The invention relates to audio devices that are operable with rechargeable batteries.
Audio devices that output audio signals, such as radios, compact disc players, mp3 players, and the like, use a power supply to provide power for an audio circuit capable of outputting the audio signals. Some audio devices connect to a fixed AC power supply, such as a 120 Volt, 60 Hz outlet in a building. Other audio devices use a battery power supply and in some cases rechargeable batteries to power an audio circuit.
Rechargeable power tool batteries are frequently available on a construction and other jobsite. These power tool batteries can be interchangeably used by different types of power tools including, for example, drills and screwdrivers. Audio devices (e.g., jobsite radios) have been developed that can also be powered by these rechargeable power tool batteries.
In one embodiment, the invention provides an audio system including a battery charger housing and an audio device housing that are selectively engagable. The battery charger housing includes a charger control circuit and a first rechargeable battery receptacle having a first battery position. The charger control circuit is electrically coupled to the first rechargeable battery receptacle and is operable to charge a battery in the first battery position within the first rechargeable battery receptacle.
The audio device housing includes an audio circuit and a second rechargeable battery receptacle. The audio circuit is electrically coupled to the second rechargeable battery receptacle and is operable to generate sound using at least one audio generator. A pass-through circuit is electrically coupled to the audio circuit and to the first battery position. The pass-through circuit is operable to receive power from an external source, provide the power to the charger control circuit, and provide the power to the audio circuit.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an audio system including a battery charger housing and an audio device housing that are selectively engageable. The battery charger housing includes a battery charger housing having a charger control circuit and a first battery receptacle operable to receive a first removable battery. The charger control circuit is electrically coupled to the first battery receptacle to charge the first battery when in a first battery position within the first battery receptacle.
The audio device housing includes an audio circuit and a second battery receptacle. The audio circuit is electrically coupled to the second battery receptacle and is operable to generate sound using at least one audio generator. The audio circuit is also operable to at least one of combine and selectively apply power received from a second removable battery within the second battery receptacle and power received from an external power source to the at least one audio generator.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an audio system including a battery charger housing and an audio device housing. The battery charger housing includes a charger control circuit and a first battery receptacle. The charger control circuit is coupled to a first electrical connection in the first battery receptacle and is operable to charge a first removable battery in the first battery position.
The audio device housing is engageable with the battery charger housing and includes an audio circuit and a second battery receptacle. The audio circuit is electrically coupled to the second battery receptacle and operable to generate sound using at least one audio generator. The audio circuit is operable to selectively couple the at least one audio generator to the second battery receptacle and an input configured to receive power from an external source. When the battery charger housing is engaged with the audio device housing and the power is received at the input from the external source, the charger control circuit and the audio circuit share the power received from the external source.
In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of charging a battery and generating audio. The method includes operating an audio housing in a first mode, and at least one of a second mode and a third mode. The first mode includes coupling a battery charger housing to the audio housing. The battery charger housing includes a first battery receptacle and a charging circuit and the audio housing includes an audio generating circuit and a second battery receptacle. The first mode also includes coupling the battery charger housing to an external power source using a cord such that an electrical connection is formed between the external power source, the charging circuit, and the audio generating circuit. The first mode further includes charging a first battery in a first position in the first battery receptacle and generating audio using the audio generating circuit powered by the external power source.
The second mode includes disconnecting at least one of the cord from the battery charger housing and the battery charger housing from the audio housing and generating audio using the audio generating circuit powered by a second battery in the second battery receptacle.
The third mode includes disconnecting at least one of the cord from the battery charger housing and the battery charger housing from the audio housing; coupling the external power source or a different external power source to the audio housing; and generating audio using the audio generating circuit powered by the external power source or the different external power source.
In some embodiments, the method includes operating the audio housing in a fourth mode. The fourth mode includes placing the first battery in a second position within the first battery receptacle, and generating audio using the audio generating circuit powered by the first battery in the second position.
In some embodiments of the method, the audio housing includes one of a fixed cord and a selectively removable cord, and the battery charger housing includes one of a fixed cord and a selectively removable cord.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 16 and 17A-B illustrate an audio housing, battery charger housing, and cords according to embodiments of the invention.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
Although audio devices (e.g., jobsite radios) have been developed that are powered by rechargeable power tool batteries, the batteries eventually lose their charge and the audio device will not function until a new battery is inserted or the audio device is connected to an external power source. As is explained in more detail below, embodiments of the invention provide unique and improved systems and methods of selectively attaching a battery charger housing with an audio device.
The battery charger housing 102 is electrically coupled to the audio housing 104 via a plug 114 and socket 116 connection. In some embodiments, the plug 114 is part of the audio housing 104 and the socket 116 is part of the battery charger housing 102. The battery charger housing 102 receives power from the external power source via cord 113 and uses the power to charge a battery 118. The cord 113 with plug 112 is coupled to the battery charger housing 102 by plug 120 and socket 122 (i.e., a male-female connection). In some embodiments, the plug 120 is part of the battery charger housing 102 and the socket 122 is part of cord 113. In some embodiments, connection techniques other than the depicted plug and socket connection are used to couple the audio housing 104 and battery charger housing 102.
The battery charger housing 102 includes an AC/DC converter 124, a charger control circuit 126, and a battery receptacle 128. The battery receptacle 128 receives and is electrically coupled to the battery 118. Alternating current from the external source is received by the AC/DC converter 124, which converts the alternating current and outputs direct current to the charger control circuit 126. The charger control circuit 126 outputs DC voltage and charges battery 118.
Thus, the external power source provides power to both charge the battery 118 and power the audio circuit 106. The electrical connections within the audio and battery housing, including the socket 122, plug 114, and socket 116, that enable external power to reach the audio circuit 106, and AC/DC converters 117 and 124 may be referred to as a pass-through circuit. Unlike the battery 110, the battery 118 does not provide power to the audio circuit 106. In other embodiments, however, additional electrical connections are provided such that battery 118 provides power to the audio circuit 106. Batteries 110 and 118 can be lithium-based, nickel-based, or any other rechargeable battery chemistry suitable to power audio system 100.
The battery charger housing 102 is removable from the audio housing 104 and each is usable independent of the other. In other words, when separated, the battery charger housing 102 still functions to charge the battery 118 and the audio housing 104 still functions to generate audio. When separated, the audio housing 104 can receive power from either the battery 110 or by an external power source providing power via socket 116. An additional cord 130 includes plugs 132 and 134 and is similar to cord 113. When the battery charger housing 102 is separated from the audio housing 104, plug 134 can be coupled to the socket 116 and provide power to the audio circuit 106 by connecting plug 132 to the external power source. Cords 130 and 113 are interchangeable between the audio housing 104 and the battery charger housing 102.
In some embodiments, the power control 156 controls the switch 154 to supply power from the power line 150 when the power control 156 detects that the socket 116 is coupled to an external power supply and to provide power from the battery 110 when no external power supply is available. Is some embodiments, the power control 156 controls the switch 154 based on input from selector 158. The selector 158 is a pushbutton, sliding actuator, or other similarly functioning device, that enables a user to selectively choose between the battery 110 power or the external power provided through socket 116. In some embodiments, the audio circuit 106 does not include a switch 154. Rather, the power control 156 receives power from both power lines 150 and 152 and combines the power input by both to output Vin. In these embodiments, the battery 110 is not charged by the external source. In other embodiments, the battery 110 is charged by the external source while inserted in the battery receptacle 111.
The exemplary audio circuit 106 of
The microcontroller 160 receives input from user input 170. User input 170 can include an audio generator selector such as one or more push buttons to control which audio generator 168a-f is currently active. Additional user input 170 can include selectors to control the operation of particular audio generators, such as, for instance, controls for playing, stopping, fast forwarding, or rewinding a compact disc, tape, or other media. Other appropriate controls for audio generators 168a-f may be included as is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Upon receipt of input from user input 170, the microcontroller 160 enables one of the audio generators 168a-f and controls the output selector 164 to connect the output from the selected audio generator 168a-f to the input of amplifier 166. The amplifier 166 amplifies the audio signals received from the selected audio generator by an amount specified by a user via user input 170 and microcontroller 160. The amplifier 166 outputs the amplified audio signal to speakers 108.
Audio circuit 106 is merely an exemplary audio circuit used in some embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, other audio circuits are used to generate audio signals for speakers 108.
For instance, a cord wrap device 206 can be included on the audio housing 204, as depicted in
In some embodiments, a two-position battery receptacle 260 is provided as shown in
In some embodiments of the audio system 250 with a two-position battery receptacle 251 or 260, the battery 110 and battery receptacle 111 are not provided. Any of the cord arrangements (i.e., fixed cords, removable cords, or a combination thereof) described in relation to audio systems 200, 210, 220, 230, and 240 may be implemented on audio system 250. In some embodiments of audio housings 104, 204, 214, 224, 234, 244, and 254, multiple battery receptacles are provided and the power control 156 operates to select one or a combination of the batteries to supply power to the components of the audio circuit 106. In some embodiments of the audio systems 100, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250, the external power source is a DC source, such as a 12 volt car battery, and the AC/DC converters of the audio systems are bypassed.
The transformer box 302a couples the audio circuit 106 and the battery 110 to an external power source via a wall outlet. Within the transformer box is an AC/DC converter 310a to connect to the audio circuit 106, and also a battery charger circuit and AC/DC converter 312a to connect to the battery 110. The transformer box 302a includes two prong sets 313 and 314 for engaging two outlets of an AC power outlet fixture (not shown).
In some embodiments, the transformer box 302a is attached to the audio housing 304 at connector 308a by a fixed cord. In other embodiments, the transformer box 302a is removably attached to the audio housing 304 at connector 308a by a removable cord.
Alternative transformer boxes 302b-d are also shown in
Transformer box 302c is connected to a DC voltage source 316 by a single connector 318. Since the transformer box 302c receives DC voltage, no AC/DC conversion is necessary. Thus, the AC/DC converter components of the transformer boxes 302a and 302b are not included in transformer boxes 302c. The transformer box 302c passes the DC voltage to the audio circuit 106 through connector 308c and to the battery charger circuit 312c. The battery charger circuit 312c is then coupled to the battery 110 via connector 308c. In some embodiments, the DC voltage source 316 is a car battery and the connector 318 is a plug adapted to fit into a DC car outlet (commonly referred to as a cigarette lighter receptacle).
Similar to transformer box 302c, transformer box 302d receives DC voltage and, therefore, does not include AC/DC conversion circuitry. In contrast to transformer box 302c, transformer box 302d includes two connectors 320 and 322 for connecting to the DC voltage source 316 separately. For instance, the two connectors 320 and 322 may connect to two different DC car outlets. Through connectors 322 and 308d, the transformer box 302d connects the DC voltage source 316 to the audio circuit 106. The connector 320 connects the DC voltage source 316 to the battery charger circuit 312d, which provides power to the battery 110 via connector 308d.
In some embodiments, the audio housings 304, 334, 354, and 364 include a second battery receptacle (not shown) similar to the battery receptacle 111 of audio system 100. The second battery receptacle is operable to receive the battery 118. The second battery receptacle is electrically connected to the audio circuit 106 and includes electrical contacts. Thus, the second battery receptacle is operable to connect the battery 118 to the audio circuit 106 to provide DC power to the audio circuit 106. The power control 156 selectively couples the second battery to the components of audio circuit 106 as described above with respect to other embodiments.
In some embodiments, the battery receptacle 306 is a two-position receptacle similar to battery receptacle 251 and 260 of
In some embodiments, the battery chargers described above are operable to charge any of a plurality of different types of batteries or battery packs. For example, the battery chargers are capable of charging battery packs having any number of different voltage ratings, capacity ratings, configurations, shapes, and sizes. Such battery packs include those that are attachable to and detachable from electrical devices such as power tools, test and measurement equipment, vacuum cleaners, outdoor power equipment, and vehicles. Power tools include, for example, drills, circular saws, jig saws, band saws, reciprocating saws, screw drivers, angle grinders, straight grinders, hammers, impact wrenches, angle drills, inspection cameras, and the like. Test and measurement equipment includes digital multimeters, clamp meters, fork meters, wall scanners, IR temperature guns, and the like. Vacuum cleaners include stick vacuums, hand vacuums, upright vacuums, carpet cleaners, hard-surface cleaners, canister vacuums, broom vacuums, and the like. Outdoor power equipment includes blowers, chain saws, edgers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, trimmers, and the like.
In some embodiments, the battery charger housings 102, 202, 212, 222, 232, 242, and 252 are also able to be coupled to non-audio generating devices. For example, in some embodiments, the battery chargers 102, 202, 212, 222, 232, 242, and 252 are attachable to and detachable from the electrical devices listed above including power tools, test and measurement equipment, vacuum cleaners, outdoor power equipment, and vehicles.
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, audio devices powerable by rechargeable batteries or an external power source. Additionally, the audio devices include a separate battery charging housing or separate battery charging circuit. A separately attachable battery charger presents a user with options for using the audio device alone, battery charger alone, or attaching the audio device and battery charger together for simultaneous use. Thus, if only one of the two devices is desired, a user can carry the single device, which weighs less than the combination of the two devices. As the battery charger and audio device have independent circuits, upon a malfunction of one component (e.g., the battery charger), a replacement component can be purchased without the need for replacing the entire system, which reduces waste and replacement costs.
Additionally, many embodiments provide multiple battery receptacles allowing the charging of one battery while another battery provides power or is stored in a position to provide power upon disconnection of the audio device from an external power source. Thus, in some embodiments, multiple batteries and a battery charger can be secured to the audio device for ease of transport of the audio device, battery charger, and batteries. Moreover, the battery charger is modular and, with battery charger attachments incorporated onto multiple devices (e.g., radio, vacuum, or lawn care products), the user is provided multiple product options for attaching to the battery charger. Various additional features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/605,482, filed Oct. 26, 2009, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 10/926,744, filed on Aug. 26, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,609,027, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/291,868, filed Nov. 8, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,541, which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/379,068, filed May 9, 2002 and Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/344,431, filed on Nov. 9, 2001. patent application Ser. No. 10/926,744 also claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/523,541, filed Nov. 19, 2003, and Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/540,313, filed Jan. 28, 2004. The entire contents of all of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60379068 | May 2002 | US | |
60344431 | Nov 2001 | US | |
60523541 | Nov 2003 | US | |
60540313 | Jan 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10926744 | Aug 2004 | US |
Child | 12605482 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12605482 | Oct 2009 | US |
Child | 12768495 | US | |
Parent | 10291868 | Nov 2002 | US |
Child | 10926744 | US |