ARRANGEMENT FOR MEASURING THE POISE OF A HANDHELD TOOL Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for handheld power tool and in particular to an arrangement for measuring the poise of a handheld power tool.

[002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with handheld power tool and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[003] Generally, with a conventional handheld power drill, it can be difficult, even for an experienced user, to drill a hole of certain configuration in a workpiece. For example, a 45° hole with 5 cm depth or a 90° hole with 2 cm depth. Although conventional measurement tools, such as rulers and protractors, may be used to guide the drilling operation, such use may require several iterations of stopping the drill, taking measurements with the conventional measurement tools, and starting the drill, in order to form the hole. Also, such conventional measurement tools may sometimes need to be fixed in position with respect to the workpiece. Therefore, the conventional handheld power drill, with or without the conventional measurement tools, can be inconvenient for drilling holes of certain configurations and precision.

[004] Such inconvenience and drawback are not specific to the power drill, but are common to all conventional handheld power tools (e.g., handheld power cutters) for high-precision cutting or boring.

[005] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention

[006] The invention seeks to provide an arrangement for measuring the poise of a handheld power tool, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[007] Accordingly, there is provided an arrangement for measuring the poise of a handheld power tool, the arrangement comprising a distance measuring means adapted for measuring a distance from the handheld power tool to a working surface.

[008] Preferably, the arrangement is adapted to be coupled to the handheld power tool.

[009] Preferably, the arrangement is adapted to be located proximate to a chuck of the handheld power tool.

[0010] Preferably, the distance measuring means comprises a signal transceiver unit operable to transmit and receive a sensing signal.

[0011] Preferably, the arrangement is operable to calculate the distance in accordance with the sensing signal transmitted and received by the signal transceiver unit.

[0012] Preferably, the signal transceiver unit comprises a laser transceiver module operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal.

[0013] Preferably, the laser transceiver module comprises a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operable to transmit the sensing signal.

[0014] Preferably, the laser transceiver module comprises a photodiode operable to receive the sensing signal.

[0015] Preferably, the signal transceiver unit comprises an ultrasonic sensing module operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal.

[0016] Preferably, the ultrasonic sensing module comprises a transducer operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal.

[0017] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises an orientation measuring means adapted for sensing an orientation of the handheld power tool. [0018] Preferably, the orientation measuring means comprises a magnetometer adapted for measuring an orientation of the handheld power tool.

[0019] Preferably, the orientation measuring means comprises a gyroscope. [0020] Preferably, the orientation measuring means comprises a level. [0021] Preferably, the level comprises a spirit level.

[0022] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises a display for displaying on the display information relating to the measured distance.

[0023] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises an audio generating means for generating sound representative of information relating to the measured distance.

[0024] Preferably, the arrangement is adapted to deactivate the handheld power tool in accordance with the measured distance.

[0025] Preferably, the arrangement is adapted to deactivate the handheld power tool further in accordance with poise setpoint configuration data.

[0026] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises an input means for receiving poise setpoint configuration data.

[0027] Preferably, the poise setpoint configuration data represents a depth.

[0028] Preferably, the poise setpoint configuration data represents an angle.

[0029] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises a setpoint indicating means for indicating a state of the arrangement being successfully configured in accordance with the poise setpoint configuration data.

[0030] Preferably, the setpoint indicating means comprises a light-emitting means. [0031] Preferably, the light-emitting means comprises a light-emitting diode. [0032] Preferably, the setpoint indicating means comprises a vibrating means. [0033] Preferably, the vibrating means comprises a vibrator.

[0034] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a computing device on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of an arrangement for measuring the poise of a handheld power tool in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a lateral cross section view showing a computing device and a plurality of signal transceiver units of the arrangement;

Figure 5 shows a power tool in operative relation to a workpiece;

Figure 6 shows a display device and an audio device of the arrangement in another preferred embodiment; and

Figure 7 shows the power tool of figure 6 in an operative relation to another workpiece.

Description of Embodiments

[0036] There will be described an arrangement for measuring the poise of a handheld power tool. The handheld power tool, as will be exemplified in the embodiments below, can be a handheld power drill and may substantially ameliorate the drawbacks of the prior art. The arrangement, as will become apparent, can be located on the handheld power tool, and serves to control operation of the handheld power tool. The arrangement may comprise a computing device, which will now be described below.

Computing devices 100

[0037] Figure 1 shows a computing device 100 adapted for controlling operation of a handheld power tool. The computing device may comprise different technical integers, such as the display device 1010, human interface 160 and the like. In other words, the technical integers of the computing device 100 are exemplary only and variations, adaptations and the like may be made thereto within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein and having regard for the particular application of the computing device 100. [0038] The computing device 100 comprises semiconductor memory 110 comprising volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 110 may comprise either RAM or ROM or a combination of RAM and ROM.

[0039] The computing device 100 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 130 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage media 120. The storage media 120 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks.

[0040] The device further comprises I/O interface 140 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The I/O interface 140 may offer both serial and parallel interface connectivity. For example, the I/O interface 140 may comprise a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar I/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 130. The I/O interface 140 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 160 such as keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like. The I/O interface 140 may also comprise a computer to computer interface, such as a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) interface, for interfacing the computing device 100 with one or more personal computer (PC) devices 190. The I/O interface 140 may also comprise an audio interface for communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 1050, such as a speaker or a buzzer.

[0041] The computing device 100 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 1000 for performing the computer program code instructions. The processor 1000 may be a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer (CISC) processor or the like. The computing device 100 further comprises a storage device 1030, such as a magnetic disk hard drive or a solid state disk drive.

[0042] Computer program code instructions may be loaded into the storage device 1030 from the storage media 120 using the storage medium reader 130 or the like. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded from the storage device 1030 into the memory 110. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 1000 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 110, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores one or more intermediate results in memory 110. [0043] In this manner, the instructions stored in the memory 110, when retrieved and executed by the processor 1000, may configure the computing device 100 as a special-purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein.

[0044] The computing device 100 also comprises a video interface 1010 for conveying video signals to a display device 1020, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device.

[0045] The computing device 100 also comprises a communication bus subsystem 150 for interconnecting the various devices described above. The bus subsystem 150 may offer parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCIe), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like.

Handheld power tool 200

[0046] As alluded to above, referring to figures 2 and 3, the handheld power tool 200 may be a handheld power drill. In other embodiments, the handheld power tool 200 may take on any other embodiments, such as a handheld power cutter or a handheld power grinder. That is to say, the handheld power tool 200 may be any handheld tool for working on a workpiece.

[0047] Turning to figure 4, the arrangement 405 may be located on or in the power tool 200, depending on application. For example, the arrangement 405 may be located in a housing 205 of the power tool 200. More specifically, where the power tool 200 comprises a chuck 210, the arrangement 405 may be located proximate to a chuck 210 of the power tool 200. However, configuration of the arrangement 405 is not limited to the above embodiments. The arrangement 405 may be otherwise located on, in or off the handheld power tool 200, depending on application.

Distance measurement

[0048] Measurement of the distance by the computing device 100 will now be described. In a preferred embodiment, referring to figure 5, the arrangement 305 comprises a distance measuring means 310 adapted for measuring a distance from the power tool 200 to a working surface 510 of a workpiece 505. In particular, the distance measuring means 310 may comprise at least one signal transceiver unit 315 operable for transmitting and receiving a sensing signal. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the plurality of signal transceiver units 315 are arranged in a circular formation substantially concentric to the drill bit. [0049] The computing device 100 may be configured to calculate the distance from the power tool 200 to the working surface 510 in accordance with the sensing signal transmitted and received by the signal transceiver unit 315.

[0050] Depending on the required physical properties of the sensing signal and application, the signal transceiver unit 315 may take on several embodiments, according to which the calculation of distance may vary. Some of such embodiments will be described below.

Laser-based signal transceiver unit 315

[0051] In one embodiment, the signal transceiver 315 may comprise a laser transceiver module, which may comprise a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operable to transmit the sensing signal and a photodiode operable to receive the reflected sensing signal. That is, the sensing signal transmitted by the VCSEL is, in this embodiment, in the form of laser pulses. In other embodiments, however, the laser sensing module may comprise any other means for transmitting and receiving the sensing signal. For clarity, the reflected sensing signal is a signal resulting from reflection of the sensing signal on the working surface 510. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the sensing signal transmitted and received by the signal transceiver 315 may be an electromagnetic signal of any frequency, which may be achieved by configuring the signal transceiver 315 with corresponding electromagnetic wave emitting receiving devices.

[0052] The sensing signal may be transmitted from the signal transceiver unit 315 in the form of a series of laser pulses, whereby the distance may be calculated in accordance with the speed of light, the time each pulse takes to travel from the signal transceiver unit 250 to the working surface 510, and the time the reflected pulse takes to travel from the working surface 510 back to the signal transceiver unit 250. In particular, the distance may be calculated in accordance with

where "d" represents the distance, "c" represents the speed of light, and "t" represents the length of time between transmission and receipt of the sensing signal.

[0053] In the above embodiments, the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal are transmitted and received respectively by the same signal transceiver unit 315. However, in an alternative embodiment where the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal, which corresponds to the sensing signal, are transmitted and received respectively by different signal transceiver units 315, calculation of the distance may be based on triangulation. Ultrasonic-based signal transceiver unit 315

[0054] In another embodiment, the signal transceiver unit 315 may alternatively comprise an ultrasonic sensing module operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal. For example, the signal transceiver unit 315 may comprise a transducer operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal. That is, the sensing signal transmitted by the transducer is, in this embodiment, in the form of ultrasonic waves. Several techniques may be adopted for calculating the distance in accordance with the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal, which, in this case, are ultrasonic signals, received by the signal transceiver unit 315.

[0055] In one arrangement where the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal are transmitted and received by the same signal transceiver unit 315, the distance and may be calculated in accordance with where "v" represents the speed of sound.

[0056] Alternatively, the calculation of distance may be also based on the change of signal intensity in accordance with

/ = I ₀ e ^~ax where "I", represents an intensity of the sensing signal transmitted by the signal transceiver 315, "10", represents an intensity of the reflected sensing signal received by the signal transceiver 315, "a" represents an attenuation coefficient, and "x" represents the distance.

[0057] Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, where the distance measuring means 310 comprises a plurality of signal transceiver units 315, some of the signal transceiver units 315 may comprise the laser sensing modules while the other signal transceiver units 315 may comprise the ultrasonic sensing module. Such an arrangement may be advantageous if the workpiece comprises materials of significantly different signal reflection properties. In particular, where sensing signals transmitted by one of the laser sensing module and the ultrasonic sensing module cannot be reflected due to the signal reflection properties of the working surface, the sensing signals transmitted by the other of the laser sensing module and the ultrasonic sensing module may still be reflected and picked up by the corresponding signal transceiver units 315, such that the computing device 100 is still able to calculate the distance. Infrared-based signal transceiver unit 315

[0058] In another embodiment, the signal transceiver unit 315 may alternatively comprise an infrared sensing module operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal. For example, the signal transceiver unit 315 may comprise an infrared light emitting diode (LED operable to transmit and receive the sensing signal. That is, the sensing signal transmitted by the infrared LED is, in this embodiment, in the form of infrared. Several techniques may be adopted for calculating the distance in accordance with the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal, which, in this case, are ultrasonic signals, received by the signal transceiver unit 315.

[0059] The sensing signal may be transmitted from the signal transceiver unit 315 in the form of a series of infrared pulses, whereby the distance may be calculated in accordance with the speed of light, the time each pulse takes to travel from the signal transceiver unit 250 to the working surface 510, and the time the reflected pulse takes to travel from the working surface 510 back to the signal transceiver unit 250. In particular, the distance may be calculated in accordance with

[0060] In the above embodiments, the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal are transmitted and received respectively by the same signal transceiver unit 315. However, in an alternative embodiment where the sensing signal and the reflected sensing signal, which corresponds to the sensing signal, are transmitted and received respectively by different signal transceiver units 315, calculation of the distance may be based on triangulation.

Orientation measurement

[0061] The arrangement 405 may further be adapted to measure orientation of the power tool 200. The measured orientation together with the measured distance may allow for a more precise operation of the power tool 200.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the power tool 200 may comprise an orientation measuring means (not shown) adapted for sensing an orientation of the power tool 200. For example, the orientation measuring means may be implemented in the form of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), to which the computing device 100 is operably coupled for receiving data representative of orientation detected by the orientation measuring means. The orientation measuring means may take on several embodiments.

[0063] In one arrangement, the orientation measuring means may comprise a magnetometer configured for measuring an orientation of the power tool 200. In another arrangement, the orientation measuring means may comprise a gyroscope configured for measuring an orientation of the power tool 200. In yet another arrangement, the orientation measuring means may comprise a level, more particularly a spirit level configured for measuring an orientation of the power tool 200. Alternatively, the orientation measuring means may comprise any combination of the magnetometer, the gyroscope, and the spirit level.

Audio and visual representation of information

[0064] The arrangement 405 may be configured to present information pertaining to the measured distance and/or the measured orientation for user reference.

[0065] Turning to figure 6, the arrangement 405 may, in one embodiment, further comprise a display (the display device 1020) operably coupled to the processor 1000. The processor 1000 may be configured to output information pertaining to the measured distance and/or orientation. Such information, as illustrated in figure 6, may comprise the distance from the power tool 200 to the working surface 510, and the orientation angle of the power tool 200. Other information may also be displayed on the display, depending on application.

[0066] It should be noted that display of such information is not limited to the embodiment shown in figure 6. In other embodiments, the text displayed on the display device 1020 may be rotated and rearranged in accordance with the user. For example, the embodiment shown in figure 6 is adapted for use by right-handed users. In another configuration, the text may be rotated by 180 degrees to suit left-handed users. Also, the form, orientation, font and size of the text may also be otherwise adjusted, depending on application.

[0067] Alternatively, the arrangement 405 may, in another embodiment, further comprise an audio generating means (e.g. the audio device 1050) for generating sound representative of such information. For example, the processor 1000 may control the audio device 1050 to generate sound representative of such information (e.g., beeps, and/or audio verbal representation).

[0068] Where the sound to be generated by the audio generating means comprises verbal representation of the information, the computing device 100 may be configured to enable user selection of language in which the information is to be presented. Other options, such as volume adjustment may also be implemented.

[0069] Also, in yet another embodiment, the arrangement 405 may comprise both the display and the audio generating means.

Control of operation (deactivation)

[0070] The arrangement 405 may further be configured to control operation of the power tool 200 in accordance with the measured distance and/or the measured orientation. In the context of a power drill, this configuration may promote forming of drill holes of user-specified configuration.

[0071] In one exemplary configuration, the computing device 100 is operably coupled to a motor of the power tool 200 in accordance with the measured distance, the measured orientation, and poise setpoint configuration data received by the computing device 100. The poise setpoint configuration data represents a setpoint distance and a setpoint orientation, and may, in one embodiment, be inputted by user. For example, the arrangement 405 may further comprise a keypad and/or a pointer device for input of such data.

[0072] The setpoint orientation may, in another embodiment, be wirelessly transmitted to the computing device 100 via a wireless network from, for example, a smartphone with a software application operatively corresponding to the arrangement 405. Also, the measured distance, the measured orientation, and other such information may also be wirelessly transmitted from the computing device 100 for receipt by other compatible devices.

[0073] Referring to figure 7, the arrangement 405 is configured to deactivate the motor when the measured distance (currently, 3 mm) falls within a predetermined tolerance distance range (e.g. +0.05mm, customisable) from the exemplary setpoint distance (10 mm). That is, the arrangement 405 will deactivate the motor when the measured distance falls within the range of 9.95mm to 10.05mm.

[0074] Also, if the measured orientation angle falls outside a tolerance angle range (e.g., +0.5 degree, customisable) from an exemplary setpoint angle (45 degrees), the arrangement 405 may also deactivate the motor. For example, if the measured angle falls outside the range of 44.5 degree to 45.5 degree, the motor will be deactivated. [0075] In an alternative configuration, the arrangement 405 may also playout audio and/or display information indicating various events by way of the display device 1020 and the audio device 1050. Such events may comprise matching and non-matching of the measured distance (i.e. the measured hole depth) and the hole angle (i.e., the measured hole angle) with those specified in the poise setpoint configuration data.

Poise setpoint configuration data

[0076] The poise setpoint configuration data may comprise any information relevant to the maintenance of a specified poise (depth and angle) for forming holes of desired configurations. As alluded to above, such information may comprise depth and angle, and may be inputted using a suitable input means, such as keypad, a pointer device, and wireless transmission.

[0077] The arrangement 405 may further comprise a setpoint indicating means configured for indicating a state of the arrangement 405 being successfully configured in accordance with the poise set point configuration data received by the arrangement 405. Such a setpoint indicating means may comprise at least one of the display device 1020 and the audio device 1050.

[0078] That is to say, depending on implementation of the setpoint indicating means, the display device 1020 may be controlled by the processor 1000 to display an visual indication representing successful configuration of the arrangement 405 in accordance with the poise setpoint configuration data, and the audio device 1050 may be controlled by the processor to playout an audio indication representing successful configuration of the arrangement 405 in accordance with the poise setpoint configuration data.

[0079] Alternatively, the setpoint indicating means may comprise a light-emitting means, which may, for example, comprise a light-emitting diode for emitting light in a predetermined manner for indicating successful configuration of the arrangement 405 in accordance with the poise setpoint configuration data. Further, the setpoint indicating means may also comprise a vibrating means, which may comprise a vibrator operable to vibrate in a predetermined manner for indicating successful configuration of the arrangement 405 in accordance with the poise setpoint configuration data. Interpretation

Embodiments:

[0081] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0082] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0083] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Specific Details

[0084] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology

[0085] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Different Instances of Objects

[0086] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Comprising and Including

[0087] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0088] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[0089] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[0091] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the hand tool industries.