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: 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.

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: A method includes writing vehicle data parameters (VDPs) into a memory in order of a vehicle outputting the VDPs. The method also includes displaying a first view of a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display. The GUI includes one or more VDP graphs, a graph-axis control, and a first vehicle operating condition (VOC) indicator at the graph-axis control. The method also includes displaying a second view of the GUI on the display in response to a selection of the first VOC indicator. The first and second views include first and second sets of VDP graphs, respectively. The second set of VDP graphs includes VDPs not represented in the first set of VDP graphs. Graph-axis control segments within the graph-axis control in the first and second views cover different portions of the graph-axis control. The graph-axis control segments correspond to different portions of the VDPs written into the memory.

Abstract: A portable electric rescue tool, such as spreader and cutter tool, that allows for manual or remote operation, and operates on a DC power source, which may be an external power source and/or an onboard rechargeable battery. For example, the tool includes a battery cradle or battery attachment portion adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack and electrically couple the battery pack to the tool. The tool also includes a power adapter that is adapted to be removably coupled to the battery attachment portion instead of the battery pack, and allows the tool to be electrically connected to an external DC power source, such as a vehicle battery or other DC power source.

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 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.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and outputting a real-fix tip (RFT) augmented with a pointer to additional content. The additional content may be relevant to any of a complaint, vehicle, cause of complaint, how the cause for complaint was discovered, and service-operation performed on the vehicle to resolve the complaint. The RFT may include a complaint, cause, and correction, and may be stored within a database containing repair orders that include complaints, causes, and corrections regarding various vehicles. A processor may generate the RFT after determining a threshold number of RO with a common complaint, vehicle, cause, and correction. A processor may search the database for the RFT based on a complaint and vehicle, display a list of RFT located during the search, display an RFT selected from the list, obtain additional content pointed to by a pointer in the RFT, and output the additional content to a display.

Abstract: Inserts disposed in a housing of a pneumatically or hydraulically powered tool having a motor adapted to rotate a drive lug in either of first and second rotational directions. The insert is composed of a material resistive to creep and/or stress relaxation. The insert contacts fasteners applying a clamping force to the tool and remove the housing from the load path of the clamping force, thereby reducing the possibility of fluid leaks.

Abstract: An impact mechanism for a rotary impact tool including a centering component, a gear carrier adapted to receive rotational force from the motor and including a gear carrier aperture adapted to receive the centering component, an anvil rotatable about the central axis and including an impact section and an anvil aperture adapted to receive the centering component, and a hammer slidably coupled to the gear carrier, rotatable about a central axis, and defining a planar surface, the hammer including a lug extending from the planar surface. The centering component functions as a pilot between the gear carrier and anvil. The centering component can include an axial bore. Axial clearance and a slip-fit can be provided between the gear carrier and the centering component and between the anvil and the dowel to allow the hollow dowel to move axially.