Patent ID: 11909236
Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
Field: nan (nan)
Classification: CPC nan | IPC B  H

Claim 8:
9. An adapter configured for detachably connecting a plurality of battery packs to a tool housing of a hand-held electric power tool, wherein each of the battery packs comprises a microprocessor and memory, and the adapter is detachable from the tool housing of the electric power tool, the adapter comprising:
an adapter housing configured to be detachably latched to the first and second battery packs;
a circuit disposed within the adapter housing and configured to electrically connect power terminals of the first and second battery packs in series;
a controller disposed within the adapter housing and comprising an adapter microprocessor configured to receive signals respectively outputted from the microprocessors of the first and second battery packs, wherein the microprocessor of the first battery pack outputs a first signal in a first voltage range, the microprocessor of the second battery pack outputs a second signal in a second voltage range different from the first voltage range and the adapter microprocessor outputs a fourth signal in the second voltage range;
a first signal communication path disposed within the adapter housing and configured to communicate the first signal from the microprocessor of the first battery pack to the adapter microprocessor, the first signal communication path being configured to shift a voltage level of the first signal in the first voltage range to a voltage level that is in the second voltage range suitable for inputting into the adapter microprocessor;
a second signal communication path disposed within the adapter housing and configured to communicate the fourth signal from the adapter microprocessor to the microprocessor of the first battery pack, the second communication path being configured to shift a voltage level of the fourth signal in the second voltage range to a voltage level that is in the first voltage range suitable for inputting into the microprocessor of the first battery pack, and
a third signal communication path disposed within the adapter housing and configured to communicate the second signal at the second voltage level from the microprocessor of the second battery pack to the adapter microprocessor.