Auxiliary energy circuit for battery-powered power tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024421630-A1
Application number	US-202418751697-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 24, 2024
Priority date	Jul 25, 2018
Publication date	Dec 19, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A power tool comprising a power tool housing, an auxiliary power source, a user input for user control of power tool operation, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a control signal from the user input, control the power tool in response to the control signal, receive, from a sensor, a signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the power tool, and selectively provide energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool based on the operational characteristic of the power tool.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A power tool comprising:
a power tool housing; a battery pack interface configured to receive a battery pack; an auxiliary power source configured to be selectively charged by a battery pack charger through the battery pack; a user input for user control of power tool operation; and a controller configured to:
receive a control signal from the user input, and
selectively provide energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool based on the control signal.

22 . The power tool of claim 21 , wherein the auxiliary power source includes an ultra-capacitor.

23 . The power tool of claim 21 , wherein the auxiliary power source is integrated within the power tool housing.

24 . The power tool of claim 21 , wherein, to selectively provide the energy from the auxiliary power source to the load of the power tool, the controller is configured to connect the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface.

25 . The power tool of claim 24 , wherein connecting the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface supplements a power provided by the battery pack to the load of the power tool without using a transformer or boost converter.

26 . The power tool of claim 25 , wherein connecting the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface includes connecting the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface for a predetermined time period.

27 . The power tool of claim 21 , wherein the auxiliary power source is configured to receive charging energy from regenerative braking during operation of the power tool.

28 . A method for charging an auxiliary power source of a power tool through a battery pack, the method comprising:
receiving, by a battery pack interface of the power tool, the battery pack; charging, by a battery pack charger, the battery pack; and selectively enabling, by a controller, current to flow to the auxiliary power source from the battery pack charger through the battery pack.

29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the auxiliary power source includes an ultra-capacitor.

30 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the power tool includes a power tool housing, and wherein the auxiliary power source is integrated within the power tool housing.

31 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the auxiliary power source is integrated within the battery pack.

32 . The method of claim 28 , further comprising:
selectively providing energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool by connecting the auxiliary power source in series with a battery pack interface of the power tool.

33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein connecting the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface supplements a power provided by the battery pack to a load of the power tool without using a transformer or boost converter.

34 . The power tool of claim 33 , wherein connecting the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface includes connecting the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface for a predetermined time period.

35 . A power tool system comprising:
a power tool housing; a battery pack interface configured to receive a battery pack; an auxiliary power source configured to be charged by a battery pack charger; a user input for user control of power tool operation; and a controller configured to:
receive a control signal from the user input, and
selectively provide energy from the auxiliary power source to a load of the power tool system based on the control signal,
wherein charging of the auxiliary power source is controlled by a second controller, the second controller configured to selectively connect the auxiliary power source to a terminal of the battery pack charger during charging of the battery pack.

36 . The power tool system of claim 35 , wherein the auxiliary power source includes an ultra-capacitor.

37 . The power tool system of claim 35 , wherein the second controller is included in the battery pack.

38 . The power tool system of claim 37 , wherein:
the second controller is configured to selectively connect the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface to provide energy from the auxiliary power source to the load of the power tool system.

39 . The power tool system of claim 38 , wherein:
the second controller is configured to selectively connect the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface without using a transformer or boost converter.

40 . The power tool system of claim 39 , wherein:
the second controller is configured to selectively connect the auxiliary power source in series with the battery pack interface for a predetermined time period.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Varian William
• Subramanian Aditya
• Jipp Ryan B
• Sheeks Samuel

Classifications

• H02J7/865

  Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02J7/933

  the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters · CPC title

• H02J7/855

  with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery · CPC title

• H02K7/145 Primary

  Hand-held machine tool · CPC title

• H02J7/345

  using capacitors as storage or buffering devices · CPC title