System for controlling energy output of combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool

Abstract: A system for controlling the energy output of a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool, in which a fan is arranged to produce turbulence in a combustion chamber when the fan is driven, in which a direct current motor is arranged to drive the fan when a driving voltage is applied across the motor, and in which a battery provides a battery voltage not less than the driving voltage. A voltage divider includes a settable resistance, either a potentiometer or two parallel, fixed resistances that can be alternatively selected, and is used to provide a setpoint voltage. A comparator, an inverter, and a transistor switch are arranged to sample a voltage proportional to the rotational speed of the fan, to compare the sampled voltage to the setpoint voltage, to apply the driving voltage across the motor if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage, and to remove the driving voltage from across the motor if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. The voltage divider also includes a permanently grounded resistance, two selectively groundable resistances, and two photoelectric switches, each including a phototransmissive diode and a photoreceptive transistor and being arranged to ground one of the selectively groundable resistances if a fastener between the phototransmissive diode and the photoreceptive transistor blocks phototransmission therebetween but not if the fastener does not block phototransmission therebetween. The photoelectric switches can be thus used for discriminating among relatively short, intermediate-length, and relatively long fasteners.

Description: Technical Field of the Invention This invention pertains to a system for controlling the energy output of a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool, by controlling a fan, which is arranged to produce turbulence in a combustion chamber, and which is driven by a battery-powered, direct current motor. Background of the Invention Combustion-powered, fastener-driving tools, such as combustion-powered, nail-driving tools and combustion-powered, staple-driving tools, are exemplified in Nikolich U.S. Patent Re. 32,452, Nikolich U.S. Patents No. 4,552,162, No. 4,483,474, and No. 4,403,722, and Wagdy U.S. Patent No. 4,483,473. Such a tool comprises a combustion chamber, into which a combustible fuel is injected, and in which the fuel is mixed with air and ignited. As disclosed in the Nikolich patents noted above, a fan or impeller is employed to produce turbulence of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber of such a tool. An ignition system for such a tool is disclosed in Rodseth et al . U.S. Patent No. 5,133,329. The ignition system disclosed therein is battery-powered. A fuel system for such a tool is dislosed in Doherty et al . U.S. Patent No. 5,263,439. A tool according to the state of the art does not comprise controlling means for controlling the energy output of the tool. However, in some applications, higher energy outputs are needed. In other applications, lower energy outputs may suffice. Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool exhibiting an energy output which comprises controlling means for the energy output of the tool. This object is achieved with the combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool according to claim 1 which comprises a combustion chamber, fan means for producing turbulence within said combustion chamber when said fan means is driven, motor means for driving said fan means when a driving voltage is applied across said motor means and battery means for providing said driving voltage to said motor means, wherein controlling circuit means are provided for controlling said energy output by controlling the speed of said fan means. The controlling means may comprise a voltage divider for providing a setpoint voltage and a comparator for sampling a voltage proportional to the rotational speed of the fan, comparing the sampled voltage to the setpoint voltage, applying a voltage proportional to the battery voltage to the driving means if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage, and removing the applied voltage if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. The voltage divider may comprise a user-variable resistance. Generally, the system may combine three known elements of such a tool, namely a fan arranged to produce turbulence in the combustion chamber when the fan is driven, a direct current motor arranged to drive the fan when a driving voltage is applied across the motor, and a battery providing a battery voltage not less than the driving voltage, with a circuit for controlling the energy output of the tool by controlling the fan speed. In accordance with a first embodiment of this invention, the circuit may comprise means including a voltage divider having a resistive device connected to the battery and settable at any of at least two resistances for providing a setpoint voltage and means including a comparator for sampling a voltage proportional to the fan speed, comparing the sampled voltage to the setpoint voltage, applying the driving voltage across the motor if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage, and removing the driving voltage if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. The resistive device may be infinitely settable over a range of possible resistances or may be instead settable to one of a finite set of fixed resistances. Preferably, the means including the comparator further includes a transistor connected between the battery and the motor. The transistor is arranged to be switched on if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage and to be switched off if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. Preferably, the comparator is arranged to output a high voltage if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage and to output a low voltage if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. The transistor switch is arranged to be switched on if a high voltage is outputted by the comparator and to be switched off if a low voltage is outputted by the comparator. Preferably, the means including the comparator and the transistor switch further includes an inverter connected between the comparator and the transistor switch such that a voltage proportional to the voltage outputted by the comparator is inputted to the inverter. The inverter is arranged to output a low voltage if a high voltage is outputted by the comparator and to output a high voltage if a low voltage is outputted by the comparator. The transistor is arranged to be switched on if a low voltage is outputted by the inverter and to be switched off if a high voltage is outputted by the inverter. In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention, the circuit may be similar except that the voltage divider includes permanently connected resistances and a selectively groundable resistance, and except that the circuit further comprises a photoelectric switch. The photoelectric switch includes a phototransmissive diode and a photoreceptive transistor. The photoelectric switch is arranged to connect the selectively connectable resistance into the voltage divider if phototransmission is not blocked between the phototransmissive diode and the photoreceptive transistor but not if phototransmission is blocked therebetween. Preferably, two photoelectric switches are provided, which are arranged to function similarly. These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention are evident from the following description of two alternative embodiments of this invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a diagram of embodiments of a system for controlling the energy output of a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool, which has a combustion chamber shown diagrammatically. Figure 2 is a graph of relative energy output versus fan speed, as measured in a representative example of such a tool. Figure 3 is an elevational view of a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool constituting one of the alternative embodiments of this invention. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments As shown in Figure 1, a system provided by this invention controls the energy output of a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool comprising a combustion chamber C constitutes one contemplated embodiment of this invention. Basically, the system controls the energy output by controlling the rotational speed of a fan F , which is arranged to produce turbulence in a fuel air-mixture in the combustion chamber C when the fan F is driven. As shown in Figure 2, higher rotational speeds of the fan F entail higher energy outputs of the tool T , and lower rotational speeds of the fan F entail lower energy outputs of the tool T . In some applications, as with relatively long fasteners being driven into relatively hard substrates, higher energy outputs are needed. In other applications, as with relatively short fasteners being driven into relatively soft substrates, lower energy outputs may suffice. Where lower energy outputs suffice, lower energy outputs are preferred over higher energy outputs, because lower energy outputs subject the tool T to less wear. Also, in many applications overdriving of fasteners can be thus avoided. Except as illustrated in the drawings and described herein, the tool may be substantially similar to known tools exemplified in the Nikolich patents noted above (the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference) and available commercially from ITW Paslode (a unit of Illinois Tool Works Inc.) of Lincolnshire, Illinois, under its INPULSE trademark. Besides the fan F , the system comprises a direct current motor M , which is arranged to drive the fan F when a driving voltage is applied across the motor M , a battery V providing a battery voltage (approximately 6.5 volts) not less than the driving voltage, and a circuit 100 to be next described for controlling the energy output of the tool by controlling the rotational speed of the fan F . The circuit 100 comprises a voltage divider, which is connected to the positive terminal of the battery V and which is comprised of a potentiometer 101 (200 KΩ) arranged to be infinitely settable over a range of possible resistances, a resistor 102 (1 KΩ) connected to the potentiometer 101, a capacitor 103 (0.1 µF) grounding the resistor 102 to the negative terminal of the battery V and a resistor 104 (100 KΩ) connected in parallel with the capacitor 103 and grounding the resistor 102 to the negative terminal of the battery V . The capacitor 103 functions as a noise filter. The voltage divider is connected to the positive terminal of a comparator (operational amplifier) 110 so that the voltage divider provides a setpoint voltage for the comparator 110. The negative terminal of the comparator 110 is connected via a resistor 111 (100 KΩ) to the motor M , so as to sample the motor voltage, which is proportional to the rotational speed of the fan F . The negative terminal of the comparator 110 also is connected to the negative terminal of the battery V via a capacitor 112 (0.1 µF) functioning to filter voltage spikes. The comparator 110 is arranged such that a high voltage is outputted by the comparator 110 if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage and such that a low voltage is outputted by the comparator 110 if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. The comparator 110 is connected to a two-position switch 105, via a diode 106 (1N914) and a resistor 107 (100 KΩ), such that the output of the comparator 110 is conducted to the negative terminal of the battery V when the switch 105 is closed. Since the motor M cannot be energized if the switch 105 is closed, the switch 105 is deemed to be in a RUN condition when opened and in a STOP condition when closed. The comparator 110 is connected via the resistor 107 to an inverter (Schmitt trigger) 108 (74HC14) such that a voltage proportional to the voltage outputted by the comparator 110 is inputted to the inverter 108. The inverter 108 is arranged to output a low voltage if a high voltage is outputted by the comparator 110 and to output a high voltage if a low voltage is outputted by the comparator 110. The inverter 108 is connected via a resistor 109 (1 KΩ) to the base of a transistor ( pnp ) switch 113 (2N6727) such that a voltage proportional to the voltage outputted by the inverter 108 is inputted to the base of the transistor switch 113. The transistor switch 113 is arranged to be switched on when a low voltage is applied to its base and to be switched off when a high voltage is applied to its base. The emitter of the transistor switch 113 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery V . The collector of the transistor switch 113 is connected to the motor M . Thus, when the transistor switch 113 is switched on, the motor M is energized. When the switch 105 is closed, the transistor switch 113 is switched off, whereby the motor M is deenergized. So as to protect the transistor switch 113, a suppression diode 114 (1N4001) is connected between the motor M and the negative terminal of the battery V , and a suppression diode 115 (1N4001) is connected between the positive terminal of the battery V and the motor M . As shown in Figure 1, a circuit 200 comprises a voltage divider, which can be alternatively used in place of the voltage divider comprised of the potentiometer 101, the resistor 102, the capacitor 103, and the resistor 104. In the circuit 200, the voltage divider comprises a two-position switch 201, which when closed connects a resistor 202 (51 KΩ) to the positive terminal of the battery V . Also, the voltage divider comprises a resistor 203 (51 KΩ), which is connected to the positive terminal of the battery V . Thus, when the switch 201 is closed, the resistor 202 is connected in parallel with the resistor 203. In a practical application, the switch is opened to condition the tool to drive a fastener into soft wood but closed to condition the tool to drive a fastener into hard wood, as indicated by legends in Figure 2. Via a resistor 204 (120 Ω), a phototransmissive diode 205 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery V . The phototransmissive diode 205 is arranged to coact with a photoreceptive transistor 206, which has its collector connected via a resistor 207 (200 KΩ) to the resistor 202 and to the resistor 203 and which has its emitter connected to the negative terminal of the battery V . The phototransmissive diode 205 and the photoreceptive transistor 206 constitute a photoelectric switch S 1 (GP2505). Moreover, the phototransmissive diode 205 is connected to a phototransmissive diode 208, which is connected to the negative terminal of the battery V . The phototransmissive diode 208 is arranged to coact with a photoreceptive transistor 209, which has its collector connected via a resistor 210 (200 KΩ) to the resistors 202, 203, and 207 and which has its emitter connected to the negative terminal of the battery V . The phototransmissive diode 208 and the photoreceptive transistor 209 constitute a photoelectric switch S 2 (GP2505). In the circuit 200, the voltage divider also comprises a resistor 211 (100 KΩ) connecting the resistors 202, 203, 207, and 210 to the negative terminal of the battery V and a capacitor 212 (0.1 µF) connected in parallel with the resistor 211. The capacitor 212 functions as a noise filter. Preferably, each of the photoelectric switches S 1 , S 2 , described hereinabove is a Sharp GP2505 Subminiature Photointerrupter with Lens. As shown in Figure 3, the photoelectric switches S 1 , S 2 , can be suitably mounted in a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool 10, as in the nosepiece 12 of the tool 10, such that each fastener to be driven by the tool 10 passes between the phototransmissive diode of each of the photoelectric switches S 1 , S 2 , and the photoreceptive transistor of each of the photoelectric switches S 1 , S 2 . The photoelectric switch S 1 comprising the phototransmissive diode 205 and the photoreceptive transistor 206 can be thus arranged such that the photoreceptive transistor 206 is switched on when phototransmission between the phototransmissive diode 205 and the photoreceptive transistor 206 is not blocked, such that the photoreceptive transistor 206 is switched off when phototransmission therebetween is blocked, and such that a relatively short fastener ( e.g. a fastener shorter than about 2.5 inches) does not block phototransmission therebetween whereas a longer fastener blocks phototransmission therebetween. The photoelectric switch S 2 comprising the phototransmissive diode 208 and the photoreceptive transistor 209 can be thus arranged such that the photoreceptive transistor 209 is switched on when phototransmission between the phototransmissive diode 208 and the photoreceptive transistor 209 is not blocked, such that the photoreceptive transistor 209 is switched off when phototransmission therebetween is blocked, and such that a relatively short fastener ( supra ) or an intermediately long fastener does not block phototransmission therebetween whereas a relatively long fastener ( e.g. a fastener longer than about 3.0 inches) blocks phototransmission therebetween. In the circuit 200, the photoelectric switches can be thus arranged to condition the tool automatically to drive relatively short fasteners, intermediately long fasteners, or relatively long fasteners, after the switch 201 has been set to condition the tool for hard wood or soft wood. Because this invention enables the energy output of a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool to be precisely controlled for fastener of different lengths and for different substrates, the tool may be thus subjected to less wear. Also, in many applications, overdriving of fasteners can be thus avoided. Herein, all values and specifications stated parenthetically for the circuits 100, 200, are exemplary values, which are useful in the aforenoted embodiments of this invention. However, such values and specifications are not intended to limit this invention.

Claims: A combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool exhibiting an energy output comprising: a combustion chamber; fan means for producing turbulence within said combustion chamber when said fan means is driven; motor means for driving said fan means when a driving voltage is applied across said motor means; battery means for providing said driving voltage to said motor means; characterized in that circuit means are provided, for controlling said energy output by controlling the speed of said fan means. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the circuit means are comprising first means for providing a setpoint voltage, and second means, including a comparator, for sampling a voltage proportional to said speed of said fan means, comparing said sampled voltage to said setpoint voltage, and selectively applying said driving voltage across said motor means if said sampled voltage is less than said setpoint voltage and terminating said driving voltage to said motor means if said sampled voltage is not less than said setpoint voltage. A tool according to claim 2 wherein said second means including the comparator further includes a transistor connected between the battery and the motor and arranged to be switched on if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage and to be switched off if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage. A tool according to claim 3 wherein the comparator is arranged to output a high voltage if the sampled voltage is less than the setpoint voltage and to output a low voltage if the sampled voltage is not less than the setpoint voltage and wherein the transistor is arrenged to be switched on if a high voltage is outputted by the comparator and to be switched off if a low voltage is outputted by the comparator. A tool according to claim 4 wherein said second means including the comparator and the transistor further includes an inverter connected between the comparator and the transistor such that a voltage proportional to the voltage outputted by the comparator is inputted to the inverter, the inverter being arranged to output a low voltage if a high voltage is outputted by the comparator and to output a high voltage if a low voltage is outputted by the comparator, and wherein the transistor is arranged to be switched on if a low voltage is outputted by the inverter and to be switched off if a high voltage is outputted by the inverter. A tool according to claim 5 further comprising means including a switch, which is switchable between a RUN condition and STOP condition, for permitting the voltage outputted by the comparator to be inputted to the inverter when the switch is switches to the RUN condition and for preventing the voltage outputted by the comparator to be inputted to the inverter when the switch is switched to the STOP condition. A tool according to any of the claims 2 to 6, wherein said first means for providing said setpoint voltage comprises a voltage divider. A tool according to claim 7 wherein said voltage divider having a resistive device which is arranged to be infinetely settable over a range of possible resistances. A tool according to claim 7 wherein said voltage divider having a resistive device which is settable to one of a finite set of fixed resistances. A tool according to any of the claims 2 to 6 wherein said first means comprises a voltage divider which further includes permanently connected resitances and a selectively connectable resistance and wherein said circuit means further comprises a photoelectric switch including a phototransmissive diode and a photoreceptive transistor which are arranged to connect said selectively connectable resistance to said voltage divider if phototransmission is not blocked between said phototransmissive diode and said photoreceptive transistor, but not to connect said selectively connectable resitance to said voltage divider if phototransmission is blocked between said phototransmissive diode and said photoreceptive transistor. A tool according to claim 10 wherein a voltage divider has a resistive device connected to said battery and which is settable at either of two resitances for providing said setpoint voltage. A tool according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said photoelectric switch is arranged such that fasteners having a predetermined length do not block said phototransmission whereas longer fasteners block phototransmission. A tool according to any of the claims 2 to 6 wherein said first means comprises a voltage divider which further includes permanently connected resistances and two selectively connectable resistances and wherein said circuit means further comprises two photoelectric switches, each one of said photoelectric switches including a phototransmissive diode and a photoreceptive transistor which are arranged to connect one of said selectively connectable resistances to said voltage divider if phototransmission is not blocked between said phototransmissive diode and said photoreceptive transistor, but not to connect said one of said selectively connectable resistances to said voltage divider if phototransmission is blocked between said phototransmissive diode and said photoreceptive transistor. A tool according to claim 13 wherein said photoelectric switches are arranged such that fasteners having different predetermined lengths do not block said phototransmissions. A tool according to claims 10 - 12 wherein said tool has a nosepiece defined within a forward end portion thereof and said photoelectric switch is disposed within said nosepiece of said tool. A tool according to claims 13 - 14 wherein said tool has a nosepiece defined within a forward end portion thereof and said two photoelectric switches are disposed within said nosepiece of said tool. A tool according to claim 16 wherein a longitudinal axis is defined within said tool along which said fasteners are driven and said two photoelectric switches are axially spaced within said nosepiece of said tool so as to permit said fasteners.

Inventors: DOHERTY JAMES E, VEOUKAS STANLEY C, WENDING JONATHAN, DOHERTY, JAMES E., VEOUKAS, STANLEY C., WENDING, JONATHAN
Applicants: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B25C1
IPC codes: B25C1