Generic motor control system

A method for controlling a plurality of different motors used in a corresponding plurality of power tool applications requiring different operational characteristics, said method comprising:

• providing a controller in communication with a memory to form a universal control module for a specific, selected power tool;
• implementing a generic, non-application-specific control algorithm in a software program, wherein the software program is stored in the memory, the generic, non-application-specific control algorithm having at least one programmable constant that is programmable during manufacture of the specific, selected power tool;
• and
• selecting the programmable constant to transform the generic, non-application-specific control algorithm into an application-specific control algorithm, the programmable constant representing a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application to tailor the non-application-specific control algorithm for use with a required operating parameter of the specific, selected motor used in the specific, selected power tool;
• and to implement a phase control over an input signal applied to the specific, selected motor.

A motor control module adapted to universally control any of a plurality of different motors utilized in a plurality of differing implementations, said motor control module comprising:

• a first memory device adapted to store a generic control algorithm and at least one programmable variable utilized during execution of the generic control algorithm;
• a second memory device adapted to store at least one programmable constant that represents a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application;
• and
• a processor adapted to execute the generic control algorithm implementing the programmable variable and the programmable constant to transform the generic control algorithm from a non-tool-specific format into a tool-specific format specifically suited for implementing a phase control over operation of the specific, selected motor used in the specific, selected motor application.