In a current sensor abnormality diagnosis device, an abnormality judgment section determines that the phase current sensors are operating normally when a sum of three phase currents is not more than a threshold value, and a bus current sensor is operating normally based on a comparison result between three phase currents and a bus current. The abnormality judgment section detects which the phase current sensor has failed based on the three phase currents and the bus current when the sum of the three phase currents is more than the threshold value. Because of using the comparison results of the three phase currents with the bus current in addition to the sum of the three phase currents, it is possible for the abnormality judgment section to detect the occurrence of abnormality of each of these current sensors even if the detected current has an undefined value.

An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head having a suction opening defined along a bottom thereof, a handle assembly connected to the cleaning head, a motor, and a blower connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction opening upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes an electrical connection interface selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The electrical connection interface is electrically connectable to the motor via an electrical path such that an AC current is supplied to the motor when the AC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface, and a DC current is supplied to the motor when the DC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface.

An electronic power equipment, which is configured to be connected to both an AC power source and a DC power source, has a motor 14 configured to be driven by both AC power and DC power, an AC circuit 30 for supplying AC electric power to the motor 14, a DC circuit 40 for supplying DC electric power to the motor 14, switching parts RL1-RL12 for switching between the AC circuit 30 and the DC circuit 40 wherein the AC and DC circuits are insulated relative to each other, and a controller A1 configured to control the switching parts RL1-RL12, the AC circuit 30, and the DC circuit 40.

An electronic power equipment, which is configured to be connected to both an AC power source and a DC power source, has a motor 14 configured to be driven by both AC power and DC power, an AC circuit 30 for supplying AC electric power to the motor 14, a DC circuit 40 for supplying DC electric power to the motor 14, switching parts RL1-RL12 for switching between the AC circuit 30 and the DC circuit 40 wherein the AC and DC circuits are insulated relative to each other, and a controller A1 configured to control the switching parts RL1-RL12, the AC circuit 30, and the DC circuit 40.

A power adapter for use with a power tool having an electric motor, and configured to supply electric power from an alternating current power supply to the power tool, is provided. The adapter includes a housing and an auxiliary capacitor circuit housed within the housing. The auxiliary capacitor circuit includes an auxiliary capacitor, a switch in series with the auxiliary capacitor, and a switch control circuit. A state of the switch creates either a charging path for the auxiliary capacitor or both the charging path and a discharging path for the auxiliary capacitor, and the switch control circuit is configured to detect voltage associated with the power supply or the power tool and to control state of the switch in accordance with magnitude of the detected voltage.

A power adapter for use with a power tool having an electric motor, and configured to supply electric power from an alternating current power supply to the power tool, is provided. The adapter includes a housing and an auxiliary capacitor circuit housed within the housing. The auxiliary capacitor circuit includes an auxiliary capacitor, a switch in series with the auxiliary capacitor, and a switch control circuit. A state of the switch creates either a charging path for the auxiliary capacitor or both the charging path and a discharging path for the auxiliary capacitor, and the switch control circuit is configured to detect voltage associated with the power supply or the power tool and to control state of the switch in accordance with magnitude of the detected voltage.

A multi-voltage battery pack for use with tools of different operating voltages including a housing, a first string of battery cells arranged in electrical series and disposed inside the housing, the first string having a first positive voltage terminal and a first negative voltage terminal, a second string of battery cells arranged in electrical series and disposed inside the housing, the second string having a second positive voltage terminal and a second negative voltage terminal, and a power tool interface shaped and configured to interchangeably (1) mechanically and electrically couple with a first battery pack interface of a first power tool that is configured to operate at a first operating voltage, and (2) mechanically and electrically couple with a second battery pack interface of a second power tool that is configured to operate at a second operating voltage.

A multi-voltage battery pack for use with tools of different operating voltages including a housing, a first string of battery cells arranged in electrical series and disposed inside the housing, the first string having a first positive voltage terminal and a first negative voltage terminal, a second string of battery cells arranged in electrical series and disposed inside the housing, the second string having a second positive voltage terminal and a second negative voltage terminal, and a power tool interface shaped and configured to interchangeably (1) mechanically and electrically couple with a first battery pack interface of a first power tool that is configured to operate at a first operating voltage, and (2) mechanically and electrically couple with a second battery pack interface of a second power tool that is configured to operate at a second operating voltage.

Soft start systems for electrically powered tools are described. The soft start systems use direction feedback signal(s) from a direction selection switch of the power tool. Also described are power tools using such soft start systems. In addition, electrical power circuits using the soft start systems are described.

A cordless power tool system including (a) a multi-voltage battery pack for use with tools of different operating voltages including a housing, a first string of battery cells arranged in electrical series and disposed inside the housing, a second string of battery cells arranged in electrical series and disposed inside the housing, and a power tool interface shaped and configured to interchangeably (1) mechanically and electrically couple with a first battery pack interface of a first power tool that is configured to operate at a first operating voltage, and (2) mechanically and electrically couple with a second battery pack interface of a second power tool that is configured to operate at a second operating voltage, and (b) a battery pack charger configured to charge the multi-voltage battery pack.