Power tool having object detection

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor within the housing;
• an output component coupled to the motor, the output component defining an operating path of the power tool;
• an object detection sensor including a radio frequency (“RF”) sensor, the RF sensor configured to transmit a first signal having a first frequency, receive a frequency response signal indicative of an object being proximate to or in the operating path of the power tool, and generate an output signal based on the received frequency response signal;
• and
• a controller connected to the motor and the object detection sensor, the controller including an electronic processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the electronic processor, cause the electronic processor to:
• compare the output signal to a plurality of predetermined frequency responses,
• select one of the plurality of predetermined frequency responses based on the comparison,
• determine a type of material for the object based on the selected one of the plurality of predetermined frequency responses,
• maintain, based on the determined type of material of the object being a first type of material, power to the motor, and
• inhibit, based on the determined type of material of the object being a second type of material, power to the motor,
• wherein the first type of material is different from the second type of material.

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor within the housing;
• an output component coupled to the motor, the output component defining an operating path of the power tool;
• an object detection sensor including a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor configured to receive a capacitance signal based on a capacitive field in the operating path of the power tool and generate an output signal based on the received capacitance signal;
• and
• a controller connected to the motor and the object detection sensor, the controller including an electronic processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the electronic processor, cause the electronic processor to:
• compare the output signal to a plurality of predetermined capacitance thresholds or ranges,
• select one of the plurality of predetermined capacitance thresholds or ranges based on the comparison,
• determine a type of material of an object proximate to or in the operating path of the power tool based on the selected one of the plurality of predetermined capacitance thresholds or ranges,
• maintain, based on the determined type of material of the object being a first type of material, power to the motor, and
• inhibit, based on the determined type of material of the object being a second type of material, power to the motor,
• wherein the first type of material is different from the second type of material.

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor within the housing;
• an output component coupled to the motor, the output component defining an operating path of the power tool;
• an object detection sensor including a capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor configured to receive a capacitance signal based on a capacitive field in the operating path of the power tool and generate an output signal indicative of a measured capacitance of an object being proximate to or in the operating path of the power tool;
• and
• a controller connected to the motor and the object detection sensor, the controller including an electronic processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the electronic processor cause the electronic processor to:
• compare the output signal to a plurality of capacitance ranges,
• maintain an electrical current available to the motor when the measured capacitance is within a first capacitance range indicative of a first type of material,
• inhibit the electrical current available to the motor when the measured capacitance is within second capacitance range indicative of a second type of material,
• wherein the first capacitance range is different from the second capacitance range, and
• wherein the first type of material is different from the second type of material.