Patent Application
20240108185
This application claims priority to Japanese patent application nos. 2022-160529 and 2022-160530, both filed on Oct. 4, 2022, the contents of both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
Techniques disclosed in the present specification generally relate to a dust collector (dust extractor).
Japanese Patent No. 6150517 and German Laid-open Utility Publication No. 20 2013 011 464 (U1) disclose a dust collector (dust extractor) related to the present teachings.
If a filter is not cleaned at a suitable timing, there is a possibility that the filter will clog, thereby reducing cleaning efficiency or requiring replacement.
It is therefore one non-limiting object of the present teachings to disclose techniques for cleaning a filter of a dust collector at a suitable timing, to thereby improve cleaning efficiency and extend the service life of the filter.
In one aspect of the present teachings, a dust collector or dust extractor may comprise: a main-body housing; a motor assembly that (i) comprises: a blower fan, which is disposed in the interior of the main-body housing; and a suction motor, which rotates the blower fan; and (ii) generates suction force at a suction port, which communicates (is in fluid communication) with the interior of the main-body housing; a filter, which is disposed between the suction port and the blower fan; a (filter) cleaning apparatus, which cleans the filter; and a cleaning-control part, which actuates the cleaning apparatus after a power tool, which is connected to the suction port, stops.
Thus, a filter of a dust collector or dust extractor can be cleaned at a suitable timing by utilizing techniques disclosed in the present specification.
As was noted above, a dust collector may comprise: a main-body housing; a motor assembly that (i) comprises: a blower fan, which is disposed in the interior of the main-body housing; and a suction motor, which rotates the blower fan; (ii) that generates suction force at a suction port, which communicates (is in fluid communication) with the interior of the main-body housing; a filter, which is disposed between the suction port and the blower fan; a (filter) cleaning apparatus, which cleans the filter; and a cleaning-control part, which actuates the cleaning apparatus after a power tool, which is connected to the suction port, stops.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, if the power tool and the dust collector are linked, the filter can be cleaned after the power tool stops. This avoids the possibility that dust, etc. from the power tool will (continue to) adhere to the filter if the cleaning apparatus were instead to be actuated before the power tool stops, and therefore the filter will clog. By actuating the cleaning apparatus after the power tool stops according to the present teachings, the filter is cleaned at a suitable timing, and therefore clogging of the filter can be curtailed.
In one or more embodiments, the dust collector may comprise: a motor-control part, which controls the suction motor based on the linkage (pairing) with the power tool. In this case, the motor-control part can start the suction motor in conjunction with (at the same time as) the start of the power tool and can stop the suction motor after having continued the drive of the suction motor for a prescribed (time) interval after the power tool stops.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, by starting the suction motor in conjunction with the start of the power tool, dust, etc., which is generated by work in which the power tool is used, is suctioned into the dust collector by the suction force generated by the motor assembly. In an embodiment in which the cleaning apparatus cleans the filters using the suction force of the motor assembly, by continuing the drive of the suction motor for the prescribed interval after the power tool stops, the filter can be suitably cleaned after the power tool stops.
In one or more embodiments, the cleaning-control part may actuate the cleaning apparatus within the prescribed interval.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the cleaning apparatus cleans the filter using the suction force of the motor assembly, the filter is suitably cleaned within the prescribed interval, in which the drive of the suction motor is continued.
In one or more embodiments, the cleaning of the filter may include separating (dislodging) foreign matter, such as dust, etc., which has adhered to the filter, from the filter.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, dust is separated (dislodged) from the filter by the force of air, and thereby the filter is cleaned.
In one or more embodiments, the filter(s) may include a first filter and a second filter. The dust collector may have: a first ventilation path, which is provided between (fluidly connects) the first filter and the blower fan; a second ventilation path, which is provided between (fluidly connects) the second filter and the blower fan; an air-exhaust passageway, through which gas exhausted from the motor assembly flows; a first connection opening, which connects the first ventilation path to the air-exhaust passageway; and a second connection opening, which connects the second ventilation path to the air-exhaust passageway. The cleaning apparatus may comprise: a first valve that can be actuated to change between a first state, in which the first ventilation path is open and the first connection opening is closed, and a second state, in which the first ventilation path is closed and the first connection opening is open; a second valve that can be actuated to change between a third state, in which the second ventilation path is open and the second connection opening is closed, and a fourth state, in which the second ventilation path is closed and the second connection opening is open; and an actuation member that, in the state in which the suction motor is being driven, actuates the first valve so as to change from the first state to the second state and actuates the second valve so as to change from the third state to the fourth state.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cleaning apparatus can clean each of the first filter and the second filter (e.g., sequentially) using the suction force of the motor assembly.
In one or more embodiments, the cleaning-control part may actuate the cleaning apparatus after having received a tool-stop signal, which stops the power tool.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cleaning apparatus can be actuated synchronized to the stopping of the power tool.
In one or more embodiments, the cleaning-control part may receive the tool-stop signal wirelessly.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, there is no need to provide a communication cable to electrically connect the power tool with the dust collector.
In one or more embodiments, after having received a tool-stop signal, which stops the power tool, the motor-control part may stop the suction motor after having (first) continued the drive of the suction motor for the prescribed interval.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the cleaning apparatus cleans the filters using the suction force of the motor assembly, the filter(s) is (are) suitably cleaned within the prescribed interval, in which the drive of the suction motor is continued.
In one or more embodiments, the motor-control part may receive the tool-stop signal wirelessly.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, there is no need to provide a communication cable to electrically connect the power tool with the dust collector.
In one or more embodiments, the dust collector may comprise a wireless receiver that receives the tool-stop signal transmitted from a wireless transmitter, which is provided on or in the power tool.
According to the above-mentioned configuration as well, there is no need to provide a communication cable to electrically connect the power tool with the dust collector.
In one or more embodiments, a dust collector may comprise: a main-body housing; a motor assembly that comprises: a blower fan, which is disposed in the interior of the main-body housing; and a suction motor, which rotates the blower fan; and that generates suction force at a suction port, which communicates with the interior of the main-body housing; a filter, which is disposed between the suction port and the blower fan; a (filter) cleaning apparatus, which cleans the filter; a motor-control part, which controls the suction motor; and a cleaning-control part, which actuates the cleaning apparatus. After having received a motor-stop signal, which stops the suction motor, the motor-control part may stop the suction motor after having (first) continued the drive of the suction motor for a prescribed interval. The cleaning-control part may actuate the cleaning apparatus within the prescribed interval.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, in an embodiment in which the cleaning apparatus cleans the filters using the suction force of the motor assembly, because the drive of the suction motor is continued after reception of the motor-stop signal, the filters are cleaned at a suitable timing.
Embodiments according to the present disclosure are explained below, with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The structural elements of the embodiments explained below can be combined where appropriate. In addition, there are also situations in which some of the structural elements are not used.
In the embodiments, positional relationships among parts will be explained using the terms “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down.” Each of these terms indicates a relative position or a direction, using the center of a dust collector 1 as a reference.
Dust Collector
In the embodiment, the dust collector 1 is a wet/dry dust collector (dust extractor) that can suction not only gas but liquid as well. Air is given as an example of a gas. Water is given as an example of a liquid. It is noted that the dust collector 1 may instead be designed as a dry (only) dust collector.
As shown in
The suction tube 2 suctions at least one of gas and liquid, e.g., both. The suction tube 2 has a suction port 16. The suction port 16 is disposed at a front-end portion of the suction tube 2. The suction tube 2, which includes the suction port 16, is disposed at a front portion of the tank 3. The suction port 16 faces forward. A dust-collecting hose 17 can be connected to the suction tube 2. The suction port 16 communicates (is in fluid communication) with the interior of the main-body housing 7 via the tank 3.
The tank 3 has an interior space, which houses (holds) dust, etc. suctioned from the suction port 16. The suction tube 2, which includes the suction port 16, is provided on the tank 3. After dust, together with one or both of gas and liquid, has been suctioned from the suction port 16, it flows into the interior space of the tank 3. When liquid is suctioned from the suction port 16, the tank 3 also stores (holds) the liquid suctioned from the suction port 16. The liquid is stored in the interior space of the tank 3.
The inlet cover 4 is disposed around the suction tube 2. The inlet cover 4 is disposed so as to cover a front portion of the tank 3. A handle part (first handle) 18 is provided at a lower portion of the inlet cover 4. A space 19 is formed between the handle part 18 and the tank 3. The user can hold, with their hand, the handle part 18 by inserting one or more of their fingertips into the space 19. The user can lift up or drag the dust collector 1 by manually grasping and pulling/lifting the handle part 18.
The cap 5 is disposed so as to cover the suction port 16. In the state in which the dust-collecting hose 17 has been removed from the suction tube 2, leakage of the dust, etc. housed in the interior space of the tank 3 out to the exterior of the tank 3 via the suction port 16 can be curtailed (blocked) by covering the suction port 16 with the cap 5.
The wheels 6 are mounted at lower portions of the tank 3. The wheels 6 support the tank 3 in a movable manner. The wheels 6 include two casters 6F, which are mounted at lower-front portions of the tank 3, and two fixed wheels 6R, which are mounted at lower-rear portions of the tank 3. The tank 3 moves, via the wheels 6, across a surface to be cleaned. By dragging the dust collector 1 forward via the dust-collecting hose 17, the user can move the dust collector 1 forward on the surface to be cleaned.
The main-body housing 7 is supported on the tank 3. The main-body housing 7 is disposed on the upper side of the tank 3. The main-body housing 7 comprises a tank cover 20, a separator 21, a cowling 22, and a battery cover 23.
The tank cover 20 is disposed on the upper side of the tank 3. The tank cover 20 is disposed so as to cover an opening provided at an upper-end portion of the tank 3. The separator 21 is disposed on the upper side of the tank cover 20. The tank cover 20 and the separator 21 are fixed to each other by a screw. The cowling 22 is disposed on the upper side of the separator 21. The separator 21 and the cowling 22 are fixed to each other by a screw. The battery cover 23 is disposed at a front portion of the cowling 22.
The hooks 8 fix the tank 3 and the main-body housing 7 to each other. The hooks 8 are provided respectively at a left portion and a right portion of the tank 3.
The tank 3 comprises hose hooks 24, which support (hold) the dust-collecting hose 17. The hose hooks 24 are provided respectively at a right, rear-end portion and a left, rear-end portion of the tank 3. The dust-collecting hose 17 is a flexible hose and can bend. When not connected to the suction port 16, the dust-collecting hose 17 can be stored in a wound state on the tank 3. The hose hooks 24 support (hold), from below, the dust-collecting hose 17 wound on the tank 3. In addition, dust-collecting pipes 25 may be connected to the dust-collecting hose 17. The separator 21 comprises pipe-support parts 26, which respectively support (hold, e.g., elastically pinch) the dust-collecting pipes 25. The pipe-support parts 26 are provided respectively at a right, rear-end portion and a left, rear-end portion of the separator 21. Each of the pipe-support parts 26 comprises: a protruding part 26A, into which the corresponding dust-collecting pipe 25 is inserted; and a support surface 26B, which supports an outer-circumferential surface of the corresponding dust-collecting pipe 25. In addition, the separator 21 comprises a cap holder 27, which holds the cap 5. The cap holder 27 is provided on a rear surface of the separator 21. The cap holder 27 comprises a pair of clamp parts 27A, which sandwiches the cap 5 from the left and right directions. In addition, a support part 28 is provided at a rear portion of the tank 3. For example, when dust, etc. housed (contained) in the interior of the tank 3 is to be taken out of the tank 3 or a garbage bag is to be taken out of the tank 3, the user may optionally tip the tank 3 over such that the rear surface of the tank 3 faces downward. The support part 28 will support the tank 3, e.g., on a floor, when the tank 3 has been tipped over. In other words, the support part 28 can support the tipped-over tank 3 from below by contacting a prescribed support surface (e.g., the surface to be cleaned, such as a floor). In addition, as shown in
The motor assembly 9 is disposed in the interior of the main-body housing 7. The motor assembly 9 generates suction force at the suction port 16, which communicates (is in fluid communication) with the interior of the main-body housing 7. The motor assembly 9 comprises: a blower fan 29 and a cooling fan 30, which are disposed in the interior of the main-body housing 7; a suction motor 31, which rotates the blower fan 29 and the cooling fan 30; a motor housing 32; a base 33A; a fan base 33B; and a fan cover 34. In the embodiment, the motor assembly 9 is supported by both the tank cover 20 and the separator 21. The tank cover 20 supports the motor assembly 9 from below. The separator 21 supports the motor assembly 9 from above.
The suction motor 31 is an inner-rotor-type brushless motor. The suction motor 31 generates motive (rotational) power for rotating both the blower fan 29 and the cooling fan 30. The suction motor 31 comprises a stator 31A, a rotor 31B, which is disposed in the interior of the stator 31A, and a rotor shaft 31C, which is fixed to the rotor 31B. The rotor shaft 31C extends in the up-down direction. The rotational axis of the rotor shaft 31C extends in the up-down direction. The rotor shaft 31C is rotatably supported by a first bearing 31D and a second bearing 31E. More specifically, the first bearing 31D rotatably supports an upper portion of the rotor shaft 31C. The second bearing 31E rotatably supports a lower portion of the rotor shaft 31C.
The blower fan 29 and the cooling fan 30 are both fixed to the rotor shaft 31C. Thus, the blower fan 29 and the cooling fan 30 are both rotated by the suction motor 31. When the rotor shaft 31C of the suction motor 31 rotates, the blower fan 29 and the cooling fan 30 both rotate. The blower fan 29 generates suction force at the suction port 16. The cooling fan 30 generates an airflow for cooling the suction motor 31. The blower fan 29 is fixed to a lower-end portion of the rotor shaft 31C. The cooling fan 30 is fixed to a portion of the rotor shaft 31C between a lower-end portion of the stator 31A and the blower fan 29. The blower fan 29 is a centrifugal fan. The cooling fan 30 is a centrifugal fan. The outer diameter of the blower fan 29 is larger than the outer diameter of the cooling fan 30.
The motor housing 32 houses the suction motor 31 and the cooling fan 30 in the interior of the main-body housing 7. The motor housing 32 supports the suction motor 31. The motor housing 32 supports (fixedly holds) both the first bearing 31D and the second bearing 31E. The motor housing 32 has a tubular shape. The motor housing 32 has at least one motor air-intake port 32A and at least one motor air-exhaust port 32B. The motor air-intake port(s) 32A is (are) provided at an upper-end portion of the motor housing 32. The motor air-exhaust port(s) 32B is (are) provided at a lower portion of the side surface of the motor housing 32. Gas (air) at (surrounding) the periphery of the motor housing 32 can flow into the interior space of the motor housing 32 via the motor air-intake port(s) 32A. Gas (air) in the interior space of the motor housing 32 can flow out to the periphery of the motor housing 32 via the motor air-exhaust port(s) 32B.
The base 33A is disposed around the suction motor 31 and the motor housing 32. The base 33A supports the motor housing 32. The base 33A guides the gas (air) exhausted from the motor air-exhaust port 32B. The fan base 33B is disposed around the base 33A. The fan base 33B supports the base 33A. The fan base 33B is made of a synthetic resin (polymer) such as a polycarbonate resin.
The fan cover 34 is disposed so as to cover at least a portion of the blower fan 29. The fan cover 34 is connected to the fan base 33B. At least a portion of the fan cover 34 is disposed around the blower fan 29. At least a portion of the fan cover 34 is disposed more downward than (below) the blower fan 29. The fan cover 34 has at least one fan air-intake port 34A and at least one fan air-exhaust port 34B. The fan air-intake port(s) 34A is (are) provided at (in) a lower portion of the fan cover 34. The fan air-exhaust port(s) 34B is (are) provided in a side surface of the fan cover 34.
The inner cover 10 is supported by the tank cover 20. The inner cover 10 is disposed on the lower side of the tank cover 20. The inner cover 10 is fixed to the tank cover 20. The inner cover 10 is disposed between the tank 3 and the tank cover 20. The inner cover 10 has (fluid, e.g., air) communication openings 35. Mesh parts 36 are provided on (in) the inner cover 10. The (fluid, e.g., air) communication openings 35 are provided in the mesh parts 36. The mesh parts 36 include a first mesh part 36L and a second mesh part 36R. The first mesh part 36L and the second mesh part 36R are disposed in the left-right direction. The (fluid, e.g., air) communication openings 35 include first (fluid, e.g., air) communication openings 35L, which are provided in the first mesh part 36L, and second (fluid, e.g., air) communication openings 35R, which are provided in the second mesh part 36R.
The filter unit 11 comprises filters 37 and a filter holder 38, which holds the filters 37. The filters 37 are disposed between the suction port 16 and the blower fan 29. The filters 37 are disposed between the tank 3 and the motor assembly 9. The communication openings 35 are disposed between the tank 3 and the blower fan 29. The filters 37 are disposed between the communication openings 35 and the blower fan 29. The filters 37 recover (catch, remove, trap) foreign matter from the air that flows from the interior space of the tank 3 into the motor assembly 9. In the embodiment, the filter holder 38 of the filter unit 11 is detachable from the inner cover 10.
The filter unit 11 comprises the filters 37 and the filter holder 38, which holds the filters 37. The communication openings 35 are disposed between the tank 3 and the filters 37. The filters 37 are disposed between the communication openings 35 and the blower fan 29. The filters 37 include a first filter 37L, which is disposed between the blower fan 29 and the first communication openings 35L, and a second filter 37R, which is disposed between the blower fan 29 and the second communication openings 35R. The first filter 37L and the second filter 37R each comprise a prefilter 37A, an intermediate filter 37B, and a main filter 37C. The prefilters 37A face the interior space of the tank 3. The prefilters 37A recover (catch, remove, trap) foreign matter from the air supplied from the tank 3. The intermediate filters 37B recover (catch, remove, trap) foreign matter from the air that has passed through the prefilters 37A. The main filters 37C recover (catch, remove, trap) foreign matter from the air that has passed through the intermediate filters 37B.
The filter holder 38 is detachable from the inner cover 10. The filter holder 38 has: a retaining part 38H which retains the filters 37; a latch lever 38A, which is provided at a front-end portion of the retaining part 38H; recessed portions 38B, which are provided respectively on the left side and the right side of the latch lever 38A; a pair of hook parts 38C, which is provided at a rear-end portion of the retaining part 38H; and a handle part (third handle) 38D, which is provided at a rear-end portion of the retaining part 38H.
The inner cover 10 comprises an engaging part 10A, to which the latch lever 38A latches, protruding parts 10B, which are inserted into the recessed portions 38B; and tab parts 10C, to which the hook parts 38C latch. When the protruding parts 10B have been inserted into the recessed portions 38B, and then the hook parts 38C are latched to the tab parts 10C, the latch lever 38A engages with the engaging part 10A. Thereby, the filter unit 11 is connected to the inner cover 10. By manipulating (manually operating) the latch lever 38A, the engagement between the latch lever 38A and the engaging part 10A can be released, and then the filter unit 11 can be removed from the inner cover 10.
The lower surfaces of the filters 37 face the interior space of the tank 3. The upper surfaces of the filters 37 oppose the communication openings 35 of the mesh parts 36. The tank cover 20 has a recessed portion 20B, in which the fan cover 34 is disposed. A vent 20A is provided in a bottom surface of the recessed portion 20B. The fan air-intake port(s) 34A of the fan cover 34 and the vent 20A overlap. In addition, the tank cover 20 comprises a tube part 20C, which protrudes downward from the circumference (periphery) of the vent 20A. The inner cover 10 has a recessed portion 10D, in which the tube part 20C is disposed.
Ventilation paths 71, through which air that proceeds from the communication openings 35 to the vent 20A passes, are provided in the tank cover 20. The ventilation paths 71 include a first ventilation path 71L, which is provided between the first filter 37L and the blower fan 29, and a second ventilation path 71R, which is provided between the second filter 37R and the blower fan 29. Air that proceeds from the first communication openings 35L to the vent 20A passes through the first ventilation path 71L. Air that proceeds from the second communication openings 35R to the vent 20A passes through the second ventilation path 71R.
By rotating the blower fan 29, suction force is generated at the suction port 16. After gas (air) that has been suctioned from the suction port 16 into the interior space of the tank 3 has passed through the filters 37, it flows into the communication openings 35. As shown in
By rotating the cooling fan 30, the gas (air) at (surrounding) the periphery of the motor housing 32 flows into the interior space of the motor housing 32 via the motor air-intake port(s) 32A. The gas (air) that has flowed into the interior space of the motor housing 32 cools the suction motor 31. After it has cooled the suction motor 31, the gas (air) is exhausted to the periphery of the motor housing 32 via the motor air-exhaust port(s) 32B.
The switch base 12 is disposed at a front portion of the main-body housing 7. The switch base 12 has a plate shape. The switch base 12 is long (oblong, elongated) in the up-down direction. The switch base 12 comprises a main-power-supply switch 39.
The switch button 13 is disposed more upward than the switch base 12 at a front portion of the main-body housing 7. The switch button 13 is supported on the main-body housing 7 in a pivotable manner. When the main-power-supply switch 39 is switched ON, the suction motor 31 becomes switchable between a drive state (mode) and a drive stop state (mode) by manually operating (pressing) the switch button 13.
The handle 14 is supported at an upper portion of the main-body housing 7 in a pivotable manner. The handle 14 is disposed more rearward than the switch button 13. The user of the dust collector 1 can carry the dust collector 1 by grasping the handle 14.
The controller 15 comprises a computer system. The controller 15 outputs control signals for controlling the electronic devices installed in the dust collector 1. Such electronic devices include the suction motor 31. The controller 15 outputs a control signal for controlling the suction motor 31. The controller 15 comprises a control circuit board (e.g., a PCB), on which a plurality of electronic parts is mounted. Illustrative examples of the electronic parts mounted on the control circuit board include: a processor, such as a CPU (central processing unit); nonvolatile memory, such as ROM (read-only memory) and storage; volatile memory, such as RAM (random-access memory); transistors; capacitors; and resistors.
As shown in
Air-exhaust passageways 50, through which gas (air) exhausted from the fan air-exhaust port 34B of the motor assembly 9 flows, are provided in the interior of the main-body housing 7. A plurality of the air-exhaust passageways 50 is provided in the interior of the main-body housing 7 in the up-down direction. More specifically, in the embodiment, the air-exhaust passageways 50 include a first air-exhaust passageway 51 and a second air-exhaust passageway 52, which is provided more upward than (above) the first air-exhaust passageway 51. At least a portion of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 and the second air-exhaust passageway 52 overlap at (along) a horizontal plane. In other words, at least one vertical extending line will intersect both the first air-exhaust passageway 51 and the second air-exhaust passageway 52 due to the second air-exhaust passageway 52 being superposed on (above) the first air-exhaust passageway 51. The vertically extending line may be perpendicular to a bottom surface of each of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 and the second air-exhaust passageway 52. Thus, the first air-exhaust passageway 51 preferably extends, at least partially, in parallel with the second air-exhaust passageway 52 in the up-down (vertical) direction.
In addition, a communication-path opening 53, which (fluidly) connects the first air-exhaust passageway 51 and the second air-exhaust passageway 52 to each other, is provided in the interior of the main-body housing 7. The communication-path opening 53 is provided so as to (fluidly) connect a left-end portion of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 with a left-end portion of the second air-exhaust passageway 52. In the embodiment, the communication-path opening 53 has a quadrangular shape in horizontal cross-section.
The first air-exhaust passageway 51 is defined by (between) the tank cover 20 and the separator 21. The second air-exhaust passageway 52 is defined by (between) the separator 21 and the cowling 22.
The tank cover 20 comprises: a first cover-plate part 43, which covers the tank 3; and a first guide-plate part 44, which protrudes upward from an upper surface of the first cover-plate part 43. The separator 21 comprises: a second cover-plate part 45, which covers the tank cover 20; and second guide-plate parts 46, which protrude upward from an upper surface of the second cover-plate part 45.
The first air-exhaust passageway 51 is defined by the upper surface of the first cover-plate part 43, a guide surface of the first guide-plate part 44, and a lower surface of the second cover-plate part 45. The guide surface of the first guide-plate part 44 faces the first air-exhaust passageway 51. In the embodiment, sound-absorbing members 44A are disposed on the guide surface of the first guide-plate part 44. The second air-exhaust passageway 52 is defined by the upper surface of the second cover-plate part 45, guide surfaces of the second guide-plate parts 46, and a lower surface of the cowling 22. The guide surfaces of the second guide-plate parts 46 face the second air-exhaust passageway 52. The communication-path opening 53 includes a through opening, which goes through (penetrates) the lower surface and the upper surface of the second cover-plate part 45 of the separator 21.
In the embodiment, in the state in which the wheels 6 are set on the surface to be cleaned, which is parallel to the horizontal plane, the upper surface of the first cover-plate part 43 and the upper surface of the second cover-plate part 45 are at least substantially parallel to each other, i.e. either parallel or at an angle of 5° or less to each other. The guide surface of the first guide-plate part 44 and the guide surfaces of the second guide-plate parts 46 each are at least substantially orthogonal to the horizontal plane, i.e. either perpendicular or at an angle of 85-95° to the horizontal plane.
The second air-exhaust passageway 52 is connected to air-exhaust ports 42, which (fluidly) communicate with the exterior of the main-body housing 7. The air-exhaust ports 42 are provided in the rear surface of the separator 21. Sound-absorbing members 42A are provided in the air-exhaust ports 42.
The surface area (horizontal cross-sectional area) of the communication-path opening 53 is ½ or less of the maximum cross-sectional area of the first air-exhaust passageway 51. The surface area of the communication-path opening 53 refers to the surface area of the communication-path opening 53 in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane in the state in which the wheels 6 are set on the surface to be cleaned, which is parallel to the horizontal plane. The cross-sectional area of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 refers to the surface area of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 within a plane orthogonal to both the upper surface of the first cover-plate part 43 and the guide surface of the first guide-plate part 44 in the state in which the wheels 6 are set on the surface to be cleaned, which is parallel to the horizontal plane. The maximum cross-sectional area of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 refers to the maximum cross-sectional area from among the cross-sectional areas of every region in the direction in which air flows through the first air-exhaust passageway 51. In the embodiment, because the sound-absorbing members 44A are disposed on the guide surface of the first guide-plate part 44, the cross-sectional area of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 includes the surface area of the first air-exhaust passageway 51 within a plane orthogonal to both the upper surface of the first cover-plate part 43 and the guide surfaces of the sound-absorbing members 44A in the state in which the wheels 6 are set on the surface to be cleaned, which is parallel to the horizontal plane. The guide surfaces of the sound-absorbing members 44A face the first air-exhaust passageway 51.
Cap
The cap 5 comprises a flange part (flange) 60, a tubular part (tube) 61, and a handle part (fourth handle) 62. The outer shape of the flange part 60 is substantially a circular shape. The tubular part 61 is provided so as to protrude rearward from a center portion of the flange part 60. The tubular part 61 is disposed more radially inward of the flange part 60 than the outer-circumferential surface of the flange part 60. Rear portions of the tubular part 61 are insertion portions 63, which are inserted into the suction port 16. Front portions of the tubular part 61 are non-insertion (non-inserted) portions 64, which are not inserted into the suction port 16 when the insertion portions 63 are inserted into the suction port 16; i.e. the non-insertion portions 16 are adjacent to, but not within, the suction port 16 when the cap 5 is disposed on/in the suction port 16. The handle part 62 protrudes radially outward of the flange part 60 from a portion of the outer-circumferential surface of the flange part 60.
The flange part 60 has an opposing surface 65, which opposes a front-end surface 2A of the suction tube 2. The cap 5 comprises ribs 66, which protrude rearward from the opposing surface 65. The amount by which the ribs 66 protrude from the opposing surface 65 is, for example, 1 mm. The opposing surface 65 has a ring shape. The ribs 66 are provided so as to extend in the radial direction of the opposing surface 65. The ribs 66 are provided spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the opposing surface 65. At least three of the ribs 66 are provided. In the embodiment, twelve (12) of the ribs 66 are provided spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In the embodiment, the twelve ribs 66 are preferably provided (disposed) equispaced from each other.
Inner-end portions in the radial direction of the ribs 66 are disposed more radially inward than the opposing surface 65. That is, the ribs 66 protrude radially inward from radially inward end portions of the opposing surface 65. The non-insertion portions 64 of the tubular part 61 are disposed more radially inward than the opposing surface 65. The non-insertion portions 64 are disposed outward of the suction port 16 in the state in which the insertion portions 63 are inserted into the suction port 16. A radially outer-end portion 63A of each of the insertion portions 63 protrudes more radially outward than the outer-circumferential surface of the corresponding non-insertion portion 64. The radially outer-end portions 63A of the insertion portions 63 make contact with an inner-circumferential surface of the suction tube 2. The radially inner-end portions of the ribs 66 are connected to the non-insertion portions 64.
The tubular part 61 has slits 67. The slits 67 are formed so as to extend in the axial direction of the tubular part 61. That is, the slits 67 are formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The slits 67 are formed so as to span from tip portions (rear-end portions) of the insertion portions 63 to base-end portions (front-end portions) of the non-insertion portions 64. Each of the slits 67 is formed between two ribs 66 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. One slit 67 is formed between each two adjacent ribs 66.
The tubular part 61 is divided by the plurality of slits 67 into a plurality of small-piece parts 68 in the circumferential direction of the tubular part 61. Reinforcing ribs 69 are connected to radially-inward-facing inner surfaces of the small-piece parts 68. The reinforcing ribs 69 are provided so as to extend in the radial direction from the center of the tubular part 61.
As shown in
The gaps 70 and the slits 67 are set such that the maximum degree of vacuum becomes 90% or more and 97% or less in case the maximum degree of vacuum is set to 100% while the suction motor 31 is being driven in the state in which the suction port 16 is closed up by the cap 5. The gaps 70 are set based on the amount by which the ribs 66 protrude from the opposing surface 65.
Cleaning Apparatus
In the embodiment, the dust collector 1 comprises a (filter) cleaning apparatus 80, which cleans the filters 37.
The dust collector 1 comprises a first valve 83L, which opens and closes the first ventilation path 71L, and a second valve 83R, which opens and closes the second ventilation path 71R. The first valve 83L and the second valve 83R are respectively supported on the first cover-plate part 43 of the tank cover 20 in a pivotable manner. The first valve 83L operates so as to change between a first state, in which the first ventilation path 71L is open and the first connection opening 72L is closed, and a second state, in which the first ventilation path 71L is closed and the first connection opening 72L is open. The second valve 83R operates so as to change between a third state, in which the second ventilation path 71R is open and the second connection opening 72R is closed, and a fourth state, in which the second ventilation path 71R is closed and the second connection opening 72R is open.
A torsion spring is provided at the pivot axis of both the first valve 83L and the second valve 83R. When an external force is not acting on the first valve 83L, the first valve 83L operates, owing to the elastic force of the torsion spring, so as to enter the first state, in which the first ventilation path 71L is open and the first connection opening 72L is closed. The second valve 83R operates, owing to the elastic force of the torsion spring, so as to enter the third state, in which the second ventilation path 71R is open and the second connection opening 72R is closed. In the first state and the third state, when the suction motor 31 is driven, air in the interior space of the tank 3 passes through the filters 37, the communication openings 35, and the ventilation paths 71, and then flows into the blower fan 29 via the vent 20A. In addition, in the first state and the third state, the air exhausted from the fan air-exhaust port 34B of the motor assembly 9 flows through the first air-exhaust passageway 51 and is then supplied to the second air-exhaust passageway 52 via the fan air-exhaust port 34B.
As shown in
In the embodiment, the cleaning of the filters 37 includes separating (dislodging) the dust that has adhered to the lower surfaces of the filters 37 from the lower surfaces of the filters 37. The lower surfaces of the filters 37 include the lower surfaces of the prefilters 37A. In the embodiment, the cleaning of the filters 37 includes separating the dust that has adhered to the lower surfaces of the prefilters 37A from the lower surfaces of the prefilters 37A. In the embodiment, the cleaning of the filters 37 includes the cleaning of the first filter 37L and the cleaning of the second filter 37R.
When the suction motor 31 is being driven and the first valve 83L operates so as to change from the first state to the second state, the first ventilation path 71L closes and air no longer flows from the tank 3 into the first filter 37L. Because the second ventilation path 71R is open, air flows from the tank 3 into the second filter 37R. The air that has flowed into the second filter 37R flows into the motor assembly 9 and then is exhausted from the motor assembly 9 to the first air-exhaust passageway 51. Because the first connection opening 72L is open, at least a portion of the air that has exhausted from the motor assembly 9 to the first air-exhaust passageway 51 is supplied to the upper surface of the first filter 37L via the first connection opening 72L and the first communication openings 35L. Owing to the (pressurized) air being supplied to the upper surface of the first filter 37L, gas (pressurized air) is jetted (forcibly exhausted) from (through) the lower surface of the first filter 37L, as shown by an arrow in
Similarly, while the suction motor 31 is being driven and the second valve 83R is operated (actuated) so as to change from the third state to the fourth state, the second ventilation path 71R closes and therefore air no longer flows from the tank 3 into the second filter 37R. Because the first ventilation path 71L is open, air flows from the tank 3 into the first filter 37L. The air that has flowed into the first filter 37L flows into the motor assembly 9, and then is exhausted from the motor assembly 9 to the first air-exhaust passageway 51. Because the second connection opening 72R is open, at least a portion of the air exhausted from the motor assembly 9 to the first air-exhaust passageway 51 is supplied to the upper surface of the second filter 37R via the second connection opening 72R and the second communication openings 35R. Owing to the (pressurized) air being supplied to the upper surface of the second filter 37R, gas (pressurized air) is jetted (forcibly exhausted) from (through) the lower surface of the second filter 37R, as shown by the arrow in
Linking with a Power Tool
The tool motor 92 serves as a motive power supply. That is, when the tool motor 92 is driven (energized), an output part of the power tool 90 rotates. In an embodiment in which the power tool 90 is a circular saw, the tool motor 92 causes the rotary cutting tool (circular saw blade), which serves as the output portion of the power tool 90, to rotate. The trigger switch 91 is manipulated (manually operable) by the user. When the trigger switch 91 is manually operated (e.g., pressed), a manipulation signal is generated at the trigger switch 91, and thereby the tool motor 92 starts. By releasing the manipulation of the trigger switch 91, the tool motor 92 stops.
When the trigger switch 91 is manually operated (pressed), the tool-start-signal generating part 93A outputs a tool-start signal, based on the generated manipulation signal, to start the tool motor 92. The tool motor 92 starts based on the tool-start signal output from the tool-start-signal generating part 93A.
When the manipulation (pressing) of the trigger switch 91 is released, the tool-stop-signal generating part 93B outputs a tool-stop signal to stop the tool motor 92. The tool motor 92 stops based on the tool-stop signal output from the tool-stop-signal generating part 93B.
The signal-transmitting part 93C transmits the tool-start signal and the tool-stop signal to the dust collector 1. More specifically, the signal-transmitting part 93C transmits the tool-start signal to the dust collector 1 via the wireless transmitter 94 synchronized to the output of the tool-start signal from the tool-start-signal generating part 93A to the tool motor 92. Similarly, the signal-transmitting part 93C transmits the tool-stop signal to the dust collector 1 via the wireless transmitter 94 synchronized to the output of the tool-stop signal from the tool-stop-signal generating part 93B to the tool motor 92.
The wireless receiver 47 receives the tool-start signal and the tool-stop signal transmitted from the wireless transmitter 94, which is provided on (in) the power tool 90. The signal-receiving part 15A receives, via the wireless transmitter 94, the tool-start signal and the tool-stop signal transmitted from the power tool 90.
The motor-control part 15B controls operation (actuation, energization) of the suction motor 31. The motor-control part 15B controls the suction motor 31 so as to be linked with the power tool 90. The motor-control part 15B controls the suction motor 31 based on the tool-start signal and the tool-stop signal transmitted from the power tool 90. The motor-control part 15B starts the power tool 90 and starts the suction motor 31 based on the tool-start signal transmitted from the power tool 90. After the power tool 90 stops based on the tool-stop signal transmitted from the power tool 90, the motor-control part 15B stops the suction motor 31 while continuing the drive of the suction motor 31 for a prescribed (time) interval Ta (e.g., 3 sec). The tool-stop signal functions as a motor-stop signal that stops the suction motor 31. After the motor-control part 15B wirelessly receives the tool-stop signal, which stops the power tool 90, via the wireless receiver 47 and the signal-receiving part 15A, the motor-control part 15B stops the suction motor 31 while continuing the drive of the suction motor 31 for prescribed interval Ta.
The cleaning-control part 15C is configured to selectively (e.g., automatically) actuate the cleaning apparatus 80 at an appropriate timing for cleaning the filters 37. More specifically, the cleaning-control part 15C controls the actuation of the cleaning motor 81 of the cleaning apparatus 80. Actuating the cleaning apparatus 80 includes driving the cleaning motor 81. The cleaning-control part 15C actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 after the power tool 90, which is connected to the suction port 16, stops. More specifically, the cleaning-control part 15C actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 after having wirelessly received, via the wireless receiver 47 and the signal-receiving part 15A, the tool-stop signal, which stops the power tool 90. The cleaning-control part 15C actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 in prescribed interval Ta described above.
The wireless receiver 47 receives the tool-start signal transmitted from the power tool 90 (step SA1). The motor-control part 15B starts the suction motor 31 in response to receiving the tool-start signal transmitted from the power tool 90 (step SA2). In the embodiment, the tool motor 92 and the suction motor 31 are started substantially at the same time. By starting the tool motor 92, the workpiece can be cut. By starting the suction motor 31, dust generated from the workpiece is suctioned into the dust collector 1 via the dust-collecting hose 17.
When the user releases the trigger switch 91, the tool-stop-signal generating part 93B generates the tool-stop signal (step SB3). The tool-stop signal generated in the tool-stop-signal generating part 93B is output to the tool motor 92. The tool motor 92 stops based on the tool-stop signal (step SB4). In addition, the tool-stop signal generated in the tool-stop-signal generating part 93B is transmitted to the dust collector 1 via the wireless transmitter 94.
The wireless receiver 47 receives the tool-stop signal transmitted from the power tool 90 (step SA3). Even though the motor-control part 15B receives the tool-stop signal transmitted from the power tool 90, the motor-control part 15B continues to drive the suction motor 31 for prescribed (time) interval Ta instead of immediately stopping the suction motor 31.
The cleaning-control part 15C starts the cleaning motor 81 in response to receiving the tool-stop signal transmitted from the power tool 90 (step SA4). Thus, as the suction motor 31 is continued to be driven, the actuation member 82 actuates by the starting of the cleaning motor 81, and thereby the filters 37 are cleaned, as was explained above with reference to
After the filters 37 have been cleaned by driving (actuating) the cleaning motor 81, the cleaning-control part 15C stops the cleaning motor 81 (step SA5). After the motor-control part 15B ends the cleaning of the filters 37 and prescribed interval Ta has elapsed since the tool-stop signal was received, the motor-control part 15B stops the suction motor 31 (step SA6).
As explained above, in the embodiment, the dust collector 1 comprises: the main-body housing 7; the motor assembly 9 that (i) comprises: the blower fan 29, which is disposed in the interior of the main-body housing 7; and the suction motor 31, which rotates the blower fan 29; and (ii) generates suction force at the suction port 16, which communicates with the interior of the main-body housing 7; the filters 37, which are disposed between the suction port 16 and the blower fan 29; the cleaning apparatus 80, which cleans the filters 37; and the cleaning-control part 15C, which actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 after the power tool 90, which is connected to the suction port 16, stops.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the power tool 90 and the dust collector 1 are linked (paired), the filters 37 are cleaned after the power tool 90 stops. If the cleaning apparatus 80 were instead to be actuated before the power tool 90 stops, there is a possibility that dust, etc. from the power tool 90 would remain adhered to the filters 37, thereby clogging the filters 37. On the other hand, by actuating the cleaning apparatus 80 after the power tool 90 stops according to the present teachings, the filters 37 are cleaned at a suitable timing, and therefore clogging of the filters 37 can be curtailed.
In the embodiment, the dust collector 1 comprises: the motor-control part 15B, which controls the suction motor 31 based on the linkage (pairing) with the power tool 90. In this case, the motor-control part 15B can start the suction motor 31 in conjunction with (at the same time as) the start of the power tool 90 and can stop the suction motor 31 after having continued the drive of the suction motor 31 for the prescribed interval after the power tool 90 stops.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, by starting the suction motor 31 in conjunction with the start of the power tool 90, dust, etc., which is generated by work in which the power tool 90 is used, is suctioned into the dust collector 1 by the suction force generated by the motor assembly 9. In an embodiment in which the cleaning apparatus 80 cleans the filters 37 using the suction force of the motor assembly 9, by continuing for the prescribed interval the drive of the suction motor 31 after the power tool 90 stops, the filters 37 can be suitably cleaned after the power tool 90 stops.
In the embodiment, the cleaning-control part 15C actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 in the prescribed interval.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the cleaning apparatus 80 cleans the filters 37 using the suction force of the motor assembly 9, the filters 37 are suitably cleaned in the prescribed interval, in which the drive of the suction motor 31 is continued.
In the embodiment, the cleaning of the filters 37 includes separating (dislodging) dust, etc., which has adhered to the filters 37, from the filters 37.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, dust is separated (dislodged) from the filters 37 by the force of air, and thereby the filters 37 are cleaned.
In the embodiment, the filters 37 include the first filter 37L and the second filter 37R. The dust collector 1 includes: the first ventilation path 71L, which is provided between (fluidly connects) the first filter 37L and the blower fan 29; the second ventilation path 71R, which is provided (fluidly connects) between the second filter 37R and the blower fan 29; the first air-exhaust passageway 51, through which gas exhausted from the motor assembly 9 flows; the first connection opening 72L, which connects the first ventilation path 71L to the first air-exhaust passageway 51; and the second connection opening 72R, which connects the second ventilation path 71R to the first air-exhaust passageway 51. The cleaning apparatus 80 comprises: the first valve 83L that actuates to change between the first state, in which the first ventilation path 71L is open and the first connection opening 72L is closed, and the second state, in which the first ventilation path 71L is closed and the first connection opening 72L is open; the second valve 83R that actuates to change between the third state, in which the second ventilation path 71R is open and the second connection opening 72R is closed, and the fourth state, in which the second ventilation path 71R is closed and the second connection opening 72R is open; and the actuation member 82 that, in the state in which the suction motor 31 is being driven, actuates the first valve 83L so as to change from the first state to the second state and actuates the second valve 83R so as to change from the third state to the fourth state.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cleaning apparatus 80 can clean each of the first filter 37L and the second filter 37R (e.g., sequentially) using the suction force of the motor assembly 9.
In the embodiment, the cleaning-control part 15C actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 after having received the tool-stop signal, which stops the power tool 90.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cleaning apparatus 80 can be actuated synchronized to the stopping of the power tool 90.
In the embodiment, the cleaning-control part 15C receives the tool-stop signal wirelessly.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, there is no need to provide a communication cable that electrically connects the power tool 90 with the dust collector 1.
In the embodiment, after having received the tool-stop signal, which stops the power tool 90, the motor-control part 15B stops the suction motor 31 after having continued the drive of the suction motor 31 for the prescribed interval.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, because the cleaning apparatus 80 cleans the filters 37 using the suction force of the motor assembly 9, the filters 37 are suitably cleaned in the prescribed interval, in which the drive of the suction motor 31 is continued.
In the embodiment, the motor-control part 15B receives the tool-stop signal wirelessly.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, there is no need to provide a communication cable to electrically connect the power tool 90 with the dust collector 1.
In the embodiment, the dust collector 1 comprises the wireless receiver 47 that receives the tool-stop signal transmitted from a wireless transmitter, which is provided on the power tool 90.
According to the above-mentioned configuration as well, there is no need to provide a communication cable to electrically connect the power tool 90 with the dust collector 1.
In the embodiment, the dust collector 1 comprises: the main-body housing 7; the motor assembly 9 comprising: the blower fan 29, which is disposed in the interior of the main-body housing 7; and the suction motor 31, which rotates the blower fan 29; and that generates suction force at the suction port 16, which communicates with the interior of the main-body housing 7; the filters 37, which are disposed between the suction port 16 and the blower fan 29; the cleaning apparatus 80, which cleans the filters 37; the motor-control part 15B, which controls the suction motor 31; and the cleaning-control part 15C, which actuates the cleaning apparatus 80. After having received the tool-stop signal, which is the motor-stop signal that stops the suction motor 31, the motor-control part 15B stops the suction motor 31 after having (first) continued the drive of the suction motor 31 for the prescribed interval. The cleaning-control part 15C actuates the cleaning apparatus 80 in the prescribed interval.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, in an embodiment in which the cleaning apparatus 80 cleans the filters 37 using the suction force of the motor assembly 9, because the drive of the suction motor 31 is continued after reception of the tool-stop signal, which is the motor-stop signal, the filters 37 are cleaned at a suitable timing.
In the embodiment explained above with reference to
When the user manipulates (presses) the switch button 13 to be OFF, the motor-stop signal, which serves as the manipulation signal and stops the switch button 13, is generated in (by) the switch button 13. The motor-control part 15B receives the motor-stop signal from the switch button 13 (step SC3).
Even though the motor-control part 15B receives the motor-stop signal from the switch button 13, the motor-control part 15B continues the drive of the suction motor 31 for prescribed interval Ta instead of immediately stopping the suction motor 31.
The cleaning-control part 15C starts the cleaning motor 81 based on (in response to) the motor-stop signal from the switch button 13 (step SC4). While the suction motor 31 is continued to be driven, the actuation member 82 is actuated by the start of the cleaning motor 81, and thereby the filters 37 are cleaned, as was explained above with reference to
After the filters 37 have been cleaned by the drive of the cleaning motor 81, the cleaning-control part 15C stops the cleaning motor 81 (step SC5). After the cleaning of the filters 37 ends and prescribed interval Ta has elapsed since the motor-stop signal was received, the motor-control part 15B stops the suction motor 31 (step SC6).
In the alternate example explained with reference to
Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved dust collectors or dust extractors and methods of making and using the same.
Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.
All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.
Although some aspects of the present disclosure have been described in the context of a device, it is to be understood that these aspects also represent a description of a corresponding method, so that each block or component of a device, such as the controllers 15, 93, is also understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. In an analogous manner, aspects which have been described in the context of or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device, such as the controllers 15, 93.
Depending on certain implementation requirements, exemplary embodiments of the controllers 15, 93 of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware and/or in software. The implementation can be configured using a digital storage medium, for example one or more of a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a flash memory, on which electronically readable control signals (program code) are stored, which interact or can interact with a programmable hardware component such that the respective method is performed.
A programmable hardware component can be formed by a processor, a computer processor (CPU=central processing unit), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit (IC), a computer, a system-on-a-chip (SOC), a programmable logic element, or a field programmable gate array (FGPA) including a microprocessor.
The digital storage medium can therefore be machine- or computer readable. Some exemplary embodiments thus comprise a data carrier or non-transient computer readable medium which includes electronically readable control signals which are capable of interacting with a programmable computer system or a programmable hardware component such that one of the methods described herein is performed. An exemplary embodiment is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a non-transient computer-readable medium) on which the program for performing one of the methods described herein is recorded.
In general, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, in particular the control unit, are implemented as a program, firmware, computer program, or computer program product including a program, or as data, wherein the program code or the data is operative to perform one of the methods if the program runs on a processor or a programmable hardware component. The program code or the data can for example also be stored on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier. The program code or the data can be, among other things, source code, machine code, bytecode or another intermediate code.
A program according to an exemplary embodiment can implement one of the methods during its performing, for example, such that the program reads storage locations or writes one or more data elements into these storage locations, wherein switching operations or other operations are induced in transistor structures, in amplifier structures, or in other electrical, optical, magnetic components, or components based on another functional principle. Correspondingly, data, values, sensor values, or other program information can be captured, determined, or measured by reading a storage location. By reading one or more storage locations, a program can therefore capture, determine or measure sizes, values, variable, and other information, as well as cause, induce, or perform an action by writing in one or more storage locations, as well as control other apparatuses, machines, and components.
Therefore, although some aspects of the controllers 15, 93 have been identified as “parts” or “steps”, it is understood that such parts or steps need not be physically separate or distinct electrical components, but rather may be different blocks of program code that are executed by the same hardware component, e.g., one or more microprocessors, and/or may be implemented using discrete hardware components.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-160529 | Oct 2022 | JP | national |
| 2022-160530 | Oct 2022 | JP | national |
