Electronic clutch for powered fastener driver

A power tool including an electronic clutch, the power tool comprising:

• a motor;
• a lifting assembly operable to be moved by the motor;
• a speed sensor configured to sense a speed of the motor;
• a controller connected to the motor and the speed sensor, the controller configured to:
• drive, based on a position of the lifting assembly, the motor according to a first speed setting,
• receive speed signals from the speed sensor indicative of the speed of the motor,
• determine, while in the first speed setting, whether the speed of the motor is greater than or equal to a speed threshold,
• drive, in response to the speed of the motor being greater than or equal to the speed threshold and based on the position of the lifting assembly, the motor according to a second speed setting,
• determine, while in the second speed setting, whether the speed of the motor is less than the speed threshold, and
• activate the electronic clutch, in response to determining that the speed of the motor is below the speed threshold, to drive the motor at a low current command for a first predetermined time period.

A method for operating a fastener driver including an electronic clutch, the method comprising:

• driving, based on a position of a lifting assembly, a motor according to a first speed setting;
• receiving speed signals indicative of a speed of the motor;
• determining, while in the first speed setting, whether the speed of the motor is greater than or equal to a speed threshold;
• driving, in response to the speed of the motor being greater than or equal to the speed threshold and based on the position of the lifting assembly, the motor according to a second speed setting;
• determining, while in the second speed setting, whether the speed of the motor is less than the speed threshold;
• and
• activating the electronic clutch, in response to determining that the speed of the motor is below the speed threshold, to drive the motor at a low current command for a first predetermined time period.