Power tool having object detection

• Main Author: Mergener, Matthew J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.07.2024
• Subjects: BLASTING; COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOTDIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOTPARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOTOTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g.ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HAND TOOLS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINE TOOLS; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OFPARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; MANIPULATORS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; SAFETY DEVICES IN GENERAL; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

A power tool and methods are provided for detecting objects (e.g., flesh or other materials) in the operating path of a power tool's output component (e.g., saw blade or drill bit). An object detection sensor in the power tool generates an output signal indicative of a type of material detected in the operating path of the power tool. A power tool controller receives the object detection sensor output and determines when a material in the operating path of the power tool changes. The controller changes operation of a motor of the power tool (e.g., increasing or decreasing speed or stopping the motor) in response to the detected material change. The object detection sensor may include, for example, an RF sensor, a capacitive sensor, a camera, a conductivity probe, or an ultrasound probe.