Electronic spindle lock for a power tool
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsGareth Mueckl, Zachary G. Stanke, Jeremy R. Ebner, Timothy R. Obermann, Ryan B. Jipp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electronic spindle lock for a power tool. One embodiment provides a power tool including a housing, a bit receiving portion provided on the housing for receiving a power tool bit, a motor within the housing configured to rotate the bit receiving portion, and a controller coupled to the motor. The controller is configured to enter an electronic spindle lock mode, and detect rotation of the bit receiving portion in a first direction. The controller is also configured to control motor to rotate in a second direction in response to detecting rotation of the bit receiving portion in the first direction.
Claims20
A power tool comprising:
- a housing;
- a bit receiving portion provided on the housing;
- a motor within the housing configured to rotate the bit receiving portion;
- a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect a position of the bit receiving portion;
- and
- a controller coupled to the motor and the Hall-effect sensor, the controller configured, in an electronic spindle lock mode, to:
- determine, based on signals from the Hall-effect sensor, that the bit receiving portion has rotated from an expected position, and
- control the motor to inhibit rotation of the motor or a drivetrain in response to the rotation of the bit receiving portion.
A method for operating a power tool including a motor and a bit receiving portion, the method comprising, in an electronic spindle lock mode:
- detecting, using a Hall-effect sensor, a position of the bit receiving portion;
- determining that the bit receiving portion has rotated from an expected position based on the detected position;
- and
- controlling, using a controller of the power tool, the motor to inhibit rotation of the motor or a drivetrain in response to the rotation of the bit receiving portion.
A grinder comprising:
- a spindle configured to receive a grinder accessory and a flange nut for securing the grinder accessory to the spindle;
- a motor coupled to the spindle and configured to rotate the grinder accessory during operation;
- a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect a position of the spindle;
- and
- a controller coupled to the motor and the Hall-effect sensor, the controller configured, in an electronic spindle lock mode, to:
- determine, based on signals from the Hall-effect sensor, that the spindle has rotated from an expected position;
- and
- control the motor to inhibit rotation of the spindle in response to the rotation of the flange nut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.