Patent Description:
The present invention relates to power tools, and more particularly to indicators for use with power tools.

Electrical motors in battery-powered power tools, such as rotary power tools, draw current from a battery pack in proportion to the applied force on the tool against a workpiece. Variability in the applied force will vary the load on the motor and thus the amount of current drawn by the motor.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes systems and methods for configuring a power tool. One system includes a power tool communication system that includes an external device and a power tool. The external device includes a user interface configured to receive a first selection to enable a feature of a power tool, and receive a second selection of a threshold of a motor characteristic of the power tool. The power tool includes a motor within a housing. The power tool receives the selected feature and the selected threshold from the external device. The power tool includes a sensor configured to monitor the motor characteristic of the motor. The power tool further includes an electronic processor that controls the motor to operate according to the selected feature and adjusts an operating parameter of the motor when the motor characteristic is determined to cross the selected threshold.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes a method for setting a fastener in a workpiece. The method includes: monitoring a parameter of the power tool during operation of the power tool, where the parameter is indicative of the placement of a fastener being driven by the power tool in relation to the workpiece; detecting a change in the parameter, where the detected change in the parameter indicates that the power tool became disengaged with the fastener; modifying operation of the power tool in response to the detected change in the parameter; subsequently detecting a second change in the parameter; and interrupting transmission of torque to the output spindle in response the detected second change in the parameter, thereby properly setting the placement of the fastener in relation to the workpiece.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes a system that includes a first hand-held power tool, a second hand-held power tool, and a rechargeable battery of a voltage class. The first hand-held power tool includes a first interface for the rechargeable battery, an electronically commutated electric motor of a defined construction size, a first electronic unit configured to supply the electronically commutated electric motor with power, and a first switch element configured to activate the electronically commutated electric motor. The second hand-held power tool includes a second interface for the rechargeable battery, an electronically commutated electric motor of a defined construction size, a second electronic unit configured to supply the electronically commutated electric motor with power, and a second switch element configured to activate the electronically commutated electric motor. The rechargeable battery is configured for contact can be in contact with both the first interface and the second interface.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes a machine tool device, in particular a handheld machine tool device, comprising at least one control and/or regulating unit and at least one drive unit sensor unit for detecting at least one drive unit parameter that can be processed at least in order to control and/or regulate a drive unit of a machine tool and/or in order to output information to an operator of the control and/or regulating unit. According to the disclosure, the machine tool device comprises at least one operator sensor unit in order to detect at least one operator-specific parameter that can be processed at least in order to control and/or regulate the drive unit and/or in order to output information to an operator of the control and/or regulating unit.

According to its abstract, <CIT> describes a portable electric power tool having a dc motor for driving tool bit that is controlled according to speed and torque by employing a zero displacement switch means which is coupled to the tool and operative to provide an output voltage porportional to the pressure applied to the switch means via the hand of the user. The zero displacement switch interfaces with a piezoresistive array which produces a voltage output proportional to the pressure applied to the zero displacement switch. The voltage output of the array is applied to control circuit means which are coupled to the motor and which controls the speed of the motor according to the pressure applied to the switch. There is further included motor control circuitry which operates to monitor the current through the dc motor to control the speed of the motor according to the torque imparted upon the tool bit being accommodated by the portable electric tool.

User perception of the operation of high-voltage battery-powered power tools is different compared to typical 12V or 18V power tools. The operator may not realize the amount of current being drawn from the battery pack. This may result in inefficient operation of the power tool leading to faster than normal discharge of the battery pack or slower completion of a workpiece operation.

Described herein, in one implementation, is a battery-powered power tool including an electric motor and an indicator for communicating power consumption of the electric motor to a user while the tool is in use to allow the user to adjust how the tool is being used to reduce power consumption of the battery or to speed-up completion of a workpiece operation.

Described herein, in another implementation, is a power tool including a battery pack, one or more sensors, an indicator, and an electronic processor coupled to the battery pack, the one or more sensors, and the indicator. The electronic processor is configured to:
detect, using the one or more sensors, one or more parameters of the power tool; determine a system performance based on the one or more parameters; determine a system performance level based on the system performance; and provide, using the indicator, an indication corresponding to the system performance.

Described herein, in one implementation, is a battery-powered power tool including an electric motor, an electronic processor, a current sensor, and an indicator. The electronic processor is configured to detect, using the current sensor, a motor current and determine a current level based on the motor current. The electronic processor is further configured to provide, using the indicator, an indication corresponding to the current level.

In one instance, the electronic processor is further configured to determine that the motor current exceeds a maximum allowable current value and simulate a bog-down of the electric motor in response to determining that the motor current exceeds the maximum allowable current value.

Described herein, in yet another implementation, is a method for providing a performance indication of a battery-powered power tool. The method includes detecting, using an electronic processor with a current sensor, a motor current and determining, using the electronic processor, a current level based on the motor current. The method further includes providing, using the electronic processor with an indicator, an indication corresponding to the current level.

In one instance, the method further includes determining, using the electronic processor, that the motor current exceeds a maximum allowable current value and simulating, using the electronic processor, a bog-down of the electric motor in response to determining that the motor current exceeds the maximum allowable current value.

Described herein, in a further implementation, is a battery-powered power tool including an electric motor, an electronic processor, one or more sensors, and an indicator. The electronic processor is configured to detect, using the one or more sensors, one or more parameters of the power tool and determine a system performance based on the one or more parameters. The electronic processor is further configured to determine a system performance level based on the system performance and provide, using the indicator, an indication corresponding to the system performance level.

In one instance, the electronic processor is further configured to determine that the system performance exceeds a maximum allowable system performance and simulate a bog-down of the electric motor in response to determining that the system performance exceeds the maximum allowable system performance.

Described herein, in another implementation, is a method for indicating performance of a power tool. The method includes detecting, using an electronic processor with one or more sensors, one or more parameters of the power tool and determining, using the electronic processor, a system performance based on the one or more parameters. The method further includes determining, using the electronic processor, a system performance level based on the system performance and providing, using the electronic processor with an indicator, an indication corresponding to the system performance level.

In one instance, the method further includes determining, using the electronic processor, that the system performance exceeds a maximum allowable system performance and simulating, using the electronic processor, a bog-down of the electric motor in response to determining that the system performance exceeds the maximum allowable system performance.

Described herein, in another implementation, is a method for providing a performance indication of a battery-powered power tool. The method includes detecting, using an electronic processor with one or more sensors, one or more parameters of the power tool and determining, using the electronic processor, a system performance based on the one or more parameters. The method further includes determining, using the electronic processor, a system performance level based on the system performance and providing, using the electronic processor with an indicator, an indication corresponding to the current level. The method also includes determining that the system performance satisfies a maximum system performance threshold and simulating bog-down of a motor of the power tool in response to determining that the system performance exceeds the maximum system performance threshold. Simulating bog-down of the motor includes reducing the speed of the motor to a non-zero value.

Described herein, in one implementation, is a battery-powered power tool including an indicator for communicating power consumption of the tool to a user while the tool is in use to allow the user to adjust how the tool is being used to reduce power consumption of the battery or to faster completion of an application.

Described herein, in one implementation, is a battery-powered power tool including an electronic processor, a current sensor, and an indicator. The electronic processor is configured to detect, using the current sensor, a tool current and determine a current level based on the tool current. The electronic processor is further configured to provide, using the indicator, an indication corresponding to the current level.

Described herein, in yet another implementation, is a method for providing a performance indication of a battery-powered power tool. The method includes detecting, using an electronic processor with a current sensor, a tool current and determining, using the electronic processor, a current level based on the tool current. The method further includes providing, using the electronic processor with an indicator, an indication corresponding to the current level.

Described herein, in a further implementation, is a battery-powered power tool including an electronic processor, one or more sensors, and an indicator. The electronic processor is configured to detect, using the one or more sensors, one or more parameters of the power tool and determine a system performance based on the one or more parameters. The electronic processor is further configured to determine a system performance level based on the system performance and provide, using the indicator, an indication corresponding to the system performance level.

It should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components may be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and that other alternative configurations are possible. The terms "processor" "central processing unit" and "CPU" are interchangeable unless otherwise stated. Where the terms "processor" or "central processing unit" or "CPU" are used as identifying a unit performing specific functions, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated, those functions can be carried out by a single processor, or multiple processors arranged in any form, including parallel processors, serial processors, tandem processors or cloud processing/cloud computing configurations.

<FIG> illustrates a power tool, which is a core drill <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the power tool is another type of power tool, such as a concrete saw, a breaker or jack hammer, a work light or the like. The illustrated core drill <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a handle <NUM>, an output shaft <NUM>, a battery pack <NUM>, and a user interface <NUM>. The illustrated housing <NUM> is a clamshell housing having left and right cooperating halves 14a, 14b and includes a motor housing portion <NUM>. An electric motor <NUM> (<FIG>) is mounted in the motor housing portion <NUM>. The illustrated core drill <NUM> is cordless and includes the battery pack <NUM> as a power source that provides power to the motor. The battery pack <NUM> is removably coupled to a battery receptacle of the housing <NUM>, which is located underneath the motor housing portion <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment (<FIG>). The battery pack <NUM> may provide a nominal voltage of about <NUM> volts DC, or another level between about <NUM>-<NUM> volts. The battery pack <NUM> may include several battery cells electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof, to generate the desired output voltage. The battery cells may be of any chemistry, for example, Lithium-ion, Nickel-Cadmium, or the like. The battery pack <NUM> may further include a microprocessor used to control, at least in part, charging and discharging of the battery pack <NUM>, and operable to communicate with the core drill <NUM>. With the battery pack <NUM> removed, the core drill <NUM> is also capable of being powered by an AC power source via an electrical cord. When operating in this manner, an AC adapter is required to convert the AC power to DC power, which is then provided to the core drill <NUM> via an electrical cord and a plug received in the battery pack receptacle in the same manner as the battery pack <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> drives the output shaft <NUM>, to which a core bit is attachable. The motor <NUM> is energized based on the position of a trigger <NUM>. In some embodiments, the trigger <NUM> is located on the handle <NUM>. When the trigger <NUM> is actuated (i.e., depressed such that it is held close to the handle <NUM>), power is provided to the motor <NUM> to cause the output shaft <NUM> to rotate. When the trigger <NUM> is released as shown in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> remains deactivated.

Referring to <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> is provided on a top portion of the housing <NUM> such that it is easily viewable by the operator while operating the core drill <NUM>. And, the user interface <NUM> may be angled towards the operator, that is, towards the rear of the core drill <NUM>, to further facilitate viewing by the operator. Referring also to <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> includes a level indicator <NUM>, an eco-indicator <NUM>, and a battery meter <NUM>.

The level indicator <NUM> includes a center indicator <NUM> and direction indicators <NUM>. In the example illustrated, the center indicator <NUM> is bar shaped and indicates whether the core drill <NUM> is level. That is, the center indicator <NUM> indicates whether a rotational axis <NUM> of the output shaft <NUM> is either parallel with the ground (i.e., horizontal, when the core drill <NUM> is used in a sideways orientation) or perpendicular to the ground (i.e., vertical, when the core drill <NUM> is used in an upright orientation). The center indicator <NUM> may be illuminated to indicate to a user that the rotational axis <NUM> is horizontal or vertical relative to the ground. The direction indicators <NUM> include four indicators, one on each side of the center indicator <NUM>. The direction indicators <NUM> are shaped like arrows that point towards the center indicator <NUM>. The direction indicators <NUM> help the user in determining which direction to tilt or move the core drill <NUM> to align the rotational axis <NUM> either parallel with or perpendicular to the ground. For example, the right direction indicator <NUM> with the arrow pointing to the left may be illuminated when the core drill <NUM> is to be tilted or moved to the left.

Referring to <FIG>, the eco-indicator <NUM> is provided on the user interface <NUM> to indicate an amount of power being used by the core drill <NUM> during operation (i.e., an amount of current being drawn from the battery pack <NUM>). In the example illustrated, the eco-indicator <NUM> includes five LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are distributed in a performance map that is segmented into a plurality of performance regions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for operating the core drill <NUM>. Illumination of the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is described in detail below. Referring to <FIG>, the battery meter <NUM> includes LED bars (for example, four LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) that are illuminated to indicate a state of charge of the battery pack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of the core drill <NUM> according to one example embodiment. In the example illustrated, the core drill <NUM> includes an electronic processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, the battery pack <NUM>, an inverter bridge <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, a rotational speed sensor <NUM>, a current sensor <NUM>, the trigger <NUM>, and indicators <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> stores instructions executed by the electronic processor <NUM> to carry out the functions of the core drill <NUM> described herein. In some embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> may be implemented as a microprocessor with a separate memory (for example, memory <NUM>). In other embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> may be implemented as a microcontroller (with memory <NUM> on the same chip). In other embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> may be implemented using multiple processors. In addition, the electronic processor <NUM> may be implemented partially or entirely as, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., and the memory <NUM> may not be needed or modified accordingly.

The inverter bridge <NUM> includes a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) that are used to control the power supply to the motor <NUM>. The electronic processor <NUM> provides pulse width modulated (PWM) signals to control the FETs of the inverter bridge <NUM> based on user input. Thereby, the electronic processor <NUM> may increase or decrease the speed of the motor <NUM> by increasing or decreasing the duty cycle of the PWM signals.

The rotational speed sensor <NUM> is provided near or attached to the motor <NUM> to detect the rotational speed of the motor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rotational speed sensor <NUM> may be a Hall-effect sensor that detects an angular position or angular speed of the permanent magnets of the motor <NUM>. The current sensor <NUM> may be, for example, a current sense resistor that provides an indication, to the electronic processor <NUM>, of an amount of current flowing to the motor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> communicates with a battery pack controller (not shown) to receive information regarding the battery pack <NUM>. For example, the electronic processor <NUM> may receive instantaneous or average values of the battery pack voltage from the battery pack controller.

The indicators <NUM> receive control signals from the electronic processor <NUM> to turn on and off or otherwise convey information based on different states of the core drill <NUM>. The indicators <NUM> include, for example, the individual LED bars or arrows of the level indicator <NUM>, the eco-indicator <NUM>, and the battery meter <NUM>. The indicators <NUM> may also convey information to a user through audible or tactile outputs.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating one example method <NUM> for providing performance indication of the core drill <NUM>. In the example illustrated, the method <NUM> includes activating, using the electronic processor <NUM>, the motor <NUM> (at block <NUM>). The motor <NUM> may be activated in response to the user depressing the trigger <NUM> of the core drill <NUM>, which prompts the electronic processor <NUM> to control the inverter bridge <NUM> to provide power to the motor <NUM>.

The method <NUM> also includes detecting, using the electronic processor <NUM> with the current sensor <NUM>, a motor current (at block <NUM>). The method <NUM> further includes determining, using the electronic processor <NUM>, a current level based on the motor current (at block <NUM>). The electronic processor <NUM> compares the detected motor current to a range of motor current thresholds to determine the current level. In one example, the motor current thresholds are <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>% of maximum allowable motor current. The maximum allowable motor current may be a maximum current that the battery pack <NUM> can discharge without damaging the battery pack <NUM> or the core drill <NUM>. This maximum battery current may be picked as the maximum allowable motor current.

In some embodiments, the amount of expected motor current may vary based on the voltage of the battery pack <NUM>. In these embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> may use a battery pack voltage measurement to weight the measured current values. For example, when the battery pack <NUM> has a first, higher voltage (e.g., when fully charged), the expected motor current may be higher than when the battery pack <NUM> has a second, lower voltage (e.g., after the battery pack <NUM> is partially drained through usage of the core drill <NUM>). Accordingly, the electronic processor <NUM> may determine the battery pack voltage in block <NUM>, and weight the detected current by multiplying the detected current by a value inversely proportional to the voltage of the battery pack <NUM>. Thus, in some embodiments, the detected motor current in block <NUM> is an adjusted current weighted based on the voltage of the battery pack <NUM>. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the voltage of the battery pack <NUM> is used to adjust the motor current thresholds. For example, the motor current thresholds are multiplied by a value inversely proportional to the voltage of the battery pack <NUM>. In the foregoing description, the term "motor current" is used to describe both the detected motor current and the adjusted motor current. Similarly, the term "motor current thresholds" is used to describe both the motor current thresholds and the adjusted motor current thresholds.

As described above, the electronic processor <NUM> determines the current level by comparing the motor current to the motor current thresholds. For example, when the motor current is below the <NUM>% motor current threshold, the electronic processor <NUM> determines that the motor current is at "current level <NUM>. " When the motor current is above the <NUM>% motor current threshold but below the <NUM>% motor current threshold, the electronic processor <NUM> determines that the motor current is at "current level <NUM>. " Similarly, motor current between <NUM>% and <NUM>% motor current thresholds corresponds to "current level <NUM>," motor current between <NUM>% and <NUM>% motor current thresholds corresponds to "current level <NUM>," motor current between <NUM>% and <NUM>% motor current thresholds corresponds to "current level <NUM>," motor current between <NUM>% and <NUM>% motor current thresholds corresponds to "current level <NUM>," and motor current above <NUM>% motor current threshold corresponds to "current level <NUM>. " In some embodiments, other linear or non-linear thresholds are used for the current levels and may include additional or fewer current levels than provided above.

The method <NUM> also includes providing, with the electronic processor <NUM> and the eco-indicator <NUM>, an indication corresponding to the current level (at block <NUM>). In one embodiment, a look-up table may be stored in the memory <NUM> that maps the current level to indication. For example, "current level <NUM>" corresponds to all LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> being turned OFF. "Current level <NUM>" corresponds to LED bar <NUM> being turned ON, while the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are turned OFF. Similarly, "current levels <NUM>-<NUM>" correspond to progressively turning ON LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in sequence. "Current level <NUM>" corresponds to the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> blinking to indicate to the user that the core drill <NUM> is operating above a maximum current level and will shut down after a predetermined amount of time. <FIG> illustrates a lighting sequence of the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as described above with respect to method <NUM>. The electronic processor <NUM> provides control signals to the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> based on the indication corresponding to the current level. After providing the indication, the method <NUM> returns to detecting the next instance of motor current and repeats the block <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> until an input is detected to deactivate the motor <NUM> (e.g., releasing the trigger <NUM>).

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating one example method <NUM> for providing performance indication of the core drill <NUM>. In the example illustrated, the method <NUM> includes activating, using the electronic processor <NUM>, the motor <NUM> (at block <NUM>). As described above, the motor <NUM> may be activated in response to the user depressing the trigger <NUM> of the core drill <NUM>, which prompts the electronic processor <NUM> to control the inverter bridge <NUM> to provide power to the motor <NUM>.

The method <NUM> also includes detecting, using the electronic processor <NUM> with one or more sensors, one or more parameters of at least one of the battery pack <NUM> and the core drill <NUM> (at block <NUM>). For example, the electronic processor <NUM> may communicate with a microprocessor of the battery pack <NUM> to determine a state of charge, temperature, and the like of the battery pack <NUM>. Additionally, the electronic processor <NUM> may detect a temperature, pressure, and the like of the core drill <NUM> using, for example, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like. The method <NUM> further includes determining a system performance based on the one or more parameters (at block <NUM>). The electronic processor <NUM> may use known techniques to determine system performance by providing different weights to the one or more parameters and combining the weighted parameters. System performance may be modeled after industry standard benchmarks that combine the one or more parameters detected to predict the life of the core drill <NUM>.

The method <NUM> further includes determining, using the electronic processor <NUM>, a system performance level based on the system performance (at block <NUM>). The electronic processor <NUM> compares the system performance to a range of system performance thresholds to determine the system performance level. In one example, the system performance thresholds are <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>% of maximum allowable system performance. The maximum allowable system performance may be a maximum value of weighted parameters that the core drill <NUM> can operate at without damaging the battery pack <NUM> or the core drill <NUM>. The manufacturer may provide a maximum system performance that allows for safe operation. This maximum safe system performance may be picked as the maximum allowable system performance. In another example, the maximum allowable system performance may be a user-defined system performance level. The user may provide an input to the core drill <NUM> defining the system performance level. In response to the user input, the core drill <NUM> stores the user-defined system performance level as the maximum allowable system performance.

As described above, the electronic processor <NUM> determines the system performance level by comparing the motor current to the motor current thresholds. For example, when the system performance is below the <NUM>% system performance threshold (that is, the system performance does not satisfy a first system performance threshold), the electronic processor <NUM> determines that the system performance is at "performance level <NUM>. " When the system performance is above the <NUM>% system performance threshold but below the <NUM>% system performance threshold (that is, the system performance satisfies the first system performance threshold and does not satisfy a second system performance threshold), the electronic processor <NUM> determines that the motor current is at "performance level <NUM>. " Similarly, system performance between <NUM>% and <NUM>% system performance thresholds corresponds to "performance level <NUM>," system performance between <NUM>% and <NUM>% system performance thresholds corresponds to "performance level <NUM>," system performance between <NUM>% and <NUM>% system performance thresholds corresponds to "performance level <NUM>," system performance between <NUM>% and <NUM>% system performance thresholds corresponds to "performance level <NUM>," and system performance above <NUM>% system performance threshold corresponds to "performance level <NUM>. " In some embodiments, other linear or non-linear thresholds are used for the system performance levels and may include additional or fewer system performance levels than provided above. Additionally, the system performance levels may be defined by a user of the core drill <NUM>. For example, the user may provide inputs to the core drill <NUM> defining the various system performances that correspond to the system performance levels as described above.

The method <NUM> also includes providing, with the electronic processor <NUM> and the eco-indicator <NUM>, an indication corresponding to the system performance level (at block <NUM>). In one embodiment, a look-up table may be stored in the memory <NUM> that maps the performance level to indication. For example, "performance level <NUM>" corresponds to all LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> being tumed OFF. "Performance level <NUM>" corresponds to LED bar <NUM> being turned ON, while the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are turned OFF. Similarly, "performance levels <NUM>-<NUM>" correspond to progressively turning ON LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in sequence. "Performance level <NUM>" corresponds to the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> blinking to indicate to the user that the core drill <NUM> is operating above the maximum allowable system performance and will shut down after a predetermined amount of time. <FIG> illustrates a lighting sequence of the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as described above with respect to method <NUM>. The electronic processor <NUM> provides control signals to the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> based on the indication corresponding to the system performance level. After providing the indication, the method <NUM> returns to detecting the next instance of one or more parameters and repeats the block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> until an input is detected to deactivate the motor <NUM> (e.g., releasing the trigger <NUM>).

User perception of an operation may be distorted for high-power battery-operated tools. The eco-indicator <NUM> allows the core drill <NUM> to coach a user to efficient use of the core drill <NUM>. For example, a user may not be pushing the core drill <NUM> hard enough on the workpiece resulting in slower than normal completion of a work operation (e.g., drilling a core from a concrete surface). In another example, the user may be pushing the core drill <NUM> too hard on the workpiece, resulting in faster than normal discharge of the battery pack <NUM>. The eco-indicators <NUM> allow the user to determine the optimal amount of the force to apply to the workpiece such that the core drill <NUM> can operate in an optimal performance level (e.g., level <NUM>). Thereby, the user may reduce power consumption of the battery and/or speed-up completion of a workpiece operation based on the eco-indicator <NUM>.

To provide user coaching, the eco-indicators <NUM> are laid out on a performance map. The performance map is divided into a plurality of performance regions, for example, a first performance region <NUM>, a second performance region <NUM>, and a third performance region <NUM>. The performance map segments the plurality of LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> into the plurality of performance regions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, the first two LED bars <NUM> and <NUM> are provided in the first performance region <NUM>, the second two LED bars <NUM> and <NUM> are provided in the second performance region <NUM>, and the LED bar <NUM> is provided in the third performance region <NUM>. When a user operates the tool, the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are illuminated based on the system performance of the core drill <NUM>. When the LED bars <NUM> and <NUM> are illuminated in the second performance region <NUM>, the user will be aware that the core drill <NUM> is at optimal performance. Accordingly, the user is coached to achieve and maintain optimal performance of the core drill <NUM>. Further, the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be colored differently to provide further system performance indications to the user. For example, the LED bars <NUM> and <NUM> in the second performance region may be colored green to indicate optimal performance, the LED bars <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in the first and third performance region may be colored yellow or red to indicate sub-optimal performance.

In some embodiments, the eco-indicators <NUM> may also be used on non-motorized tools, for example, work lights. In this application, the eco-indicators <NUM> may be used for selecting a good balance between battery life and brightness. The eco-indictors <NUM> may similarly be used on any device where a user has an option to change settings or operations that influence battery life or performance of the device.

Rather than deactivating the motor <NUM> after a predetermined amount of time operating above the maximum current level, or the maximum allowable system performance, the electronic processor <NUM> may reduce the power provided to the motor <NUM> to thereby provide an audible and/or tactile indication to the user to reduce the applied force on the core drill <NUM> during a coring operation. An excessive input force exerted on the core drill <NUM> may cause a resistive force impeding further operation of the core drill <NUM>. For example, if the core drill <NUM> is pushed too fast or too hard during a coring operation (into concrete, for example), the increased reaction torque exerted on the core bit would require excess current to be drawn by the motor <NUM> to maintain its rotational speed. Because of the relatively high amount of power available from the battery pack <NUM>, without an artificial "bog-down" of the motor <NUM>, the core drill <NUM> does not innately provide motor bog-down feedback to the user. Such feedback can be sensed (e.g., felt and heard) by a user, and is a helpful indication that an excessive input, which may potentially damage the core drill <NUM>, has been encountered. Excessive loading of the core drill <NUM> causes the motor <NUM> to draw excess current from the battery pack <NUM>, which may cause quick and potentially detrimental depletion of the battery pack <NUM>.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the core drill <NUM> includes a simulated bog-down feature to provide an indication to the user that excessive loading of the core drill <NUM> is occurring during operation. That is, in addition to the eco-indicator <NUM> providing a visual indication that the core drill <NUM> is operating at beyond maximum capacity, the core drill <NUM> may also simulate bog-down of the motor <NUM> to provide additional haptic feedback to the user. When the electronic processor <NUM> determines that the current level or performance level is greater than the threshold, the electronic processor <NUM> controls the inverter bridge <NUM> to simulate bog-down in response to determining that the current level or performance level is greater than the threshold. In some embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> controls the inverter bridge <NUM> to decrease the speed of the motor <NUM> to a non-zero value. For example, the electronic processor <NUM> reduces a duty cycle of the PWM signal provided to the FETs of the inverter bridge <NUM>. In some embodiments, the reduction in the duty cycle (i.e., the speed of the motor <NUM>) is proportional to an amount that the current level or performance level is above the threshold (i.e., an amount of excessive load). In other words, the more excessive the load applied to the core drill <NUM>, the further the speed of the motor <NUM> is reduced by the electronic processor <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the electronic processor <NUM> determines the difference between the current level or performance level of the motor <NUM> and the current threshold or performance threshold to determine a difference value. Then, the electronic processor <NUM> determines the amount of reduction in the duty cycle based on the difference value (e.g., using a look-up table).

Claim 1:
A power tool (<NUM>) comprising:
a battery pack (<NUM>);
one or more sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>);
an indicator (<NUM>) including a plurality of Light Emitting Diode, LED, bars (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
an electronic processor (<NUM>) coupled to the battery pack, the one or more sensors, and the indicator and configured to:
detect, using the one or more sensors, one or more parameters of the power tool,
determine a system performance based on the one or more parameters,
determine a system performance level based on the system performance, and
provide, using the indicator, an indication corresponding to the system performance; and
a user interface (<NUM>) upon which the plurality of LED bars are located, wherein the user interface includes a performance map segmenting the plurality of LED bars into a plurality of different performance regions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for operating the power tool, wherein the LED bars are illuminated based on the system performance level.