Automatic Control Of Power Operated Means Patents (Class 173/2)
  • Patent number: 8360166
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary striking tool, including: a motor; an impact unit having a driving part being driven by the motor and an output part; a tip-tool side output shaft that is coupled to the output part; an impact detection unit that detects an impact generated at the impact unit; and a control unit programmed to: control the impact unit to perform a confirmation striking when the impact detected by the impact detection unit reaches a prescribed value, detect a rotation angle of the output shaft at the confirmation striking, determine whether a fastening operation is completed when the detected rotation angle is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, and continue the fastening operation when the detected rotation angle is larger than the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Iimura, Kenro Ishimaru, Kazutaka Iwata, Nobuhiro Takano
  • Publication number: 20130020102
    Abstract: A typically battery-operated power tool, such as a chainsaw or hedge trimmer, comprising a working element (4), a motor (6) arranged to drive the working element (4) and a controller (9) arranged to control the speed at which the motor drives the working element (4), in which there is provided a sensor (12) for at least one factor indicative of the efficiency with which the power tool is being operated, the controller (9) being arranged to vary the speed at which the motor (6) drives the working element (4) should the factor indicate that the power tool is being operated in a sub-optimal manner. Typically, the factor is the pressure which the user is applying the power tool, and the sensor (12) is a sensor for the current flowing through the motor (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GARDENA MANUFACTURING GMBH
    Inventors: Johan Björnlinger, Pär Martinsson, Johan Svennung, Peter Lameli, Ottmar Locher, Christoph Schiedt, Martin Bepler, Hans Waigel
  • Patent number: 8353362
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a device housing and at least one grip disposed on the device housing. An electric drive motor is arranged in the device housing for operating a working tool. A battery pack provides electric energy for operating the electric drive motor. An electronic control unit is connected to the electric drive motor and the battery pack. An operating element disposed on the grip controls the electric drive motor. An electric actuator is acted upon by the operating element and the output signal of the electric actuator is supplied to the electronic control unit. Electric energy is applied to the electric drive motor by the electronic control unit as a function of a position of the operating element, wherein in a first dead travel range of the operating element that adjoins an inoperative position of the operating element the supplied electric energy is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gernot Liebhard, Ante Hamersmit
  • Publication number: 20130008676
    Abstract: An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes receiving an input control variable from an input unit; determining a derivative of the input control variable; selecting one of a plurality of control profiles based on the control input variable and the derivative, each control profile correlating the control input variable of the input unit to a rotational speed at which to drive the output shaft; and driving the output shaft at a rotational speed in accordance with the selected control profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Scott Eshleman, Joseph P. Kelleher
  • Patent number: 8347978
    Abstract: A driving tool having a driver, a power source, a sensor and a controller. The power source selectively provides an input to the driver to cause the driver to translate along an axis. The sensor senses a condition in the power source that is indicative of a level of kinetic energy of an element in the power source and generates a sensor signal in response thereto. The controller is coupled to the power source and the sensor and is responsive to the sensor signal for deactivating the power source to inhibit the power source from providing the input to the driver when the level of kinetic energy of the element in the power source is below a predetermined threshold. A method for operating a driving tool is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Forster, Craig A. Schell, Paul Gross, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, IV, Nathan Cruise, Erik Ekstrom
  • Publication number: 20120318545
    Abstract: A power-operated hand-held power tool, in particular a power tool comprising an oscillation drive for driving a tool in an oscillating manner, comprising at least one sensor for detecting vibrations and comprising a controller which is coupled to the at least one sensor to control at least one operating parameter of the The power tool according to an output signal of the at least one sensor, the The power tool being configured to receive different tools, and the controller being configured to evaluate the output signal of the at least one sensor and preferably to compare it with stored characteristic values for the vibrations of different tools so as to control at least one operating parameter of the The power tool according to said comparison, is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Alfred Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20120312570
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool, in particular to a screwing device, includes a control device for controlling and/or regulating the tool movement of a tool holder and/or of a tool. The hand-held power tool has an interface for communicating with an external adjustment device. The interface is configured to be connected to the control device in such a way that signals may be transmitted for the parameterization of at least one tool movement sequence. The tool movement sequence includes a plurality of sequentially-progressing tool movements. A method for parameterizing at least one tool movement sequence of a hand-held power tool includes parameterizing the at least one tool movement sequence with a separate setting device in a remote-controlled manner via an interface of the hand-held power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Wanek, Thomas Gabriel
  • Patent number: 8322456
    Abstract: The present invention is an articulating hand power tool with a main housing having a longitudinal axis, a head portion rotatably engaged with the main housing for placement at a plurality of angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main housing, an integrated circuit board located within the main housing and at least one controller accessible from outside of the main housing for controlling the integrated circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: David Pozgay, Harald Krondorfer, John B. Freese, John DeCicco, Stephen C. Oberheim
  • Patent number: 8316961
    Abstract: A remote controlled work robot including a remote controlled actuator and a support device therefor. The remote controlled actuator includes a spindle guide section of an elongated configuration, a distal end member fitted to a distal end of the spindle guide section through a distal end member coupling structure for alteration in attitude, and a drive unit housing connected with a base end of the spindle guide section. The distal end member rotatably supports a spindle for holding a tool. The support device includes a single degree-of-freedom system, in which the remote controlled actuator has a degree of freedom in one direction, or a multi-degrees-of-freedom system, in which the remote controlled actuator has a two or more degrees of freedom relative to a base on which the support device is installed. A drive source and is also provided for driving the degree-of-freedom system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Takayoshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8313012
    Abstract: A controller 50 has a single-driving mode/continuous-driving mode changeover switch 233 for performing fastener driving operation in a single driving mode or a continuous driving mode. In a case where the single-driving mode/continuous-driving mode changeover switch 233 instructs a single driving mode, the controller 50 causes a driver blade 3a to perform fastener driving operation when both a trigger switch 5 and a push lever switch 22 are switched, by switching operation, from the one switch status to the other switch status (e.g., the ON status). Consequently, fastener driving operation is made possible regardless of sequence of actuation of the trigger switch 5 and the push lever switch 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Shima, Masahiro Inaniwa, Hiroyuki Oda, Takashi Ueda, Yoshihiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20120279736
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an impact tool including: a motor drivable in an intermittent driving mode; a hammer connected to the motor; an anvil to be struck by the hammer to thereby rotate/strike a tip tool; and a control unit that controls a rotation of the motor by switching a driving pulse supplied to the motor in accordance with a load applied onto the tip tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tanimoto, Nobuhiro Takano, Tomomasa Nishikawa, Kazutaka Iwata, Hironori Mashiko, Hayato Yamaguchi, Atsushi Nakagawa, Katsuhiro Oomori, Mizuho Nakamura, Hiroki Uchida, Saroma Nakano, Yutaka Ito
  • Publication number: 20120273242
    Abstract: An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes receiving an input control variable from an input unit; determining a derivative of the input control variable; selecting one of a plurality of control profiles based on the control input variable and the derivative, each control profile correlating the control input variable of the input unit to a rotational speed at which to drive the output shaft; and driving the output shaft at a rotational speed in accordance with the selected control profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Scott Eshleman, Joseph P. Kelleher
  • Publication number: 20120267134
    Abstract: A handheld tool having a battery interface is described, in which a provision is made for the handheld tool to have at least one measuring device interface, which is provided to receive at least data containing measuring information of a handheld tool add-on measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Wolf Matthias, Gunter Flinspach, Alexander Osswald, Rainer Glauning
  • Patent number: 8294399
    Abstract: A motor controller comprises a processor selectively outputting an on-signal to either one of an upper arm switching element and a lower arm switching element based upon a detected position by the position sensor, gate drivers inputting a driving voltage to the gates of the switching elements by shifting a level of the on-signal from the processor to the upper arm switching element and a bootstrap capacitor configured to be charged while the upper arm switching element is turned off and to behave as a voltage supply for the gate driver while the upper arm switching element is turned on. The processor is configured to reduce a set duty ratio when the set duty ratio is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (e.g. 80 percents) and a rotational position of the motor does not change for a first predetermined time. This motor controller can prevent the switching element from a burnout even if the motor is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Suzuki, Takuya Kusakawa
  • Patent number: 8292001
    Abstract: A drill includes a housing with a motor coupled to an output spindle via a transmission. A mode collar can be rotatably mounted on the housing for movement that corresponds to different modes of operation. The mode collar can be coupled to an electronic switch to operate a movable member thereof. The coupling can include a switch housing including a slide member, an actuation spring member and a return spring member. The mode collar can have a cam surface and a cam follower in the form of a shift pin that moves the slide member, causing actuation of the switch. The actuation spring member provides a biasing force that is sufficient to overcome a biasing force of a switch spring member to move the movable member into the actuated position. The mode collar can also enable and disable contact between a fixed hammer member and a movable hammer member mounted around the output spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Paul K. Trautner
  • Publication number: 20120260785
    Abstract: A sensing mechanism (12) for detecting user contact with an active portion (26) of the power tool (10) is provided. In addition, a safety mechanism (14) for preventing prolonged user contact with the active portion (26) of a power tool (10) is provided. The safety mechanism (14) is configured to actuate upon receipt of a signal from the sensing mechanism (12). According to a first aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly displace the active portion (26) away from a user extremity. Alternatively, according to a second aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly urge an extremity of the user away from the active portion (26) of the power tool (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: David A. Carrier, Peter Chaikowsky
  • Patent number: 8286723
    Abstract: A power tool includes an output shaft configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, a motor drivably connected to the output shaft to impart rotary motions thereto, and a rotational motion sensor spatially separated from the output shaft and operable to determine the user-imparted rotational motion of the power tool with respect to the longitudinal axis. A controller is electrically connected to the rotational motion sensor and the motor. The controller determines angular velocity of the power tool about the axis, rotational displacement of the power tool about the axis, and/or a direction of the rotational displacement using input from the rotational motion sensor. The controller then controls the motor according to the angular velocity, the rotational displacement, and/or the direction of the rotational displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Craig Schell, Daniele Brotto, Andrew Seman, Jr., Scott Eshleman, Joseph Kelleher, Sankarshan Murthy, Gabriel Concari, Thomas Bodine, Michael Haupt, Curtis Watenpaugh
  • Patent number: 8281871
    Abstract: A system, and a method of using a system, for controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a force application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in communication with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with operational information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational information is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least information about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the controller. Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which sends operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service information from the tool after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian J. Cutler, David Duvan, Gary Keefe, Denny Atkinson, David R. Costantino
  • Publication number: 20120247796
    Abstract: The hand-held power tool has a tool socket to hold a tool. A motor is coupled to the tool socket in order to drive the tool socket. The motor is arranged in a housing. The housing has a holder that is provided with a mechanical lock for detachably coupling a battery pack, and with a power connection for electrically connecting the battery pack to the motor. A communication interface serves to transmit properties of the battery pack to a motor control unit. The motor control unit includes a soft start that accelerates the speed of the motor from a standstill to a target speed at a given rate, whereby the motor control unit controls the rate as a function of a property of the battery pack transmitted by the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Mueller, Benno Verhaag, Jens Imaschewski
  • Patent number: 8272452
    Abstract: A hammering tool includes, within its tool main body, a piston which reciprocates by using a motor as its drive force, a hammering member which carries out its hammering operation in linking with the reciprocating motion of the piston, and an intermediate member which transmits a hammering force of the hammering member to a top end tool mounted on the top end of the tool main body. The tool main body further includes a measuring device which measures a hammering state of the hammering member and a control device which controls the number of rotations of the motor. The control device, according to measurement results of the measuring device, determines the limit number of times of hammering where the hammering member becomes unable to follow the reciprocating motion of the piston, and thus controls the number of rotations of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Katou, Terufumi Hamano, Yoshitaka Otsuka, Akira Teranishi, Kazuya Sakamaki
  • Publication number: 20120205131
    Abstract: An improved power tool is provided which can alert a user of any halfway selection of a driving mode of a tool bit. A representative power tool is provided which is capable of switching among driving modes different in driving state of a tool bit 119. The power tool has a mode switching member 163 that switches among the driving modes, a detecting part 181 that detects a drive prohibited state in which any of the driving modes of the tool bit 119 is not selected, and indicating parts 189, 191 that indicate a result detected by the detecting part 181.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori FURUSAWA, Yoshihiro KASUYA
  • Patent number: 8240393
    Abstract: An electric power tool has an electric drive motor whose speed is adjusted by means of an adjusting device. The adjusting device includes an adjusting element movably supported on the housing of the power tool. The adjusting element is associated with a strain measuring device that produces a measurement signal that is used to adjust the drive motor in response to a movement of the adjusting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Schmehl
  • Patent number: 8235136
    Abstract: A drilling and/or percussive hammer comprises a handle and a hammer housing, which can move relative to the handle and inside of which, among other things, a pneumatic spring percussive mechanism is housed. The pneumatic spring of the pneumatic spring percussive mechanism can be ventilated via a no-load operation duct that is opened and closed by a valve. The valve can be opened and closed according to a pressing force acting upon the handle. A delay device controls the valve during closing so that the valve reaches the position corresponding to the detected pressing force only with a time delay. This causes a smooth transition from the no-load operation to the percussive operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Produktion GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Berger, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 8230942
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a two-handed power tool having first and second start actuators, one for each hand of an operator. A controller prevents the power tool from initiating an operating cycle unless both actuators are turned ON to reduce the possibility of the operator's hands being disposed in a hazardous position during operation of the power tool. To discourage manual override of the dual-start-switch system, the controller prevents the power tool from initiating an additional operating cycle until both actuators have been switched OFF and then ON again. The second actuator includes a tubular sleeve that extends over part of the power tool to allow the sleeve to slide axially relative to the power tool between ON and OFF positions. Axial movement of the sleeve from its OFF position to its ON position turns ON the second start actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Steverding, Glen A. Pankey, Duane R. Bookshar
  • Patent number: 8230940
    Abstract: A method and pile-driving device for driving a support into a ground surface. The device comprises a cylinder, an anvil which closes the lower side of the cylinder at least substantially, a ram which is movable as a piston above the anvil within the cylinder, and an injection device for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber between the anvil and the ram. The device has adjusting means for adjusting the moment of fuel injection and/or the amount of fuel to be injected. The method includes: causing the ram to move downward; injecting fuel into the combustion chamber; causing the fuel to combust for driving the ram upward, in such a manner that said combustion occurs before the ram strikes the anvil, wherein the moment of fuel injection and/or the amount of fuel to be injected is/are adjusted in dependence on at least one variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
    Inventor: Jasper Stefan Winkes
  • Publication number: 20120168189
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for using a rechargeable battery-operated screwing system which is suitable for establishing screw connections by means of a motor-driven working spindle. The rechargeable battery-operated screwing system having communication devices for wirelessly transmitting data for defining screwing curves, which describe a screwing process, between a screwing spindle module and an evaluation module, with at least two variables which are characteristic of the screwing curve being wirelessly transmitted by means of the communication devices and at least one further variable which is relevant for the screwing curve being calculated from the transmitted data by the evaluation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Eckert
  • Publication number: 20120168188
    Abstract: A portable tool, in particular a screwing tool, has a tool head for processing a workpiece, has a drive device for driving the tool head, and has a control device for controlling the drive device, at least one work parameter of the drive device being variable. The tool has a signal detecting device, at least temporarily connected to the control device for signaling purposes, for wireless reception of signals, these signals being characteristic of at least the at least one work parameter, and the control device being fashioned in such a way that it defines the at least one work parameter in reaction to a signal detected by the signal detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Eckert
  • Patent number: 8210275
    Abstract: Power tools are taught that may include, for example, a detector for detecting impact sounds generated, e.g. by a hammer strikes an anvil or by oil pulse from an oil unit. The detector may include a receiver (30) adapted to selectively convert sound within a narrow frequency range into electric signals. Preferably, the impact sounds fall within the narrow frequency range of the receiver (30). A processor 38 may be utilized to control the motor (22) in order to stop the rotation of the hammer when a pre-determined number of impact sounds has been detected by the detector. In addition or in the alternative, various structures can be used to set various operating conditions, including dials 34, sound sensors 30, keypads and remote control devices 250. Further, structures for performing maintenance condition status checks are taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8210273
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes a tool body and a battery pack. A terminal voltage setting unit of the tool body sets a voltage of a body side terminal to a first voltage when a command to drive a drive portion of the tool body is issued by a switch of the tool body. A voltage changing unit of the battery pack changes a voltage of a battery side terminal from the first voltage to a second voltage when supply of electric power from the battery pack to the drive portion is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Tadahiko Kobayakawa, Tomoo Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20120138322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, handheld work apparatus such as a trimmer, a cut-off machine, a chain saw or the like, having a motor (5, 33) to drive a rotating, exchangeable work tool (13). A control unit (15) serves to control the operation of the motor (5, 33). The control unit (15) determines the rotational speed (n) and/or the power (P) of the motor (5, 33). According to the invention, the motor (5, 33) can be operated in a first operating mode (I) with reduced rotational speed (n0) and/or power (P0) and in at least a second operating mode (II) with an increased rotational speed (n1) and/or power (P1). In dependence on a release signal, the control uses exclusively the first operating mode (I) for a limited operation and the second operating mode (II) for an expanded operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas Neubauer, Tim Gegg
  • Publication number: 20120111589
    Abstract: A control method for a hand-held power tool, in response to the actuation of a main switch of the hand-held power tool, carries out the following steps. An identification of transponders in the vicinity of the hand-held power tool is requested in that a transmitter transmits a radio signal. The identification of the at least one responding transponder is received by a receiver. The received identifications are compared to one or more identifications that are stored in a memory unit. The hand-held power tool is switched on if at least one of the identifications stored in the memory unit matches at least one of the received identifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peer Schmidt, Thomas Wirz
  • Publication number: 20120103643
    Abstract: A control method for a power tool and a power tool is disclosed. The control method has an operating mode and a safety mode. In the operating mode, a motor drives a tool receptacle in a rotating manner. In the operating mode, the motor has a power consumption in the amount of at least an operating value. The safety mode is triggered if a sensor device detects a rotational blockade of the tool receptacle. In the safety mode, a clutch that is switchable by electrical signals located in the drive train between the motor and tool receptacle is periodically opened and closed and a power consumption of the motor is reduced as compared to the operating value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albert BINDER, Dieter Profunser, Alexander Hoop
  • Publication number: 20120090863
    Abstract: A screwdriving tool that includes a driving tool (driver), a sensor, a sensor target and a contact trip assembly that is coupled to the driving tool and has a nose element. The driver has a housing, a motor and an output member that is driven by the motor. One of the nose element and the output member is axially movable and biased by a spring into an extended position. The sensor and sensor target are configured to cooperate to permit the sensor to provide a sensor signal that is indicative of movement of the one of the nose element and the output member. The motor is controllable in a first operational mode and at least one rotational direction based in part on the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Craig A. Schell, Joseph P. Kelleher, Scott Eshleman, Andrew E. Seman, JR., Todd A. Hagan, Joseph G. Stauffer, Will Wang, John D. Cox
  • Patent number: 8122974
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a drilling machine to drill a series of parallel holes, where the drilling machine comprises a carrier vehicle movable over the terrain, a boom mounted on the vehicle for movement side to side on the vehicle, a mast carried on an outer end of the boom and movable about two separate axes relative to the end of the boom, includes a first sensor responsive to an azimuth angle relative to the earth's magnetic north direction and two additional sensors, which are used to measure the two inclinations relative to two vertical planes transverse to and longitudinal of the boom. The sensor system is mounted in an housing on the mast close to the longitudinal center of the mast and offset to the side. A controller calculates from the sensed values of the azimuth and inclination angles required target angles for the mast for drilling each hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Dragan Kosoric
  • Publication number: 20120045976
    Abstract: A handheld electric machine tool is described including a housing with a grip area, a tool area for a tool that is drivable in a linear and/or oscillating manner, an operating part on the housing for activation of the tool and/or the electric machine tool by the user, a drive unit disposed in the housing for producing a working motion of the tool, an electronic unit disposed in the housing for acting upon the drive unit with at least control and/or regulating signals, an operating voltage unit for supplying an electrical DC voltage, the drive unit including at least one excitation actuator having a volume of excitation-active material, which excitation actuator when in operation is electrically supplied by the operating voltage unit, is controlled or regulated by the electronic unit. The electronic unit may be configured to operate the at least one excitation actuator in a resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Jochen Roser, Stefano Delfini, Thilo Koeder, Joachim Platzer, Ivan Spremo
  • Publication number: 20120037385
    Abstract: An electric power tool comprises a tool main body, a plurality of battery packs that is detachably attached to the tool main body, and a controller that controls discharges of the battery packs attached to the tool main body. Each battery pack comprises a memory device that stores characteristic data of the rechargeable cell. The controller accesses each of the memory devices of the battery packs and controls the discharges of the battery packs based upon the characteristic data stored in the memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi SUZUKI, Masaaki FUKUMOTO, Takuya UMEMURA, Kosuke ITO
  • Publication number: 20120024552
    Abstract: An electrical power tool includes a motor, a load detecting unit, a trigger switch, and a power supplying unit. The load detecting unit detects a load applied to the motor. The trigger switch receives an instruction. The power supplying unit starts supplying of a driving electrical power to the motor when the trigger switch receives the instruction. The power supplying unit changes an amount of the driving electrical power based on the load detected by the load detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kawano, Nobuhiro Takano, Kazuhiko Funabashi, Kenro Ishimaru, Yasuo Etou, Miyoji Onose
  • Publication number: 20120000682
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool such as a drill, a nail gun, a hand-operated drive-in tool or a bolt setting tool, is disclosed. In order to further improve the operation of hand-held power tools, the hand-held power tool includes an electronic sensor device for detecting the position and/or a change in position of the hand-held power tool in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mario GRAZIOLI
  • Patent number: 8087472
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a power tool comprising a housing, an electric motor, a tool holder for supporting a tool bit and a conversion mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the output shaft of the motor into a reciprocating movement of the tool bit when being supporting in the tool holder, wherein oscillations of an element of the power tool are detected, wherein a quantity characterizing the oscillations is monitored and wherein the rotational speed of the electric motor is controlled such that the quantity does not exceed a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Usselman, Benjamin Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110315414
    Abstract: A control method for a screw including the following steps: a spindle (14) is driven by a motor (11) in order to turn a screw (19) around an axis of rotation (15). A magnetic field is generated around the turning screw (19). A modulation of the magnetic field caused by the turning screw (19) is detected by an active magnetic-field sensor (38). A switch-off criterion is selected by a screw-recognition device (28) on the basis of the detected modulation. The turning of the screw (19) is stopped by a switch-off device (24) as soon as the switch-off criterion is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochen Kuntner, Peer Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110303428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that assumes different device states during operation. In order to further increase the safety during operation of bolt-firing devices that can be operated electrically, the bolt-firing device (1) comprises a monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism (24) that monitors the device states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Roth, Stefan Miescher, Harald Fielitz, Klaus Bertsch
  • Publication number: 20110303427
    Abstract: A power tool including a motor for rotatably driving a tool bit at an attained rotational speed, a source for supplying an electric current to the motor, a sensor for measuring the current, and a control device. The control component fulfils the task of detecting a variation of the slope of the current in the course of time, and generates a control signal. The rotational speed of the tool is reduced in response to the control signal. The power tool automatically detects whether the work piece operated by the tool bit reaches a predetermined position by electronic control means. It may make sure that the screw is driven into a piece of wood and does not go beyond the predetermined position once it detects that the work piece reaches the position and carries out a changing action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Xiangyang Tang
  • Patent number: 8074731
    Abstract: An impact tool (100) includes a spindle (11), a motor (1), a rotational impact system (10), a current detecting unit (32), and a current control unit (31). The spindle extends in an axial direction thereof. The motor provides the spindle with a rotational power in accordance with a motor current flowing therethrough. The rotational power rotates the spindle about the axis at an rpm value. The rotational impact system provides the spindle with an impact force in the axial direction, thereby transmitting both the rotational power and the impact force to an end bit. The current detecting unit detects a current value of the motor current. The current control unit reduces the current value if the current value detected by the current detecting unit exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Iwata, Shinji Watanabe, Nobuhiro Takano
  • Publication number: 20110284256
    Abstract: A power tool has a motor, a power supply unit, a trigger unit, a control unit, and a motor load detection unit. The power supply unit supplies power to the motor. The trigger unit causes the power supply unit to start applying a voltage to the motor. The control unit controls the power supply unit to increase the voltage to the motor at a constant increasing rate. The motor load detection unit detects a motor load. The control unit changes the constant increasing rate in accordance with the motor load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Iwata
  • Publication number: 20110284254
    Abstract: Interactive tools and methods are provided. A particular interactive tool set includes a portable handheld tool and an alignment tool. The portable handheld tool includes a selective drive system. When the selective drive system is engaged, the portable handheld tool is operable perform a function and, when the selective drive system is not engaged, the portable handheld tool is not operable to perform the function. The alignment tool is physically separate and distinct from the portable handheld tool. The selective drive system engages in response to an indication of an aligned state of the alignment tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Jason Lee Moore
  • Patent number: 8051919
    Abstract: A method for loading coil collated fasteners into a fastening tool. The method includes providing internal access to the fastening tool by moving a door structure and a portion of a canister to load the coil collated fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Hagan, Glen V. Steinbrunner, James R. Niblett, Andrzej R. Wojcicki, C. Kerwin Braddock
  • Publication number: 20110259619
    Abstract: A portable power wrench of an angle type includes an elongated housing with an angle drive head and a rear handle and supports a motor. The power wrench also includes a manually operated power control device including a main power control trigger located at the rear handle and an auxiliary power control trigger located at the angle drive head. The motor as well as the main trigger and the auxiliary power control trigger are connected to a programmable control unit in which there are stored operation parameter sets suitable for a screw joint running down phase and a final tightening phase, respectively. The auxiliary power control trigger is arranged to activate the running down parameter set only, whereas the main power control trigger is arranged to activate the final tightening parameter set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Hans Karl Johan Brodin
  • Patent number: 8025106
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for screwing in and tightening a screw connection (1) to a predetermined tightened level (2), especially a predetermined torque level (2) or a predetermined pretension level, with the aid of a hand-held screwing tool (3) comprising a regulated drive unit (4) and/or control functionality, particularly an electric nut runner (3). A tightening phase (B-C-D), during which the screw head rests against the supporting surface (6) of the screw connection (1), starts following a screwing phase (A). In order to improve said method, the speed (N) of the screwing tool (3) is increased to an output speed (7) for the tightening phase (B-C-D) within an acceleration time (8) in the tightening phase (B-C-D) and is lowered within a delay time (9) prior to or until reaching the predetermined tightened level (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110214890
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for locking the operation of a power wrench to the location of an unacceptably tightened screw joint or object with a sensor for at least one tightening parameter. A position sensing system is provided for indicating continuously the position of the power wrench during tightening operations, and a control unit includes a unit for comparing obtained tightening parameter values with predetermined limit values and to provide an OK or a NOK signal in response to those limit values being passed or not for each screw joint. A locking device is provided to lock the power wrench operation to the very position of the screw joint or the object for which a NOK signal has been issued until the unacceptably tightened screw joint has been attended to and the NOK signal is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Carl Johan Erik Wallgren
  • Publication number: 20110214894
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an oil pulse tool includes: a motor generating a driving force according to a driving voltage; an oil pulse unit driven by the driving force and generating a torque in a pulse-like shape when the motor passes a strike position on a shaft thereof; and an output shaft on which a front end tool is mounted, the output shaft being connected to the shaft, characterized in that the oil pulse tool further comprises driving adjusting means to control the driving voltage, the driving voltage is reduced during a given period including a timing when the torque is transmitted to the output shaft, and the reduced driving voltage is increased when the given period is finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuhiro Harada, Tomomasa NIshikawa, Kazutaka Iwata, Shinki Ohtsu, Nobuhiro Takano