Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to commutation control of a BLDC motor for use with, for example, a power tool. The method uses a controller to control a BLDC motor in the event of a position sensor failure. Rather than ceasing operation of the motor and indicating a fault or error message to the user, the present invention determines when the next transition should occur based on the time between past hall transitions using a timer. Thus, if one or two position sensors are no longer providing position information to the controller, the controller can determine when the transitions would be changing based on past transitions to continue controlling the motor and prevents the motor from ceasing operation.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at one or more processors, a content description and a matrix code. The content description includes data describing one or more computer-readable files. The matrix code is encoded with a link to the one or more files. The method includes the one or more processors determining a condition indicative of a first computing device being unable to display the file with at least a minimum quality level. The determination is based, at least in part, on the content description. The method includes the processor outputting the matrix code to a first display operatively coupled to the one or more processors. Outputting the matrix code occurs in response to determining the condition indicative of the first computing device being unable to display the one or more files with at least the minimum quality level. Furthermore, the method includes displaying, on the first display, the matrix code.

Abstract: A system comprises a dongle and a diagnostic tool. The dongle includes a vehicle communication transceiver (VCT), a first wireless transceiver, and a vehicle connector. The diagnostic tool includes a processor, a proximity sensing component, an output device, and a second wireless transceiver. The proximity sensing component outputs an output signal. The processor receives the output signal and make a determination that indicates whether the output signal indicates an object is in spatial proximity to the proximity sensing component. The processor outputs using the output device a notification based on the determination. The VCT performs a vehicle communication directly with a vehicle while the vehicle connector is connected to an on-board diagnostic connector (OBDC) of the vehicle. The first and second wireless transceivers communicates with each other to trigger a vehicle communication from the dongle to the vehicle while the vehicle connector is connected to the OBDC.

Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.

Abstract: An indexable automotive trim fastener removal/disconnection tool is disclosed. The tool may include a handle having a gripping portion, an indexable joint mechanism, and a head. The indexable joint mechanism may include an axially movable joint-pin and a bias member, such as an elastic or compressible spring, disposed in a transverse hole, having one or more balls. The head may include or define a splined tool head bore, wherein the joint-pin is axially inserted to couple head to handle. A prying surface or fulcrum disposed on the head may be sloped, curved, beveled, or otherwise shaped to facilitate insertion between automotive trim panels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using natural language processing and machine-learning algorithms to process vehicle-service data to generate metadata regarding the vehicle-service data are described herein. A processor can discover vehicle-service data that can be clustered together based on the vehicle-service data having common characteristics. The clustered vehicle-service data can be classified (e.g., categorized) into any one of a plurality of categories. One of the categories can be for clustered vehicle-service data that is tip-worthy (e.g., determined to include data worthy of generating vehicle-service content (e.g., a repair hint). Another category can track instances of vehicle-service data that are considered to be common to an instance of vehicle-service data classified into the tip-worthy category. The vehicle-service data can be collected from repair orders from a plurality of repair shops. The vehicle-service content generated by the systems can be provided to those or other repair shops.

Abstract: A two-stage braking method for a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The method includes control a switching array to drive the BLDC motor according to a commutation scheme to decrease a speed of the BLDC motor, allow the BLDC motor to coast, determine the speed of the BLDC motor, and actuate high side switches and/or low side switches to substantially stop rotational movement of the BLDC motor.

Abstract: A motor controller for a motor having an end cap. The motor controller including a power board adapted to couple with a first surface of the end cap, on an internal side of the motor, and including opposing first and second sides and a control board adapted to couple to a second surface of the end cap, on an external side of the motor, and including a processor. The power board including position sensors disposed on the first side and switching elements disposed on the second side.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical power to an element coupled to a tool storage unit, the system comprising a transmitting unit coupled to the tool storage unit and a receiving unit coupled to the tool storage unit. The transmitting unit including a data processing and communication module and a transmitting antenna configured to be coupled to an electrical power supply and transmit energy. The receiving unit including a receiving antenna, and the element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a vehicle scan tool, a request for automated vehicle scan tool initialization, the request comprising a function identifier for a vehicle scan tool function and a vehicle identifier for a vehicle, where the vehicle scan tool is configured to display at least one navigable menu. The method additionally includes determining a current operating state of the vehicle scan tool. Based on the current operating state of the vehicle scan tool, the method further includes making a determination to initialize the vehicle scan tool according to the request for automated vehicle scan tool initialization. In response to making the determination, the method also includes using the function identifier and the vehicle identifier to initialize the vehicle scan tool to perform the vehicle scan tool function on the vehicle.

Abstract: A pistol-grip type tool, such as an impact wrench, that is smaller than traditional impact wrenches, to allow for use in tight work areas. To minimize size and length, the tool includes a tool housing, a frameless motor, a rear motor bearing supported in a bearing pocket in the tool housing, and a nose housing coupled to the tool housing that supports and aligns a ring gear, bearing assembly, and impact mechanism with an axis of the motor.

Abstract: A battery pack that includes one or more vents on the battery pack housing. The vents to direct battery gasses out in the housing from the front of the battery pack housing. The battery pack housing may also be hermetically sealed to the external environment and include a pressure disc or check valve behind the vent to prevent incursion of external contaminated air or fluids while still allowing internal gasses or liquids to escape from the battery pack case.

Abstract: An example method for outputting a PID filter list (PFL) includes: receiving RO data from one or more ROs that indicate particular vehicle identifying information (PVII), at least one symptom identifier, and a particular vehicle component; determining, symptom-to-parameter-identifier (PID) mapping data (MD) based on the received RO data and component-to-PID MD; determining, based on the set of available PIDs for the SOV and the symptom-to-PID MD, a PFL, wherein the PFL is associated with the PVII and the at least one symptom identifier, and wherein the PFL indicates a symptom-based subset of PIDs from the set of available PIDs for the SOV; receiving, a request sent over a communication network from a display device, wherein the request comprises the PVII and the at least one symptom identifier; and transmitting, over the communication network to the display device, a response to the request, the response comprising the PFL.

Abstract: A hammer tool including a single body and over-molded with one or more materials configured to improve the performance of the hammer is disclosed. The hammer may be formed with a single piece hammer head defining a cavity at least partially filled with a flowable material, such as steel shot. The striking surfaces of the hammer may be reinforced by a woven fabric or fiber reinforced polymers. The resulting hammer body and cavity has fewer or no joints or seams for shot to escape and provides material properties to be optimized in different areas of the hammer over-mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of commutation control of a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The method uses a controller to control the BLDC motor using a modified six-step commutation. The method adds six intermediate steps that overlap the six-step commutation. Each of the six steps overlap with preceding and following steps, resulting in six additional intermediate steps in which all three phases are active. By doubling the number of steps, current and torque will vary less over time compared with current solutions without increasing the size or changing the design of the motor.

Abstract: A flex joint headed tool with a locking mechanism adapted to selectively retain the angle of the head relative to a handle. The locking mechanism may retain the head in at least one of two positions using a bias member and two detent balls disposed at opposite ends of the bias member. The bias member and detent balls may be disposed in a through hole disposed in a locking lever, with one detent ball engaging a joint tang and the other detent ball engaging a detent disposed in a tool body or handle, wherein the detent balls provide tactile response to a user. The locking lever may rotate between locked and unlocked positions, whereby in the locked position, the ratchet head is prevented from rotating relative to the handle, and when in the unlocked position, the head may rotate relative to the handle.

Abstract: Overcurrent protection of an electrically powered, motorized device, such as a power tool, wherein the tool includes a tool housing, an output assembly, a trigger, an electrical safety device, a motor, an indicator, a controller, and a power source. The electrical safety device, for example a fuse, is disposed in series with a power connection from the power source to the controller. The controller measures current passing through the electrical safety device in time intervals when the trigger is actuated. The controller determines accumulated thermal energy passing through the electrical safety device, and compares the accumulated thermal energy to a threshold. If the accumulated thermal energy exceeds the threshold, the controller ceases or discontinues to allow power to be provided to the motor from the power source, thereby shutting off the motor. The controller may also activate the indicator to indicate a fault to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motorized hand tool having a motor with a motor front casing adapted to resist rotation of the motor with respect to a housing of the tool, without use of extra fasteners or machining operations. The motor front casing includes first and second flanges and first and second tabs that protrude radially outwardly and that are disposed proximal to respective ends of the flanges. When the motor is installed, the tabs abut a ratchet head housing and are sandwiched between the ratchet head housing and a rib if a tool housing to resist motor rotation and ensure all forces are distributed across a whole face of the rib to minimize deformation of the rib and/or tool housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to commutation control of a BLDC motor for use with, for example, a power tool. The method uses a controller to control a BLDC motor in the event of a position sensor failure. Rather than ceasing operation of the motor and indicating a fault or error message to the user, the present invention determines when the next transition should occur based on the time between past hall transitions using a timer. Thus, if one or two position sensors are no longer providing position information to the controller, the controller can determine when the transitions would be changing based on past transitions to continue controlling the motor and prevents the motor from ceasing operation.