Control module for flywheel operated hand tool
First Claim
1. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
- comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate a target speed signal, wherein said target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member;
a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor;
a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and
a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control module advantageously reduces cost and enhances reliability, design flexibility, ease of assembly, and performance of a flywheel operated hand tool. The control module includes a thin film printed circuit with non-contact speed sensing of a flywheel to more accurately set the target speed and control transfer kinetic energy thereof to a fastener, achieving a desired depth regardless of variations in component performance and battery voltage. The printed circuit also includes long service life thin film switches for responding to trigger and safety inputs. Furthermore, the control module responds to a user speed selection and to preset speed selection ranges to reconfigure the controls as appropriate to constraints of a fastener drive assembly and to user preferences.
35 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
comprising; a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate a target speed signal, wherein said target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals.- View Dependent Claims (2, 7)
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3. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command a clutch mechanism with electronic communciation communication of a second command signal in response to a function comprising a second function of the input signals;
, wherein the clutch mechanism is operable to mechanically impart kinetic energy of the rotary member to a driving mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (4, 20, 21, 22, 24, 44, 45)
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, comprising;
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5. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;wherein the trigger circuit further comprises;
a mechanical control for receiving a user input for operation of the hand tool;
, and a thin film switch in physical communication with the mechanical control and in electrical communication with the controller.
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, comprising;
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6. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
, wherein the first command signal is received by a direct current electric motor, wherein the direct current electric motor is in mechanical communication with the rotary member.
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, comprising;
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8. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;wherein the target speed adjustment circuit further comprises a variable potentiometer, wherein the variable potentiometer is operable to vary the target speed signal and where said adjustable target speed signal comprises a preset target speed range within which a user may adjust said target speed of said rotary member. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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, comprising;
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10. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user;
anda controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
further comprising anda mode circuit electronically operable to communicate a mode signal, wherein the mode signal represents a desired mode of constancy of rotation of the rotary member;
, wherein the mode circuit comprises a mode selection switch, wherein said mode selection switch is responsive to a user'"'"'s mode selection between continuous and non-continuous mode, wherein the mode signal further represents a user'"'"'s mode selection of desired mode of constancy of rotation of the rotary member,;
wherein the inputs of the controller further comprise an input signal comprising a mode signal, wherein the controller is responsive to the mode signal by commanding the rotation of the rotary member in accordance with the user'"'"'s mode selection.
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, comprising;
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11. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user;
anda controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
further comprising a mode circuit electronically operable to communicate a mode signal, anda safety circuit electronically operable to communicate a safety signal, wherein the safety signal is operable to prevent kinetic energy from being imparted from the rotary member; wherein the inputs of the controller further comprise an input signal comprising the safety signal, wherein the controller is configured to respond to a safety signal by commanding the prevention of the impartation of kinetic energy from the rotary member.
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, comprising;
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12. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user;
andcontroller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
further comprising anda safety circuit electronically operable to communicate a safety signal, wherein said safety signal is operable to allow kinetic energy to be imparted from the rotary member; wherein the inputs of the controller further comprise an input signal comprising the safety signal, wherein the controller is configured to respond to a safety signal by allowing the impartation of kinetic energy from the rotary member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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, comprising;
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16. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
, wherein the controller is responsive to one or more enabling conditions, wherein the controller is operable to command the impartation of kinetic energy from the rotary member in the presence of said one or more enabling conditions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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, comprising;
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19. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;wherein said rotary member further comprises a ring magnet comprising a plurality of radially arrayed pairs of magnetic poles and wherein the rotational speed of said rotary member is directly sensed by a transducer sensing alternating north and south magnetic fields during rotation of said rotary member.
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, comprising;
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23. A control module for a hand tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;wherein said target speed of said rotary member is independent of user displacement of said trigger.
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, comprising;
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25. A control module for a hand held fastener driving tool powered by DC power having a rotary member;
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, comprising;
a target speed adjustment circuit operable to electronically communicate an adjustable target speed signal, wherein said adjustable target speed signal represents a target speed for the rotary member and that is representative of user target speed input; a speed sensor circuit operable to electronically communicate a rotary speed signal, wherein said rotary speed signal represents a rotary speed of the rotary member, wherein said rotary speed is determined by a sensor; a trigger circuit electronically operable to communicate a trigger signal, wherein said trigger signal represents engagement of a trigger by a user; and a controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs;
, wherein the inputs of the controller comprise input signals comprising the adjustable target speed signal, the rotary speed signal, and the trigger signal;
, wherein the controller is operably configured to command the rotary member with electronic communication of a first command signal in response to a function comprising a first function of the input signals;
, wherein said controller is operably configured to command a clutch mechanism with electronic communication of a second command signal in response to a function comprising a second function of the input signals, and wherein the clutch mechanism is operable to mechanically impart kinetic energy of the rotary member to a driving mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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, comprising;
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28. A hand tool, comprising:
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a rotary inertial member; an electric motor coupled to turn the rotary inertial member; a magazine containing a plurality of fasteners; a reciprocating driven mechanism positioned to sequentially drive one of the plurality of fasteners into a workpiece; an energy transfer mechanism responsive to an engagement signal to couple the rotary inertial member to the reciprocating driven mechanism; and a controller operatively configured to sense a parameter representative of rotational speed of the rotary inertial member, to command the electric motor to accelerate the rotary inertial member to a target speed in response to a user input, wherein the target speed is representative of an adjustable user-defined target speed input, and to generate an engagement signal in response to a determination of a firing condition. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A hand tool, comprising:
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a rotary inertial member; an electric motor coupled to turn the rotary inertial member; a magazine containing a plurality of fasteners; a reciprocating driven mechanism positioned to sequentially drive one of the plurality of fasteners into a workpiece; an energy transfer mechanism responsive to an engagement signal to couple the rotary inertial member to the reciprocating driven mechanism; and a controller operatively configured to sense a parameter representative of rotational speed of the rotary inertial member, to command the electric motor to accelerate the rotary inertial member to a target speed in response to a user input, and to generate an engagement signal in response to a determination of a firing condition, wherein the controller is further operatively configured to respond to the firing condition which comprises a trigger signal, a safety signal, and the parameter representative of the rotational speed being approximately equal to the target speed.
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43. A hand tool, comprising:
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a rotary inertial member; an electric motor coupled to turn the rotary inertial member; a magazine containing a plurality of fasteners; a reciprocating driven mechanism positioned to sequentially drive one of the plurality of fasteners into a workpiece; an energy transfer mechanism responsive to an engagement signal to couple the rotary inertial member to the reciprocating driven mechanism; and a controller operatively configured to sense a parameter representative of rotational speed of the rotary inertial member, to command the electric motor to accelerate the rotary inertial member to a target speed in response to a user input, and to generate an engagement signal in response to a determination of a firing condition, wherein the user input comprises a user dispense command, wherein the controller is further operably configured to sense and time a held safety signal, to sense a trigger signal, and to determine the user dispense command when the held safety signal precedes and is simultaneous with the trigger signal so long as the held safety signal precedes the trigger signal by no more than a valid trigger time-out value.
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Specification