Power tool sensing a multi-pole magnet junction

A powered fastener driver, comprising:

• a motor;
• a contact trip configured to be movable from a first position to a second position in response to engagement with a workpiece;
• a magnet coupled to the contact trip for movement with the contact trip, the magnet including a first pair of poles including a first north pole face and a first south pole face, and a second pair of poles including a second north pole face and a second south pole face, wherein the first north pole face is adjacent the second south pole face, and wherein a pole junction is defined between the first pair of poles and the second pair of poles;
• a sensor configured to detect the pole junction;
• and
• a controller configured to deactivate the motor to inhibit release of a fastener when the contact trip is in the first position based on detection of the pole junction.

A powered fastener driver, comprising:

• a motor;
• a lifter configured to be rotatable by the motor about a rotational axis;
• a piston urged towards a bottom-dead-center position to drive the fastener into a workpiece;
• a contact trip configured to be movable from a first position to a second position in response to engagement with the workpiece;
• a first magnet coupled to the lifter for rotation with the lifter, the first magnet including a first pair of poles, a second pair of poles, and a first pole junction therebetween;
• a first sensor configured to detect the first pole junction;
• a second magnet coupled to the contact trip for movement with the contact trip, the second magnet including a third pair of poles, a fourth pair of poles, and a second pole junction therebetween;
• a second sensor configured to detect the second pole junction;
• and
• a controller configured to stop the motor based on a position of the first pole junction, and configured to deactivate the motor to inhibit release of a fastener based on a position of the second pole junction.