A capacitive sensor for a planar recognition of an approach of an object. The capacitive sensor includes a first planar electrode and a second planar electrode, a dielectric being situated between the first electrode and second electrode for spacing. The first electrode and the second electrode being designed to be limp and/or torsion flexible.

A handheld power tool with a rotatable tool, in which the handheld power tool is a saw blade or milling cutter. The handheld power tool includes a sensor device for detecting a mechanical vector quantity. The mechanical vector quantity includes a force, an acceleration, a velocity, a deflection, a deformation and/or a mechanical stress and the mechanical vector quantity depends on a force emanating from the handheld tool. The handheld power tool also includes a control device which is communicatively coupled to the sensor device and is adapted to recognize an event and/or a state of the power tool according to a direction and/or change of direction of the mechanical vector quantity detected by the sensor device.

A machine tool device includes at least one motorized machining tool, at least one, particularly capacitive, sensor unit, configured to detect at least one foreign body in at least one detection area around the machining tool, and at least one closed-loop and/or open-loop control unit configured to trigger at least one action depending on at least one signal from the sensor unit. The sensor unit includes at least one antenna configured to emit at least one electrical and/or magnetic field, which defines the at least one detection area, and/or to detect the at least one foreign body depending on at least one change in the at least one electrical and/or magnetic field.

An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a length has a sensor portion having a wire loop through which electric current runs and creates an electromagnetic field that emanates about the wire loop. The wire loop extending along at least a third of the length of the object. The apparatus has a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field emanating from the wire loop when the personal alarm device is in the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the magnetic field. Alternatively, the sensor portion extends from a contiguous boundary up to 500 meters, where the boundary has a geometry that is linear or meandering. A head piece for an individual's head. A method for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object. A field extension module. A proximity device.

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.

Machines with safety systems are disclosed. The machine may take the form of woodworking machines including table saws, band saws, miter saws, hand-held circular saws, pneumatic chop saws, radial-arm saws, jointers, planars, routers and shapers. The machines may include an operative structure configured to perform a task, where the operative structure includes a cutting tool adapted to move in at least one motion, and a safety system adapted to detect the occurrence of an unsafe condition between a person and the cutting tool and for mitigating the unsafe condition. The safety system may include a detection subsystem and a reaction subsystem. The machine may also include a bypass or override mode where in an injury mitigation system is disabled for certain cuts.

An apparatus for protecting a power tool user includes a glove or other garment having at least one sensor that monitors proximity to the power tool. Glove embodiments can include finger and/or thumb proximity sensors, and/or sensors that detect hand position, finger and/or wrist joint angle, vibration, and/or acceleration. Sensing targets can be retroactively installed on the power tool, and can define warning and/or danger zones. Sensing can be via magnetic, electromagnetic, capacitive, eddy current, and/or range finding means. Sizes of warning and/or target areas can be controlled by selecting targets from a plurality of targets of various detection ranges. Protective responses can vary according to different sensed events, and can include audible, visual, and/or tactile alerts, and/or interruption of power to the tool. Embodiments can record proximity and/or status data during a work session for review, training, and certification purposes. A controller can be physically cooperative with the garment.

Machines with safety systems are disclosed. The machine may take the form of woodworking machines including table saws, band saws, miter saws, hand-held circular saws, pneumatic chop saws, radial-arm saws, jointers, planars, routers and shapers. The machines may include an operative structure configured to perform a task, where the operative structure includes a cutting tool adapted to move in at least one motion, and a safety system adapted to detect the occurrence of an unsafe condition between a person and the cutting tool and for mitigating the unsafe condition. The safety system may include a detection subsystem and a reaction subsystem.

Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

A capacitive sensor for detecting at a surface that an object is approaching which is designed to be flexurally rigid and/or torsionally rigid. The capacitive sensor includes a circuit carrier and/or a spacer element and/or a carrier. In this case, the circuit carrier is designed to be flexurally rigid and/or torsionally rigid and/or the spacer element is designed to be flexurally rigid and/or torsionally rigid and/or the carrier is designed to be flexurally rigid and/or torsionally rigid. The circuit carrier is in the form of a circuit board and is used for making electrical contact with the electrically conductive surfaces of the capacitive sensor. The spacer element is situated between the electrically conductive surfaces and the circuit carrier. The carrier is designed for connecting the capacitive sensor to a machine part, in particular to a machine part of an industrial robot.