STRUCTURE WITH COLOR-CHANGING HOUSING
20260056441 ยท 2026-02-26
Inventors
- Swapnil Suresh Rathod (Milwaukee, WI, US)
- Kyle C. Fassbender (Brookfield, WI, US)
- Matthew R. Polakowski (Greenfield, WI, US)
- James P. Elfering (Antioch, IL, US)
- Michael A. Barrowclift (East Troy, WI, US)
- Maria Krutikova (Wauwatosa, WI, US)
- Max Karbin (Milwaukee, WI, US)
Cpc classification
G02F1/1685
PHYSICS
International classification
Abstract
An electrical device capable of emitting or absorbs energy relative a surrounding environment. The electrical device includes a housing, an interior volume defined in the housing, an energy sensor at least partially exposed to the surrounding environment, a first material having a first absorptivity, and a second material having a second absorptivity lower than the first absorptivity. The first material is nearer to the surrounding environment than the second material is at an energy sensor reading below a threshold energy range, and the first material is farther from the surrounding environment than the second material is at an energy sensor reading above the threshold energy range.
Claims
1. An electrical device capable of emitting or absorbing energy relative a surrounding environment, the electrical device comprising: a fluid media; a plurality of negatively charged pigments suspended in the fluid media and having a first absorptivity; a plurality of positively charged pigments suspended in the fluid media and having a second absorptivity; a first electrode positioned on a first side of the fluid media; a second electrode positioned on a second side of the fluid media; an energy sensor; and a controller selectively supplying opposing charge to the first electrode and the second electrode to directionally move the plurality of negatively and positively charged pigments based on one or more signals provided by the energy sensor.
2. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein the controller supplies charge to move the plurality of negatively charged piments in a first direction toward the surrounding environment and to move the plurality of positively charged pigments in an opposing second direction.
3. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein the electrical device has a first appearance with the plurality of negatively charged piments nearer to the surrounding environment than the plurality of positively charged pigments are and a second appearance with the plurality of negatively charged piments further from the surrounding environment than the plurality of positively charged pigments are.
4. The electrical device of claim 3, wherein the first appearance is darker than the second appearance, and wherein the first absorptivity is different from the second absorptivity.
5. The electrical device of claim 4, wherein the electrical device includes a battery further comprising a housing defining an interior volume and having at least one surface exposed to the surrounding environment, wherein the fluid media is at least partially supported on the at least one surface, and wherein one are more cells are at least partially positioned in the interior volume.
6. The electrical device of claim 4, wherein the electrical device includes a power tool further comprising a housing defining an interior volume and having at least one surface exposed to the surrounding environment, wherein the fluid media is at least partially supported on the at least one surface, and wherein a motor is at least partially positioned in the interior volume.
7. The electrical device of claim 4, wherein the electrical device includes a battery charger further comprising a housing defining an interior volume and having at least one surface exposed to the surrounding environment, wherein the fluid media is at least partially supported on the at least one surface, and wherein charging circuitry is at least partially positioned in the interior volume.
8. An electrical device capable of emitting or absorbing energy relative a surrounding environment, the electrical device comprising: an energy mitigating material; a housing including a surface exposed to the surrounding environment, the surface permeated with the energy mitigating material and reflecting or absorbing energy based on a ratio of energy reflectiveness to emissivity, the energy mitigating material effectuating the housing to absorb energy for ratios of energy reflectiveness to emissivity below a threshold amount and effectuating the housing to emit energy for ratios of energy reflectiveness to emissivity above the threshold amount.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0020] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of embodiment and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021]
[0022] With reference to
[0023] In some embodiments, the power tool 26 may include a power tool controller 43 and a field-effect transistor or FET switching bridge 44 that are used to control the motor 34 based on user input. The power tool controller 43 may be implemented similar to the battery controller 24. The FET switching bridge 44 includes an H-Bridge or an inverter bridge to provide operating power to the motor 34 based on PWM signals received from the power tool controller 43. The plurality of terminals 42 may include a positive power terminal, a negative power terminal, a low-power terminal, and/or a communication terminal.
[0024]
[0025] In some embodiments, the charger 46 may incorporate and/or include a portable power supply system, such as the portable power supply described in U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/232,354 , filed on Aug. 12, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Such portable power supply may include one or more of a DC output power conversion unit (e.g., an inverter), an AC output power conversion unit, an input power conversion unit, an internal power source, a corded power tool/corded power supply and/or the like. Such portable power supply may further include one or more ground engaging elements, such as wheels, tracks, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the power supply includes a solar panel. It should be understood that references made below to the capability of the charger 46 also applies to the capability of the portable power supply.
[0026]
[0027]
[0028] The housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and opaque portion 90 described above are all configured to change between a darker color such as black, and a lighter color such as white, based on a change in ambient temperature. The disclosure provides a variety of methods to effectuate such a change in color. In some embodiments, the change in color alters the absorptivity of energy (e.g., light, radiation, and/or heat) of the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and the opaque portion 90.
[0029] In some embodiments, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and/or opaque portion 90 may include an electronic paper display 94, as schematically illustrated in
[0030] The display 94 includes a clear fluid media 98 containing a plurality of negatively charged black pigments 102 and a plurality of positively charged white pigments 106. The display 94 includes a first, transparent, outward facing electrode 110 on a first side 114 of the fluid 98, and a second electrode 118 on a second, opposite side 122 of the fluid 98. Each of the first and second electrodes 110, 118 is electrically connected with a controller 124 that is, in turn, in electrical communication with one or more energy sensors such as a temperature sensors 126. As explained below, the display 94 or individual cells thereof change color based on a temperature detected by the one or more temperature sensors 126.
[0031] As shown in
[0032] As shown in
[0033] In some embodiments, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and/or opaque portion 90 may include a different embodiment of an electronic paper display 94a, as schematically illustrated in
[0034] As shown in
[0035] As shown in
[0036] Again with reference to
[0037] Again with reference to
[0038] In some embodiments of the display 94a of
[0039] In some embodiments, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and opaque portion 90 include thermochromic paint or coating having a white or light color when the ambient temperature is at or above the first predetermined threshold temperature. However, the paint changes to a dark or black color when the ambient temperature is below the first predetermined threshold temperature. Thus, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and/or opaque portion 90 will more readily absorb light such as sunlight and thereby heat, respectively, the battery 10, power tool 26, battery charger 46, portable power supply, or first or second storage containers 70, 70a, such that the battery 10, power tool 26, battery charger 46, other components (e.g., portable power supply and system), or objects stored in the first and second storage containers 70, 70a are less likely to malfunction, fail to charge, or become damaged in cold ambient temperatures.
[0040] In some embodiments, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and opaque portion 90 include thermochromic paint or coating having a black or dark color when the ambient temperature is at or below the second predetermined threshold temperature. However, the paint changes to a light or white color when the ambient temperature is above the second predetermined threshold temperature. Thus, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and/or opaque portion 90 will more readily reflect light such as sunlight, such that the battery 10, power tool 26, portable power supply, battery charger 46, or first or second storage containers 70, 70a will remain relatively cooler. Thus, the battery 10, power tool 26, battery charger 46, other components (e.g., portable power supply and system), or objects stored in the first and second storage containers 70, 70a are less likely to malfunction, fail to charge, or become damaged in hot ambient temperatures.
[0041] In some embodiments, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and opaque portion 90 include ultraviolet (UV)-activated paint, coating, or coloring. The UV-activated paint or coloring is configured to change from light or white to dark or black color when exposed to a UV index that is below the first predetermined threshold temperature. Thus, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and/or opaque portion 90 will more readily absorb light such as sunlight and thereby heat, respectively, the battery 10, power tool 26, portable power supply, battery charger 46, or first or second storage containers 70, 70a, such that the battery 10, power tool 26, battery charger 46, other components (e.g., portable power supply and system), or objects stored in the first and second storage containers 70, 70a are less likely to malfunction, fail to charge, or become damaged in cold ambient temperatures.
[0042] Alternatively, the UV-activated paint or coloring is configured to change from dark or white to dark or black when exposed to a UV index that is above the second predetermined threshold temperature. Thus, the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and/or opaque portion 90 will more readily reflect light such as sunlight, such that the battery 10, power tool 26, portable power supply, battery charger 46, or first or second storage containers 70, 70a will remain relatively cooler. Thus, the battery 10, power tool 26, battery charger 46, other components (e.g., portable power supply and system), or objects stored in the first and second storage containers 70, 70a are less likely to malfunction, fail to charge, or become damaged in hot ambient temperatures
[0043]
[0044]
[0045] Rather than being configured to change between a darker color such as black, and a lighter color such as white, as is for the housings 14, 30, 50, 74, 74a and opaque portion 90, one or more of the lid 82b and the housing 74b of the third storage container 70b are opaque and at least partially formed of a thermal mitigating material. In the illustrated embodiment, infrared reflective material is added to a material used to form the third container 70b. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third storage containers 70, 70a, 70b include an infrared reflecting coating applied to parts or all of the container lid, housing, or the like.
[0046] In one application, the infrared reflective material is a thermal mitigating material applied to a surface or object (e.g., any of the storage containers 70, 70a, 70b) to alter the emissivity of that surface or object. In the illustrated embodiment, a thermal mitigating coating is applied directly to the third storage container 70b to affect a surface reflectiveness () to emissivity () ratio, expressed as / herein. The / ratio is known in the art as a dimensionless number defined between 0, an ideal reflector (e.g., perfect thermal mirror), and 1, an ideal emitter (e.g., perfect black body). The / ratio can thus be specified depending on the coating applied. A similar feature or property is achievable through doping a material (e.g., plastic) with an infrared reflective, or other thermal mitigating, additive.
[0047] In some embodiments, an amount and type of thermal mitigating material applied or added to the first, second, or third storage container 70, 70a, 70b may be measured and integrated therewith such that container 70, 70a, 70b will absorb or emit heat based on the / ratio of the material. Thus, such thermal mitigating material(s) may assist in regulating or maintaining a temperature within the storage container 70, 70a, 70b. In some embodiments, the containers 70, 70a, 70b are impregnated or permeated with thermal mitigating material.
[0048] Just as the housing 74, 74a is configured to become a dark color in response to an ambient temperature falling below a first predetermined threshold temperature and become a light color in response to an ambient temperature rising above a second predetermined threshold temperature, the housing 74b is configured to absorb energy when the / ratio is below a first predetermined threshold / ratio and configured to emit energy when the / ratio is above a first predetermined threshold / ratio.
[0049] The inclusion of such thermal mitigating material(s), through a coating, doping/additive, or like process, may reduce the likelihood of the battery 10, power tool 26, battery charger 46, other components (e.g., portable power supply and system), or other objects stored in the first, second, or third storage containers 70, 70a, 70b to malfunction, fail to charge, or become damaged in hot or cold ambient temperatures. Similarly, inclusion of such thermal mitigating material(s), through a coating, doping/additive, or like process, may reduce the likelihood the components of the portable power supply system will malfunction, fail, or become damaged in any temperatures.
[0050] In any of the embodiments described above, it is possible that the first predetermined temperature is equal to the second predetermined temperature. Similar, in any of the embodiments described above, it is possible that the first predetermined / ratio is equal to the second predetermined / ratio.
[0051] Any of the embodiments described above may also be, in one example application, configured to communicate with the PACKOUT stackable storage system, commercialized by the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.
[0052] Although not specifically discussed herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the embodiments as described.
[0053] Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.