Constant-clutch operation at power tool start-up

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor disposed within the housing;
• and
• a control unit configured to control a supply of power to the motor from a power source, the control unit comprising a controller configured to set a protection time limit associated with a condition of the motor and take protective action to shut down the motor if the condition of the motor persists for a duration of the protection time limit,
• wherein, in response to occurrence of the condition during a start-up period of operation of the motor where an output speed of the motor is between zero and a minimum speed threshold, the controller extends the protection time limit by a duration of a constant-clutch time period to allow an output speed of the motor to reach or exceed a normal operating speed threshold that is greater than the minimum speed threshold, and takes protective action to shut down the motor if the output speed of the motor remains below the normal operating speed threshold for the duration of the constant-clutch time period.

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor disposed within the housing;
• and
• a control unit configured to control a supply of power to the motor from a power source, the control unit comprising a controller configured take protective action to shut down the motor if an operating parameter of the motor exceeds at least one anti-kickback protection limit,
• wherein the controller is configured to set the at least one anti-kickback protection limit is to a first value during a start-up period of operation of the motor where an output speed of the motor is between zero and a minimum speed threshold, and set the at least one anti-kickback protection limit is to a second value that is smaller than the first value during a normal operation of the motor where the output speed of the motor exceeds a normal operating speed threshold that is greater than the minimum speed threshold.