Autofeed screwdriver

An autofeed screwdriving tool, comprising:

• a handle portion with a user-operated trigger;
• a motor and a corresponding motor driver circuit;
• an electrical power source;
• a system controller, operable to control the tool;
• a slide body exhibiting an exit end and an opposite, rear portion, in which the slide body is movably positioned in a feed tube;
• a flexible collated strip of screws;
• a drive bit that rotates when the motor is energized;
• and
• a motor cutoff subassembly, comprising:
• a plunger;
• and
• a sensor that detects a position of the plunger;
• wherein:
• at or near the end of a driving stroke, the rear portion contacts and moves the plunger until the plunger is detected by the sensor, which stops the rotatable drive bit without the use of a clutch;
• and
• during at least a portion of a return stroke, the rear portion releases from contact with the plunger, allowing the plunger to move away from the sensor, and if the trigger is actuated, starting the rotatable drive bit.

An autofeed screwdriving tool, comprising:

• a handle portion with a user-operated trigger;
• a motor with a corresponding motor driver circuit;
• a removably attachable battery;
• a system controller, operable to control the tool;
• a slide body exhibiting an exit end and an opposite, rear portion, in which the slide body is movably positioned in a feed tube;
• a flexible collated strip of screws;
• a drive bit that rotates when the motor is energized;
• and
• a motor cutoff subassembly, comprising:
• a sensor that detects a position of the rear portion of the slide body;
• wherein:
• at or near the end of a driving stroke, using a signal from the sensor, the rotatable drive bit is stopped without the use of a clutch, and during at least a portion of a return stroke the rotatable drive bit is started if the user-operated trigger is actuated;
• and
• the tool exhibits a reduction in its power consumption between the end of the driving stroke and the start of the return stroke, because the motor is temporarily disabled during this time period.

An autofeed screwdriving tool, comprising:

• a handle portion with a user-operated trigger;
• a motor and a corresponding motor driver circuit;
• an electrical power source;
• a system controller, operable to control the tool;
• a slide body exhibiting an exit end and an opposite, rear portion, in which the slide body is movably positioned in a feed tube;
• a flexible collated strip of screws;
• a drive bit that rotates when the motor is energized;
• and
• a motor cutoff subassembly, comprising:
• a plunger that is movable;
• and
• a sensor that detects a position of the plunger;
• wherein:
• at or near the end of a driving stroke, the rear portion contacts and moves the plunger until the plunger is detected by the sensor;
• and
• the sensor sends a first signal.