Power tool with ultrasonic sensor for sensing contact between an implement and an object
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power tool comprising:
- an implement;
an actuator configured to move the implement in a predetermined motion during operation of the power tool;
an implement arrest mechanism;
at least one ultrasonic device; and
a controller operatively connected to the actuator, the at least one ultrasonic device, a memory, and the implement arrest mechanism, the controller configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory to;
operate the actuator to move the implement;
control the at least one ultrasonic device to emit at least one ultrasonic signal;
control the at least one ultrasonic device to receive at least one echo return signal from an object reflecting the at least one ultrasonic signal;
identify a distance between the implement and the object based upon the emitted at least one ultrasonic signal and the received at least one echo return signal;
compare at least one amplitude of the at least one echo return signal to at least one amplitude of the at least one ultrasonic signal; and
control the implement arrest mechanism in response to the identified distance being less than a predetermined distance threshold and in response to the comparison.
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Abstract
A power tool (200) includes a moving implement (222) and an ultrasonic transducer (226) that emits ultrasonic signals and receives echo return signals from an object (224, 229) that reflects the ultrasonic signals. A controller (240) identifies a distance between the implement and the object and identifies a type of the object based on the echo return signals from the object. The controller activates an implement arrest mechanism (236) in response to the distance between the object and the ultrasonic transducer being less than a predetermined threshold and the type of the object corresponding to a portion of a human body.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A power tool comprising:
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an implement; an actuator configured to move the implement in a predetermined motion during operation of the power tool; an implement arrest mechanism; at least one ultrasonic device; and a controller operatively connected to the actuator, the at least one ultrasonic device, a memory, and the implement arrest mechanism, the controller configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory to; operate the actuator to move the implement; control the at least one ultrasonic device to emit at least one ultrasonic signal; control the at least one ultrasonic device to receive at least one echo return signal from an object reflecting the at least one ultrasonic signal; identify a distance between the implement and the object based upon the emitted at least one ultrasonic signal and the received at least one echo return signal; compare at least one amplitude of the at least one echo return signal to at least one amplitude of the at least one ultrasonic signal; and control the implement arrest mechanism in response to the identified distance being less than a predetermined distance threshold and in response to the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power tool comprising:
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an implement; an actuator configured to move the implement in a predetermined motion during operation of the power tool; an implement arrest mechanism; at least one ultrasonic device; and a controller operatively connected to the actuator, the at least one ultrasonic device, a memory, and the implement arrest mechanism, the controller configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory to; operate the actuator to move the implement; control the at least one ultrasonic device to emit at least one ultrasonic signal; control the at least one ultrasonic device to receive at least one echo return signal from an object reflecting the at least one ultrasonic signal; compare at least one amplitude of the at least one echo return signal to at least one amplitude of the at least one ultrasonic signal; and control the implement arrest mechanism in response to the comparison.
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Specification