Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a motive source, a user interface, and one or more sensors. The motive source includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to support electrical components of the motive source. The user interface is movable between a plurality of mode positions to select one of a plurality of operational modes of the motive source. And one or more sensors are mounted on the PCB and are configured to detect the plurality of mode positions of the user interface.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that, in one version, includes a front housing that supports an output drive, and a back cap located opposite the front housing. The back cap receives at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. A motor housing supports a motor and is located between the front housing and the back cap. The motor includes a rotor that is configured to rotate about a motor axis to drive rotation of the output drive. The fastener is disposed through the back cap, and secures to the front housing coupling the front housing, the motor housing, and the back cap together.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise an electric motor comprising a rotor configured to rotate about an axis, a stator assembly including at least three windings arranged around the rotor, and at least three lugs affixed to the stator assembly, where each of the lugs is electrically coupled to one or more of the windings. The lugs may all be arranged to one side of a plane that passes through the axis. The power tool may further comprise at least three electrical wires, where each of the electrical wires is removably coupled to one of the lugs, and a control circuit configured to supply electrical power to the windings, via the electrical wires and the lugs, to drive rotation of the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing assembly, an output spindle, and a motor endbell. The housing assembly supports an electric motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the electric motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing assembly, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The motor endbell is located on the housing assembly adjacent the electric motor and opposite the output spindle. An illustrative controller is operable to determine phases of a fastening operation in which the hand-held power tool is operating. The phases of the fastening operation of the hand-held power tool include two phases including: (1) a continuous run phase and (2) an impacting phase.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that, in one version, includes a front housing that supports an output drive, and a back cap located opposite the front housing. The back cap receives at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. A motor housing supports a motor and is located between the front housing and the back cap. The motor includes a rotor that is configured to rotate about a motor axis to drive rotation of the output drive. The fastener is disposed through the back cap, and secures to the front housing coupling the front housing, the motor housing, and the back cap together.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that, in one version, includes a front housing that supports an output drive, and a back cap located opposite the front housing. The back cap receives at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. A motor housing supports a motor and is located between the front housing and the back cap. The motor includes a rotor that is configured to rotate about a motor axis to drive rotation of the output drive. The fastener is disposed through the back cap, and secures to the front housing coupling the front housing, the motor housing, and the back cap together.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes a button useful to select a direction of rotation of the power tool. The button can be used to select between forward, reverse, and neutral. The power tool includes a housing which is coupled with an abutment structure which engages with the button. A sawtooth engagement is formed between the abutment structure and the button. The sawtooth engagement can be asymmetric in shape to provide different force vectors depending on whether the button is pushed in a first or a second direction. The sum of the resistive forces can be the same whether the button is pushed in the first or second direction, owing to the asymmetric forces caused by the sawtooth engagement which make up for differences in other internal resistive forces.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a motive source, a user interface, and one or more sensors. The motive source includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to support electrical components of the motive source. The user interface is movable between a plurality of mode positions to select one of a plurality of operational modes of the motive source. And one or more sensors are mounted on the PCB and are configured to detect the plurality of mode positions of the user interface.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes a button useful to select a direction of rotation of the power tool. The button can be used to select between forward, reverse, and neutral. The power tool includes a housing which is coupled with an abutment structure which engages with the button. A sawtooth engagement is formed between the abutment structure and the button. The sawtooth engagement can be asymmetric in shape to provide different force vectors depending on whether the button is pushed in a first or a second direction. The sum of the resistive forces can be the same whether the button is pushed in the first or second direction, owing to the asymmetric forces caused by the sawtooth engagement which make up for differences in other internal resistive forces.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a motive source, a user interface, and one or more sensors. The motive source includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to support electrical components of the motive source. The user interface is movable between a plurality of mode positions to select one of a plurality of operational modes of the motive source. And one or more sensors are mounted on the PCB and are configured to detect the plurality of mode positions of the user interface.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise an electric motor comprising a rotor configured to rotate about an axis, a stator assembly including at least three windings arranged around the rotor, and at least three lugs affixed to the stator assembly, where each of the lugs is electrically coupled to one or more of the windings. The lugs may all be arranged to one side of a plane that passes through the axis. The power tool may further comprise at least three electrical wires, where each of the electrical wires is removably coupled to one of the lugs, and a control circuit configured to supply electrical power to the windings, via the electrical wires and the lugs, to drive rotation of the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus having a housing including a portion defining a thermally conductive outer surface, a light source positioned within the housing, and an internal heat sink thermally coupling the light source and the thermally conductive outer surface portion of the housing. The light source may be a solid state device, such as a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A power tool having a light source is provided. The power tool includes a light emitting diode and a thermally conductive housing that houses a movable component of the power tool, the thermally conductive housing including an integral portion that extends from the thermally conductive housing and is configured for thermally coupling with the light emitting diode. The integral portion of the thermally conductive housing is a heat sink for the heat generated by the light emitting diode, when the light emitting diode is thermally coupled to the integral portion of the thermally conductive housing.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise an electric motor comprising a rotor configured to rotate about an axis, a stator assembly including at least three windings arranged around the rotor, and at least three lugs affixed to the stator assembly, where each of the lugs is electrically coupled to one or more of the windings. The lugs may all be arranged to one side of a plane that passes through the axis. The power tool may further comprise at least three electrical wires, where each of the electrical wires is removably coupled to one of the lugs, and a control circuit configured to supply electrical power to the windings, via the electrical wires and the lugs, to drive rotation of the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing assembly to support a motor. An output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing assembly such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the motor. A user interface is located at the housing assembly opposite the output spindle. The user interface is configured to select one of a plurality of modes of operation of the hand-held power tool to regulate power supplied to the motor.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus having a housing including a portion defining a thermally conductive outer surface, a light source positioned within the housing, and an internal heat sink thermally coupling the light source and the thermally conductive outer surface portion of the housing. The light source may be a solid state device, such as a light emitting diode.