Drive Means Responsive To Torque Or Speed Condition Patents (Class 173/176)
  • Patent number: 11938598
    Abstract: Position sensing related to a component within a power tool. The component within the power tool is, for example, a hammer of an impact mechanism and can include one or more sensible features that allow a controller of the power tool to precisely determine the position, speed, and acceleration of the component. One or more sensors can be used to determine the rotational position of the hammer and the axial position of the hammer. The rotational position of the hammer can then be used to calculate, for example, rotational speed and acceleration of the hammer. With precise determinations of the rotational and axial position of the hammer, the controller of the power tool is able to precisely time the impact between the hammer and the anvil to optimize the impact between the hammer and the anvil (e.g., to maximize energy transfer between the hammer and the anvil).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob P. Schneider, John S. Dey, IV, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Patent number: 11896264
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are push activated intraosseous (IO) access devices, and methods thereof. Embodiments include replaceable and rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery packs, or spring driven devices. Intraosseous access devices often require training to ensure correct placement of the access device. Users must coordinate the opposing actions of pulling proximally on a trigger, while applying sufficient distal drive force to penetrate the bone. Devices disclosed herein include an intuitive operation with a unidirectional activation and drive force application. Further the trigger is both activated and deactivated automatically to prevent premature activation and prevent “backwalling”. The device includes various indicators to further guide a user in placing the device correctly, with little or no training. Devices further include replaceable battery packs to ensure a full charge is available when the device is used, and to provide a multi-use device that requires less storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Lindekugel, Daniel B. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 11878403
    Abstract: A rotary tool includes a tool body, a motor, a determining part, a monitoring part and a criterion changing part. The motor is housed in the tool body and configured to drive the tool accessory. The determining part is configured to determine whether or not excessive rotation of the tool body around the driving axis due to jamming of the tool accessory occurs, according to a specific determination criterion. The monitoring part is configured to monitor information relating to a use state of the rotary tool. The criterion changing part is configured to change the determination criterion according to the use state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hikaru Sunabe, Akihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 11839385
    Abstract: A system including an instrument having a working tool configured to penetrate a tissue; a sensor configured to generate in real-time one or more torque signals related to torque of the working tool; a controller in operative communication with the sensor and configured to receive the one or more torque signals. The controller processes the torque signals into one or more processed signals representative of torque, energy, power or a combination thereof. The system also includes a display providing to the user in real-time the one or more processed signals. Related devices, systems, methods, and articles are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: QUARTUS ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Anderson, John J. Perry, Michael M. Karch, Anthony D. Truscott, Edward J. Dohring
  • Patent number: 11806855
    Abstract: An electric power tool in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, an impact mechanism, an impact detector, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls a motor current based on a drive duty ratio in a first driving term. The first driving term corresponds to a time period from when the motor is started until impact is detect. The drive duty ratio corresponds to a sum of a basic duty ratio and a proportional duty ratio. The control circuit controls the motor current so that an actual rotational speed of the motor is consistent with a target rotational speed after elapse of the first driving term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Itsuku Kato
  • Patent number: 11707776
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor and a gear speed reducer. The motor has a motor shaft that is rotatable in a normal direction and in a reverse direction. The gear speed reducer is operably coupled to the motor shaft. The gear speed reducer is configured such that a reduction ratio of the gear speed reducer is changed in response to a change of a rotation direction of the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Ikuta, Yosuke Naoi
  • Patent number: 11705721
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a motor having a rotor and a stator, at least one grip sensor configured to generate a grip parameter, and a switching network electrically coupled to the brushless DC motor. An electronic processor is connected to the switching network and the at least one grip sensor and configured to implement kickback control of the power tool. The electronic processor is configured to determine a kickback threshold based on the grip parameter, control the switching network to drive the motor, receive a signal related to a power tool characteristic, determine, based on the power tool characteristic being greater than or equal to the kickback threshold, that a kickback event of the power tool is occurring, and control, in response to determining that the kickback event is occurring, the switching network to cease driving of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Maxwell L. Merget, Jessie L. Bernitt
  • Patent number: 11691256
    Abstract: A power tool with an impact mechanism and that is controlled based on a drive angle from impacting. The power tool includes a housing, a brushless direct current (DC) motor within the housing, an impact mechanism, and an output drive device. The brushless DC motor includes a rotor coupled to a motor shaft to produce a rotational output. The impact mechanism includes a hammer coupled to the motor shaft, and an anvil that receives impacts from the hammer and drives an output device. The power tool further includes a position sensor that senses a position of the rotor and a controller coupled to the position sensor. The controller detects an impact of the impact mechanism, calculates a drive angle of the anvil caused by the impact based on output from the position sensor, and controls the brushless DC motor based on the drive angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Dey, IV, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Patent number: 11646642
    Abstract: A controller of a power tool outputs a driving signal to a motor driving circuit and acquires a position of a rotor of a brushless motor. While acquiring the position of the rotor of the brushless motor, a phase voltage or a line voltage of a winding of the brushless motor is detected through the voltage detection circuit. Whether an upper bridge arm switching element, a lower bridge arm switching element, and/or the brushless motor is short-circuited is determined according to the phase voltage or the line voltage of the winding of the brushless motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenkang Tong
  • Patent number: 11547445
    Abstract: Powered drivers operable to insert an intraosseous device into a bone are disclosed. Some of the present powered drivers include a housing having a distal end and a proximal end. A driveshaft may be located near the distal end of the housing and configured to engage a portion of the intraosseous device. A motor may be disposed in the housing and operable to rotate the driveshaft. A power source may be disposed within the housing and configured to power the motor. The powered drivers may include a lockout operable to prevent activation of the driver for increased safety when handling the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TELEFLEX LIFE SCIENCES LIMITED
    Inventors: John Morgan, Larry J. Miller, Robert W. Titkemeyer, Chris Kilcoin
  • Patent number: 11529720
    Abstract: A rotating power tool is provided. The rotating power tool may include a bevel gear set having a bevel gear and a conductive spiral disposed on the bevel gear. The conductive spiral may be configured to, in response to the bevel gear deforming due to a torque being applied to the bevel gear, change a resistance of the conductive spiral. The rotating power tool may further include an antenna electrically connected to the conductive spiral. The antenna may be configured to emit an output signal at a frequency that is based on the resistance value of the conductive spiral. The frequency of the output signal may be indicative of an amount of torque being applied to the bevel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Francis Kovacs, II
  • Patent number: 11485007
    Abstract: A hand-held electrical power tool includes a working device for performing working function of the hand-held electrical power tool, a power device including a motor for driving the working device, a power supplying unit for supplying power to the power device, and an operating device through which a user can operate. The operating device includes an operating handle and a speed regulating device arranged beside the operating handle. The speed regulating device includes a speed regulating switch and a speed regulating operating member connected to the speed regulating switch and driving the speed regulating switch. When the rotating speed of the motor increases from zero to the maximum, the rotating angle of the speed regulating operating member is 0-360 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jingcheng Zhu
  • Patent number: 11484998
    Abstract: An electric torque wrench capable of sensing a manual operating torque includes: an outer housing having an accommodating space at an internal thereof, a motor and a reduction device arranged therein; the reduction device having a reduction gear assembly with a hollow ring gear member; a front end of the ring gear member having at least one extension arm and at least one sensing plane formed thereon; a torque sensing unit arranged on the sensing plane; a driving device installed at the front end of the outer housing and having a working head arranged at the front end thereof; the extension arm of the ring gear member secured and attached onto the driving device. With the torque sensing unit installed on the extension arm, the electric torque wrench can be rotated manually with hand and is able to measure the torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TECHWAY INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hua Hsu, Wei-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11439059
    Abstract: A grass trimmer includes a grass trimmer head, a brushless motor, a drive circuit, and a controller. The grass trimmer head includes a spool and a head housing. The spool is configured to wind a grass trimmer rope. The head housing is configured to accommodate the spool. The grass trimmer has an automatic winding mode. In the automatic winding mode, the brushless motor drives at least one of the spool and the head housing so that the spool and the head housing rotate relatively and the grass trimmer rope is automatically wound onto the spool. The controller is configured to: in the automatic winding mode, output a control signal to the drive circuit according to at least one of the given voltage and the given current so that the rotation speed of the brushless motor is basically constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiubo Dai
  • Patent number: 11372388
    Abstract: A method of alarm of a screw-locking error includes retrieving a confidence interval of screw-locking parameter data of different screw specifications, setting locking parameter data of a screw-locking process according to a range of the confidence intervals, acquiring locking parameter data in real time, collating the acquired locking parameter data, analyzing the collated locking parameter data to obtain normal locking parameter data and abnormal locking parameter data, and analyzing the abnormal locking parameter data to obtain an error type of each abnormal locking parameter data. The abnormal locking parameter data and the corresponding error type of the abnormal locking parameter data are reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: FOXCONN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (TAIYUAN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Shou Tseng, Juan Zhang, Lu Han, Zi-Wei Gao
  • Patent number: 11278297
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a handheld surgical instrument that comprises a rotary surgical end effector and a coupler configured to cause rotation of the same. The handheld surgical instrument further comprises a motor, which is configured to drive a motor output region. The handheld surgical instrument further comprises a transmission, which defines a transmission input region that interfaces with the motor output region and a transmission output region coupled to the transmission input region. The transmission output region is operably coupled to the coupler, and the transmission is configured to alter the speed of the coupler relative to the motor output region. The motor output region and the transmission input region interface one another at a motor-transmission interface, and the motor-transmission interface comprises a motor-transmission backlash such that drive of the motor output region within the motor-transmission backlash does not cause rotation of the rotary surgical end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Paul Hines, Rahul Sharma, Sean Christopher Laughery
  • Patent number: 11154976
    Abstract: A tool includes a switch and a controller. The switch is configured to cause an electric component to operate. The switch includes a switch manipulation part and a load sensor. The switch manipulation part is configured to manipulate the switch. The load sensor is configured to detect a load corresponding to a pressing force according to a manipulation of the switch manipulation part. The controller is configured to correct an output corresponding to the load detected by the load sensor. The switch is configured to cause the electric component to operate based on the output corrected by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohide Tsutsui, Yuusuke Ohsawa, Tomohiko Serita
  • Patent number: 11077539
    Abstract: An electric motor-driven tool is configured to make a notification to a worker about a set value of tightening torque as necessary before starting tightening work. An electric motor-driven screwdriver includes an electric motor-driven screwdriver body capable of changing a setting of the magnitude of tightening torque to be applied when tightening a screw, and a notification device for making a notification to a worker about a set value of tightening torque. If the set value of tightening torque has been set to a value greater than a threshold value (reference value), a control circuit of the electric motor-driven screwdriver sends a notification execution signal to the notification device before the electric motor-driven screwdriver body is started to be driven, thereby enabling a notification to the worker to be made by the notification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NITTO KOHKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shota Arai
  • Patent number: 11045926
    Abstract: An impact driver or impact tool includes a motor, a motor housing that houses the motor, a grip housing integrally provided with the motor housing, a hammer case is disposed frontward of the motor housing, a spindle rotated by the motor, a hammer housed inside the hammer case and configured to be rotated by the spindle, and an anvil housed inside the hammer case which anvil is configured to be impacted by the hammer. In this impact driver, a length from a rear end of the motor housing to a front end of the anvil (i.e., the front-rear length of a main body) is less than 128 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryunosuke Kumagai, Tokuo Hirabayashi, Hidenori Nagasaka, Manabu Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11040421
    Abstract: A torque tool for use subsea with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a tool housing, a socket drive configured to rotate within the tool housing, and a drive mechanism configured to provide torque to rotate the socket drive within the tool housing. The drive mechanism includes a first torque electric drive motor configured to provide a first torque to the socket drive, and a second torque electric drive motor configured to provide a second torque to the socket drive different from the first torque. The first torque electric drive motor and the second torque electric drive motor are configured to together provide a third torque that is higher than the first torque and the second torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Sleet, David Owen
  • Patent number: 11000971
    Abstract: A method for operating a machine tool that includes an electric motor for driving a drilling tool and an open- and closed-loop controller for open- and closed loop control of the motor power. The method includes: operating the machine tool in a tapping mode at a first rotational speed value, where the first rotational speed value is lower than a predetermined idling speed value of the electric motor; detecting a predetermined first threshold value for the motor current; reducing the motor current to a predetermined second threshold value when the first threshold value is exceeded; operating the machine tool at a second rotational speed value, where the second rotational speed value is lower than the first rotational speed value; operating the electric motor at a predetermined motor current value; and operating the controller for closed loop control of the motor power via the motor current with an oscillating action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Sattler, Tobias Drexl
  • Patent number: 10953524
    Abstract: An impact fastening tool may include a motor; a hammer configured to be rotationally driven by the motor; an anvil configured to be hit in a rotational direction by the hammer; a signal obtainer configured to obtain a variable signal which varies in accordance with a hit to the anvil by the hammer; and a seating determiner configured to determine whether or not a fastener has been seated based on the variable signal obtained by the signal obtainer, wherein the seating determiner is configured to determine whether or not the fastener has been seated based on a signal component of the variable signal obtained by the signal obtainer, the signal component corresponding to a predetermined reference frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Sako, Takaaki Osada, Hirokatsu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10919134
    Abstract: An impact rotary tool comprises a driving source that is supplied with power from a battery pack and that rotates a hammer via a drive shaft, and a controlling unit that controls the driving source. The controlling unit controls the driving source so that the striking force is limited by PWM control when the battery pack voltage is high and the striking force is maintained even when the battery pack voltage decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Tsubakimoto
  • Patent number: 10864623
    Abstract: A convertible power tool that can operate in first and second configurations. The tool includes a base unit configured to receive at one time either a first module or a second module. The different modules provide for different levels of functionality. The first module includes one or more components that provide for a first level of functionality. The second module includes one or more components that provide for an advanced second level of functionality. Each of the base unit and first and second modules may include interfaces that provide for physical engagement as well as power/data engagement. In use, one of the first and second modules is connected to the base unit to provide for the desired functionality incorporated with the tool. The tool may also be reconfigured by removing the attached module and replacing it with the other module thus providing for a different functionality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: David Wise, Phillip Bua
  • Patent number: 10702284
    Abstract: A tool fitting attachment for a surgical drill can include a drive-side coupling for mounting on a drive unit which provides a torque via a motor, and an output-side coupling for receiving a tool. A drive unit is integrated between the two couplings and can be manually operated. A surgical drill can include an electric motor which is connected via the drive-side coupling of the tool fitting attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Roland-Alois Högerle, Jan Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 10675747
    Abstract: A control method is provided for a hand-held power tool (1), which includes a motor (5) for rotationally driving a tool holder (2) about a working axis (12), including the following steps: detecting a rotary motion of the hand-held power tool (1) about the working axis (12); detecting a rotary or pivoting motion about a transverse axis (18) extending transversely to the working axis (12); triggering a safety function for reducing the torque output of the motor (5) when the rotary motion about the working axis (12) exceeds a limiting value, and suppressing the safety function when the rotary or pivoting motion about the transverse axis (18) is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manuel Gut, Roland Schaer, Michael Wierer, Thomas Kinkeldei
  • Patent number: 10611006
    Abstract: A lockable torque wrench providing acoustic indication includes a main shaft, a handle tube, a first cleat, a locking ring, a second cleat, a clip, and a torque-adjusting component. The handle tube is mounted around the main shaft, and the locking ring is rotatably mounted around the handle tube. The first cleat is movably provided between the locking ring and the handle tube. The second cleat is movably provided between the main shaft and the locking ring. The torque-adjusting component is located between the main shaft and the handle tube. Thereby, a user can rotate the locking ring to lock or release the main shaft and the handle tube with respect to each other. When the two are released for torque adjustment of the torque wrench, the second cleat pushes the clip to impact the locking ring, thereby generating acoustic indication for the current torque level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CHIA MIN PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wun-Jin Guo
  • Patent number: 10427282
    Abstract: In a rotary impact tool according to an aspect of the present disclosure, an impact mechanism rotates an output shaft by a rotational force of a motor and, when a torque equal to or greater than a given value is externally applied to the output shaft in a direction opposite a rotational direction of the output shaft, the impact mechanism intermittently applies an impact force as a momentary torque to the output shaft in the rotational direction of the output shaft. A protection unit stops the motor or reduces a rotational speed of the motor on condition that an abnormal impact detection unit detects the abnormal impact. A control unit controls activation of the protection unit differently when the rotational direction of the motor is set to a reverse rotational direction in comparison with when the rotational direction of the motor is set to a forward rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Goshi Ishikawa, Yoshihiro Ito, Toshihisa Takada
  • Patent number: 10414036
    Abstract: The control method for a hammer drill (1) provides the following steps. During basic operation, the motor (5) rotates at an operating speed for the drilling operation with chiseling action in order to rotationally drive the tool holder (2) and to drive the hammer mechanism (6) with a nominal striking power. The torque coupling (21) is monitored with the aid of a sensor (26). If a disengagement of the torque coupling (21) occurs, the striking power of the hammer mechanism (6) is reduced to below 10% of the nominal striking power during a disengagement of the torque coupling (21), and the torque coupling (21) is driven. When the disengagement of the torque coupling (21) ends, the striking power of the hammer mechanism (6) is increased to the nominal striking power and the torque coupling (21) is driven at the operating speed for the drilling operation with chiseling action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland Schaer, Antonios Draganis, Peter Hricko, Franz Moessnang, Erwin Manschitz
  • Patent number: 10391563
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a machine housing, a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, and a tool socket. The tool socket is mounted on the shaft. The tool socket has a holding space to hold a tool and it has a clamping jaw situated in a link and projecting into the holding space. A carriage coupled to the clamping jaw is provided with a screw drive that has a thread on the carriage and a mating thread on the shaft. An actuation element movable between a first position and a second position is provided in order to select either the operational mode or else the loosening or tightening of the clamping jaws. A switchable coupling is mounted on the tool socket. The switchable coupling alternatingly engages either with the shaft or with the machine housing, depending on the positions of the actuation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schubert
  • Patent number: 10322498
    Abstract: An electric power tool in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor, a hitting mechanism, a hitting detector, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to set a control amount of the motor so that the motor rotates at a lower speed than a speed in the target rotation state during an initial driving period, and switch the control amount to a final control amount corresponding to the target rotation state when the initial driving period elapses. The initial driving period is a period from when generation of a hitting force is detected by the hitting detector until a predetermined first time period elapses, after the motor is started driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Goshi Ishikawa, Ryunosuke Kumagai, Takuya Kusakawa, Yoshitaka Ichikawa, Tokuo Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 10272550
    Abstract: A power tool including a motor and an impact mechanism. The impact mechanism is coupled to the motor and includes a hammer driven by the motor, and an anvil positioned at a nose of the power tool, and configured to receive an impact from the hammer. The power tool also includes a sensor assembly positioned at the nose of the power tool, and an electronic processor. The sensor assembly includes an output position sensor configured to generate an output signal indicative of a position of the hammer or the anvil. The electronic processor is coupled to the output position sensor and to the motor, and is configured to operate the motor based on the output signal from the output position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Stanley Dey, IV, Jacob Paul Schneider
  • Patent number: 10206731
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Patent number: 10137546
    Abstract: A switchable gear drive for a handheld power tool has two gears which are to be engaged via an adjustable switching member, the switching member being in a locked position with a retaining ring which is fixedly held on a housing in a first gear and being in an unlocked position with the retaining ring in a second gear. Furthermore, a spindle for accommodating a tool is drivable by an axially spring-loaded gear wheel supported in the housing, the gear wheel being axially supported on the retaining ring on the side diametrically opposed to the switching member. The retaining ring is designed as a circumferential, closed ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Hecht, Martin Kraus
  • Patent number: 10124474
    Abstract: An impact screwdriver having a housing includes an impact mechanism including a hammer interacting with an anvil for driving a tool, wherein the hammer is arranged on a drive shaft so as to be axially movable and preloaded in the axial direction, and wherein the hammer is driven by the drive shaft via a driver and is preloaded counter to the force of a spring element in order to trip and to transmit a rotary impulse to the anvil when a particular rotation angle is exceed, wherein the hammer and the anvil are mounted in a manner electrically insulated from one another and are connected to a voltage source, and wherein a sensor is provided for monitoring a current flow between the hammer and anvil during contact thereof for determining a contact duration between the hammer and anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: C. & E. Fein GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Mayer, Anatoli Pankraz, Adrian Vogt, Norbert Woecht
  • Patent number: 10035234
    Abstract: A machine tool for implementing machining with rotation, the machine tool includes a first rotor, an enclosure, a first rail, a second rail, and a coupler. The first rotor rotates about a rotational axis. The first rotor is surrounded with the enclosure. The first rail is disposed on the first rotor. The second rail is disposed on the enclosure so as to be brought into alignment with the first rail at a rotational position. The coupler moves along the first rail and the second rail. The coupler is to engage with the first rail and the second rail in a first state and to engage with the second rail without engaging with the first rail in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAZAKI MAZAK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Halcomb, Sami H. Winkelman, Takuya Ii
  • Patent number: 10011006
    Abstract: A method is provided for setting a fastener in a workpiece. The method includes: monitoring a parameter of the power tool during operation of the power tool, where the parameter is indicative of the placement of a fastener being driven by the power tool in relation to the workpiece; detecting, a change in the parameter, where the detected change in the parameter indicates that the power tool became disengaged with the fastener; modifying operation of the power tool in response to the detected change in the parameter; subsequently detecting a second change in the parameter; and interrupting transmission of torque to the output spindle in response the detected second change in the parameter, thereby properly setting the placement of the fastener in relation to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Christopher W. Shook, Wong Kun Ng, Stephen J. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9962169
    Abstract: A surgical device of a drill/driver with bit recognition to set a desired application mode and a method of utilization thereof is provided. Various operating modes of the drill/driver are automatically set by a sensor which recognizes the bit applied to the drill/driver. A method of utilizing the drill/driver allows the drill driver to apply surgical screws at very high speeds while automatically preventing excessive torque levels that would strip out the surgical screw from the patient's bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet CMF and Thoracic, LLC
    Inventors: Saddy Garcia, Bradley Winterroth, Ryan Luby, Larry Miller, Christopher C. Dyer, Benjamin J. Gray, Allan J. Meredith
  • Patent number: 9889548
    Abstract: A method to control a power tool includes the following steps: ascertaining a first rotational speed of the transmission in a first gear; ascertaining a first rotational speed of the motor when the transmission has been put into a first gear; ascertaining the selection of a first gear on the basis of the ratio of the rotational speed of the transmission and the rotational speed of the motor on the basis of a look-up table; selecting the no-load state; ascertaining the selected no-load state on the basis of the ratio of the rotational speed of the transmission and the rotational speed of the motor on the basis of a look-up table; adapting the rotational speed of the motor to a second gear on the basis of a ratio of the rotational speed of the transmission and the rotational speed of the motor on the basis of a look-up table; and selecting a second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Sattler
  • Patent number: 9707671
    Abstract: An electric tool has a motor, an implementing member driven by the motor for driving a working element and a controlling circuit for controlling the electric tool. The controlling circuit includes a current detecting module for detecting the current flowing through the motor; a microprocessor for memorizing and storing a current value; an user interface module for an user to select working modes, and the working modes at least comprising a learning mode for recording the current value after the implementing member has driven the working element and a constant torque mode for driving other working elements having the same size based on the recorded current value; and a driving module for driving or stopping the torque output of the motor. The electric tool can achieve the function of electronic clutch so as to drive screws having the same size with substantially the same effect. The present disclosure also discloses a controlling method by using the above controlling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Pingbo Shi
  • Patent number: 9712091
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a drive unit driven by the motor, and a trigger switch and a forward-reverse switch each operable by a user. The trigger switch is switchable between an activation state and a deactivation state. The forward-reverse switch switches a motor rotation between forward and reverse. The power tool also includes a control unit that drives the motor based on operation of the trigger switch and allows switching of an operation mode of the power tool between first and second modes. In the first mode, the motor rotation is switched to that selected by the forward-reverse switch. In the second mode, when the activation state is switched to the deactivation state, the motor rotation is switched so that the motor is driven in a direction opposite to the present rotation direction when the trigger switch is activated next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sawano, Masaaki Okada, Hidekazu Yuasa, Norio Sawada
  • Patent number: 9649757
    Abstract: A hammer mechanism has a clamping chuck and a snap die provided for the direct striking of an inserted tool. The snap die includes a coupling element for transmitting a rotary motion to the clamping chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Hecht, Heiko Roehm, Martin Kraus
  • Patent number: 9573254
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise an impact mechanism including a hammer and an anvil. The hammer may be configured to rotate about an axis and to translate along the axis to impact the anvil to cause rotation of the anvil about the axis. The impact tool may further comprise a motor, a drive train, an inertial sensor, and an electronic controller. The drive train may be configured to transfer rotation from the motor to the hammer of the impact mechanism. The inertial sensor may be configured to sense an acceleration of the drive train along the axis. Further, the electronic controller may be operably coupled to the motor and to the inertial sensor and configured to decrease a rotational speed of the motor in response to determining that the acceleration of the drive train has exceeded a threshold acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Jason Christopher Bartoszek
  • Patent number: 9543871
    Abstract: A motor-driven appliance of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor and a controller. The controller includes a physical quantity detector, a variation deriving portion, a loaded condition detector, and driving output portion. The physical quantity detector detects a physical quantity related to an operating state of the motor. The variation deriving portion derives a variation in the physical quantity based upon the physical quantity detected by the physical quantity detector. The loaded condition detector detects that the motor is under a loaded condition in which the motor is applied with a load based upon the variation derived by the variation deriving portion. The driving output portion generates the driving output corresponding to whether the loaded condition is detected by the loaded condition detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Itsuku Kato
  • Patent number: 9339925
    Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a housing having an engine receiving portion and a handle portion. A reservoir is configured to receive a gas having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and is at least partially located in the handle portion. A dust blower is configured to allow gas in the reservoir to be selectively communicated to atmosphere through an outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The dust blower includes a passageway extending from the reservoir to the outlet in the engine receiving portion, the passageway at least partially circumnavigating the cylinder of the drive engine, and an actuator configured to selectively open and close the passageway so that when the passageway is open, gas from the reservoir is communicated from the reservoir to the outlet, and when the passageway is closed, the gas from the reservoir is not communicated from the reservoir to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: STANLEY FASTENING SYSTEMS, L.P.
    Inventors: Jim Liu, Sean Lee, Benson Liao
  • Patent number: 9265551
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Patent number: 9144875
    Abstract: The invention is based on a handheld power tool device, having at least one safety mechanism, which intervenes in an uncontrolled blocking situation, and which has a sensor unit. It is proposed that the sensor unit is provided for directly detecting at least one orientation parameter of a handheld power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Schlesak, Christoph Klee, Juergen Lennartz
  • Patent number: 9103967
    Abstract: A gear mechanism having a smaller diameter and achieving an accurate automatic drive includes a central gear supported on a rotational shaft, first and second side gears coaxially positioned on both sides of the central gear, planetary bevel gears supported within side surfaces of the central gear, and sun bevel gears respectively formed on the inner side surfaces of the first and second side gears which are engaged with the planetary bevel gears. At least one of the first and second side gears is provided with a torque adjuster for adjusting the torque of the side gear(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Iikawa, Ichiro Imaei
  • Patent number: 9027665
    Abstract: A wireless small motor driver, in which power consumption is decreased by adjusting a gear ratio, the efficiency of an operation is increased due to a high torque, and the safety of a worker at night is ensured using an illumination lamp. The wireless small motor driver includes a driver case inside of which a motor is provided. A driver bit has a predetermined length in a bilateral direction, the driver bit being replaceable, with one or both ends thereof conforming to the shape of a bolt, and has a fixing projection. A socket is coupled to an end portion of the driver case, the driver bit being fastened to the socket. A rotation reduction gear is coupled to the motor, the rotation reduction gear transmitting rotary force to the socket and increasing a torque. A USB and a battery for supplying uniform power to the motor are added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Sang-Min Lee, Byoung-Kun Kim
  • Patent number: 9022135
    Abstract: A torque applying system includes a torque applying tool having a motor and rotating output spindle, a torque sensor that measures an instantaneous torque exerted by the output spindle during a fastening cycle, and a controller operatively connected to the tool to control the tool's rotational speed during the fastening cycle. The controller is programmed to control the tool's rotational speed to be [(?F??C)/t]/r, wherein t is a time constant of speed control, ?F is a target final torque for the fastening cycle, and r is a torque rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Zuher Naim Khalaf, William Lloyd Naumann