Power tool, electronic device, and power converter device

Abstract

An electric power tool, an electronic device, and a power converter device. The electric power tool includes a power supply, a motor, a bridge circuit connected to the motor, a gate driver connected to the bridge circuit, and a controller connected to the gate driver and configured to provide a tri-state control signal to the gate driver. The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit to drive the motor based on the tri-state control signal.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 63 / 679,358, filed August 5, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to power tools, and more particularly to a power tool, electronic device, and power converter device that uses a three-state control signal to control a gate driver. Background Technology

[0003] Gate drivers are used to control the actuation of switches (such as field-effect transistors (FETs)). Gate drivers can be supplied with pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals, which have a duty cycle that the gate driver uses to control the on and off times of the switch. A single switch can be controlled by a gate driver to selectively supply current to a load, such as a motor, voltage converter, etc. In the case of a DC brushless motor, six switches can be used to drive the motor. Traditionally, each of the six switches is controlled by its own gate driver based on a PWM signal provided by the motor controller. Each gate driver occupies space in the tool that can be allocated elsewhere or allows for a smaller tool size. Furthermore, the motor controller sends six separate signals to each of the gate drivers to drive the six switches, resulting in a complex control scheme. Utility Model Content

[0004] It would be advantageous to minimize the number of gate drivers required by implementing a controller with three-state output capability and gate drivers that can receive three-state input signals. The controller output gate driver can be used to control the three-state control signals of two switches.

[0005] In one embodiment, the power tool includes a power supply, a motor, a bridge circuit connected to the motor, a gate driver connected to the bridge circuit, and a controller connected to the gate driver and configured to provide a three-state control signal to the gate driver. The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit to drive the motor based on the three-state control signal.

[0006] In some embodiments, the three-state control signal includes a first control state, a second control state, and a third control state.

[0007] In some embodiments, the gate driver is configured to: when the tri-state control signal is in the first control state, control the first switch and the second switch of the bridge circuit to open; when the tri-state control signal is in the second control state, control the first switch of the bridge circuit to turn on and control the second switch of the bridge circuit to open; and when the tri-state control signal is in the third control state, control the first switch of the bridge circuit to turn off and control the second switch of the bridge circuit to turn on.

[0008] In some embodiments, the controller includes a voltage source, a timer, and a first circuit.

[0009] In some embodiments, a first output of the voltage source is coupled to the timer, a second output of the voltage source is coupled to the first circuit, an output of the timer is coupled to the first circuit, and an output of the first circuit is coupled to the gate driver.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first circuit includes a first switch connected in parallel with the second switch, and wherein the gate driver is connected between the first switch and the second switch.

[0011] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the first switch and the second switch to be in a first state using the output of the timer, wherein a first voltage is provided to the gate driver in response to the first switch and the second switch being in the first state.

[0012] In another embodiment, an electronic device includes a bridge circuit, a gate driver electrically connected to the bridge circuit, and a controller electrically coupled to the gate driver and configured to provide a three-state control signal to the gate driver. The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit based on the three-state control signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the gate driver is configured to control a first group of multiple switches in the bridge circuit based on a first three-state control signal.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electronic device further includes: a second gate driver connected to the bridge circuit, wherein the second gate driver is configured to control a second set of multiple switches in the bridge circuit based on a second tri-state control signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first group of multiple switches and the second group of multiple switches form an H-bridge.

[0016] In some embodiments, the electronic device further includes: a third gate driver connected to the bridge circuit, wherein the third gate driver is configured to control a third set of multiple switches in the bridge circuit based on a third tri-state control signal.

[0017] In some embodiments, the controller includes a voltage source having a first output coupled to a timer and a second output coupled to a first circuit, wherein the output of the timer is coupled to the first circuit, and wherein the output of the first circuit is coupled to the gate driver.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the power converter device includes a bridge circuit, a gate driver electrically connected to the bridge circuit, and a controller electrically coupled to the gate driver and configured to provide a three-state control signal to the gate driver. The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit based on the three-state control signal.

[0019] In some embodiments, the controller includes a voltage source, a timer, a first switch, and a second switch.

[0020] In some embodiments, during the first control state of the tri-state control signal, the first switch is in the first state and the second switch is in the second state, wherein during the second control state of the tri-state control signal, the first switch is in the first state and the second switch is in the first state, and wherein during the third control state of the tri-state control signal, the first switch is in the second state and the second switch is in the first state.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first control state corresponds to a first voltage, the second control state corresponds to a second voltage greater than the first voltage, and the third control state corresponds to a third voltage greater than the second voltage.

[0022] Before explaining any embodiment in detail, it should be understood that the application of each embodiment is not limited to the details of the configuration and arrangement of the components described in the following description or shown in the drawings. Embodiments can be practiced or implemented in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used in this invention are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of "comprising," "including," or "having," and variations thereof, is intended to cover the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as additional items. Unless otherwise stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled," and variations thereof, are used broadly and cover direct and indirect mounting, connection, support, and coupling.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be understood that various embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules, which, for the purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if most components were implemented solely in hardware. However, those skilled in the art will recognize from this detailed description that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units (such as microprocessors and / or application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”)). Therefore, it should be noted that various embodiments may be implemented using a plurality of hardware and software-based devices and a plurality of different structural components. For example, “server,” “computing device,” “controller,” “processor,” etc., as described in the specification may include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input / output interfaces, and various connectors (e.g., system buses) connecting the components.

[0024] Related terms used in conjunction with quantities or conditions, such as “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” etc., will be understood by a person skilled in the art to include the stated value and have a meaning prescribed by the context (e.g., the term includes at least the degree of error associated with measurement accuracy, tolerances associated with a particular value [e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.]). Such terms should also be considered to disclose a range defined by the absolute values ​​of two endpoints. For example, the phrase “about 2 to about 4” also discloses a range of “2 to 4.” Related terms may refer to a percentage added to or subtracted from the indicated value (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%, or more).

[0025] It should be understood that although some figures show hardware and software located within a particular device, these depictions are for illustrative purposes only. Functions described in this invention as being performed by a single component can be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Similarly, functions performed by multiple components can be combined and performed by a single component. In some embodiments, the components shown can be combined or divided into separate software, firmware, and / or hardware. For example, logic and processing can be distributed among multiple electronic processors, rather than residing within and being performed by a single electronic processor. Regardless of how the hardware and software components are combined or divided, the hardware and software components can reside on the same computing device or can be distributed among different computing devices connected via one or more networks or other suitable communication links. Similarly, components described as performing specific functions can also perform additional functions not described in this invention. For example, a device or structure "configured" in a certain way is at least configured in that way, but can also be configured in a way not explicitly listed.

[0026] Other aspects of the various embodiments will become apparent from the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 Power tools according to some embodiments are shown.

[0028] Figure 2 A battery pack according to some embodiments is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 A block diagram of a gate driver circuit according to some embodiments is shown.

[0030] Figure 4 The use according to some implementation methods is shown. Figure 3 The first example of a gate driver circuit is a circuit diagram of a power tool.

[0031] Figure 5 The use according to some implementation methods is shown. Figure 3 The second example of a gate driver circuit is a circuit diagram of a power tool.

[0032] Figure 6 The following are illustrated according to some embodiments. Figure 3 The logic and output diagram of the gate driver circuit.

[0033] Figure 7 A fragment of a three-state control signal according to some implementations is shown.

[0034] Figure 8 The following are illustrated according to some embodiments. Figure 1 A block diagram of power tools.

[0035] Figure 9 A flowchart is shown of a method for outputting a three-state control signal to a gate driver according to some embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 An embodiment of a power tool 100 (e.g., an electronic device) including a brushless direct current (“BLDC”) motor is shown. The power tool 100 is, for example, an impact driver including an upper body 105, a handle 110, a battery receiving portion 115, an output drive or mechanism 120, and a trigger 125. The power tool 100 further includes a motor, such as a motor 430 (within the housing body 105 and having a rotor and a stator) Figure 4The rotor is coupled to a motor shaft, which is arranged to produce output outside the housing via an output drive or mechanism 120. The housing of the power tool 100 (e.g., body 105 and handle 110) is made of a durable and lightweight plastic material. The drive unit 108 is made of a metal (e.g., steel) output spindle. A battery receiving section 115 is configured to receive and be coupled to a battery pack, such as a battery pack 200 that supplies power to the power tool 100. Figure 2 The battery receiving portion 115 includes a connection structure for engaging a mechanism that secures the battery pack and includes a terminal block for electrically connecting the battery pack 200 to the power tool 100. In some embodiments, the power tool 100 may be an AC-powered power tool that includes a rectifier for supplying DC voltage to the motor 430.

[0037] Figure 1 An impact wrench is shown; however, power tool 100 may include drill bits, circular saws, jigsaws, band saws, reciprocating saws, screwdrivers, angle grinders, straight grinders, hammers, multi-tools, impact wrenches, rotary hammers, impact actuators, angle drills, powered ratchet wheels, powered torque wrenches, hydraulic pulse tools, hydraulic tensioning tools, bolt tightening tools, reaction arm tools, riveting tools, nail guns, staple guns, TC bolt guns, etc. In some examples, the electronic device may include a portable power supply that includes an internal battery module or can receive a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 200) and includes an AC outlet for powering the AC electronic device. In the example of the portable power supply, the motor is replaced by an AC outlet; however, the operation described below also applies.

[0038] Figure 2 A battery pack 200 according to some embodiments is shown. The battery pack 200 is a power tool battery pack generally used to power power tools such as power tool 100. The battery pack 200 includes a housing 205 and an interface portion 210 for connecting the battery pack 200 to a device (e.g., power tool 100). In some embodiments, the battery pack 200 includes lithium-ion battery cells. In other embodiments, the battery pack 200 may have different chemical compositions, such as nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery pack 200 is an 18-volt battery pack. In other embodiments, the output voltage level of the battery pack 200 may be different. For example, the battery pack 200 may be a 4-volt battery pack, a 28-volt battery pack, a 36-volt battery pack, a 72-volt battery pack, or another voltage (the voltage here may be referred to as voltage). The battery pack 200 may also have various capacities (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 12 amp-hours).

[0039] The battery pack 200 also includes terminals for connection to the power tool 100. The terminals of the battery pack 200 include positive and negative terminals for supplying and receiving power from the battery pack 200. In some embodiments, the battery pack 200 also includes a data terminal for communication with the power tool 100. For example, the battery pack 200 may include a microcontroller to monitor one or more characteristics of the battery pack 200, and the data terminal can communicate with the power tool 100 regarding the monitored characteristics.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a gate driver circuit 300. The gate driver circuit 300 can be used in power tools (e.g., power tool 100), voltage conversion units (e.g., buck / boost converters), power supplies, etc. The gate driver circuit 300 includes a controller 305, a gate driver 310, and a bridge circuit 315. The controller 305 outputs a three-state control signal to the gate driver 310, which uses the three-state control signal to drive both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 of the bridge circuit 315. For example, switches SW1 and SW2 can be field-effect transistors (FETs), such as metal-oxide-semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs), wide-bandgap semiconductor FETs, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), etc., and the first switch SW1 can be a high-side switch, and the second switch SW2 can be a low-side switch corresponding to the high-side switch. Switches SW1 and SW2 drive a load, such as a motor. The three-state control signal can be a three-state pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. Typically, the control signal includes only two states, for example, a high state corresponding to the power supply voltage (or input voltage) and a low state corresponding to ground voltage. The three-state control signal includes three states corresponding to three different voltages, for example, a high state corresponding to the power supply voltage, a low state corresponding to the ground voltage, and an intermediate state corresponding to a portion (e.g., half) of the power supply voltage.

[0041] The controller 305 may include a voltage source 320 and a timing unit 325. The timing unit 325 includes a timer 330 and a timing circuit 335, which includes a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, a first resistor 340, and a second resistor 345. Switches SW3 and SW4 may be MOSFETs, wide-bandgap FETs, BJTs, etc. The first resistor 340 and the second resistor 345 may be of equal value to form a voltage divider together. Switches SW3 and SW4 are connected in parallel between the voltage source 320 and ground to the first resistor 340 and the second resistor 345. That is, the third switch SW3 and the first resistor 340 are connected in parallel between the voltage source 320 and the three-state control output 350. The fourth switch SW4 and the second resistor 345 are connected in parallel between the three-state control output and ground. The voltage source 320 may output a constant first voltage value, such as 3.3 volts, to the timing circuit 335. Timer 330 can use the first and second switch signals to control the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4, respectively, to provide tri-state control signals through the tri-state control output 350. The following section combines... Figure 6 The switching signals are described below. Timer 330 can control switches SW3 and SW4 based on inputs from actuators. For example, a user can actuate trigger 125 of power tool 100, and controller 305 can send signals to timer 330 to control switches SW3 and SW4 to provide a three-state control signal to gate driver 310 to drive the load. Timer 330 may include two registers (e.g., register A and register B) corresponding to each of switches SW3 and SW4. Timer 330 can receive a setting signal that controls registers A and B to provide the following combination Figure 6 The aforementioned switch signal.

[0042] Timer 330 controls third switch SW3 and fourth switch SW4 to provide a three-state control signal to gate driver 310 via three-state control output 350. For example, voltage source 320 can provide a first voltage value (e.g., 3.3 volts) to timing circuit 335 and timer 330. The voltage signal output from timing circuit 335 to gate driver 310 can be a three-state control signal having a second, third, and fourth voltage value. Based on the state of third switch SW3 and fourth switch SW4, the first voltage is converted into a three-state control signal. For example, when third switch SW3 and fourth switch SW4 are open, first resistor 340 and second resistor 345 act as a voltage divider to divide the input voltage (e.g., 3.3 volts) to provide a divided voltage (e.g., 1.65 volts when first resistor 340 and second resistor 345 have nearly equal values) as a three-state control signal. When the third switch SW3 is closed and the fourth switch SW4 is open, the timing circuit 335 bypasses the first resistor 340 and connects the tri-state control output 350 to the voltage source 320, thereby providing an input voltage (e.g., 3.3 volts) as a tri-state control signal. When the third switch SW3 is open and the fourth switch SW4 is closed, the timing circuit 335 bypasses the second resistor 345 and connects the tri-state control output 350 to ground, thereby providing a ground voltage (e.g., 0 volts) as a tri-state control signal. The voltage output to the gate driver 310 is provided in Table 1 below based on the states of the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4.

[0043]

[0044] The gate driver 310 includes an input interface that accepts tri-state inputs. For example, the gate driver 310 can be implemented using, for example, Infineon part number TDA 21590, OnSemi part number NCP5111, Monolithic Power Systems part number MP18871 or MP86885, Texas Instruments part number CSD95485, TPS53647 or CSD955472Q5MC, or STMicroelectronics part number PM7080.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of a first exemplary power tool 400. The first exemplary power tool 400 may include a BLDC motor. Figure 1The power tool 100. A first exemplary power tool 400 includes a power supply 405, a controller 305, a first gate driver 410, a second gate driver 415, a third gate driver 420, first to sixth switches SW1-SW6 (e.g., a bridge circuit), and a BLDC motor 430. In the illustrated example, the first to sixth switches SW1-SW6 form an inverter bridge to convert DC power from the power supply 405 into AC power to drive the motor 430. In other examples, the inverter bridge may be used to convert DC to AC (e.g., three-phase AC) for use in other electronic devices (e.g., for a portable power supply). The motor 430 is driven by switches SW1-SW6. The power supply 405 may be a battery pack 200. The controller 305 may include a plurality of timing units 325, each timing unit 325 corresponding to a gate driver. Alternatively, the timing unit 325 may provide an output to each gate driver.

[0046] The first gate driver 410 controls the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2. The second gate driver 415 controls the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4. The third gate driver 415 also controls the fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6. The first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW5 are high-side switches, and the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW6 are low-side switches. The following will combine... Figure 7 The control of switches SW1 to SW6 using three-state control signals is explained.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram of a second exemplary power tool 500. The second exemplary power tool 500 may be a power tool including a DC motor driven by an H-bridge. The second exemplary power tool 500 includes a power supply 405, a controller 305, a first gate driver 410, a second gate driver 415, first to fourth switches SW1-SW4 (e.g., a bridge circuit), and a DC motor 505. In the example shown, the first to fourth switches SW1-SW4 form an H-bridge to drive the motor 430. In other examples, the H-bridge may be used to convert DC to AC (e.g., single-phase AC) for use in other electronic devices (e.g., for a portable power supply). The motor 505 is driven by switches SW1-SW4.

[0048] The first gate driver 410 controls the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2. The second gate driver 415 controls the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4. For example, based on the three-state control signal received by the first switch driver 410, the first switch driver 410 controls the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 to control the first polarity of the motor 505, and the second switch driver 415 controls the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 to control the second polarity of the motor 505.

[0049] Figure 6 This is the logic and output curve diagram 600 of the gate driver circuit 300. The logic and output curve diagram 600 includes a first switching signal 605, a second switching signal 610, and a tri-state control signal 615. See also... Figure 3 A first switch signal 605 is provided from timer 330 to the third switch SW3 of timing circuit 335, a second switch signal 610 is provided from timer 330 to the fourth switch SW4 of timing circuit 335, and a tri-state control signal 615 is provided from timing unit 325 to gate driver 310. In this example, the third switch SW3 is a p-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET that is activated (i.e., closed) when a high signal is provided at the gate, and the fourth switch SW4 is an n-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET that is activated (i.e., closed) when a low signal is provided at the gate.

[0050] As discussed above in conjunction with Table 1, when both switches SW3 and SW4 are open, for example, when the first switch signal 605 is low and the second switch signal 610 is high, the timer counts between 0 and 1, and the tri-state control signal 615 is 1.65 volts. When the third switch SW3 is closed and SW4 is open, for example, when the first switch signal 605 and the second switch signal 610 are high, the timer counts between 1 and 2, and the tri-state control signal 615 is 3.3 volts. When the third switch SW3 is open and the fourth switch SW4 is closed, for example, when the first switch signal 605 is low and the second switch signal 610 is low, the timer counts between 3 and 4, and the tri-state control signal 615 is 0 volts.

[0051] Figure 7 It is the gate driver circuit 300 ( Figure 3 This refers to a segment of the tri-state control signal 615. For example, the tri-state control signal 615 is used to control the bridge circuit 315 coupled to the gate driver 310. During a first time period 700, the tri-state control signal 615 is in a first state. For example, the first state may be at a second voltage value (e.g., 1.65 volts). When the tri-state control signal 615 is in the first state, the gate driver 310 controls the two switches SW1 and SW2 of the bridge circuit 315 to open.

[0052] During the second time period 705, the tri-state control signal 615 is in the second state. For example, the second state can be at a third voltage value (e.g., 3.3 volts). When the tri-state control signal 615 is in the second state, the gate driver 310 controls the high-side switch SW1 to turn on and controls the low-side switch SW2 to turn off. During the third time period 710, the tri-state control signal 615 is in the first state, and the gate driver 310 controls both switches SW1 and SW2 of the bridge circuit 315 to turn off.

[0053] During the fourth time period 715, the tri-state control signal 615 is in the fourth state. For example, the fourth state can be at a fourth voltage value (e.g., 0 volts). When the tri-state control signal 615 is in the fourth state, the gate driver 310 controls the low-side switch SW2 to turn on and controls the high-side switch SW1 to turn off. During the fifth time period 720, the tri-state control signal 615 is in the first state, and the gate driver 310 controls both switches SW1 and SW2 of the bridge circuit 315 to turn off. This control can be used to drive motors in power tools 400, 500, portable power supplies, etc., or to convert DC current to AC current.

[0054] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a controller 305 that includes a gate driver circuit 300. For example, the controller 305 may include a voltage source 320 and a timing unit 325 (neither of which are shown in the diagram). Figure 8 (As shown in the diagram) and is located in power tool 100. Controller 305 is electrically and / or communicatively connected to various modules or components of the device. Although specifically described below in conjunction with power tool 100, controller 305 can be located in any device including gate driver circuitry 300. The controller 305 shown can be connected to input 800, power supply 405, first gate driver 410, second gate driver 415, and third gate driver 420. Power supply 405 may include, for example, battery pack 200, internal battery cells (e.g., non-removable) comprising a stack of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel.

[0055] The controller 305 includes a combination of hardware and software operable to control the operation of the power tool 100. For example, the controller 305 particularly includes a processing unit 805 (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, electronic processor, electronic controller, or other suitable programmable device), a memory 810, an input unit 815, and an output unit 820. The processing unit 805 particularly includes a control unit 825, an arithmetic logic unit (“ALU”) 830, and a plurality of registers 835 (in... Figure 8 The controller 305 is shown as a set of registers and is implemented using a known computer architecture (e.g., a modified Harvard architecture, von Neumann architecture, etc.). The processing unit 805, memory 810, input unit 815, and output unit 820, as well as various modules or circuits connected to the controller 305, are connected via one or more control and / or data buses (e.g., common bus 840). For illustrative purposes, the data is shown as a set of registers and implemented using a known computer architecture (e.g., a modified Harvard architecture, von Neumann architecture, etc.). Figure 8 The control and / or data bus is roughly shown in the diagram. Although the controller 305 is... Figure 8While shown as a single controller, controller 305 may also include multiple controllers configured to work together to achieve a desired level of control over the power tool 100. Therefore, any control functions and processes described in this invention with respect to controller 305 can also be performed by two or more controllers operating in a distributed manner. For example, each gate driver may have its own controller.

[0056] Memory 810 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, including, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and data storage area may include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”) (e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.), electrically erasable programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory, hard disk, SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory devices. Processing unit 805 is connected to memory 810 and configured to execute software instructions that can be stored in the RAM of memory 810 (e.g., during execution), the ROM of memory 810 (e.g., on a substantially permanent basis), or another non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as another memory or disk). Software included in the implementation of power tool 100 and controller 305 may be stored in the memory 810 of controller 305. Software includes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller 305 is configured to retrieve and execute instructions related to the control process and method described herein from the memory 810. In other embodiments, the controller 305 may include additional, fewer, or different components.

[0057] Input device 800 may include a trigger switch coupled to trigger 125, an on / off switch coupled to an electric actuator, a speed selection switch coupled to a speed selector, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. Based on the input from input device 800, controller 305 can control gate drivers 410, 415, 420 to drive a load. For example, when a user presses trigger 125, the trigger switch can provide input to controller 305, which uses this input to control gate drivers 410, 415, 420 to drive motor 430 based on the degree of press of trigger 125. The controller uses three-state control signals as described above to control gate drivers 410, 415, 420.

[0058] Figure 9A flowchart of a method 900 for outputting a three-state control signal 615 to a gate driver 310 is shown. Although the illustrated method 900 includes specific steps, not all steps need to be performed or need to be performed in the order presented. Method 900 may be performed by a gate driver circuit 300 (e.g., a controller 305 of the power tool 100).

[0059] Method 900 includes providing a tri-state control signal 615 to the gate driver 310 (step 905). The tri-state control signal can be provided to the gate driver 310 from the controller 305. For example, the controller 305 can control the voltage source 320 to provide a first voltage value to the timer 330 and the timing circuit 335. The controller can use the first switch signal 605 and the second switch signal 610 to control the switching of the timing circuit 335. For example, the controller can use the first switch signal 605 to control the third switch SW3 and use the second switch signal 610 to control the fourth switch SW4, as described above. Figure 6 As stated above.

[0060] Method 900 includes controlling bridge circuit 315 based on a three-state control signal 615 (step 910). The three-state control signal 615 includes, as described above... Figure 6 The bridge circuit has at least four states. For example, in a first state, the gate driver 310 controls both switches SW1 and SW2 of the bridge circuit 315 to be off; in a second state, the gate driver 310 controls the high-side switch SW1 to be on and controls the low-side switch SW2 to be off; in a third state, the gate driver 310 controls both switches SW1 and SW2 of the bridge circuit 315 to be off; and in a fourth state, the gate driver 310 controls the low-side switch SW2 to be on and controls the high-side switch SW1 to be off. The bridge circuit 315 can be controlled to drive motors in power tools 400, 500, portable power supplies, etc., or to convert DC current to AC current.

[0061] Therefore, the embodiments described in this utility model particularly provide a system and method for providing a three-state control signal to a gate driver to control a bridge circuit.

Claims

1. A power tool, characterized in that, include: power supply; motor; A bridge circuit, the bridge circuit being connected to the motor; A gate driver connected to the bridge circuit; and A controller, connected to the gate driver and configured to provide tri-state control signals to the gate driver, The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit to drive the motor based on the three-state control signal.

2. The power tool as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The three-state control signal includes a first control state, a second control state, and a third control state.

3. The power tool as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The gate driver is configured to: When the three-state control signal is in the first control state, it controls the first and second switches of the bridge circuit to open. When the tri-state control signal is in the second control state, the first switch of the bridge circuit is turned on and the second switch of the bridge circuit is turned off. When the three-state control signal is in the third control state, the first switch of the bridge circuit is opened and the second switch of the bridge circuit is turned on.

4. The power tool as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller includes a voltage source, a timer, and a first circuit.

5. The power tool as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first output of the voltage source is coupled to the timer, the second output of the voltage source is coupled to the first circuit, the output of the timer is coupled to the first circuit, and the output of the first circuit is coupled to the gate driver.

6. The power tool as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first circuit includes a first switch connected in parallel with the second switch, wherein the gate driver is connected between the first switch and the second switch.

7. The power tool as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The controller is configured to: The output of the timer is used to control the first switch and the second switch to be in the first state. A first voltage is supplied to the gate driver in response to the first switch and the second switch being in the first state.

8. The power tool as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The controller is configured to: The timer is used to control the first switch to be in the second state and to control the second switch to be in the first state. In response to the first switch being in the second state and the second switch being in the first state, a second voltage greater than the first voltage is provided to the gate driver.

9. The power tool as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The controller is configured to: The timer is used to control the first switch to be in the first state and to control the second switch to be in the second state. In response to the first switch being in the first state and the second switch being in the second state, a third voltage less than the first voltage is provided to the gate driver.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: Bridge circuit; A gate driver, the gate driver being electrically connected to the bridge circuit; and A controller, electrically coupled to the gate driver and configured to provide tri-state control signals to the gate driver, The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit based on the tri-state control signal.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The gate driver is configured to control a first group of multiple switches in the bridge circuit based on a first three-state control signal.

12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, Further includes: A second gate driver is connected to the bridge circuit, wherein the second gate driver is configured to control a second set of multiple switches in the bridge circuit based on a second tri-state control signal.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The first group of multiple switches and the second group of multiple switches form an H-bridge.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, Further includes: A third gate driver is connected to the bridge circuit, wherein the third gate driver is configured to control a third set of multiple switches in the bridge circuit based on a third tri-state control signal.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The controller includes a voltage source having a first output coupled to a timer and a second output coupled to a first circuit, wherein... The output of the timer is coupled to the first circuit, and the output of the first circuit is coupled to the gate driver.

16. A power converter device, characterized in that, include: Bridge circuit; A gate driver, the gate driver being electrically connected to the bridge circuit; and A controller, electrically coupled to the gate driver and configured to provide tri-state control signals to the gate driver, The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit based on the tri-state control signal.

17. The power converter device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, Further includes: The power supply provides DC input power to the controller. The gate driver is configured to control the bridge circuit to provide AC output power to the load.

18. The power converter device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The controller includes a voltage source, a timer, a first switch, and a second switch.

19. The power converter device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that, During the first control state of the three-state control signal, the first switch is in the first state and the second switch is in the second state, wherein during the second control state of the three-state control signal, the first switch is in the first state and the second switch is in the first state, and wherein during the third control state of the three-state control signal, the first switch is in the second state and the second switch is in the first state.

20. The power converter device as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The first control state corresponds to a first voltage, the second control state corresponds to a second voltage greater than the first voltage, and the third control state corresponds to a third voltage greater than the second voltage.

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