Abstract: A battery includes an anode, a cathode, one or more separators, and an electrolyte. The anode, the cathode, the one or more separators, and the electrolyte are disposed in a roll configuration. At least one of the anode or the cathode includes a foil portion having a plurality of bent portions in different widths that are bent inwardly toward an axis of the roll configuration and that define an edge of the roll configuration.

Abstract: A lithium-polymer based battery pack for power a hand held power tool or a garden tool, the battery pack has a plurality of battery cells located within housing that is selectively connectable to and supportable by a hand held power tool or a garden tool. The battery cells have a lithium-polymer based chemistry and a nominal charged internal impedance of less than or equal to approximately 5 milliohms. In one embodiment the cells are think cells are stacked within the housing such that each sell is layered over or under an adjacent cell and a resiliently deformable substrate located between adjacent battery cells. In another embodiment the cells may be interconnected to have a combined output voltage of at least 9 volts and to produce a combined average discharge current of greater than 20 amps. A lithium-polymer tool battery and a battery powered tool are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A lithium-polymer based battery pack for power a hand held power tool or a garden tool, the battery pack has a plurality of battery cells located within housing that is selectively connectable to and supportable by a hand held power tool or a garden tool. The battery cells have a lithium-polymer based chemistry and a nominal charged internal impedance of less than or equal to approximately 5 milliohms. In one embodiment the cells are think cells are stacked within the housing such that each sell is layered over or under an adjacent cell and a resiliently deformable substrate located between adjacent battery cells. In another embodiment the cells may be interconnected to have a combined output voltage of at least 9 volts and to produce a combined average discharge current of greater than 20 amps. A lithium-polymer tool battery and a battery powered tool are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A communication system may include a robotic garden tool with an electronic processor that may be configured to determine (i) a plurality of relative distances between the robotic garden tool and an object as the object moves in the operating area, and (ii) one or more locations of the robotic garden tool as the object moves in the operating area. The electronic processor may be further configured to determine a respective location of the one or more locations of the robotic garden tool at a respective time at which data was captured that allowed for the determination of each relative distance of the plurality of relative distances. A virtual boundary may be generated using each relative distance in combination with the respective location of the robotic garden tool at the respective time at which the data was captured that allowed for the determination of each relative distance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a relieved weld plate for affixing to a battery core to provide an electrical connection between the battery core and a terminal of a battery. The relieved weld plate includes a conductive face configured for affixing to an electrode of the battery core. The relieved weld plate further includes one or more pathways disposed in the conductive face. The one or more pathways are configured to facilitate at least one of an ingress of a first material into the battery core or an egress of a second material out of the battery core.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery, comprising a case, a cell packaged in the case, an electrical terminal located at one end of the case and electrically connected to the cell, a safety device and a current cut-off device. The safety device comprises a first and second electrode respectively electrically connected to a positive electrode or a negative electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged spaced apart from each other and form an electric field, and a gas generating material capable of generating an inert gas when a voltage reaches or exceeds a threshold value is provided in the electric field. The current cut-off device is electrically connected between the cell and the electrical terminal and is capable of causing a brake of circuit in response to a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the battery caused by the inert gas.

Abstract: There is provided a lithium ion battery for use in a power tool. The lithium ion battery includes a carbon-based negative electrode containing a certain weight content of silicon-based material, a positive electrode including a lithium metal oxide containing nickel, and a non-flammable electrolyte placed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The weight content of silicon-based material in the negative electrode is no less than 5%. A composition of nickel of the lithium metal oxide is no less than the composition of other metals of the lithium metal oxide.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide lithium-ion battery configurations with high energy density are disclosed. Embodiments provide lithium-ion batteries comprising an anode that includes 30 to 85 wt. % silicon, thereby facilitating high energy density and high N:P ratio for the lithium-ion batteries. The high N:P ratio further enables fast charging and low temperature charging capabilities of the lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a charging circuit configured to electrically connect to a plurality of batteries during manufacture of a set of batteries that includes the plurality of batteries. The apparatus further includes a battery bank configured to supply charge to the plurality of batteries during a formation process of each battery of the plurality of batteries and to receive the charge from the plurality of batteries during the formation process. The battery bank has at least one attribute that enables the battery bank to concurrently charge, for each plurality of batteries of the set of batteries, a particular number of batteries based on at least a threshold charging rate and to concurrently discharge, for each plurality of batteries of the set of batteries, the particular number of batteries based on at least a threshold discharging rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide lithium-ion battery configurations with high energy density are disclosed. Embodiments provide lithium-ion batteries comprising an anode that includes 30 to 85 wt. % silicon, thereby facilitating high energy density and high N:P ratio for the lithium-ion batteries. The high N:P ratio further enables fast charging and low temperature charging capabilities of the lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A lithium-polymer based battery pack for power a hand held power tool or a garden tool, the battery pack has a plurality of battery cells located within housing that is selectively connectable to and supportable by a hand held power tool or a garden tool. The battery cells have a lithium-polymer based chemistry and a nominal charged internal impedance of less than or equal to approximately 5 milliohms. In one embodiment the cells are think cells are stacked within the housing such that each sell is layered over or under an adjacent cell and a resiliently deformable substrate located between adjacent battery cells. In another embodiment the cells may be interconnected to have a combined output voltage of at least 9 volts and to produce a combined average discharge current of greater than 20 amps. A lithium-polymer tool battery and a battery powered tool are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A battery pack containing a frame; and two or more battery cells installed to the frame. The two or more battery cells are interconnected by a configurable connector which is configured to enable electrical connections between the two or more battery cells. The configurable connector is adapted to be configured in a first status or a second status. In the first status, the two or more battery cells are electrically connected, and in the second status, the two or more battery cells are not electrically connected. The battery pack is not fully operational without the terminal holder inserted, therefore before it is delivered to the end user the energy loss due to self-discharging during storage and shipping can be minimized.

Abstract: An electronic communication device for use in a navigation system. The electronic communication device comprises a first communication module arranged to communicate a first electromagnetic signal to at least one external communication device, wherein the at least one external communication device is operable to determine a physical distance between the respective external communication and the electronic communication device based on the first electromagnetic signal being received; a power module arranged to power the first communication module; and a mechanical structure arranged to at least temporally anchor the electronic communication device at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A system and a method for a grass maintenance comprising an autonomous vehicle (100) arranged to operate autonomously to manipulate a grass surface, wherein the vehicle (100) includes one or more environmental sensors (208) arranged to detect environmental conditions associated with the grass surface; and one or more grass manipulation modules (210) arranged to manipulate the grass surface.

Abstract: A pouch-type battery comprising: a pouch-type battery case having a joined wall and a cell space within the pouch, a battery cell within the cell space, a terminal tab extending outwardly of the cell space from the battery cell, said joined wall comprising at least a first sealing portion having a first sealing strength, and a second sealing portion having a second sealing strength that is less than the first sealing strength such that the second sealing portion is adapted to fail before said first sealing portion, and an electrical contact located with the second sealing portion and adapted to change contact state upon failure of the second sealing portion.

Abstract: A docking station for use with an autonomous tool comprising a docking module for detachably receiving the autonomous tool and a guiding module arranged to guide the movement of the autonomous tool towards the docking module, wherein the autonomous tool, upon termination of the movement, is received by the docking module at a predetermined position and orientation. The present invention also discloses an autonomous lawn mower having a docking module and a guiding module and a method of guiding an autonomous tool towards a docking station. A docking station for use with an autonomous tool (100) comprises a docking module (200) for detachably receiving the autonomous tool (100) and a guiding module (210) arranged to guide the movement of the autonomous tool (100) towards the docking module (200), wherein the autonomous tool (100), upon termination of the movement, is received by the docking module (200) at a predetermined position and orientation (400).

Abstract: A navigation system for use in an autonomous tool, comprising a plurality of anchors disposed separately on a terrain each arranged to emit an electromagnetic signal; a signaling module including a signal receiver arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal, wherein the signaling module is connected to the autonomous tool arranged to move on the terrain; and a processor arranged to process the electromagnetic signal received by the signal receiver so as to determine a physical distance between the signaling module and each of the plurality of anchors. The processor is further arranged to determine a current position of the signaling module with respect to a reference position on the terrain based on the determined physical distances and map data of the terrain associated with a position of each of the plurality of anchors. The present invention also discloses a method for controlling an autonomous tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide lithium-ion battery configurations with high energy density are disclosed. Embodiments provide lithium-ion batteries comprising an anode that includes 30 to 85 wt. % silicon, thereby facilitating high energy density and high N:P ratio for the lithium-ion batteries. The high N:P ratio further enables fast charging and low temperature charging capabilities of the lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A power tool which contains a casing, a brushless motor (22) mounted inside the casing, a user actuated switch (38) mounted on the casing, and a circuit board (32) mounted inside the casing. The brushless motor (22) is adapted to drive one or more movable parts in the power tool. The circuit board (32) is mechanically connected to the brushless motor (22) and the switch (38) at the same time. As only a single, integrated circuit board (32) is configured in the power tool, the manufacturing cost is reduced and greater reliance and electrical safety can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a charging circuit configured to electrically connect to a plurality of batteries during manufacture of a set of batteries that includes the plurality of batteries. The apparatus further includes a battery bank configured to supply charge to the plurality of batteries during a formation process of each battery of the plurality of batteries and to receive the charge from the plurality of batteries during the formation process. The battery bank has at least one attribute that enables the battery bank to concurrently charge, for each plurality of batteries of the set of batteries, a particular number of batteries based on at least a threshold charging rate and to concurrently discharge, for each plurality of batteries of the set of batteries, the particular number of batteries based on at least a threshold discharging rate.