Position feedback control method and power tool
First Claim
1. A power tool, comprising:
- a chuck having a distal end configured to secure a tool; and
a motor configured to rotate the chuck and the tool secured to the chuck;
a first position sensor comprising;
a first radiation source configured to project first radiation toward a workpiece; and
a first radiation receiver configured to receive the first radiation reflected by the workpiece and generate, based on the first radiation received by the first radiation receiver, a first signal that is indicative of a first distance between the first position sensor and the workpiece;
a second position sensor comprising;
a second radiation source configured to project second radiation toward the workpiece; and
a second radiation receiver configured to receive the second radiation reflected by the workpiece and generate, based on the second radiation received by the second radiation receiver, a second signal that is indicative of a second distance between the second position sensor and the workpiece; and
a controller configured to;
determine, based on the first signal, the first distance between the first position sensor and the workpiece;
determine, based on the second signal, the second distance between the second position sensor and the workpiece;
generate an output signal indicative of whether the first distance and the second distance specify a first angle of the power tool with respect to the workpiece that is within a predetermined range;
retain any of the first distance and the second distance that is greater than a distance between a respective one of the position sensors and the distal end of the chuck;
determine, based on the retained distances, a measurement of a drive depth of the tool into the workpiece; and
generate, based on the measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the motor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of power tool and method of operating same are described. The power tool may include a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, and a controller. The first, second, and third position sensors may each generate a signal indicative of a distance between the respective position sensor and a workpiece. The controller may determine one or more angles of the power tool with respect to the workpiece based on the first, second, and third signal and present an indication as to whether the one or more angles are within a predetermined range. The controller may further obtain a depth measurement based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal and generate, based on the obtained depth measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the power tool.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A power tool, comprising:
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a chuck having a distal end configured to secure a tool; and a motor configured to rotate the chuck and the tool secured to the chuck; a first position sensor comprising; a first radiation source configured to project first radiation toward a workpiece; and a first radiation receiver configured to receive the first radiation reflected by the workpiece and generate, based on the first radiation received by the first radiation receiver, a first signal that is indicative of a first distance between the first position sensor and the workpiece; a second position sensor comprising; a second radiation source configured to project second radiation toward the workpiece; and a second radiation receiver configured to receive the second radiation reflected by the workpiece and generate, based on the second radiation received by the second radiation receiver, a second signal that is indicative of a second distance between the second position sensor and the workpiece; and a controller configured to; determine, based on the first signal, the first distance between the first position sensor and the workpiece; determine, based on the second signal, the second distance between the second position sensor and the workpiece; generate an output signal indicative of whether the first distance and the second distance specify a first angle of the power tool with respect to the workpiece that is within a predetermined range; retain any of the first distance and the second distance that is greater than a distance between a respective one of the position sensors and the distal end of the chuck; determine, based on the retained distances, a measurement of a drive depth of the tool into the workpiece; and generate, based on the measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a power tool comprising a chuck having a distal end configured to secure a tool and a motor configured to rotate the chuck and the tool secured to the chuck, the method comprising:
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projecting first radiation from a first radiation source of a first position sensor of the power tool toward a workpiece; receiving, with a first radiation receiver of the first position sensor, the first radiation reflected by the workpiece; generating, with the first radiation receiver of the first position sensor based on the first radiation received by the first radiation receiver, a first signal that is indicative of a first distance between the first position sensor and the workpiece; projecting second radiation from a second radiation source of a second position sensor of the power tool toward the workpiece; receiving, with a second radiation receiver of the second position sensor, the second radiation reflected by the workpiece; generating, with the second radiation receiver of the second position sensor based on the second radiation received by the second radiation receiver, a second signal that is indicative of a second distance between the second position sensor and the workpiece; determining, with a controller of the power tool based on the first signal, the first distance between the first position sensor and the workpiece; determining, with the controller based on the second signal, the second distance between the second position sensor and the workpiece; generating, with the controller, an output signal indicative of whether the first distance and the second distance specify a first angle of the power tool with respect to the workpiece that is within a predetermined range; retaining, with the controller, any of the first distance and the second distance that is greater than a distance between a respective one of the position sensors and the distal end of the chuck; determining, with the controller based on the retained distances, a measurement of a drive depth of the tool into the workpiece; and generating, with the controller based on the measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification