工具篇29：從電池轉接器説專利的利與弊 (Tools 29: On the Pros & Cons of Patent in Using Battery Converter)

不同品牌的工具，電池的鎖扣設計都不同The lock mechanism of battery pack for cordless power tool varies among different manufacturers
並受到發明專利保護，電壓相同也不能交換使用
and protected by patent. They are not exchangeable even their voltages are equivalent
世界各國對功能性發明的保護期多是20年
The protection period for utility patent is around 20yrs in general all over the world
外觀設計較短，美國15年，中國10年
For design patent, it's 15yrs in US while only 10yrs in China
一些國家還有一種是"實用新型"的專利，只有10年
In some countries, there is also a "Petty Patent" which grants 10yr protection to its owner
電池互不通用，對用家來説並不友善
As a matter of fact, proprietary battery pack is not user-friendly
因為種種原因，用家可能購入兩種或以上品牌的工具
User may possess cordless power tools of 2 or more brandnames for over thousand reasons
為方便使用，每件工具都要配備兩個或以上電池
To cope with the practical needs, every tool is better to be couppled with 2 or more battery packs
一個在用時，另一個可同時充電
so as to ensure uninterrupted power supply when one battery is in charging cycle
高強度使用的，還要配備更多後備電池
In heavy-duty application, more is always better than less
外出工作還經常被盗或丢失
And, loss due to theft or missing is also common
無論成本和管理都非常麻煩
It thus causes a lot of troubles in management and overhead control
一個解決方法是用電池轉換器，互相交換使用
Battery converter is thought to be a viable solution
市面上很多知名工具都有副廠的兼容產品
There are many compatible products for reputable brandnames tools and accessories in the market
應是專利保護過期或得到授權生產
Probably because the relevant patent is expired or production licence is granted
包括電池和工具主機，都以廉宜為賣點
Both the tools and the batteries are available at lower prices
但也有冒牌假貨，例如這個M牌電池很易從街檔購得
yet there is fake product like this M~battery can be easily purchased from street hawker
理論上，電池的電壓和電量在指定範圍便能驅動直流電機
Theoretically speaking, electric motor can work normally if supplied with proper DC current
技術含金量不高，品質上當然不似原廠般有保證
The technical content of production is minimal though the quality assurance is another issue
但隨著訊息科技普及化，在提升電量和壽命外
In light of the advancement and application of information technology in all aspects, other than the enhancement of power density and working life of the battery
大廠在新一代的電池和充電器中加入訊息交換
prestigious manufacturers tend to add information exchange function and control to the battery and charger
以便加上各種增值功能
so as to facilitate more features
如穩壓，過充和過放的保護裝置，甚至有防盗功能
like power regulation, prevention of over charging or discharging, and even theft alarming system
開發新產品時，亦可能改用新專利設計
They certainly employ new patented design when developing new products
用兼容電池會喪失部份功能或做成損壞，失去保養
Therefore, the use of compatible battery may cause the loss of some functionalities and warranty. In the worst case, it damages the tool in some ways.
購買時要自行在價格，功能和壽命等平衡取捨
The user must take all the pros and cons into consideration
不建議追求精緻多功能器材的高級玩家或用家
All and all, compatible battery is not recommened to those serious users or advanced players who pursue extreme delicacy and functionality of technology
牧田和大有，是香港較受歡迎的品牌
Makita and Devon are 2 popular brands in HK catering for different customers
牧田屬於高價和高檔工具，很多用家會買兼容產品做輔助備用工具
Makita produces high end and high priced products. Some user may buy compatible products as second or spare tools
大有價錢則是較為大眾化，價錢幾乎和小廠看齊，兼容不流行
whilst Devon supplies the mass market with low cost tools at competitive prices comparable to those from non-famous manufacturers. Compatible products are not common
最近買的一枝20v大有2903型角磨機，特價380元
Recently, we bought a Devon angle grinder at HK$380
但5ah的原廠電池賣400多元，比主機還要貴
Yet the coupling 20v 5ah battery pack costed over HK$400
内部是5組3.75v的18650電池串聯而成
Inside the pack, there are 5 groups of 3.75v 18650 Li-on cells connected in series
其他廠商會標注成18v或21v
Some manufacturers mark this type of battery pack as 18v or 21v
因為手上很多兼容牧田18v的電池和工具
As we have many Makita compatible tools and batteries
反正主機是基本型，用轉接器轉接作後備較划算
and the grinder is just a basic model, the use of converter is justified
買時要留意説明，不能簡單説x牌轉y牌
Upon buying, simply mentioning the convertion between two brandnames is confusing
要説清楚電池和主機的品牌規格
Instead, the standrad and brandname of battery and tool must be specified
以我們為例，需要"牧田18v電池接大有機的轉換器"
Take our case as example, we need converter for using 18v Makita compatible battery on Devon tool.
實體店和海内外網店都有售
Converter is availble at online shop or common street retailer
在内地網上購的一個，聲稱第二代，約50多港元
However, the one claimed to be gen 2 we bought at about $50 online from China
但卡扣不合，不能完全進入，要稍後嘗試改裝
is found to be unfitted to the grinder
在實體店再買一個要98元，轉接没發現問題
We then bought another from street retailer at $98 to solve the problem
牧田原廠或兼容的18v電池都能工作
It seamlessly works with either compatible or genuine Makita battery pack
反過來, 在牧田的工具上用大有電池也可以
And vise versa, we may use Devon battery or compatible on Makita or compatible tool with appropriate converter
購買時，説明是"大有"20v規格電池用牧田機的轉換器"
Again, specify that It's intended for using 20v Devon battery on Makita tool.
網購只需30元左右，這個轉接很順利 (示範工具為兼容牧田工具）
The online ahop prices it at about $30 (Demo Item: Makita Compatible Tool)
同樣理由，我們不建議用在原廠高階新型號上
For the same reason, we don't recommend it for genuine high end fancy devices..