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 method includes transmitting a request for a computer-readable routing diagram, such as a wiring diagram, a pneumatic or hydraulic line diagram, or an optical cable diagram. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a routing diagram including a connectable component and at least a portion of a routing set. The connectable component is associated with both a connectable component identifier and the routing set. The routing set contains one or more routable components, such as electrical circuits, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, or optical cables. Further, the method includes displaying, on a display, the routing diagram and at least the portion of the routing set highlighted. Displaying at least the portion of the routing set highlighted occurs in response to an occurrence of the connectable component being selected from the routing diagram displayed on the display or in response to the request including the connectable component identifier.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

Abstract: A portable electroplating system with components integrated into a complete system, rather than separated and disjointed. A single electroplating system can be self-contained to include all necessary rectifiers, tanks, cleaning functionalities, and other helpful or necessary items. By using smaller components than conventional electroplating systems, the system can allow for more economical use of chemicals, solutions, and energy and can be utilized more efficiently towards a unique shape or size of object to be plated. The system can also include wheels to make the system portable. A rack management system can be employed to move objects from one location to another within the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wirelessly transferring energy to a cordless power tool to charge a power source, such as a rechargeable battery pack, coupled to the tool, and/or to provide power directly to the tool for operation of the tool. For example, a transmitter transmits a magnetic field, and a receiver receives energy via the magnetic field. When a tool and/or battery pack with the receiver is within the magnetic field, a sensing circuit connected to the receiver recognizes the magnetic field and signals a control circuit to capture energy, via the magnetic field. The energy received by the receiver can then be converted into an electrical current that can be used to supply power to the tool and/or battery pack.

Abstract: A reversing lever with a compact structure is disclosed. The reversing lever can include an upper portion operable by a user to select a desired rotational direction of the tool, and a lower portion that selectively engages at pawl to choose the desired torque application. The body of the upper portion can be located between the internal wall of a ratchet head and a rear side of the lower portion of the lower portion to allow a compact reversing lever.

Abstract: A slide hammer tool including a shaft having first and second opposing ends, a handle slidably coupled to the shaft, and a slide hammer weight assembly removable coupled to the handle via threaded fasteners. The slide hammer weight assembly including a number of slide hammer weights coupled together.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure for servicing a vehicle, determining an expected pace of performance of the first service procedure, receiving at least one input signal during performance of the first service procedure, determining, based on the at least one input signal, a current pace of performance of the first service procedure, and providing for display of a first pace indicator on a display interface of the computing device, where the first pace indicator is representative of the current pace of performance of the first service procedure relative to the expected pace of performance of the first service procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibrating and aligning automotive sensors, such as advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensors. Embodiments include a system having an image sensor mounted on a fixture in a known pose relative to the fixture. The image sensor is for viewing a target disposed on a vehicle and having a known pose relative to the vehicle, and for capturing image data of the target. A data processor is provided for performing the steps of calculating, using the image data, a pose of the target; calculating a pose of the image sensor relative to the vehicle using the calculated pose of the target; and generating instructions for positioning the fixture at a predetermined pose relative to the vehicle using the calculated pose of the image sensor relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A tool having gripping jaw teeth that provide a contact pattern for engaging fasteners on-axis. The gripping teeth are formed in a depression disposed at a distal end of a jaw and are oriented at an angle that turns away from a major axis of the tool or an axis that is orthogonal to a plane formed by a front face of the jaw to increase the gripping force that can be applied to the fastener before the tool disengages or “slips against” the fastener.

Abstract: A torque wrench with a profiled cam lock lever that is movable between locked and unlocked positions over an adjustment knob of the tool. The lock lever includes an off-center pivot pin and a decreasing radius on a cam profile of the lock lever (rounded corner that contacts a housing of the tool when the lock lever is moved between the locked and unlocked positions). The off-center pivot pin increases an amount of force applied to the adjustment knob when the lock lever is in the locked position to minimize and/or prevent unintentional movement of the adjustment knob. The cam profile reduces an amount of force or effort needed to operate the lock lever and decreases rapid release of the lock lever as over center action is reached.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving, at a computing system, a first user input from a user interface during operation of a vehicle and responsive to receiving the first user input, determining a time of reception for the first user input. The method further includes receiving a first set of parameters from the vehicle that correspond to a first parameter identifier (PID). The method also includes determining a time of reception for each parameter, and based on the time of reception for the first user input and the time of reception for each parameter of the first set of parameters, determining a first temporal position for an indicator configured to represent the first user input on a graph of the parameters corresponding to the first PID. The method further includes displaying, on a display interface, the graph of the parameters corresponding to the first PID with the indicator in the first temporal position.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to pawl mechanism for a tool, such as a ratchet wrench. The pawl mechanism includes first and second pawls that are selectively engageable with a drive gear to provide first and second rotational drive directions. Each of the first and second pawls includes an outwardly protruding hook type projections that engage respective recesses or grooves in a pawl carrier to operably couple the pawl carrier to the first and second pawls. The pawl carrier includes first and second pawl pockets that receive the respective first and second pawls. The pawl carrier also includes first and second recesses or grooves proximate to the respective first and second pawl pockets, and that receive the hook type projections.

Abstract: Adjustable pliers includes a first plier half, a second plier half coupled to the first plier half, and a stud disposed in a slot of the second plier half. The first plier half includes a first handle and a first working tip opposite the first handle. The second plier half includes a second handle and second working tip opposite the second handle. The slot extends along a path from a first end of the path to a second end of the path, the path extends in a first direction at the first end of the path and extending in a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction at the second end of the path. A performance parameter is defined, at least in part, by a relationship between dimensions of the slot or of the second working tip.

Abstract: A storage unit, such as, for example, a toolbox or cabinet, having a power strip with power terminals adapted to operably couple to and provide electricity to a connected device. The storage unit further including an interrogation module adapted to interrogate or monitor electric supply information about electricity supplied to the connected devices via the power terminals, a computation module operably coupled to the interrogation module, and adapted to receive electric supply data signals from the interrogation module to determine a status of the connected device by comparing the electric supply data signals and usage characteristics of the connected device, and a communication module adapted to receive status data signals from the computation module and communicate the status data signals to a remote computing device.

Abstract: A power tool, such as a cordless power ratchet, with a multi-speed gear train is described. A gearbox may use a planetary gearset with a shifting ring gear coupled with a set of compound gears that allows the user to change the output speed of the tool by altering the total gear ratio of the gearbox. A first stage may include a planetary gearset with a shifting ring gear. A second stage may include a set of compound gears whose output connects to the tool's driving mechanism. The exemplary gearbox may allow the user more control over the output during tool operation. A cordless ratchet with a multi-speed geartrain may allow the user to generate high levels of torque to remove a fastener (i.e., making the tool operate at a lower speed), and allow the user to remove the fastener quicker by increasing the speed of the tool.

Abstract: A reversing mechanism for a motorized hand-held ratcheting tool. A toggle trigger is coupled to a reversing mechanism of the tool, and a rotational drive direction of the tool is controlled via the trigger instead of a separate knob or dial. For example, when the trigger is rotated or pivoted in a forward direction (depression of a bottom or back of the trigger), the reversing mechanism is rotated into a right hand threaded fastener's tightening direction, and when the trigger is rotated or pivoted in a reverse direction (depression of a top or front of the trigger), the reversing mechanism is rotated into a right hand threaded fastener's loosening direction. The motor's rotational direction is not changed by the toggle trigger, but the trigger does control the rotational drive direction of the tool and activates the motor and variable speed circuitry.

Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of a vehicle component, (ii) symbol data associated with a first symbol, (iii) a set of one or more selectable identifiers, and (iv) supplemental information associated with the vehicle component. Each selectable identifier can indicate a respective portion of the supplemental information. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the first symbol without displaying the set and the supplemental information. While the image and the first symbol are displayed without the set, the CCS receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively displays the set. While the set is displayed, the CCS receives a second input corresponding to selection of a first selectable identifier from the set. The CCS then responsively displays the respective portion of the supplemental information indicated by the first selectable identifier.

Abstract: An impact mechanism for an impact tool having a housing with a housing longitudinal axis, wherein the impact mechanism includes an impact mechanism longitudinal axis that is offset and substantially perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis. The impact mechanism includes a gear carrier adapted to be driven by a motor of the impact tool to rotate about the impact mechanism longitudinal axis, a hammer slidably coupled to the gear carrier and rotatable about the impact mechanism longitudinal axis, the hammer includes a radial surface with a hammer lug extending therefrom, and an intermediate bit adapted to receive impact force from the hammer lug and transfer impact force to a tool bit.