An operator uses a handheld fastening tool to fasten a surface-mount technology printed-circuit board (PCB) to an adjacent object by installing a fastener at a target location on the PCB. The operator wears augmented-reality (AR) eyewear equipped with image-recognition technology. The system identifies the distance between the target location and the nearest electronic component mounted to the PCB. An accelerometer integrated into the fastening tool continuously monitors the inclination of the tool and the frequency of operator hand movements while holding the tool. The distance, inclination, and movement measurements are used to derive a composite score indicating a likelihood that the current fastening task will be completed successfully without damage. The eyewear represents the score to the operator as a color-coded AR object. The measurements, scores, and color coding are continuously updated to give the operator real-time feedback about the operator's current likelihood of success.

An operator uses a handheld fastening tool to fasten a surface-mount technology printed-circuit board (PCB) to an adjacent object by installing a fastener at a target location on the PCB. The operator wears augmented-reality (AR) eyewear equipped with image-recognition technology. The system identifies the distance between the target location and the nearest electronic component mounted to the PCB. An accelerometer integrated into the fastening tool continuously monitors the inclination of the tool and the frequency of operator hand movements while holding the tool. The distance, inclination, and movement measurements are used to derive a composite score indicating a likelihood that the current fastening task will be completed successfully without damage. The eyewear represents the score to the operator as a color-coded AR object. The measurements, scores, and color coding are continuously updated to give the operator real-time feedback about the operator's current likelihood of success.

An impact driver, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a rotatable shaft, and a rotating driver mechanism configured to rotate the shaft. A first mass is positioned to selectively strike the rotating driver mechanism for inducing a rotation of the shaft in a first direction. A first inductor is positioned to accelerate the first mass toward the rotating driver mechanism. A computer-implemented method, in accordance with one embodiment, includes repeatedly activating a first inductor for repeatedly accelerating a first mass toward a rotating driver mechanism to selectively strike the rotating driver mechanism for inducing a rotation of a shaft in a first direction. In response to receiving an indication that rotation of the shaft is detected, the repeated activation is terminated.

A power tool allows mode switching and clutch operation torque switching using a single ring. An electric vibration driver drill includes an internal gear that meshes with planetary gears, an internal gear lock pin that moves forward relative to the internal gear to lock the internal gear, a first vibration cam fixed to a spindle, a second vibration cam that rubs against the first vibration cam and rotate relative to a gear housing, a vibration switch lever that moves forward relative to the second vibration cam to lock the second vibration cam in a nonrotatable manner, and an annular change ring that switches between forward movement and rearward movement of the internal gear lock pins and switches between forward movement and rearward movement of the vibration switch lever.

A reversing mechanism for a motorized hand-held ratcheting tool. A toggle trigger is coupled to a reversing mechanism of the tool, and a rotational drive direction of the tool is controlled via the trigger instead of a separate knob or dial. For example, when the trigger is rotated or pivoted in a forward direction (depression of a bottom or back of the trigger), the reversing mechanism is rotated into a right hand threaded fastener's tightening direction, and when the trigger is rotated or pivoted in a reverse direction (depression of a top or front of the trigger), the reversing mechanism is rotated into a right hand threaded fastener's loosening direction. The motor's rotational direction is not changed by the toggle trigger, but the trigger does control the rotational drive direction of the tool and activates the motor and variable speed circuitry.

A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.

A power tool having multiple wireless communication states and a method of wirelessly communicating by a power tool. The power tool includes a motor, a battery pack interface that selectively receives a battery pack, a backup power source, and a wireless communication controller coupled to the backup power source and the battery pack interface. The wireless communication controller operates in a connectable state when coupled to a battery pack and transmits tool operational data to the external device and receives tool configuration data from the external device. The wireless communication controller operates in an advertisement state when the wireless communication controller is coupled to and powered by the backup power source. In the advertisement state, the wireless communication controller is configured to transmit the unique tool identifier. The external device may also display an indication of the communication state of the power tool.

An accessory for use with a rotary power tool having a rotatable spindle and a first mating member. The accessory includes a housing having a body and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, a hub selectively engagable with the spindle to lock the accessory to the power tool, and a sleeve slidable along the arms between a first position and a second position, where the sleeve includes a plurality of apertures through which the corresponding plurality of arms extend. When the sleeve is in the first position the sleeve locks the hub to the spindle to secure the accessory to the power tool, and wherein when the sleeve is in the second position the sleeve disengages the hub from the spindle to release the accessory from the power tool.

A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing assembly, an output spindle, and a motor endbell. The housing assembly supports an electric motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the electric motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing assembly, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The motor endbell is located on the housing assembly adjacent the electric motor and opposite the output spindle. An illustrative controller is operable to determine phases of a fastening operation in which the hand-held power tool is operating. The phases of the fastening operation of the hand-held power tool include two phases including: (1) a continuous run phase and (2) an impacting phase.

A communication unit for an electrical machine, in particular a hand-held machine tool, includes at least one electrical actuator, a control unit configured to control the at least one electrical actuator, and a receiving unit assigned to a mobile or stationary unit. The at least one electrical actuator and the control unit together form a transmission unit. The transmission unit is configured to transmit data, and the receiving unit is configured to receive the data. The receiving unit includes at least one microphone. To transmit data, via the transmission unit, the control unit is configured to trigger the electrical actuator to generate an acoustic signal that is detectable by the at least one microphone.