Modular router with base sensor
First Claim
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1. A power tool comprising:
- a base unit including a handle, a first electrical connector, and a switch positioned on the handle, the switch moveable between an on position and an off position;
a motor unit configured to be releasably connected to the base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor and a second electrical connector, the electric motor including a drive member configured to enable a cutting tool to be releasably secured thereto, wherein an electrical connection is established between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit; and
a base interface circuit configured to monitor voltage levels of the second electrical connector and to generate a signal in response to detecting at least one voltage level indicating that the electrical connection exists and that the switch is in the on position; and
a power control circuit configured to deliver electrical power to the electric motor in response to the signal, the power control circuit being further configured to detect that a fault condition exists when power is delivered to the electric motor while the electrical connection exists and the switch is in the off position, and to deprive the electric motor of power in response to the detection of the fault condition.
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Abstract
A power tool comprises a base unit and a motor unit. The base unit includes a handle and a first electrical connector. The motor unit includes an electric motor and a second electrical connector. The motor unit is configured to be releasably connected to the base unit. An electrical connection is established between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit. A sensor is configured to determine whether the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A power tool comprising:
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a base unit including a handle, a first electrical connector, and a switch positioned on the handle, the switch moveable between an on position and an off position; a motor unit configured to be releasably connected to the base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor and a second electrical connector, the electric motor including a drive member configured to enable a cutting tool to be releasably secured thereto, wherein an electrical connection is established between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit; and a base interface circuit configured to monitor voltage levels of the second electrical connector and to generate a signal in response to detecting at least one voltage level indicating that the electrical connection exists and that the switch is in the on position; and a power control circuit configured to deliver electrical power to the electric motor in response to the signal, the power control circuit being further configured to detect that a fault condition exists when power is delivered to the electric motor while the electrical connection exists and the switch is in the off position, and to deprive the electric motor of power in response to the detection of the fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A modular power tool comprising:
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a first base unit including a motor power switch moveable between an on position and an off position; a second base unit including a motor power switch movable between an on position and an off position; a motor unit configured for releasable connection to either the first base unit or the second base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor, the electric motor including a drive member configured to enable a cutting tool to be releasably secured thereto, wherein an electrical connection is established between the motor unit and either the first base unit or the second base unit when the motor unit is connected to the respective first base unit or second base unit; and a power control circuit configured to control electrical power delivery to the electric motor, the power control circuit configured to deprive the electric motor of electrical power when the motor unit is not properly connected to either the first base unit or the second base unit; wherein the power control circuit is further configured to deprive the electric motor of electrical power if a fault condition exists, the wherein fault condition results in power being delivered to the electric motor after the motor power switch is moved to the off position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A power tool comprising:
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a base unit including a first electrical connector, a handle, and a motor power switch positioned on the handle, the motor power switch moveable between a first position and a second position; a motor unit releasably connected to the base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor and a second electrical connector, the electric motor including a drive member configured to enable a cutting tool to be releasably secured thereto, wherein an electrical connection is established between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit; and a power control circuit configured to deliver electrical power to the electric motor if an electrical connection exists between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector and if the motor power switch on the handle is in an on position, wherein the power control circuit is further configured to determine if a fault condition exists in the power control circuit, the fault condition resulting in power being delivered to the electric motor after the motor power switch on the handle is moved to the off position, and wherein the power control circuit is configured to deprive power to the electric motor if the fault condition exists.
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Specification