This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to patent application no. DE 10 2012 221 748.7, filed on Nov. 28, 2012 in Germany, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Portable power tools, in particular battery-powered power tools, in which a center axis of a tool holding unit extends through an upper housing, wherein a downwardly protruding handle is fastened to the upper housing, are already known. An actuating element for switching the battery-powered power tool on and off is fastened to the handle.
The disclosure proceeds from a portable power tool, in particular a battery-powered power tool, having at least one actuating element and at least one tool holding unit. A “portable power tool” should be understood in particular as meaning a power tool which can be guided with one or both hands of an operator and is different in particular from a stationary power tool. A “battery-powered power tool” should be understood in particular as meaning a portable power tool which is supplied with power by a rechargeable battery and/or battery and is preferably guided with one hand, wherein two-handed guidance may be provided in order to stabilize the battery-powered power tool during use. For example, the battery-powered power tool may be configured as a battery-powered drill, a battery-powered hammer drill, a battery-powered percussion drill, a battery-powered percussion screwdriver or preferably as a battery-powered screwdriver. Preferably, the portable power tool, in particular the battery-powered power tool, is configured in a pistol form. A “pistol form” should be understood in particular as meaning a form of the portable power tool having a handle, in which the portable power tool can be guided with one hand on the handle and the actuating element can be operated with the fingers of a hand grasping the handle, without releasing a grip needed for guiding the portable power tool. An “actuating element” should be understood in particular as meaning an element by means of which function setting of a portable power tool, in particular a battery-powered power tool, can be carried out, in particular switching the portable power tool on or off or setting power values of the portable power tool. Preferably, the actuating element is configured as a pressure switch and particularly preferably as a trigger switch. In principle, the actuating element may also be configured in some other way, for example as a rotary switch or as a touch display. A “trigger switch” should be understood in particular as meaning a switch configured in the form of a trigger, which is actuated with at least one finger and after exceeding a particular pressure threshold, a pressure on the trigger switch effects function setting, wherein, when the pressure threshold is exceeded, the function setting can be configured so as to be variable in a linear manner with changes in pressure. A “tool holding unit” should be understood in particular as meaning a unit of the portable power tool, in particular battery-powered power tool, which is provided to hold and fasten an application tool, for example a bit of a screwdriver or a drill bit. In particular, the tool holding unit has for this purpose an advantageously at least substantially cylindrical holding region for the tool. The tool holding unit is arranged in particular on an upper housing of the portable power tool, in particular of a battery-powered power tool.
It is proposed that a center axis of the tool holding unit extends at least through a vicinity of the actuating element. A “center axis of the tool holding unit” should be understood in particular as meaning an infinitely extending straight line that extends centrally through the holding region for the tool in an orientation direction of a held tool. In particular, the center axis of the tool holding unit corresponds to a force action line of the portable power tool. A “vicinity” should be understood in particular as meaning a region around the actuating element, said region being delimited by a distance of at most 5 mm from the actuating element. As a result of the configuration according to the disclosure of the portable power tool, improved guidance of a portable power tool and improved gripping ergonomics can be achieved in particular.
It is furthermore proposed that the center axis of the tool holding unit extends through the actuating element. Improved guidance of a battery-powered power tool and improved gripping ergonomics can be achieved in particular.
Furthermore, a pistol grip is proposed. A “pistol grip” should be understood in particular as meaning a handle for single-handed guidance of the portable power tool, said handle projecting in an at least substantially perpendicular manner from an upper housing component which has the tool holding unit, wherein an operator can actuate an actuating element of the portable power tool with one or more fingers of a hand with which he grasps the pistol grip in order to guide the portable power tool, without releasing a grip around the pistol grip. The expression “at least substantially perpendicular” should be understood in particular as meaning that an angle between the pistol grip and the upper housing component deviates from 90 degrees by at most 20, advantageously by at most 10 and preferably by at most one degree. In particular, the pistol grip can project from the upper housing component at an angle of 90 degrees. Advantageous gripping ergonomics can be achieved in particular.
It is furthermore proposed that the actuating element is arranged in an actuating finger protective space. An “actuating finger protective space” should be understood in particular as meaning a space which is delimited on at least three sides by a housing of a portable power tool and is provided to receive at least one finger of an operator of the portable power tool and to provide at least one guide region for the finger during actuation of the actuating element, and also preferably to additionally protect the finger from any injuries, in particular on account of pieces of material flying around during use of the portable power tool or on account of the portable power tool slipping. Advantageous guidance and protection of the finger during actuation of the actuating element can be achieved in particular.
It is furthermore proposed that the actuating finger protective space is configured in a closed manner on at least four sides. Preferably, the actuating finger protective space is delimited and closed on one side by a connecting bar. In particular, the side delimited by the connecting bar is formed by a side, located in a ventral direction, of the actuating finger protective space. A “ventral direction” should be understood in particular as meaning a direction extending perpendicularly to the center axis of the tool holding unit, the handle substantially extending in said direction. Advantageous guidance of the finger when resting against the actuating element can be achieved in particular.
It is furthermore proposed that the actuating finger protective space has a height extent of at least 2 cm. A “height extent” of the actuating finger protective space should be understood in particular as meaning an extent of the actuating finger protective space in a direction perpendicular to an actuating direction of the actuating element, a finger width extending in said direction when a finger rests against the actuating element. In particular, the actuating finger protective space has a height extent which allows the actuating element to be actuated with two fingers. Safe guidance of a portable power tool and safe actuation of the actuating element can be achieved in particular.
Furthermore, at least one drive motor is proposed which is arranged at least partially in a region located behind the actuating element, as seen from the tool holding unit. In particular, the drive motor is provided to drive a tool mounted in the tool holding unit. Preferably, the drive motor is formed by an electric motor and particularly preferably by a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) which is supplied with power in particular by a rechargeable battery of a battery-powered power tool. The fact that the drive motor “is arranged at least partially in a region located behind the actuating element, as seen from the tool holding unit” should be understood in particular as meaning that the drive motor is arranged at least partially in a region of a portable power tool which is located on a projection of the actuating element, said projection extending parallel to the center axis and in a direction away from the tool holding unit. Improved guidance of a portable power tool and improved gripping ergonomics can be achieved in particular.
Furthermore, a handle is proposed, within which the drive motor is at least substantially arranged. The expression “arranged at least substantially within the handle” should be understood in particular as meaning that at least seventy, advantageously at least ninety and particularly preferably one hundred percent of the volume of the drive motor is located within the handle. Preferably, the handle is formed by a pistol grip. On account of the arrangement of the drive motor in the handle, improved guidance of a portable power tool and improved gripping ergonomics can be achieved in particular.
It is furthermore proposed that the center axis of the tool holding unit extends through the drive motor. Improved guidance of a battery-powered power tool and improved gripping ergonomics can be achieved in particular.
Furthermore, at least one connecting drive train unit for transmitting force from the drive motor to the tool holding unit is proposed, wherein the connecting drive train unit is guided past the actuating element and in particular past the actuating finger protective space. A “connecting drive train unit” should be understood in particular as meaning a unit having at least one connecting drive train for force transmission, said connecting drive train being configured in a substantially rod-like manner and being mounted preferably in a rotatable manner, said unit being connected at one end to the drive motor and being driven by the latter, and being connected at another end to the tool holding unit and transmitting a force of the drive motor to the latter. A gear unit may be arranged upstream or downstream of the connecting drive train, in the direction of the flow of force from the drive motor to the tool holding unit, wherein said gear unit is arranged preferably between the connecting drive train and the tool holding unit. The connecting drive train unit transmits in particular forces from the drive motor to the gear unit in order to drive the tool holding unit and/or to drive an application tool held in the tool holding unit. The expression “guided past” should be understood in particular as meaning that, in particular on account of a position of the at least one actuating element on the portable power tool, a path of the force transmission from the drive motor to the tool holding unit turns out longer than a path of the force transmission in the case of a hypothetical course of the connecting drive train unit through the position of the actuating element on the portable power tool, wherein, in the case of the hypothetical course of the connecting drive train unit through the position of the actuating element on the portable power tool, the connecting drive train extends in particular completely within the housing of the portable power tool, apart from a passage through a possible actuating finger protective space. Preferably, the connecting drive train unit is arranged in a manner separated from the actuating element by a housing of the portable power tool. In particular, as viewed in a machining direction, the drive motor is arranged at least partially in front of the actuating element, the gear unit is arranged at least partially behind the actuating element and preferably the actuating element is arranged completely in a region between the drive motor and the gear unit. A “machining direction” should be understood in particular as meaning a direction within the portable power tool along the center axis of the tool holding unit toward the tool holding unit. Preferably, the connecting drive train unit is guided past the actuating element above the latter. The term “above” should be understood in particular as meaning arranged on a side, facing the top side of the portable power tool and remote from the handle, of the actuating element. In principle, the connecting drive train unit can also be guided past the actuating element below the latter, to the left of the latter or to the right of the latter. Preferably, the connecting drive train unit extends at least substantially parallel to the center axis of the tool holding unit and parallel to a longitudinal extent of an actuating finger protective space in which the actuating element is arranged. Preferably, the gear unit and drive motor are arranged such that a shortest connecting line, arranged within the battery-powered power tool, between the gear unit and the drive motor deviates from a straight line. Advantageously space-saving and ergonomically advantageous positioning of the drive motor can be achieved in particular.
Furthermore a gear unit is proposed which is arranged between the connecting drive train unit and the tool holding unit. A “gear unit” should be understood in particular as meaning a unit having at least one gear, for example a planetary gear, wherein the gear unit may have further elements, for example a notched disk, a percussion screw mechanism or a hammer mechanism. The gear unit is provided to adapt a rotational speed of an output drive of the drive motor and/or of the connecting drive train unit to a rotational speed of the application tool and/or of the tool holding unit via a constant and/or variable transmission ratio. A flexible portable power tool can be achieved in particular in a structurally simple manner.
Furthermore, at least one angular gear unit is proposed which connects the connecting drive train unit to the drive motor. An “angular gear unit” should be understood in particular as meaning a gear unit which changes a rotational movement at least in one direction. In particular, the angular gear unit is provided to connect a drive motor, which is arranged in the handle and is oriented at least substantially in a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the tool holding unit, to a connecting drive train unit extending at least substantially parallel to the center axis, and to transmit a rotational movement of the output shaft of the drive motor to the connecting drive train unit. Advantageously space-saving and ergonomic positioning of the drive motor can be achieved in particular in a structurally simple manner.
The portable power tool according to the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the above-described application and embodiment. In particular, the portable power tool according to the disclosure can have a number of individual elements, components and units which differs from the number mentioned herein in order to fulfill a functionality described herein.
Further advantages can be gathered from the following description of the drawing. Six exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the drawing. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form appropriate further combinations.
In the drawing:
A center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a extends through the actuating element 20a and thus through a vicinity of the actuating element 20a. In alternative configurations of the battery-powered power tool 10a, the center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a can also extend for example at a distance of 5 mm above an upper end of the actuating element 20a or at a short distance therefrom. The center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a is at a distance from a center point of the actuating element 20a and two thirds of a longitudinal extent of the actuating element 20a extend on a side, facing the handle 38a, of the center axis 16a, said side facing the ground during normal operation. The actuating element 20a thus extends largely on a side, facing the handle 38a, of the center axis 16a, said side facing the ground during normal operation. As a result of such a course of the center axis 16a, advantageous ergonomics when the actuating element 20a is actuated and the battery-powered power tool 10a is guided can be achieved, since a force action line of the battery-powered power tool 10a, which extends along the center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a, extends through a hand of an operator and beneath at least one actuating finger of the operator, as a result of which undesired torques on the hand can be avoided.
The battery-powered power tool 10a has an actuating finger protective space 22a in which the actuating element 20a is arranged. The center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a thus also extends through the actuating finger protective space 22a. The actuating finger protective space 22a is formed in a closed manner on a side extending parallel to the center axis (16a) and facing the handle 38a and is closed there by a connecting bar 24a between two subregions of the upper housing component 34a. The connecting bar 24a is arranged on a side of the center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a, which side faces the ground in a normal operating state, and provides a bearing surface for an actuating finger of the operator and protection against any sharp edges or splinters in an environment. The actuating finger protective space 22a has a height extent of 5 cm, as a result of which actuation of the actuating element 20a by means of two fingers is possible. The height extent is formed by an extent of the actuating finger protective space 22a perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the actuating finger protective space 22a and extending in a substantially perpendicular manner to the center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a, said extent of the actuating finger protective space 22a extending parallel to a surface normal of the ground in a normal operating state of the battery-powered power tool 10a. In principle, the actuating finger protective space 22a can have a smaller height extent in alternative configurations, such that the actuating element 20a can be actuated only with one actuating finger.
The battery-powered power tool 10a comprises a drive motor 26a which is arranged at least partially in a region located behind the actuating element 20a as seen from the tool holding unit 14a. In the case of a projection of the actuating element 20a in a direction leading away from the tool holding unit 14a and extending parallel to the center axis 16a, approximately half of the drive motor 26a is located within a region intersected by the projection and a further half extends downward, i.e. in a direction toward the ground in a normal operating state, in the direction of the handle 38a. The drive motor 26a is arranged within the handle 38a. The center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a extends through the drive motor 26a and passes through the latter in an upper region facing a top side of the battery-powered power tool 10a. The top side of the battery-powered power tool 10a is arranged opposite the handle 38a and in a manner facing away from the handle 38a. A motor axis 28a of the drive motor 26a encloses an angle of 70 degrees with the center axis 16a of the tool holding unit 14a.
The battery-powered power tool 10a furthermore has a connecting drive train unit 30a for transmitting force from the drive motor 26a to the tool holding unit 14a, said connecting drive train unit 30a extending substantially to the side of the actuating finger protective space 22a. The connecting drive train unit 30a has a rotatably mounted connecting drive train which is connected at one end to a gear and at a further end has a rotating disk having a beveled surface which meshes with a similarly configured rotating disk having a beveled surface of an output shaft of the drive motor 26a. The rotating disks form an angular gear unit 32a of the battery-powered power tool 10a, which connects the connecting drive train unit 30a to the drive motor 26a. A gear unit 18a connects the connecting drive train unit 30a to the tool holding unit 14a and is provided to adapt a rotational speed of the output shaft of the drive motor 26a to a provided rotational speed of the tool holding unit 14a by means of a constant and/or variable transmission ratio. The gear unit 18a may be configured for example as a planetary gear, wherein the connecting drive train unit 30a drives for example a sun gear or planet gear, an internal gear or a planet carrier. In alternative configurations, the battery-powered power tool 10a may be configured for example as a battery-powered percussion screwdriver or as a battery-powered percussion drill and the gear unit 18a may to this end comprise for example instead of or in addition to a screwdriver gear, a gear having a percussion screw mechanism, a gear having a notched disk for percussion drilling or a gear having a hammer mechanism.
The alternative embodiment of a battery-powered power tool 10b in
In a further alternative embodiment (
A further alternative embodiment (
In a further alternative embodiment (
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