SE1651229A1

SE1651229A1 - Improved less of controlling battery operated power tool

Info

Publication number: SE1651229A1
Application number: SE1651229A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Larsén Martin
Original assignee: Husqvarna Ab
Priority date: 2016-09-14
Filing date: 2016-09-14
Publication date: 2018-03-15
Also published as: EP3513397A1; EP3513397A4; WO2018052363A1; SE540232C2

Abstract

A system comprising a tool (1) arranged to acquire settings, and in response thereto adapt the operation of the tool (1) based on the settings.

Description

IMPROVED MANNER OF CONTROLLING BATTERY OPERATED POWER TOOL TECHNICAL FIELDThis application relates to a method and a battery operated power tool for increasingthe lifetime of a battery and in particular to a method for and a battery operated power tool for increasing the lifetime of a battery by providing settings for the battery operated power tool.

BACKGROUND Battery powered or operated power tools are becoming more and more widespread.Also some systems allow for one and the same (type of) battery to be used with multiple batteryoperated power tools. Furthermore, as many battery operated power tools are used in differentways, such as with regards to Operating time and in different working environment, they are alsosubjected to different wear and tear. Also, different fleet owners (someone who manages a largecollection of working tools) may have different desires or aims with his working tools. One mayfavour speed of completion, whereas another may favour robustness and less maintenance.

There is as such a discrepancy in how a battery operated power tool should be usedwhich is difficult if not impossible for a manufacturer to foresee.

There is thus a need for an improved manner of adapting a battery operated powertool according to different working environments and aims.

Also, the batteries will be subject to many different use situations and be chargedmany times which will decrease the life time of the batteries.

Examples of battery operated power tools include, but are not limited to lawnmowers,trimmers, hedge cutters shearers, leaf blowers and chain saws.

There is thus a need for an improved manner of extending the lifetime of the batteries when being used by different operators and possibly different battery operated power tools.

SUMMARY It is an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problems listed above by providing a user interface, settings of a battery operated power tool and the corresponding battery may be adapted in order to provide for a longer lifetime of the battery byensuring that the battery is not charged unnecessarily. This is achieved by providing a It is also an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problemslisted above by providing a battery operated power tool configured to acquire settings, whichsettings comprise an indication of an operation parameter, wherein the operation parametersmay relate to a charging level, an output power, a operation efficiency, a speed of a workingimplement, an acceleration of a working implement, and to operate the battery operated powertool according to the settings.

In one embodiment the battery operated power tool is configured to acquiresettings, which settings comprise an indication of a charging level and a discharging level; andto operate the battery operated power tool according to the settings by monitoring a battery levelof the battery and if the battery level reaches the discharge level render the battery operatedpower tool at least temporarily inoperable, and if the battery level reaches the charging levelinactivate any charging at least temporarily.

It is also an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problemslisted above by providing a method for controlling a battery operated power tool arranged to bepowered by a battery, wherein the method comprises: acquiring settings, which settingscomprise an indication of a charging level and a discharging level; and operating the batteryoperated power tool according to the settings by monitoring a battery level of the battery and ifthe battery level reaches the discharge level render the battery operated power tool at leasttemporarily inoperable, and if the battery level reaches the charging level inactivate anycharging at least temporarily.

It is also an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problemslisted above by providing a charger configured to acquire settings, which settings comprise anindication of an operation parameter, wherein the operation parameters may relate to a charginglevel and to operate the charger according to the settings.

In one embodiment the charger is arranged to be connected to a battery, wherein thecharger is configured to acquire settings, which settings comprise an indication of a charging level; and to operate the charger according to the settings by monitoring a battery level of the battery and if the battery level reaches the charging level inactivate any charging at leasttemporarily.

It is also an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problemslisted above by providing a method for controlling a charger arranged to be connected to abattery, wherein the method comprises acquiring settings, which settings comprise an indicationof a charging level; and operating the charger according to the settings by monitoring a batterylevel of the battery and if the battery level reaches the charging level inactivating any chargingat least temporarily.

It is also an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problemslisted above by providing a tag coinprising a memory for storing data relevant to settings and aninterface for receiving and transmitting said data relevant to settings through.

It is also an object of the teachings of this application to overcome the problemslisted above by providing a system comprising a tag according to herein and a battery operatedpower tool according to herein and/or a charger according to herein.

In one embodiment the system comprises a tool arranged to acquire settings, and inresponse thereto adapt the operation of the tool based on the settings.

In one embodiment the system further comprises a power source that is arranged toacquire settings and transfer said settings to the tool, whereby the tool is configured to adapt itsoperation.

In one embodiment the system further comprises a charger that is arranged toacquire settings and in response thereto adapt its operation.

In addition, the teachings herein provides for optimization of the battery operatedpower tool using a set of operating parameters to adapt to various user needs with respect to thetrade-off between performance, user experience, maintenance needs and lifetime.

Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will appear from thefollowing detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaningin the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the[element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention Will be described in further detail under reference to theaccompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an illustration of a system according to an example embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a corresponding ﬂowchart for a method according to an exampleembodiment Figure 3A shows an example of a battery operated power tool according to oneembodiment of the teachings herein; Figure 3B shows a schematic view of a battery operated power tool according to oneembodiment of the teachings herein; Figure 3C shows a schematic view of a control panel for a battery operated powertool according to one embodiment of the teachings herein; Figure 3D shows a schematic view of a charger for a battery to be used with abattery operated power tool according to one embodiment of the teachings herein; Figure 4A and 4B each shows schematic time graphs for a battery level.

Figure 5 shows an illustration of a system according to an example embodiment; and Figure 6 shows a corresponding ﬂowchart for a method according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

It should be noted that all indications of rotational speeds, time durations, workloads, battery levels, operational levels et.c. are given as examples and may be varied in manydifferent ways as would be apparent to a skilled person. The variations may be for individualentities as well as for groups of entities and may be absolute or relative.

Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a system according to the teachings herein.An improved tool management system 100 is focused on a tool 1, such as an electric orcombustion powered power tool. The tool may for example be a chainsaw, a trimmer, a hedgecutter, power shearers, power drills, sanders, circular saws, angle grinders to mention a fewexamples.

The teachings herein are especially useful for outdoor garden or forestry tools suchas trimmers and chainsaws as these are often subjected to highly varying working conditionsand tasks and thus benefits from an adaptability as provided herein. Furthermore, the teachingsherein find particular use with tools with interchangeable working implements or power sources.The following description will focus on an electric tool in the form of a trimmer, but should beunderstood not to be limited to an electric trimmer.

The tool 1 may comprise a controller (referenced CPU in figure SB) and a computerreadable memory, such as a solid state memory, a Read Only Memory and/or a Random AccessMemory (referenced MEM in figure 3B), as well as an interface (referenced INTERFACE infigure 3B) for interfacing communication with a device (such as a battery) for transfer ofoperation parameters or other settings. As would be understood, the choice or combination ofmemory can be made in many different ways. Also, the controller may be chosen to beimplemented as one or as several processors, possibly distributed. The interface may be wired orwireless (such as through a Bluetooth® or similar connection). The interface may be formed bythe charging contacts of the battery or from specific contacts provided as interface contacts.Again, many variations of how to connect one device to another exist and will not be exploredin detail in this application. The tool 1 may be connected for communication to a power sourceor to a tag ll or both - or to an extemal device such as a computer or other data processingapparatus capable of providing operation parameters. The tool 1 may thus receive operation parameters directly or through another device.

In one embodiment, the tool 1 is arranged to receive operating parameters through auser interface (referenced 8 in figure 3A). In such an embodiment, an owner or the operator mayadjust the operating parameters of the too] 1 based on the working conditions and requirement itwill be subjected to during the next working session(s).

The operation parameters may include, but are not limited to, the power usage, thespeed of the motor (/engine), the rotating or working speed of the working implement (the chainfor a chainsaw and the trim line or trim disc for a trimmer), acceleration of the workingimplement, or the charging levels for a power source, such as a battery.

The tool 1 may thus be arranged to store operation parameters in the memory MEM.In one example, that of figure 1, the tool 1 carries information on the maximum output powerallowed, the trigger response and the load response. The memory may hold a default value and acurrent, possibly user edited value. The parameters may be given as absolute values (1 kW forexample), as relative values ( 0-100 %) or as preset threshold or typical values (Low, Medium,High).

As mentioned, the tool 1 is operably connected to a power source, in this example abattery 4. The battery 4 may comprise a controller (referenced CPU in figure 3A) and acomputer readable memory, such as a solid state memory, a Read Only Memory and/or aRandom Access Memory (referenced MEM in figure 3A), as well as an interface (referencedINT in figure 3A) for interfacing communication with the tool 1 (or a tag 11) for transfer ofoperation parameters. As would be understood, the choice or combination of memory can bemade in many different ways. Also, the controller may be chosen to be implemented as one or asseveral processors, possibly distributed. The interface may be wired or wireless (such as througha Bluetooth® or similar connection). The interface may be formed by the charging contacts ofthe battery or from specific contacts provided as interface contacts. Again, many variations ofhow to connect one device to another exist and will not be explored in detail in this application.The battery 4 may be connected for communication to the tool 1 or to a tag 11 or both - or to anexternal device such as a computer or other data processing apparatus capable of providingoperation parameters. The battery 4 may thus receive operation parameters directly or through the tool 1.

The operator may further be provided With a tag 11 which may also be arranged tocarry operating parameters that are provided to the tool 1 and/or to the power source 4. The tagmay be provided with operating parameters which may then be transferred to a tool 1 or battery4 for adapting the operation of the tooll. The function and use of the tag will be detailed ingreater detail in the main example given below.

A charger 7, a service tool and/or an external device may also be adapted and/orused to provide operating parameters to the tool 1 (or the battery 4). By providing all thenecessary components in a charger, a battery may be charged according to the teachings hereinalso When in a separate charger. By enabling the adaptation of the charging to be done also inthe charger, a battery array may be charged even when not being connected to the batteryoperated power tool.

As can be seen in figure 3D a a schematic view of a charger is shown, the charger 7comprising an interface for receiving operating parameters and a controller for adapting theoperating parameters and/or the charging according to the operating parameters, and to providethe operating parameters to the battery when such is connected. The operation is thus arranged An owner may thus adapt a ﬂeet of working tools depending on a) what task it is toperform, b) the working conditions, c) the operator intended to use the tool 1 and also d) thecondition of the tool 1. The operation may be adapted to correspond to operation targets relatingto speed of completion, maintenance required, Wear and tear posed on the tool 1, operatingcosts, time to next/from previous service to mention a few examples.

Having a system 100 such as disclosed herein, where the operation of a tool 1 maybe adapted by providing owner specified parameters, either directly or indirectly, is thus highlybeneficial in that allows for customized adaptation based on any number of parameters.

Furthermore, as more than one device in the system may be arranged to carryoperating parameters, the total operation parameters for a tool may be distributed among severalother devices, thereby facilitating the storage and maintenance (such as updating) of all possibleoperating parameters. For example, if one type of battery is arranged with one set of operatingparameters, and another type of batteries is arranged with another set of parameters, the toolmanufacturer need not store the parameters for the respective battery types. Likewise, if one type of tool is provided with one set of operating parameters and another type of tool is provided With another set of operating parameters, the battery manufacturer need not store information onall different types of tools.

In the context of the system disclosed herein, an owner may then further Customizesuch settings to his own desires and needs. Should the owner update part of his tool ﬂeet, theupdated tools will automatically be adapted according to the operating parameters carried by thevarious devices.

This is especially useful when an owner wants to adapt the operation of his business,whereby his whole ﬂeet may be adapted in a corresponding manner and to the owner”spreference when it comes to speed of completion or other parameters as discussed above.

The system 100 disclosed herein may thus be seen as a system to provide adistributed data storage for a device/tool depending on which battery/external device/implementis being used. Such a system also provides a degree of redundancy in that should one storagebecome damaged or lost, all operation parameters are not lost.

Figure 2 shows a ﬂowchart for a general method for use in such a system, wherein atool acquires 210 settings. The settings may be acquired through an internal query 212, directly214 from user or indirectly 218 from another device having received or been provided with, thatis acquired 216, the parameters, and adapts its operation 220 accordingly.

In the example below, an example of such a system will be provided focused on adaptingthe charging levels of a tool. The same teachings may be applied to adapt other parameters, such asspeed, acceleration, output power, boost mode power level, boost rpm level, duration for boost,charging current level, to name a few examples For the Example of configurable charging levels, theactual charging levels used depends on the type of battery to be charged and providing an exhaustive listwould be unnecessariy as a skilled person would understand what charging levels would be suitable.Examples may be however, to charge using 50%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% 105% or 110% of therecommended charging level, or any value in between these examples, the examples thus also serving asborders for possible ranges.

A specific example of how a parameter may be adapted according to the teachingsherein will now be exemplified focused on the example of adapting the charging levels.

Figure 3A illustrates a perspective view of a battery operated power tool, in this example an electric trimmer 1 of an example embodiment. Even though only an electric trimmer 1 is shown as an example of a battery operated power tool, it should be noted that the teachingsherein may also be applied to other battery operated power tools such as lawnmowers, trimmers,hedge cutters, garden shearers, leaf blowers or chain saws, to name a few examples. Thetrimmer comprises a power source 4, which is a battery providing electrical power to an electricmotor 2 arranged to power an operating tool 10, in this example a trimmer head 10, being oneexample. The trimmer head 10 comprises or is arranged to be attached to a cutting disc ortrimmer line.

The trimmer 1 further comprises at least one handle 5 and a pole 6 on which thepower supply 4 (most likely in a housing of the trimmer 1), the motor 2 and the trimmer head 10are arranged. The battery may be an internal battery or an external battery as per figure 3A.

The motor 2 may be arranged adj acent the trimmer head 10 or adj acent the powersupply 4. For balancing purposes and power transmission reasons the motor 2 is arrangedadj acent the trimmer head 10in the example of figure 3A.

Arranged adjacent to (or on) the at least one handle 5 is a control panel 8 comprisingone or more buttons, such as a speed control, start button and/or a button for initiating theautomated trimmer line feed. For example, the control panel 8 may comprise a dead-man”s-handswitch (to be depressed by the palm of a user°s hand when holding the grip 5), a throttle controlswitch (to be actuated by the user's fingers) and a feed line button (possibly arranged as a thumbcontrol button), among other controls such as for changing the power level, changing therotational direction to mention a few examples. The control panel may also comprise visualindicators such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for indicating a status of the trimmer 1.

Optionally the trimmer 1 also comprises a radio frequency receiver (RF) or sensor 9for sensing the presence of a radio frequency tag and also for receiving an identity of the radiofrequency tag. The radio frequency receiver 3 may be configured to operate according to a radiofrequency communication standard such as RFID or NFC (near Field Communication) tomention a few examples.

The RF receiver 9 and the control panel may be seen as making up an interface 8/9for controlling the trimmer 1 either manually or through radio frequency communication, thereby also allowing machine to machine type communication and control of the trimmer 1.

As an alternative to (or in addition to) the interface 9 may be Wired, such as througha Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.

Figure 3A also shows a tag 11 which may be arranged to communicate with thebattery operated power tool 1. The tag ll is also shown in an enlarged schematic view and thetag 11 comprises a memory MEM and a radio frequency interface RF. The tag is configured toretrieve data stored in the memory MEM and communicate this through the RF interface. Thetag 11 may also be arranged to receive data through the RF interface and store it for laterretrieval in the memory MEM. The tag 11 may thus be arranged to communicate both with abattery operated power tool 1 and another device, such as a computer (more on this below withreference to figure 3). As an alternative to (or in addition to) the interface 9 may be wired, suchas through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.

Figure 3A also shows a charger 7, being part of the battery tool system comprisingthe battery operated power tool 1 and the battery 4. The charger may in one embodiment, asdiscussed below, comprise a memory for storing settings, and also an interface (Wired or radiofrequency) for receiving or sending such settings. The charger 7 may also be used to charge thebattery even when not connected in the battery operated power tool. More details on this will begiven below with reference to figure 3D, but the operation is similar to that of the batteryoperated power tool when charging the battery.

Figure 3B shows a schematic view of a battery operated power tool, such as thetrimmer 1 of figure 1A wherein a controller CPU is connected to the motor 2 for controlling theoperation of the motor2. The motor 2 in turn being connected to an operating head, such as thetrimmer head 10 for driving the trimmer head 10. The controller CPU is arranged to receiveinputs such as through the command panel 8 or through the RF receiver 9, that is through theinterface for affecting the operation of the motor 2 and thereby the operation of the trimmer 1.The controller CPU may also be connected to the power source, such as to the battery 4. Byidentifying the power source and the remaining battery level the controller CPU may change orcontrol the operation of the trimmer 10 especially with regards to charging and discharging of the battery 4. 11 The controller CPU may also be connected to the motor 2 and/or to the trimmer head10 for receiving input, such as the load on the drive shaft and/or the current rotational speed,based on which the controller CPU may change or control the operation of the trimmer.

The controller may be arranged in the battery operated power tool 1, the battery 4 ordistributed to both the battery operated power tool 1 and the battery 4 for controlling respectiveparts of the manner disclosed herein.

The inventors have further realised that by only allowing a battery operated powertool to discharge down to a specific discharge level, the life time of the battery may be extended.Similarly, by only allowing a battery operated power tool to charge up to a specific charge level,the life time of the battery may also be extended.

Figure 4A shows an exemplary time-current graph for the charge level of a batteryoperated power tool over time. At the beginning, the charge level is at a maximum and as thebattery operated power tool is used, the charge level is reduced gradually. As a lower dischargelevel DL is reached, the battery operated power tool is configured to render itself inoperable asif the battery was depleted. Whether the battery operated power tool signals this in the samemanner as a proper battery depletion or not may vary. For example, there may be an overrideallowing the discharge level to be passed, at least partially, by for example 10% to enable awork task to be finished.

As the discharge level DL is reached, the battery operated power tool 1 should becharged again (after a little time has passed, or directly if plugged in to an electric powersource). As the battery operated power tool 1, or rather the battery 4 of the battery operatedpower tool, is charged it is only charged up to a charging level CL.

This allows for both a faster charge and also increases the lifetime of the battery asthe extreme charge levels (empty/full) of the battery is not reached.

The charging level CL and discharge level DL may be varied depending on theactual battery operated power tool and the task at hand. Furthermore, the actual levels may behandled by a processor in the battery (indicating a full charge or depleted discharge) or by acontroller of the battery operated power tool or both (as has also been discussed in the above).

In one embodiment the maximum power output of the battery operated power tool 1 may also be specified by the settings along with or altematively to the charge levels. 12 In one embodiment the charging current and voltage level of the charger 7 may alsobe specified by the settings along with or altematively to the charge levels.

Although the charging power level may not in a real life be indicated, but thecharging current and/or the charging voltage may instead be specified. For the purpose of thisapplication, there will not be made any difference herein and they the charging power levelshould be understood to also possibly be a charging current and/or a charging voltage level. Thechoice, as a skilled person would understand, depends on the type of battery to be charged.

By allowing for settings such as charging level, discharging level, maximumcharging power level and also possibly the maximum output power level the operation of adevice may be adapted according to an operator”s needs so that the life time of the battery 4 isextended.

The charging level and the discharge level are levels of battery charging states whichindicate to what degree the battery is charged currently. 0% represents fully depleted and 100 %represents fully charged.

As can be seen in figures 4A and 4B the maximum power output level and thecharging power level are not the same in the two examples as is indicated by the different slopesof their corresponding curves.

Some examples of charge levels are CL 85%, DL 15%; CL 90%, DL 0%; CL 85%, DL 20%; to name a few.

The charging level typically lies within the range 70% to 100 % The discharging level typically lies within the range 0% to 35 % In one embodiment, the levels are input directly through the control panel 8. Figure1C shows a schematic view of a control panel 8. The control panel 8 comprises at least onebutton 8a-8d for setting or receiving the charge level and the discharge level. The charge anddischarge levels may be input as numerical values indicating a relative or absolutecharge/discharge level, or by using stepwise increase/decrease of the respective levels, possiblywith buttons for selecting which level that is to be changed or by having different buttons for the different levels. The control panel 8 may further comprise a display device 8e, which in the 13 example of figure lC is an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that indicate the currentbattery level. By using different colors, the available range may be indicated. For example, theavailable range may be indicated by that the LEDs outside of the range having a different color.The LEDs Se may be used to indicate the range available, or the display range of the LEDs Semay change depending on the available range. In figure IC, the unavailable range (i.e. the rangeabove the charging level and below the discharge level) is indicated by crossed-out LEDs andthe current level is indicated by barred boxed.Naturally, other display means such as displays may also be used.

In one embodiment the charging levels CL, DL are associated with a code oridentifier. The identifier may be associated with an operator and/or with a task to be performed.This allows for adapting a battery operated power tool l according to who is to use it and/orwhat it is to be used for. For example, if a first operator commonly works for long periods oftimes, he should have a large available range, whereas a second operator may have a differentrange available to him. Similarly a first task (mowing a lawn) may be associated with a firstrange, whereas a second task (cutting branches) may be associated with another range.

The charging levels may thus be associated with a code or identifier. One manner ofinputting the charging levels may thus be to input the code or identifier, whereby the associatedcharging levels may be inputted (possibly by being retrieved from an internal memory) to thebattery operated power tool 1.

As would be apparent to a skilled person there are many manners of inputting datamanually to a device and also presenting the data and although only one example is shown,many more alternatives or variations are to be taken as being included in the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the levels are input through the RF interface 9. As with manualinput, the levels may be input directly or through their association with an identifier or code.

The battery operated power tool 1 is thus configured, in one embodiment, to receivedata indicating at least one of the levels through the radio interface. The data indicating the atleast one level may be an identifier or code associated with at least one level and/or at least oneof the levels expressly indicated. In one such embodiment, an identifier may be provided along with a charging level to be used instead of the associated one. Some examples are shown in 14 figure 4, where a one tag ll is arranged to carry a charging level CLl, a discharge level DL1and a charging power level CPLl, one tag is arranged to carry an identifier ID2, which isassociated with a charging level CL2, a discharge level DLZ and a charging power level CPL2,and one tag is arranged to carry an identifier ID3, which is associated with a charging level CL3,a discharge level DL3 and a charging power level CPL3, but also carries a discharge level DL3”to be used instead of the associated discharge level DL3.

It should be noted that any of the settings such as the charging power level need notbe specified in which case default values will be used.

Figure 5 shows a system utilizing the teachings herein wherein a Workstation or basestation, such as a computer, 12 is to provide identifier(s), code(s) and/or charge levels to at leastone tag lla-c. In the example three tags lla-c are shown, but the system functions with anynumber of tags, which number may also vary dynamically. Also, in the example shown each tagis provided with different settings, but they may also be provided with the same settings - atleast a portion of the tags.

The charge level settings (identifier, code and/or charging levels) are provided to thetags through an interface, which may be a radio frequency interface or it may be a Wiredinterface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, Controller area network (CAN), RS-485, RS-232 or other single ended or differential serial communication interfaces.

A tag may comprise both a RF interface and a USB interface for example to receivesettings through the USB interface and provide them to the battery operated power tool 1through the RF interface.

As the tag ll has been provided with charge level settings it may be carried by anoperator to adapt a battery operated power tool to be used. One operator Oa may be given a firsttag lla and use it with a first battery operated power tool la, and another operator Ob may begiven a second tag llb and use it with a second battery operated power tool lb, or with the samebattery operated power tool at different times. Thereby battery operated power tools may beadapted according to an operator”s specific needs.

The settings may be transferred from the tag ll to the battery operated power tool lby connecting the tag ll and the battery operated power tool l through their respective interfaces. If a wired interface is used, the tag is connected to the battery operated power tool 1 perhaps by being inserted into the battery operated power tool 1, as could be the case With aUSB interface. If a RF interface is used, the tag is connected to the battery operated power tool 1perhaps by being placed in the vicinity of the battery operated power tool 1, as could be the casewith a NFC interface.

In figure 5 the tags 11 are shown to be carried by the operator O in such a positionthat the tag 11 is close to the battery operated power tool 1. For use with NFC having aneffective range of less than a meter, which in most cases is enough for operating the batteryoperated power tool while carrying the tag 11.

The battery operated power tool 1 may also be configured to only work if a tag ll isconnected to it. In such an embodiment, the tags 11 may thus be used for theft protection. Insuch an embodiment, the tag also carries an identifier or start code that it transmits to the batteryoperated power tool 1 and the battery operated power tool 1 is then configured to only operate ifthe identifier or code is an approved identity or code.

The computer 12 may be operated by a dealer, an employer, an operator, and/or aﬂeet manager.

Even if the disclosure herein has been focused on the charging levels being handledby the battery operated power tool 1 or the battery 4, in one embodiment, the charge level isstored in or input to a charger.

Figure 6 shows a ﬂowchart for a general method according to herein, wherein abattery operated power tool 1 acquires 610 charge level settings indicating a charging level CLand a discharge level DL and possibly a charging power level and also optionally a maximumpower output level, wherein at least the discharge level DL is higher than full depletion of thebattery 4 and/or at least the charging level CL is lower than full charge of the battery 4. Duringoperation the battery operated power tool l (or the battery 4) operates according to the settings620 by monitoring the current battery level and as the battery level reaches 622 the dischargelevel DL, the battery operated power tool is rendered inoperable. As has been indicated above,the battery operated power tool 1 may be configured to go beyond the discharge level if forexample a further code is provided.

During charging of the battery operated power tool 1 (or the battery 4) the charging is done at the specified charging power level 624and the battery operated power tool 1 or the 16 charger 7 monitors the current battery level and as the battery level reaches 626 the charginglevel CL, the charging is stopped. As has been indicated above, the battery operated power tool1 may be configured to go beyond the charge level if for example a further code is provided.

The settings may be provided by manual input 611 through a control panel, or it maybe received from a tag 11 being connected 612 to the battery operated power tool 1. Naturally,the settings may be provided both through manual input and from the tag.

The settings may also be acquired form an internal memory as being default settings.

The settings indicate what charge levels are to be used. As has been discussed in theabove, the charge levels CL, DL and also the charging power levels, and possibly the outputpower level may be retrieved indirectly through an association with a code or an identifier. Inone embodiment, the battery operated power tool 1 may retrieve the charge levels CL, DL froma server, possibly stored in the computer 12 through the use of a RF interface or othercommunication interface, such as a GSM (Global System Mobile) or LTE (Long TermEvolution) system.

In one embodiment, the settings may also indicate what power level that can be usedby the battery operated power tool 1. The power level may also or additionally be associatedwith an identifier or a code or it may be indicated expressly.

The power level setting may thus also be used to adapt the operation of a batteryoperated power tool 1 according to the needs of an operator.

Other settings that may be communicated relate to acceleration rate, load response aswell as the examples given in the above.

The operation of the battery operated power tool 1 may be adapted by changing setpoints or other variables in the software code instructions used to control the operation of thebattery operated power tool 1, the charger 7 and/or the battery 4.

For the charger 7 of figure 3D, the operation is similar albeit the discharge (624)would not be made when the battery is connected to the charger 7.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a fewembodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, otherembodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising a tool (1) arranged to acquire settings, and inresponse thereto adapt the operation of the tool (1) based on the settings, said systemfurther comprising a power source (4) that is arranged to acquire settings and transfersaid settings to the too] (1), whereby the tool (1) is configured to adapt its operation, andsaid system further comprising a tag (1 1) that is arranged to provide settings based on which the tool (1) is arranged to adapt its operation.

2. The system of any previous claim, further comprising a charger (7) that is arranged to acquire settings and in response thereto adapt its operation.

3. The system of any previous claim, wherein the settings are associatedwith an operator, a work task, an expected speed of completion, and/or a maintenance interval.

4. A method for use in a system comprising a tool (1), the methodcomprising acquiring settings, and in response thereto adapting the operation of the tool (1) based on the settings.

5.A battery operated power tool (1) configured to acquire settings, whichsettings comprise an indication of an operation parameter, wherein the operationparameters may relate to a charging level, an output power, a operation efficiency, aspeed of a working implement, an acceleration of a working implement, and to operate the battery operated power tool (1) according to the settings.

6.The battery operated power tool (1) according to claim 5 arranged to bepowered by a battery (4), wherein the battery operated power tool (1) is configured toacquire settings, which settings comprise an indication of a charging level(CL) and a discharging level (DL); and to operate the battery operated power tool (1) according to the settings by 18 monitoring a battery level of the battery (4) and if the battery level reachesthe discharge level (DL) render the battery operated power tool at least temporarilyinoperable, and if the battery level reaches the charging level (DL) inactivate any charging at least temporarily.

7. The battery operated power tool (1) according to claim 5, wherein thesettings further comprise indications of a charging power level and wherein the batteryoperated power tool (1) is configured to charge the battery (4) using the charging power level as per the settings.

8. The battery operated power tool (1) according to claim 5 or 7, whereinthe settings further comprise indications of a output power level and wherein the batteryoperated power tool (1) is configured to operate using the output power level as per the settings.

9. The battery operated power tool (1) according to claim 5, 7 or 8, whereinthe settings are received through a radio frequency interface (9) comprised in the battery operated power tool (1).

10. The battery operated power tool (1) according to any of claims 5 to 9 ,wherein the settings are received through a control panel (8) comprised in the battery operated power tool (1).

11. The battery operated power tool (1) according to any of claims 5 to 10,wherein the settings are associated with an identifier or code, and wherein the settings are acquired by acquiring the identifier or code.

12. The battery operated power tool (1) according to any preceding ofclaims 5 to 11, wherein the battery operated power tool (1) is a lawnmower, trimmer, hedge cutter, garden shearer, leaf blower or chain saw. 19

13. A tag (11) comprising a memory (MEM) for storing data relevant tosettings and an interface (RF/USB) for receiving and transmitting said data relevant to settings through.

14. The tag (11) according to claim 13, Wherein the interface is a radio frequency interface, or Wherein the interface is a Wired interface.

15.A charger (7) configured to acquire settings, Which settings comprise anindication of an operation parameter, Wherein the operation parameters may relate to a charging level and to operate the charger (7) according to the settings.

16.The charger (7) according to claim 15 arranged to be connected to abattery (4), Wherein the charger (7) is configured to acquire settings, Which settings comprise an indication of a charging level(CL); and to operate the charger (7) according to the settings by monitoring a battery level of the battery (4) and if the battery level reaches the charging level (DL) inactivate any charging at least temporarily.

17. A system comprising a tag (11) according to any of claims 13 to 14 anda battery operated power tool ( 1) according to any of claims 5 to 11 and/or a charger according to any of claims 15 to 16.

18. A method for controllíng a battery operated power tool (1) arranged tobe powered by a battery (4), Wherein the method comprises: acquiring settings, Which settings comprise an indication of a charging level(CL) and a discharging level (DL); and operating the battery operated power tool (1)according to the settings by monitoring a battery level of the battery (4) and if the battery level reachesthe discharge level (DL) render the battery operated power tool at least temporarily inoperable, and if the battery level reaches the charging level (DL) inactivate any charging at least temporarily. l9.A method for controlling a charger (7) arranged to be connected to abattery (4), Wherein the method comprises acquiring settings, Which settings comprise an indication of a charging level(CL); and operating the charger (7) according to the settings by monitoring a battery level of the battery (4) and if the battery level reaches the charging level (DL) inactivating any charging at least temporarily.