SE546406C2

SE546406C2 - Power tool and battery interface

Info

Publication number: SE546406C2
Application number: SE2230385A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Johan Bjurkull
Original assignee: Atlas Copco Ind Technique Ab
Priority date: 2022-11-25
Filing date: 2022-11-25
Publication date: 2024-10-29
Also published as: CN221291166U; DE202023106533U1; SE2230385A1

Abstract

The present specification relates to handheld battery powered power tool, comprising a tool body (10) having a battery interface (20) for receiving a battery, the battery interface comprising a bottom frame (30) for mechanically connecting the battery to the tool, adapted to be secured to the tool body, a battery pin holder (40) adapted to be secured to the tool body by means of the bottom frame and a plurality of battery pins (50) for providing an electrical connection to the battery, wherein the battery pins are adapted to be removably arranged in the battery pin holder.

Description

HANDHELD BATTERY POWERED TOOL WITH A BATTERY PINS REMOVABLY ARRANGED Technical field The present invention generally relates to battery powered hand held power tools, more particularly to battery interfaces for such tools.

Technical Background Electrically powered hand held power tools for tightening are known to be used in various industries. Such tools may be cable-connected, but in order to offer increased ﬂexibility, electrically powered tool are often battery powered. ln such tools a battery interface is needed on the tool in order to allow electric as well as mechanical connection of a battery pack to the tool. Such interfaces must provide convenient handling of the tool and batteries in order to facilitate replacement of the battery pack when discharged, but must also be designed to ensure a good electrical connection for transferring power to the tool.

Known problems related to such battery interfaces related to for example deterioration over time ofthe electrical contact properties due to wear. Further, depending on the design of the battery interface, assembly and/or service may be unnecessary complex and time consuming.

Hence there exists a need for improvement in the field ofbattery powered tools and battery interfaces for such tools.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved battery interface for a battery powered power tool. ln particular, it would be desirable to provide such an interface having a design facilitating assembly and service. To better address one or more of these concerns a battery powered power tool as defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect ofthe invention a handheld battery powered power tool is provided, the tool comprising a tool body having a battery interface for receiving a battery, the battery interface comprising a bottom frame for mechanically connecting the battery to the tool, adapted to be secured to the tool body, a battery pin holder adapted to be secured to the tool body by means of the bottom frame and a plurality of battery pins for providing an electrical connection to the battery, wherein the battery pins are adapted to be removably arranged in the battery pin holder.

According to the first aspect, the handheld power tool provides an inventive solution to the concerns described above by means of a design comprising a battery interface providing a possibility of exchanging the battery pins for example in case ofwear.

Since the battery interface is designed to allow easy fixture and replacement ofthe battery pins in case of wear or damage, it may be ensured that the electrical contact provided between the power tool and battery pack is not impaired by worn or damaged battery pins, and hence, reliability and usability ofthe tool is ensured.

The referenced hand held power tool may be a pistol type hand held power tool, a straight hand held power tool or an angled power tool. Further, the power tool may be an impulse tool or pulse tool where the invention may be particularly advantages due to the vibrations associated with such tools, which may in turn cause increased wear.

The battery pins may also be referred to as connector pins, and are adapted to provide an electrical connection to the battery connectors or battery contacts provided on the battery pack.

According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of battery pins is adapted to be at least partially inserted in a respective battery pin compartment formed in the battery holder. By compartment should be understood a spaced adapted to receive at least a portion of the battery pin and support the battery pin in the battery pin holder. The pin compartments may be adapted such that, when inserted, a portion of each pin is exposed i.e. extends out of the pin compartment, in order to provide an exposed contact surface, or surface portion, for contacting a corresponding battery contact. ln one embodiment, each of the plurality ofbattery pins are adapted to be at least partially inserted through slots formed in the battery holder.

The pins may be adapted to be inserted through the slots into the battery pin compartments. The pins may in some embodiments be adapted to be slid or slotted into position in the battery pin compartments through slots (or slot openings), having e.g. an elongated shape.

According to one embodiment, the slots and/or the battery pin compartments are slightly larger than the pins, such that, when inserted, a limited relative movement is allowed between each pin and slot and/ or pin compartment. By larger may be understood that at least one spatial dimension ofthe slot or compartment is larger than the corresponding spatial dimension ofthe battery pin. Hereby, the pins may be described as ﬂoatingly arranged in each slot, pin compartment and/ or in the battery pin holder, i.e. by means ofa loose fit. The pins may in some embodiments move freely (over a limited distance) in at least two directions, i.e. in a plane defined by the slot or compartment. ln some embodiment, a limited movement in a third dimension may be allowed as well.

Because some limited movement is allowed, the wear and fretting between pins and contacts in the battery interface is reduced. Further, the pins may more easily find their position with respect to the corresponding battery contact when the battery pack is arranged on the tool.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of battery pins are secured in the battery pin holder by means ofa securing arrangement. Hereby, the battery pins may be ﬂoatingly arranged in the compartments and/or slots as described in the foregoing, but still secured such that the battery pin is confined or restricted to the compartment and/or the battery pin holder - meaning the pin cannot fall out.

According to one embodiment, the securing arrangement comprises a securing arm adapted to engage a fastening structure comprised by the battery pin holder, thereby securing the battery pins in the slots or compartments. The fastening structure may be for example a loop or latch structure. The engagement may be an engagement of interlocking parts, e.g. a snap-fit engagement. The securing arm may comprise suitable means adapted to interlock with the loop or latch or any other suitable snap-fit connector of the battery pin holder. Such means may be arranged at an end portion of the securing arm.

According to one embodiment, the securing arm is movably arranged between a first position in which the battery pins may be inserted/removed and a second position in which the battery pins are secured in the slots or compartments. For example, the securing arm may be arranged to extend over the slot opening or battery pin compartment openings in the second position, thereby hindering the pins from leaving the compartments.

According to one embodiment the securing arm is pivotally arranged to move between the first and second position by means of at least one hinge arm connecting the securing arm to the battery pin holder. Hereby, the arm may conveniently be moved between the first and second position in order to allow access to the battery pins. The at least one hinge arm may in some embodiments extend in a direction perpendicular to the securing arm. ln some embodiments, the number of hinge arms may correspond to the number of battery pins (and hence the number of battery pin compartments/slots).

According to one embodiment the securing arm extends along the full length ofa side of the battery pin holder and is adapted to secure at least two battery pins. This reduces the complexity and number of components needed.

According to one embodiment two securing arms adapted so secure a first and a second row of pins are provided, arranged on a first and a second side of an intermediate structure of the battery pin holder. The first securing arm securing the first row of pins on the first side of the battery holder and the second securing arm the other row.

According to one embodiment the securing arm is integrally formed with the battery pin holder. ln some embodiment, the at least one hinge arm is further integrally formed with the securing arm and battery pin holder. The battery pin holder may for example be a molded plastic component including integrally formed securing arm(s) and/or hinge arm(s).

According to one embodiment, the power tool further comprises an interface arrangement provided between the battery pin holder and the bottom frame, such that a limited relative movement between the battery pin holder and the bottom frame is allowed in the assembled state when the battery pin holder and the bottom frame are secured to the tool body, i.e. in the assembled state. Hereby, a further interface allowing a limited play is provided allowing the battery pin holder to move slightly with respect to the tool body, reducing wear and fretting between battery pins and contacts due to vibrations as explained above.

According to one embodiment the interface arrangement comprises a protruding structure formed in one of a side portion of the battery pin holder and an adjacent portion of the bottom frame and adapted to engage a corresponding recess formed in the other one ofthe side portion ofthe battery pin holder and the adjacent portion ofthe bottom frame. For example, a semicircular protruding structure may be provided in the battery pin holder to engage a corresponding notch formed in the frame. ln one embodiment, the arrangement comprises two protruding structures and two COITGSPOIICllIIg FGCGSSGS.

According to one embodiment the battery pin holder is adapted to be clamped between the bottom frame and the tool body. Hereby, the battery pin holder is conveniently secured to the tool in a manner reducing the number of parts and hence complexity of the tool, since the bottom frame is used not only to mechanically secure the battery pack to the tool but also to hold the battery pin holder in place.

According to one embodiment the bottom frame is secured to the housing by means of SCFGWS.

According to one embodiment the tool body further comprises a handle portion, and wherein the battery interface is arranged at a distal end of the handle portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a kit comprising a hand held power tool according to any of the embodiments described in the foregoing and a battery is provided.

Objectives, advantages and features conceivable within the scope of this second aspects of the invention are readily understood by the foregoing discussion referring to the first aspect ofthe invention.

Further objectives of, features of and advantages of the present invention will also become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

Brief description of the drawing The invention will be described in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawing, on which Figure la is a perspective view of a portion of a tool body and the batter interface according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure lb is a perspective view of a bottom frame of a tool according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 2 is a detailed view of a portion ofthe battery interface according to one embodiment showing the bottom frame and the battery pin holder.

Figure 3 is a perspective view ofthe battery pin holder according to one embodiment in an assembled state.

Figure 4 is a perspective view ofthe battery pin holder and battery pins according to one embodiment in a disassembled state.

All figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed description Figure la shows a portion ofa tool body l0 ofin the illustrated case a pistol type impulse tool l. More particularly the handle portion ll ofthe tool body is shown in detail, wherein a battery interface 20 for receiving a battery pack is arranged at a distal end lla ofthe handle portion ll.

The battery interface comprises a bottom frame 30 for mechanically connecting the battery pack to the tool, a battery pin holder 40, and a plurality of battery pins for providing an electrical connection to the battery.

The bottom frame 30, shown in detail in figure 1b, is adapted to be secured to the tool body by means of screws, whereas the battery pin holder 40 is adapted to be clamped between the bottom frame 30 and the tool body 10, i.e. it will be secured to the toolby means ofthe frame ln order to provide some play between the bottom frame 30 and the battery pin holder in the assembled state when the battery pin holder and the bottom frame are secured to the tool body, an interface arrangement 70 is provided between the battery pin holder 40 and the bottom frame 30 allowing for some limited relative movement there between. The arrangement comprises two semicircular protruding structures 71, 71' provided in a respective side portion 45, 45' of the battery pin holder 40 and engaging two corresponding notches 31, 31' formed in adjacent portions 32, 33 ofthe bottom frame The six battery pins 50 of the illustrated embodiments are adapted to be removably arranged in the battery pin holder 40. More particularly, the pins 50 are adapted to be inserted through slots 44 formed in the battery holder 40 into battery pin compartments 43. The compartments 43 are formed in the battery pin holder 40 and are adapted to partially enclose the pins such that a portion of the pins is exposed, i.e. extends out ofthe compartment 43 in order to provide an exposed contact surface The slots 44 as well as the compartments are slightly larger than the pins, such that, when inserted, a limited relative movement is allowed between each pin 50 and slot 44 and/or compartment 43. This means that the pins 50 may be described as ﬂoating pins, and/or that a loose fit is provided between the pins 50 and the battery pin holder ln order to prevent the pins 50 from falling out ofthe compartments 43, i.e. from separating from the battery pin holder 40, the pins 50 are secured in the battery pin holder 40 by means of a securing arrangement ln the illustrated embodiment, the securing arrangement 60 comprises two securing arms 61, 61' extending along the full length of a side of the battery pin holder 40 and each securing a respective row of pins arranged on a first 41a and a second side 41b of an intermediate structure 42 of the battery pin holder 40, in the illustrated embodiment three battery pins 50 are secured by each arm The securing arms 61 are adapted to engage corresponding fastening structures 62,62' thereby securing the battery pins in the compartments 43. The fastening structuresand the securing arms 61 form interlocking parts in a snap-fit engagement.

The securing arms 62 are further pivotally arranged to move between a first position in which the battery pins 50 may be inserted/removed illustrated in fig. 3 and a second position in which the battery pins are secured in the compartments 43 illustrated in fig. 4, this by means of the arm extending over the slots and hence hindering the pins from leaving the compartments. ln the second position, the arms 62 are locked to the fastening structures 62 in a snap-fit engagement as explained above.

The movement between the first and second position is realized by means of a several hinge arms 63 connecting the securing arms 62 to the battery pin holder 40. As may be seen from figures 3 and 4, the number of hinge arms may correspond to the number of battery pins (and hence the number ofbattery pin compartments or slots). ln the illustrated embodiment, the securing arms as well as the hinge arms are integrally formed with the battery pin holder.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. The skilled person understands that many modifications, variations and alterations are conceivable within the scope as defined in the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. ln the claims, the word “comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Handheld battery powered power tool, comprising a tool body (10) having a battery interface (20) for receiving a battery, said battery interface comprising a bottom frame (30) for mechanically connecting said battery to said tool, adapted to be secured to said tool body, a battery pin holder (40) adapted to be secured to said tool body by means of said bottom frame; and a plurality of battery pins (50) for providing an electrical connection to said battery, wherein said battery pins are adapted to be removably arranged in said battery pin holder.

2. Handheld power tool according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of battery pins is adapted to be at least partially inserted in a respective battery pin compartment (43) formed in said battery holder.

3. Handheld power tool according to claim 2, wherein said battery pin compartments are slightly larger than said pins, such that, when inserted, a limited relative movement is allowed between each pin and each battery pin COmpaftmeflt.

4. Handheld power tool according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein said plurality ofbattery pins are secured in said battery pin holder by means of a securing arrangement (60).

5. Handheld power tool according to claim 4, wherein said securing arrangement comprises a securing arm (61) adapted to engage a fastening structure (62) comprised by said battery pin holder, thereby securing said battery pins in said battery pin compartments.

Handheld power tool according to claim 5, wherein said securing arm is movably arranged between a first position in which said battery pins may be inserted/removed and a second position in which said battery pins are secured in said battery pin compartments.

Handheld power tool according to claim 6, wherein said securing arm is pivotally arranged to move between said first and second position by means ofat least one hinge arm (63) connecting said securing arm to said battery pin holder.

Handheld power tool according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein said securing arm extends along the full length of a side ofthe battery pin holder and is adapted to secure at least two battery pins.

Handheld power tool according to any one of claims 5-8, comprising two securing arms adapted so secure a first and a second row of pins arranged on a first (42a) and second side (42b) of an intermediate structure (42) of said battery pin holder

Handheld power tool according to any one of claims 5-9, wherein said securing arm is integrally formed with said battery pin holder.

Handheld power tool according to any one ofthe preceding claims, further comprising an interface arrangement (70) provided between said battery pin holder and said bottom frame, such that a limited relative movement between said battery pin holder and said bottom frame is allowed in the assembled state when said battery pin holder and said bottom frame are secured to said tool body.

Handheld power tool according to claim 11, wherein said interface arrangement comprises a protruding structure (71) formed in one ofa side portion (45) of said battery pin holder and an adjacent portion (32) of said bottom frame and adapted to engage a corresponding recess (31) formed in the other one of said ll side portion (45) of said battery pin holder and said adjacent portion (32) of said bottom frame. 5

13. Handheld power tool according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said battery pin holder is adapted to be clamped between said bottom frame and said tool body.

14. Handheld power tool according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said 10 bottom frame is secured to said housing by means of screws

15. Handheld power tool according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein said tool body further comprises a handle portion 11, and wherein said battery interface is arranged at a distal end 11a of said handle portion.