold current limit, open the transistor to prevent current flow from the power source to the power tool.
A method for detecting and controlling an overstress condition in a power tool, the method comprising:
- detecting an overstress condition in a power tool by a control circuit disposed within a housing of an adaptor, wherein the adaptor is operably connected between a power source and the power tool and the control circuit comprises a microcontroller and a transistor that is operably coupled to the microcontroller and wherein detecting the overstress condition includes:
- determining if the power tool is in a pulse width modulation mode, and
- determining if a current through the transistor is greater than a threshold current limit;
- and
- controlling the power tool by the control circuit disposed within the housing of the adaptor responsive to detecting the overstress condition in the power tool, wherein controlling the power tool includes responsive to determining the power tool is in the pulse width modulation mode and the current is greater than the threshold current limit, opening the transistor to prevent current flow from the power source to the power tool.
A cordless power tool system, comprising:
- a cordless power tool configured to receive a power source to power the power tool;
- a power source;
- and
- an adaptor for connecting the power source to the cordless power tool, the adaptor comprising:
- a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to the power source and a second end that is configured to connect to the cordless power tool;
- and
- a control circuit disposed within the housing, wherein the control circuit comprises a microcontroller and a transistor that is operably connected to the microcontroller, the control circuit being configured to:
- determine if the power tool is in a pulse width modulation mode,
- determine if a current through the transistor is greater than a threshold current limit, and
- responsive to determining the power tool is in the pulse width modulation mode and the current is greater than the threshold current limit, open the transistor to prevent current flow from the power source to the power tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.