US 12,170,450 B2
Systems and methods for identifying a battery pack for a battery pack powered power tool
Jeffrey M. Brozek, Mequon, WI (US); Matthew R. Polakowski, Greenfield, WI (US); James K. Dykstra, Milwaukee, WI (US); Paul C. Chao, Menomonee Falls, WI (US); and Andrew J. Spaulding, Racine, WI (US)
Assigned to Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed by MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed on Nov. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/530,747.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/116,273, filed on Nov. 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0166235 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 7/00043 (2020.01) [H02J 7/0013 (2013.01); H02J 7/0047 (2013.01); H02J 7/00714 (2020.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A battery pack system comprising:
a battery pack including:
one or more battery cells, and
a first resistive element connected to a positive electrode of a first battery cell of the one or more battery cells; and
an external device capable of receiving the battery pack, the external device including:
a second resistive element configured to be in series with the first resistive element upon the battery pack being received by the external device,
a switch positioned in series with the second resistive element and a common potential coupled to both the battery pack and the external device, and
a controller configured to:
activate the switch,
measure a voltage between the first resistive element and the second resistive element in response to the switch being activated, and
determine an identification, including the power capacity, of the battery pack based on the measured voltage, wherein the identification includes a power capacity of the battery pack.