An electric power tool that performs simple authentication when starting operation. An electric drill driver includes a driver main body (20) and a battery pack (30). The battery pack (30) is attached in a removable manner to the driver main body (20). The driver main body (20) includes a motor (40), a controller (50), and a memory (60). The memory (60) stores a battery authentication program and includes a battery authentication information holding unit (61). The battery pack (30) includes a battery identification information holding unit (37). When a user pulls a trigger switch on the driver main body (20), the controller (50) performs a battery identification information acquisition step, a battery authentication step, and a motor control step in accordance with a battery authentication program.
The present invention relates to a power tool including an authentication function.
An electric power tool that uses a removable rechargeable battery pack is portable and convenient. However, such an electric power tool is often stolen. To prevent theft of the electric power tool, the users of the electric power tool may be limited. Japanese Patent No.
The electric power tool described in Japanese Patent No.
The conventional electric power tool performs authentication to grant the user the right to use the electric power tool. To use the electric power tool, the user needs to carry the authentication device that transmits an identification code to the electric power tool. Thus, when the user forgets or loses the authentication device, the user cannot use the electric power tool. This may be inconvenient to the user. Further, when using a number of electric power tools, the user has to carry many authentication devices. Thus, to use a certain electric power tool, the user has to find the corresponding authentication device. This may also be inconvenient to the user.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric power tool that performs simple authentication to start operation.
One aspect of the present invention is an electric power tool including a main body and a battery pack. The main body includes a motor, a controller, and a battery authentication information holding unit. The battery authentication information holding unit holds battery authentication information. The battery pack includes a battery identification information holding unit that holds battery identification information. The controller acquires the battery identification information of the battery identification information holding unit in accordance with a battery authentication program. The controller authenticates the battery pack based on the battery identification information and the battery authentication information held by the battery authentication information holding unit. Further, the controller controls and drives the motor based on the authentication result.
A further aspect of the present invention is an electric power tool including a main body and a battery pack. The main body includes a motor, a controller, and a battery authentication information holding unit. The battery authentication information holding unit holds battery authentication information. The battery pack includes a battery identification information holding unit that holds battery identification information. The controller includes a battery identification information acquisition unit and a battery authentication unit. The battery identification information acquisition unit acquires the battery identification information of the battery identification information holding unit from the battery pack. The battery authentication unit authenticates the battery pack based on the battery authentication information held by the battery authentication information holding unit and the battery identification information. The controller controls and drives the motor based on the authentication result of the battery authentication unit.
Another aspect of the present invention is an electric power tool including a main body and a battery pack. The main body includes a motor, a controller, and a main body identification information holding unit. The main body identification information holding unit holds main body identification information. The battery pack includes a main body identification information acquisition unit, a main body authentication information holding unit, and a main body authentication unit. The main body authentication information holding unit holds main body authentication information. The main body identification information acquisition unit acquires the main body identification information of the main body identification information holding unit from the main body. The main body authentication unit authenticates the main body, based on the main body authentication information held by the main body authentication information holding unit and the main body identification information, and outputs the authentication result. The controller controls and drives the motor based on the authentication result of the main body authentication unit.
A further aspect of the present invention is an electric power tool including a main body and a battery pack. The main body includes a motor, a controller, a battery authentication information holding unit, and a main body identification information holding unit. The battery authentication information holding unit holds battery authentication information, and the main body identification information holding unit holds main body identification information. A battery pack includes a main body identification information acquisition unit, a battery identification information holding unit, a main body authentication information holding unit, and a main body authentication unit. The battery identification information holding unit holds battery identification information. The main body authentication information holding unit holds main body authentication information. The main body identification information acquisition unit acquires the main body identification information of the main body identification information holding unit from the main body. The main body authentication unit authenticates the main body based on the main body authentication information held by the main body authentication information holding unit and the main body identification information. The controller acquires the battery identification information of the battery identification information holding unit in accordance with a battery authentication program. The controller authenticates the battery pack based on the battery identification information and the battery authentication information held by the battery authentication information holding unit. Further, the controller controls and drives the motor based on the authentication result of the battery pack and the authentication result of the main body authentication unit.
Another aspect of the present invention is an electric power tool including a main body and a battery pack. The main body includes a motor, a controller, a battery authentication information holding unit, and a main body identification information holding unit. The battery authentication information holding unit holds battery authentication information, and the main body identification information holding unit holds main body identification information. The battery pack includes a main body identification information acquisition unit, a battery identification information holding unit, a main body authentication information holding unit, and a main body authentication unit. The battery identification information holding unit holds battery identification information, and the main body authentication information holding unit holds main body authentication information. The controller includes a battery identification information acquisition unit and a battery authentication unit. The battery identification information acquisition unit acquires the battery identification information of the battery identification information holding unit from the battery pack. The battery authentication unit authenticates the battery pack based on the battery authentication information held by the battery authentication information holding unit and the battery identification information. The main body identification information acquisition unit acquires the main body identification information of the main body identification information holding unit from the main body. The main body authentication unit authenticates the main body based on the main body authentication information held by the main body authentication information holding unit and the main body identification information. The controller controls and drives the motor based on the authentication result of the battery authentication unit and the authentication result of the main body authentication unit.
In the above aspects, the controller controls the motor to be either normally driven or stopped based on the authentication result.
In the above aspects, the controller controls the motor to be either normally driven or driven at a low speed based on the authentication result.
Each of the above aspects further includes an indicator. The controller activates the indicator to generate an indication based on the authentication result.
In the above aspects, the battery authentication information holding unit holds the battery authentication information for each of a plurality of battery packs.
In the above aspects, the main body authentication information holding unit holds the main body authentication information for each of a plurality of main bodies.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
The invention and preferred objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the certain exemplifying embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
An electric drill driver 10, which serves as an electric power tool, will now be described with reference to
The electric drill driver 10 includes a driver main body 20 and a battery pack 30.
The driver main body 20 includes a chuck 21, a grip 22, and a battery pack seat 23. A bit 24 is attached to a distal end of the chuck 21 on the driver main body 20. The driver main body 20 includes a trigger switch 25 located at the upper end of the grip 22. The battery pack 30 is attached in a removable manner to the battery pack seat 23.
The trigger switch 25 is operated by a user. To operate the electric drill driver 10, the user pulls the trigger switch 25 with a finger of the hand holding the grip 22.
With reference to
The seat surface of the battery pack seat 23 includes L-shaped hooks 26 and a main body connection terminal 27.
The configuration of the battery pack 30 will now be described with reference to
The battery pack 30 includes a case 31, a fitting 32, a button 33, and a battery connection terminal 35. The fitting 32 has side surfaces including holding grooves 34. The battery pack 30 includes a rechargeable battery formed by battery cells accommodated in the case 31.
The battery pack 30 is attached to the battery pack seat 23 by sliding the fitting 32 into the battery pack seat 23 so that the holding grooves 34 of the fitting 32 are engaged with the L-shaped hooks 26 of the battery pack seat 23. When the battery pack 30 is attached to the battery pack seat 23, the battery connection terminal 35 is connected to the main body connection terminal 27 of the driver main body 20.
The battery connection terminal 35 and the main body connection terminal 27 are each formed by conductive material. When the battery connection terminal 35 and the main body connection terminal 27 are connected, the battery pack 30 supplies the driver main body 20 with power through the battery connection terminal 35 and the main body connection terminal 27. Further, the driver main body 20 and the battery pack 30 transfer signals between each other through the battery connection terminal 35 and the main body connection terminal 27.
To remove the battery pack 30 from the battery pack seat 23, the user pushes the button 33.
The configuration of the driver main body 20 and the battery pack 30 will now be described with reference to
The battery pack 30 includes battery cells 36 and a battery identification information holding unit 37.
The driver main body 20 includes a motor 40, a driver 41, a controller 50, a memory 60, an operation switch 42, and an indicator 43.
The memory 60 stores control programs, which control the operation of the controller 50, and a battery authentication program. The memory 60 includes a battery authentication information holding unit 61 that holds battery authentication information.
The controller 50 is formed by, for example, a microcontroller. When executing the battery authentication program, which is stored in the memory 60, the controller 50 configures a battery identification information acquisition unit 52 and a battery authentication unit 51 in the controller 50.
The operation switch 42 functions when the user operates the trigger switch 25 of the driver main body 20. When the user pulls the trigger switch 25, the operation switch 42 is supplied with power. When the user releases the trigger switch 25, the supply of power to the operation switch 42 is interrupted.
The battery connection terminal 35 (
The motor 40 is supplied with voltage of the battery pack 30 through the power terminals 70 and 72. When the controller 50 outputs a drive signal, the driver 41 drives the motor 40.
When the user pulls the trigger switch 25 and supplies the operation switch 42 with power, the controller 50 authenticates the battery pack 30 in accordance with a battery authentication program stored in the memory 60. When the battery pack 30 is authenticated, the controller 50 provides the driver 41 with a drive signal to operate the motor 40.
The controller 50 performs a battery authentication process that will now be described with reference to
The controller 50 sequentially executes steps S11 to S14 in accordance with a battery authentication program.
To authenticate the battery pack 30, the battery authentication program includes a battery identification information acquisition step (step S11). In step S11, the controller 50 acquires the battery identification information from the battery identification information holding unit 37 of the battery pack 30, and the battery identification information acquisition unit 52 holds the battery identification information. The battery authentication program includes an authentication step (step S12) performed by the battery authentication unit 51. In step S12, the battery authentication unit 51 authenticates the battery identification information held by the battery identification information acquisition unit 52 based on battery authentication information held by the battery authentication information holding unit 61. The battery authentication unit 51 authenticates the battery pack 30 when the battery authentication information and the battery identification information are the same. Further, the battery authentication program includes motor control steps performed on the motor 40 based on the authentication result of step S12. When the battery pack 30 is authenticated in step S12, the controller 50 proceeds to step S13 and outputs a drive signal that operates the motor 40 in a normal manner. When the battery pack 30 is not authenticated in step S12, the controller 50 proceeds to step S13 and outputs a drive signal that restricts operation of the motor 40. When operation of the motor 40 is restricted, the controller 50 may drive the motor 40 at a low speed or stop operation of the motor 40.
When the battery pack 30 is not authenticated in step S12, the controller 50 provides the indicator 43 with a notification signal. This activates the indicator 43 to generate an indication allowing for the user to recognize that the battery pack 30 was not authenticated. The indicator 43 may generate, for example, a warning sound. The indicator 43 may also generate, for example, a visual warning.
The battery authentication information holding unit 61 of the memory 60 may hold battery authentication information for a number of battery packs in the battery authentication information holding unit 61 of the memory 60. In such a case, the battery authentication unit 51 of the controller 50 authenticates battery identification information based on the battery authentication information for a number of battery packs. In this manner, a number of battery packs having different battery identification information may be authenticated to operate the driver main body 20.
The electric drill driver 10 of the present embodiment has the advantages described below.
A second embodiment of an electric drill driver 10 will now be described focusing on differences from the electric drill driver 10 of the first embodiment. To avoid redundancy, like or same reference numerals are given to those components that are the same as the corresponding components of the first embodiment. Such components will not be described in detail.
In the electric drill driver 10 of the first embodiment, the memory 60 of the driver main body 20 includes the battery authentication information holding unit 61, and the battery pack 30 includes the battery identification information holding unit 37. In the second embodiment, the memory 60 of a driver main body 80 includes the main body identification information holding unit 62. Further, a battery pack 90 includes a main body authentication unit 91, a main body authentication information holding unit 92, and a main body identification information acquisition unit 93.
The configuration of the driver main body 80 and the battery pack 90 will now be described with reference to
The battery pack 90 includes the main body authentication unit 91, the main body authentication information holding unit 92, and the main body identification information acquisition unit 93.
The driver main body 80 includes the controller 50 and the memory 60.
The memory 60 stores a control program that controls the controller 50. The main body identification information holding unit 62 of the memory 60 holds main body identification information.
The controller 50 is formed by, for example, a microcontroller.
When the user pulls the trigger switch 25 and supplies the operation switch 42 with power, the controller 50 sends the main body identification information, which is held in the main body identification information holding unit 62, to the battery pack 90 in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 60. The battery pack 90 authenticates the driver main body 80. The battery pack 90 sends the authentication result of the driver main body 80 to the driver main body 80. When the driver main body 80 is authenticated in the battery pack 90, the controller 50 receives the authentication result and sends a drive signal to the driver 41 to operate the motor 40.
The battery pack 90 performs a main body authentication process that will now be described with reference to
In step S21, the battery pack 90 acquires, with the main body identification information acquisition unit 93, the main body identification information from the main body identification information holding unit 62 of the memory 60 in the driver main body 80 through the communication connector 73 and the communication connector 71. The main body identification information acquisition unit 93 holds the acquired main body identification information. In step S22, the main body authentication unit 91 authenticates the main body identification information held in the main body identification information acquisition unit 93 based on the main body acquisition information held in the main body authentication information holding unit 92. The main body authentication unit 91 authenticates the driver main body 80 when the main body authentication information and the main body identification information are the same. The main body authentication unit 91 authenticates the driver main body 80. When the driver main body 80 is authenticated in step S23, the main body authentication unit 91 proceeds to step S23 and sends the authentication result to the controller 50 of the driver main body 80 through the communication connector 73 and the communication connector 71. In step S25, the controller 50 outputs a drive signal to operate the motor 40 in a normal manner. When the driver main body 80 is not authenticated in step S22, the main body authentication unit 91 proceeds to step S24 and sends the authentication result to the controller 50. In step S26, the controller 50 outputs a drive signal that restricts operation of the motor 40.
The device authenticated by the battery pack 90 does not have to be the electric drill driver 10. For example, the battery pack 90 may authenticate a charger. When the battery pack 90 authenticates a charger, the battery pack 90 sends the authentication result to the charger so that the charger executes a control for starting a charging operation. When the battery pack 90 cannot authenticate the charger, the charger receives the authentication result from the battery pack 90 and does not perform charging.
The electric drill driver 10 of the present embodiment has advantages (1) to (5) of the electric drill driver 10 of the first embodiment. More specifically, the electric drill driver 10 of the present embodiment performs authentication with a simple operation and deters theft with a simple configuration. In addition, the electric drill driver 10 has the following advantage.
(6) The electric drill driver 10 includes the driver main body 80 and the battery pack 90. The driver main body 80 includes the motor 40, the controller 50, and the memory 60. The memory 60 includes the main body identification information holding unit 62. The battery pack 90 includes the main body authentication unit 91, the main body authentication information holding unit 92, and the main body identification information acquisition unit 93. When the user pulls the trigger switch 25 of the driver main body 80, the controller 50 sends the main body identification information of the main body identification information holding unit 62 to the battery pack 90. The main body identification information acquisition unit 93 acquires and holds the main body identification information. The main body authentication unit 91 authenticates the main body authentication information of the main body authentication information holding unit 92 to authenticate the driver main body 80. Then, the main body authentication unit 91 sends the authentication result to the controller 50. The controller 50 controls the motor 40 based on the authentication result from the main body authentication unit 91. In the electric drill driver 10, the battery pack 90 authenticates the driver main body 80. Thus, the electric drill driver 10 is operable only when the battery pack 90 is combined with an authenticated driver main body. This deters theft. Further, the battery pack 90 may authenticate a device such as a charger. Thus, the electric drill driver 10 is chargeable only when the battery pack 90 is combined with an authenticated charger. This further deters theft.
A third embodiment of an electric drill driver 10 will now be described focusing on differences from the electric drill driver 10 of the first embodiment. To avoid redundancy, like or same reference numerals are given to those components that are the same as the corresponding components of the first embodiment. Such components will not be described in detail.
In the electric drill driver 10 of the first embodiment, the memory 60 of the driver main body 20 includes the battery authentication information holding unit 61, and the battery pack 30 includes the battery identification information holding unit 37. In the third embodiment, the memory 60 of a driver main body 100 includes the main body identification information holding unit 62 in addition to the battery authentication information holding unit 61. Further, a battery pack 110 includes a main body authentication unit 91, a main body authentication information holding unit 92, and a main body identification information acquisition unit 93 in addition to the battery identification information holding unit 37.
The configuration of the driver main body 100 and the battery pack 110 will now be described with reference to
The driver main body 100 includes the controller 50 and the memory 60.
The memory 60 stores control programs, which control the operation of the controller 50, and a battery authentication program. The memory 60 includes the battery authentication information holding unit 61, which holds the battery authentication information, and the main body identification information holding unit 62, which holds the main body identification information.
The battery pack 110 includes the battery identification information holding unit 37, a main body authentication unit 91, a main body authentication information holding unit 92, and a main body identification information acquisition unit 93.
When the user pulls the trigger switch 25 and supplies the operation switch 42 with power, the controller 50 authenticates the battery pack 110 in accordance with the battery authentication program stored in the memory 60.
When the battery pack 110 is authenticated, the controller 50 sends the main body identification information from the main body identification information holding unit 62 to the battery pack 110 in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 60. The battery pack 110 authenticates the driver main body 100. The battery pack 110 transmits the authentication result of the driver main body 100 to the driver main body 100. When the battery pack 110 authenticates the driver main body 100, the controller 50 receives the authentication result and sends a drive signal to the driver 41 to operate the motor 40.
The battery authentication performed by the driver main body 100 and the main body authentication performed by the battery pack 110 will now be described with reference to
The controller 50 sequentially executes steps S31 to S38 in accordance with a battery authentication program.
To authenticate the battery pack 30, the battery authentication program includes a battery identification information acquisition step (step S31). In step S31, the controller 50 acquires the battery identification information from the battery identification information holding unit 37 of the battery pack 110, and the battery identification information acquisition unit 52 holds the battery identification information. The battery authentication program includes an authentication step (step S32) performed by the battery authentication unit 51. In step S32, the battery authentication unit 51 authenticates the battery identification information held by the battery identification information acquisition unit 52 based on battery authentication information held by the battery authentication information holding unit 61. The battery authentication unit 51 authenticates the battery pack 30 when the battery authentication information and the battery identification information are the same. When the battery pack 30 is not authenticated in step S32, the controller 50 proceeds to step S38 and outputs a drive signal that restricts operation of the motor 40. When the battery pack 30 is authenticated in step S32, the controller 50 proceeds to step S33 and sends the main body identification information held in the main body identification information holding unit 62 to the battery pack 110. The main body identification information acquisition unit 93 acquires and holds the main body identification information. In step S34, the main body authentication unit 91 of the battery pack 110 authenticates the main body identification information held in the main body identification information acquisition unit 93 based on the main body authentication information held in the main body authentication information holding unit 92. The main body authentication unit 91 authenticates the driver main body 100 when the main body authentication information and the main body identification information are the same. When the driver main body 100 is authenticated in step S34, the main body authentication unit 91 proceeds to step S35 and transmits the authentication result to the controller 50 of the driver main body 100. In step S37, the controller 50 outputs a drive signal to operate the motor 40 in a normal manner. When the driver main body 100 is not authenticated in step S34, the main body authentication unit 91 proceeds to step S36 and sends the authentication result to the controller 50. In step S38, the controller outputs a drive signal that restricts operation of the motor 40.
The electric drill driver 10 of the present embodiment has advantages (1) to (5) of the electric drill driver 10 of the first embodiment. In addition, the electric drill driver 10 has the following advantage.
(7) The electric drill driver 10 includes the driver main body 100 and the battery pack 110. The driver main body 100 includes the motor 40, the controller 50, and the memory 60. The memory 60 includes the battery authentication program, the battery authentication information holding unit 61, and the main body identification information holding unit 62. The battery pack 110 includes the battery identification information holding unit 37, the main body authentication unit 91, the main body authentication information holding unit 92, and the main body identification information acquisition unit 93. When the user pulls the trigger switch 25 of the driver main body 100, the controller 50 authenticates the battery pack 110 in accordance with the battery authentication program. When the battery pack 110 is authenticated, the controller 50 sends the main body identification information from the main body identification information holding unit 62 to the battery pack 110. The main body authentication unit 91 of the battery pack 110 authenticates the main body identification information of the main body authentication information holding unit 92 based on the main body authentication information of the main body authentication information holding unit 92. The main body authentication unit 91 sends the authentication result to the controller 50. The controller 50 controls the motor 40 based on the authentication result from the main body authentication unit 91. In the electric drill driver 10, the driver main body 100 authenticates the battery pack 110, and the battery pack 110 authenticates the driver main body 100. Thus, the electric drill driver 10 improves security against a person attempting to override the authentication system.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms. These forms may be combined with one another.
In the electric drill driver 10 of the first to third embodiments, the driver main body and the battery pack transfer the identification information and the authentication result through the communication connectors 71 and 73. The configurations of the driver main body and the battery pack are not limited to the contents of the first to third embodiments. For example, the driver main body and the battery pack may each include a wireless communication unit or an infrared communication unit. In this case, the driver main body and the battery pack transfer the identification information and the authentication result through wireless communication or infrared communication.
In the electric drill driver of this modification, the driver main body and the battery pack may implement the authentication function without changing the number of pins or the form of the main body connection terminal 27 and the battery connection terminal 35.
In each electric drill driver 10 of the second and third embodiments, the battery pack transmits the authentication result of the main body authentication unit 91 to the driver main body. The configuration of the battery pack is not limited to the contents of the second and third embodiments. For example, the battery pack may output the authentication result of the main body authentication unit 91 as an over-discharge detection result. The battery pack outputs an over-discharge detection signal when the main body authentication unit 91 cannot accomplish authentication. The driver main body stops operating the electric drill driver 10 when receiving the over-discharge detection signal.
In each electric drill driver 10 of the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the battery pack includes the main body authentication unit 91, the main body authentication information holding unit 92, and the main body identification information acquisition unit 93. However, the configuration of the battery pack is not limited to the contents of the second and third embodiments. For example, a battery pack may include a microcontroller. The battery pack configures the main body authentication unit 91, the main body authentication information holding unit 92, and the main body identification information acquisition unit 93.
Each electric drill driver 10 of the first to third embodiments starts authentication when detecting that the user has pulled the trigger switch 25 of the driver main body. However, the configuration of the driver main body is not limited to the contents of the first to third embodiments. For example, the driver main body may start authentication upon the detection of the supply of power when the battery pack is attached.
In the electric drill driver of this modification, the driver main body decreases power consumption when performing authentication.
The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.