US 12,186,879 B2
Add-on user interface module for precision power tools
Suresh G. Mahalingappa, Bangalore (IN); and Shivamurthi Gouda Kotagi, Bangalore (IN)
Assigned to Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed by Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc., Davidson, NC (US)
Filed on Jan. 18, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/874,865.
Prior Publication US 2019/0217460 A1, Jul. 18, 2019
Int. Cl. B25F 5/02 (2006.01); B25F 5/00 (2006.01); H02K 7/14 (2006.01)
CPC B25F 5/02 (2013.01) [B25F 5/001 (2013.01); H02K 7/14 (2013.01); H02K 7/145 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power tool comprising:
a rotatable tool holder adapted to receive a work instrument;
a motor adapted to drive the rotation of the tool holder;
a housing containing at least the motor;
a handle having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end coupled to the housing to position the handle extending from the housing and to provide a grip to manipulate the tool;
a power source detachably coupled to the second end of the handle and adapted to deliver power to the motor;
an actuator adapted to select powered operation of the tool; and
a user-interface module comprising a digital display, a user input, and wireless communication capabilities; wherein the user-interface module is detachably coupled directly to the housing and configured to receive operational input, wherein the user-interface module communicates the operational input to a controller of the tool to govern operational modes of the tool, the controller located within the housing;
wherein the user-interface module is detachably coupled directly to the housing via receipt of a fastener through an aperture formed through the user-interface module to interchangeably transition between an attached state and a detached state, wherein
in the attached state, the user-interface module is an integral part of the housing and creates a housing and user-interface module combination with the user-interface module configured to receive operational input and communicate the operational input to the tool to govern operational modes of the tool which results in a programmed operational mode of the tool in the attached state, and
the detached state includes the user-interface module detached from the housing with the tool set in a pre-programmed default mode as a fixed tool such that the tool operates in the default mode, where the default mode of the tool is different from the programmed operational mode of the tool and operates according to pre-programmed operations stored in the controller of the tool,
wherein the tool is configured to revert to the default mode upon transitioning from the attached state to the detached state, and
wherein the user-interface module is a first user-interface module, and wherein the power tool further comprises a second user-interface module interchangeable with the first user-interface module, the second user-interface module configured to detachably couple with the housing separately from the first user-interface module, wherein when the second user-interface module is attached to the housing to create a second housing and user-interface module combination, the second housing and user-interface module combination enables the tool to be programmed via the second user-interface module such that the second housing and user-interface module combination provides operational input to the tool which results in a second programmed operational mode of the tool that is different from each of the default mode of the tool and the programmed operational mode of the tool.