GB2519563A

GB2519563A - Adaptor for battery powered tool

Info

Publication number: GB2519563A
Application number: GB1318829.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Carl Henry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-24
Filing date: 2013-10-24
Publication date: 2015-04-29
Also published as: GB201318829D0

Abstract

An adaptor 26 for an electrical power tool 20 comprises a connector for connection to the power tool, a connector for connecting to an AC power supply 30 and a rectifier for converting the AC power supply into a DC power to be used by the tool 20. The adaptor 26 connects to electrical contacts in the battery compartment of an electrical power tool 20 after the battery 24 has been removed to convert the tool 20 from being battery powered to being mains powered. This overcomes the problem of batteries discharging too soon during construction work. Adaptors with differing input voltages may be made available to the user and marked according to voltage rating.

Description

Title: Adaptor for battery powered tool Descrirtion of Invention This invention relates to an adapter for converting a battery powered tool to a mains powered tool, and a method of adapting a battery powered tool to a mains powered tool.

It is a problem, particularly in the construction industry, for cordless, batter-powered tools to have short battery life relative to the length of time that a tool is required to be used. Furthermore, tool manufacturers supply a battery-powered tool with a dedicated battery pack, which requires frequent charging.

It is a common occurrence for battery packs to be used with other identical tools, perhaps owned by other tradesmen, meaning that the operative may lose' the battery pack, thus rendering his tool useless until the battery pack can be found or replaced. Another risk is that a charger which is incompatible with the battery pack may be used, leading to damage to the battery and/or the charger and/or creating a fire hazard. Replacement battery packs are generally expensive relative to the cost of the tool, and users are reticent to pay for replacements. Furthermore, over time, manufacturers discontinue tools and compatible replacement battery packs, meaning that it becomes difficult or impossible to replace a battery pack, thus rendering the tool useless. The time spent waiting for batteries to charge leads to significant periods of downtime' particularly on large scale construction jobs, which leads to loss of profit. Faster charge times usually results in long term damage of the battery, leading to a need to replace the battery sooner than if the battery is charged more slowly each time.

An aim of this invention is to ameliorate at least some of the problems outlined above.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an adaptor for an electrical tool to convert the tool from battery powered to mains powered, the adaptor including an electrical connector to connect the adaptor to the tool, and an electrical connector to connect the adaptor to a power supply, the adaptor further including a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current.

The adaptor may further include a transformer to step-down the voltage from the power supply to a desired voltage of the electrical tool.

An input voltage of the adaptor may be at least one of 11 OV and 230V.

The input voltage of the adaptor may be selectable by at least one of the manufacturer and the user.

The adaptor may include a marking to denote the input voltage.

The marking may include at least one of a legible indication of the input voltage and colour coding.

The connector to connect the adaptor to the tool may be provided by electrical terminals in a battery pack of the tool.

A battery supplied in the battery pack may be removed from the battery pack in order to use the terminals to connect the tool to the adaptor.

The adaptor may include a cable at least 5 metres long between the power supply and the adaptor.

The adaptor may include a cable at least 5 metres long which extends between the adaptor and the tool.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of adapting a battery powered electrical tool to a mains powered electrical tool, including providing an adaptor which is electrically connectable to the tool and to a power supply, the adaptor including a rectifier to convert an alternating current input to a direct current output.

The method may further include transforming an input voltage to a desired, lower output voltage.

The method may include removing at least one battery from a battery pack of the tool and using electrical terminals which connected the battery to the tool to connect the adaptor to the tool.

The method may include connecting the adaptor to the tool by electrically bypassing at least one battery of a battery pack of the tool.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: FIGURE 1A shows an illustrative view of a prior art cordless electrical tool, including a battery pack; FIGURE 1 B shows a battery charger compatible with the battery pack of Figure 1A; FIGURE 2 shows an electrical tool in accordance with the invention, including an adaptor; FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of the power supply of the electrical tool of Figure 2.

Referring to figures 1A and 1B, there is shown a prior art electrical tool 10. In the example shown, the tool is a drill, but the tool may be any electrically powered tool. The tool 10 includes a tool body 12, and a battery pack 14. The battery pack is connectable and disconnectable from the tool body 12, for charging, in a conventional manner. The battery packs of cordless electrical tools are generally provided in various voltages, for example 5V, 12V, 18V, 24Vand 36V.

Figure lB shows a charger 16 to which the battery pack 14 is electrically connectable for charging purposes. The charger 16 includes a cable and an electrical plug 18 for connection to the mains or another source of power. It is a safety standard requirement that equipment used on construction sites are 11 OV rated, rather than 230V. In such cases, the charger 16 may include a transformer, or a power supply including a transformer may be connected between the charger and the connection to the mains supply.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown an electrical tool 20, which is identical to the electrical tool 10, in that it includes a tool body 22 and a battery pack 24. The battery pack 24 is electrically connectable to an adaptor 26 via a cable 28. The cable 28 is several metres in length, for example 5 metres.

This enables the electrical tool 10 to be used in different locations without having to use an alternative power source. The electrical connection between the battery pack 24 and the adaptor 26 is preferably permanent, but the tool 20 may be disconnected from the adaptor 26. The electrical connection between the battery pack 24 and the adaptor 26 may be an in-line plug and socket.

The battery is preferably removed from the battery pack 24, and the electrical terminals of the pack used to provide the electrical connection between the adapter 26 and the tool 10. It will be understood that, alternatively, the battery may be electrically bypassed.

The adaptor 26 is connectable to an input energy source 32, which is at least one of a 230V power supply and a 11OV power supply. The input voltage range is 8OVac to 25OVac. In the present example, the adaptor 26 is connectable to a mains power supply via an electrical connector, i.e a mains plug 30.

In the present example, the adaptor 26 includes a switch to select whether the adaptor 26 is operable at 11OV or 230V. However, it will be understood that the adaptor 26 may be provided in either a 11OV or a 230V version. In the latter case, the adaptor 26 preferably includes an indication of the voltage rating of the adaptor 26, so that the voltage rating of adaptor 26 is easily identifiable. For example, the voltage rating of the adaptor 26 may be printed on the exterior of a case of the adaptor 26 and/or at least a part of the adaptor 26 may be colour-coded to enable swift identification.

The adaptor 26 includes a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current. The rectifier includes at least one diode. The adaptor 26 also includes a transformer for transforming the input voltage from the power supply (i.e. 1 1OV or 230V) to the desired output voltage, e.g. 12V, 18V etc., in accordance with the rating of the tool 10. The adaptor 26 comprises a regulated power supply.

An extension lead may be provided to extend the distance from the power supply at which the tool can be used.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adaptor for an electrical tool to convert the tool from battery powered, to mains powered, the adaptor including an electrical connector to connect the adaptor to the tool, and an electrical connector to connect the adaptor to a power supply, the adaptor further including a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current.
2. An adaptor according to claim 1 further including a transformer to step-down the voltage from the power supply to a desired voltage of the electrical tool.
3. An adaptor according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the input voltage of the adaptor is in the range 8OVac and 25OVac.
4. An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein the input voltage of the adaptor is selectable by at least one of the manufacturer and the user.
5. An adaptor according to claim 3 wherein the adaptor includes a marking to denote the input voltage.
6. An adaptor according to claim 5 wherein the marking includes at least one of a legible indication of the input voltage and colour coding.
7. An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connector to connect the adaptor to the tool is provided by electrical terminals in a battery pack of the tool.
8. An adaptor according to claim 7 wherein a battery supplied in the battery pack is removed from the battery pack in order to use the terminals to connect the tool to the adaptor.
9. An adaptor according to any of the preceding claims wherein the adaptor includes a cable at least 5 metres long between the power supply and the adaptor.
10. An adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the adaptor includes a cable at least 5 metres long which extends between the adaptor and the tool.
11. An adaptor substantially as described herein and/or as shown in Figures 2 and/or 3 of the accompanying drawings.
12. A method of adapting a battery powered electrical tool to a mains powered electrical tool, including providing an adaptor which is electrically connectable to the tool and to a power supply, the adaptor including a rectifier to convert an alternating current input to a direct current output.
13. A method according to claim 12 further including transforming an input voltage to a desired lower output voltage.
14. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13 including removing at least one battery from a battery pack of the tool and using electrical terminals which connected the battery to the tool to connect the adaptor to the tool.
15. A method according to any of claims 12 to 14 including connecting the adaptor to the tool by electrically bypassing at least one battery of a battery pack of the tool.
16. A method substantially as described herein and/or as shown in Figures 2 and/or 3 of the accompanying drawings.
17. Any novel feature or any novel combination of features substantially as described herein and/or as shown in Figures 2 and/or 3 of the accompanying drawings.