Abstract: The present invention relates to switching element protection of a BLDC motor, such as used with a power tool. The present invention checks each switching element of a power stage individually for a short circuit when a trigger of the tool is actuated. Each switching element is turned ON for a period of time (such as 1-5 microseconds, for example), current flowing through the half-bridge or the full power stage is measured, and that switching element is turned OFF. When the current is greater than or equal to a threshold (such as 5 A, for example), the controller stops and indicates a fault condition. By testing each switching element in order, the controller is able to determine whether the shorted switching element is the opposite one in the half-bridge being tested.

Abstract: An illumination source disposed in a housing of a tool without the need for fasteners or snaps. The illumination source includes a number illumination elements, such as LEDs, disposed on a circuit board. A lens and the housing cooperatively direct light emitted by the illumination elements away from a user's eyes during use of the tool.

Abstract: An illumination source disposed in a housing of a tool without the need for fasteners or snaps. The illumination source includes a number illumination elements, such as LEDs, disposed on a circuit board. A lens and the housing cooperatively direct light emitted by the illumination elements away from a user's eyes during use of the tool.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling commutation of a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The method includes controlling a switching array to drive the BLDC motor at a first commutation, receiving and monitoring power consumption signals indicating power consumption of the BLDC motor, determining whether the power consumption exceeds a first threshold value, and controlling the switching array to drive the BLDC motor at a second commutation when the power consumption exceeds the first threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to switching element protection of a BLDC motor, such as used with a power tool. The present invention checks each switching element of a power stage individually for a short circuit when a trigger of the tool is actuated. Each switching element is turned ON for a period of time (such as 1-5 microseconds, for example), current flowing through the half-bridge or the full power stage is measured, and that switching element is turned OFF. When the current is greater than or equal to a threshold (such as 5 A, for example), the controller stops and indicates a fault condition. By testing each switching element in order, the controller is able to determine whether the shorted switching element is the opposite one in the half-bridge being tested.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor timeout of a power tool. When a trigger of the tool is unintentionally actuated, power is provided to a motor of the tool to cause an output assembly of the tool to operate. This can be problematic when the tool is being stored. To address this situation, the tool initiates or starts a motor timer when the motor is running at any nonzero speed. If the trigger remains continuously actuated, with the motor running at any nonzero speed, and the motor timer reaches a threshold limit, the tool ceases or discontinues to allow power to be provided to the motor, thereby shutting off the motor. This reduces the power source from being unintentionally discharged, and the chance of the tool creating a situation where the output assembly can unintentionally cause damage to the storage mechanism or other surroundings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of commutation control of a 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: 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: The present invention relates to current pulse limiting protection of a motorized device that includes a motor, a controller, and a power source (such as a battery). The controller implements current pulse limit protection to protect the controller and battery from damage due to overcurrent pulse events. For example, the controller may measure current flowing through the controller, and detect a number of current pulses that meets or crosses a first current threshold, regardless of a duration of each of the current pulses. The controller counts each current pulse that meets or crosses the first current threshold, and if the number of current pulses counted meets or exceeds a threshold number of pulses, the controller indicates a fault and ceases operation of the tool to protect the controller and battery from damage.

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 printed circuit board (PCB) for motor and display control of a tool. The PCB is disposed within a housing portion of the tool substantially perpendicular to a display assembly of the tool. The PCB includes integrated switches adapted to engage corresponding buttons of the display assembly. The housing portion and display assembly including features to restrict movement of the PCB relative to the housing portion.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling commutation of a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The method includes controlling a switching array to drive the BLDC motor at a first commutation, receiving and monitoring power consumption signals indicating power consumption of the BLDC motor, determining whether the power consumption exceeds a first threshold value, and controlling the switching array to drive the BLDC motor at a second commutation when the power consumption exceeds the first threshold value.

Abstract: A display housing assembly has a base, a lens, and buttons. The base, lens, and buttons may be shaped to correspond with an external geometry of a tool housing, such as, for example, curved, arcuate or cylindrically shaped. The display housing assembly may also be assembled by molding the lens, molding the base over the lens, and molding the buttons over the base.

Abstract: An illumination source disposed in a housing of a tool without the need for fasteners or snaps. The illumination source includes a number illumination elements, such as LEDs, disposed on a circuit board. A lens and the housing cooperatively direct light emitted by the illumination elements away from a user's eyes during use of the tool.

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: A printed circuit board (PCB) for motor and display control of a tool. The PCB is disposed within a housing portion of the tool substantially perpendicular to a display assembly of the tool. The PCB includes integrated switches adapted to engage corresponding buttons of the display assembly. The housing portion and display assembly including features to restrict movement of the PCB relative to the housing portion.

Abstract: An illumination source disposed in a housing of a tool without the need for fasteners or snaps. The illumination source includes a number illumination elements, such as LEDs, disposed on a circuit board. A lens and the housing cooperatively direct light emitted by the illumination elements away from a user's eyes during use of the tool.