Patent Grant
11986941
This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, to UK Patent Application No. 2116001.5 filed Nov. 8, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a power tool, power tool accessory and coupling arrangement therefor. In particular, the present disclosure relates to coupling arrangement between a rotary hammer and a dust extractor.
Operation of a power tool such as a rotary hammer can often create considerable dust. This is undesirable for the user and therefore a dust extractor may be used to remove dust away from the vicinity of the rotary hammer and the user.
Some known dust extractors are mountable to the rotary hammer and are electrically connected to the power supply of the rotary hammer. The dust extractor engages with projecting electrical contacts from the surface of the housing. The projecting electrical contacts can be damaged when the rotatory hammer is placed on a surface. This means that dust extractor may not work properly when mounted on the rotary hammer.
Other known dust extractors are engageable with electrical contacts positioned in air vents of the rotary hammer. Whilst this means the electrical contacts are not damaged when the rotary hammer is place on a surface, the airflow through the rotary hammer is restricted when mounted to the dust extractor.
Examples of the present disclosure aim to address the aforementioned problems.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is a power tool comprising: a power source; a power tool housing comprising a first mechanical coupling connectable with a second reciprocal mechanical coupling on a power tool accessory; and a first electrical coupling in electrical connection with the power source and mounted on the first mechanical coupling wherein the first electrical coupling is electrically connectable with a second reciprocal electrical coupling on the power tool accessory.
In an embodiment, the first mechanical coupling is a slot or a rail configured to couple with a rail or slot of the second reciprocal mechanical coupling.
In an embodiment, the first mechanical coupling is a slot and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling is a rail.
In an embodiment, the first mechanical coupling and comprises a first slot a first side of the power tool housing and a second slot on a second side of the power tool housing, the first slot and the second slot respectively configured to couple with a first rail of the second reciprocal mechanical coupling on the first side of the power tool housing and a second rail of the second reciprocal mechanical coupling on the second side of the power tool housing.
In an embodiment, the first electrical coupling comprises a plurality of electrical contacts configured to engage a plurality of electrical contacts of the second reciprocal electrical coupling.
In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical contacts of the first electrical coupling are mounted on the same surface of the first mechanical coupling.
In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical contacts of the second reciprocal electrical coupling are mounted on the same surface of the second reciprocal mechanical coupling.
In an embodiment, a distance between a first pair of electrical contacts on the first electrical coupling and the second reciprocal electrical coupling is different from a distance between a second pair of electrical contacts on the first electrical coupling and the second reciprocal electrical coupling.
In an embodiment, the plurality of the electrical contacts of the first electrical coupling and the second reciprocal electrical coupling are respectively mounted on a plurality of different surfaces of the first mechanical coupling and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling.
In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical contacts of one of the first electrical coupling and the second reciprocal electrical coupling are metal plates.
In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical contacts of the other of the first electrical coupling and the second reciprocal electrical coupling are metal springs.
In an embodiment, at least one of the electrical contacts is arranged to transmit data between the power tool and the power tool accessory.
In an embodiment, the power tool is one of a rotary hammer, a diamond core drill, hammer drill, a router, a reciprocating saw, plunge saw, a circular saw, an impact driver, a drill, a hammer drill, a multitool, an oscillating tool, a chipping hammer.
In an embodiment, the power source is a battery is mountable to the power tool housing.
In an embodiment, the first mechanical coupling is a slot or a rail comprising a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the slot or rail.
In an embodiment, the second mechanical coupling is a slot or a rail comprising a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on the slot or rail.
In an embodiment, the power tool and the power tool accessory are only mechanically coupled together with the first mechanical coupling and the second mechanical coupling.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a power tool accessory mountable on a power tool for comprising: an accessory housing comprising a second reciprocal mechanical coupling connectable with a first reciprocal mechanical coupling on the power tool; and a second reciprocal electrical coupling mounted on the second reciprocal mechanical coupling wherein the second reciprocal electrical coupling is electrically connectable with a first reciprocal electrical coupling on power tool wherein the first reciprocal electrical coupling is in electrical connection with a power source of the power tool.
In an embodiment, the power tool accessory is one of a dust extractor, a water pump, a laser indicator, or an illumination device.
In a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a power tool assembly comprising: a power tool having: a power tool housing; a power source; a first mechanical coupling on the housing; and a first electrical coupling in electrical connection with the power source and mounted on the first mechanical coupling; and a power tool accessory having: an accessory housing; a second reciprocal mechanical coupling connected with the first mechanical coupling; and a second reciprocal electrical coupling and mounted on the second reciprocal mechanical coupling wherein the second reciprocal electrical coupling is in electrical connection with the first electrical coupling.
In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a power tool coupling assembly for connecting a power tool to a power tool accessory and mounted on a housing of the power tool, the power tool coupling assembly comprising: a first mechanical coupling connectable with a second reciprocal mechanical coupling on the power tool accessory; and a first electrical coupling in electrical connection with a power source of the power tool and mounted on the first mechanical coupling wherein the first electrical coupling is electrically connectable with a second reciprocal electrical coupling mounted on the second reciprocal mechanical coupling.
In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an accessory coupling assembly for connecting a power tool accessory to a power tool and mounted on a housing of the power tool accessory, the accessory coupling assembly comprising: a second reciprocal mechanical coupling connectable with a first reciprocal mechanical coupling on the power tool; and a second reciprocal electrical coupling mounted on the second reciprocal mechanical coupling wherein the second reciprocal electrical coupling is electrically connectable with a first reciprocal electrical coupling mounted on the first reciprocal mechanical coupling wherein the first reciprocal electrical coupling is in electrical connection with a power source of the power tool.
Various other aspects and further examples are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The power tool 100 comprises a power tool housing 102. The power tool housing 102 comprises a clam shell type construction having two halves which are fastened together. The halves of the power tool housing 102 are fastened together with screws but in alternative examples any suitable means for fastening the power tool housing 102 together may be used such as glue, clips, bolts and so on. For the purposes of clarity, the fastenings in the power tool housing 102 are not shown in
An electric motor (not shown) is mounted in a motor housing portion 104 of the power tool housing 102. The motor housing portion 104 is integral with the power tool housing 102.
As shown in
The electric motor is rotatably coupled to a tool holder 114 via an output drive shaft (not shown). A cutting tool (not shown) such as a drill bit can be mounted in the tool holder 114. The motor housing portion 104 comprises one or more air vents 108 for cooling the motor. The air vents 108 allow the intake or exhaust of air to increase air circulation around the motor.
In some examples a power tool coupling assembly 116 is located on the power tool housing 102 below the air vents 108. The power tool coupling assembly 116 is arranged to connect the power tool 100 to a power tool accessory 200 (as best shown in
The power tool coupling assembly 116 as shown in
The power tool coupling assembly 116 in
Turning to
The power tool 100 as shown in
The power tool accessory 200 as shown in
For example, the power tool accessory 200 can be an illumination device, a laser indicator, or any other suitable accessory mechanically and electrically connectable to the power tool 100. In some other examples, the power tool accessory 200 can be additionally or alternatively a charging mount (not shown) for a mobile phone or a camera or other electronic accessory. The mount for the mobile phone or the camera can comprise a charging socket for charging the mobile phone, camera, or other electronic accessory. The mount can comprise a gripping mechanism for securing the mobile phone or the camera to the mount. The mount can comprise a moveable joint for angling the mobile phone or camera with respect to the power tool 100. This means that the mobile phone or camera can be positioned to take images or video footage of the operation of the power tool 100. Alternatively, the mobile phone can be used to display instructions or other information for the user of the power tool 100 during operation of the power tool 100. In some examples, the power tool accessory 200 can be light or torch. In this way the torch or light can be mounted to the power tool 100 and powered by the power tool 100. Hereinafter, the term “power tool accessory” 200 will be used to refer to the dust extractor, however this can also be used to describe any other suitable accessory.
The power tool accessory 200 is mountable on a front side 118 (as best shown in
The power tool accessory 200 is removably mountable to the power tool 100. Accordingly, the user can mount the power tool accessory 200 to the power tool 100 to increases the versatility and functionality of the power tool 100 as needed by the user.
The accessory housing 202 comprises a central recess 204 for receiving the power tool housing 102 when the power tool accessory 200 is engaged with the power tool 100. The central recess 204 comprises one or more curved walls 206 shaped to complement the shape of the power tool housing 102. The central recess 204 can optionally comprise curved ribs 208 also arranged to engage the power tool housing 102. The central recess 204 optionally comprises projecting side walls 218 for overlapping with at least a portion of the power tool housing 102. When the power tool accessory 200 is mounted on the power tool 100, the side walls 218 overlap the power tool housing 102 and help limit the movement of the power tool 100 with respect to the power tool accessory 200.
The power tool accessory 200 as shown in
In some examples an accessory coupling assembly 220 is located on the accessory housing 202 in the central recess 204. The accessory coupling assembly 220 is arranged to connect the power tool accessory 200 to the power tool 100. The accessory coupling assembly 220 is arranged to mechanically and electrically connect the power tool accessory 200 to the power tool 100.
The accessory coupling assembly 220 as shown in
Turning to
The power tool housing 102 comprises a first mechanical coupling 300. The first mechanical coupling 300 as shown in
The pair of slots 302, 700 are best shown in
Whilst
In some other examples, there are additional slots mounted on the power tool housing 102 in addition to the first and second slots 302, 700. Indeed, there can be any number of slots to increase the frictional forces between the power tool 100 and the power tool accessory 200.
Turning back to
The power tool accessory 200 comprises second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304. The second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 is connectable with the first mechanical coupling 300 on the power tool 100.
The second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 as shown in
The pair of rails 306, 706 are best shown in
The first mechanical coupling 300 and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 engage each other. A frictional force between the first mechanical coupling 300 and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 prevents the first mechanical coupling 300 and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 from accidentally separating. In some other examples, in additional to the frictional forces between the first mechanical coupling 300 and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 optionally one or more mechanisms for providing a positive engagement are provided. For example, a detent (not shown) on the first or second rails 306, 706 can engage with reciprocal recess on the first or second slots 302, 700. Additionally, or alternatively, the power tool accessory 200 can be secured to the power tool 100 with clips or a latch mechanism (not shown).
In the previously mentioned example where the first mechanical coupling 300 comprises a single slot (not shown), a single rail (not shown) is also provided on one side of the power tool accessory 200. In this example with a single slot, the single slot may optionally comprise a “T” cross-sectional shape or an “I” cross-sectional shape. Similarly, the single rail comprises a reciprocal “T” cross-sectional shape or an “I” cross-sectional shape for a sliding fit into the single rail.
As shown in Figures, the first mechanical coupling 300 and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 are respectively a pair of slots 302, 700 and a pair of rails 306, 706. However, in alternative examples not illustrated in the Figure, the first mechanical coupling 300 on the power tool housing 102 comprises a pair of rails. Similarly, the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 comprises a pair of slots. Furthermore, in some alternative examples, the first mechanical coupling 300 and the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304 each comprise one slot and one rail.
In addition to the previously described mechanical engagement, the power tool coupling assembly 116 and the accessory coupling assembly 220 are electrically connectable. The electrical connection between the power tool 100 and the power tool accessory 200 will now be discussed.
The power tool coupling assembly 116 comprises a first electrical coupling 500 as shown in
The first electrical coupling 500 is mounted on the first mechanical coupling 300.
In some examples, the plurality of electrical contacts 502, 504, 506 are spring biased for engagement with a reciprocal electrical contact. As can be seen from
Similarly, the accessory coupling assembly 220 as shown in
The second reciprocal electrical coupling 400 is mounted on the second reciprocal mechanical coupling 304.
Accordingly, the first reciprocal electrical contact 402, the second reciprocal electrical contact 404, and the third reciprocal electrical contact 406 are arranged to electrically connect respectively to the first electrical contact 502, the second electrical contact 504, and the third electrical contact 506. This is best shown in
In some examples, the first reciprocal electrical contact 402 and the first electrical contact 502 and the second reciprocal electrical contact 404 and the second electrical contact 504 are configured to transmit power from the battery pack 112 to the power tool accessory 200. In some examples, the third reciprocal electrical contact 406 and the third electrical contact 506 are configured to provide information about the power tool accessory 200 to a controller (not shown) of the power tool accessory 200 and/or the power tool 100.
In some examples, the third reciprocal electrical contact 406 and the third electrical contact 506 provide an ON/OFF signal that the indicates whether the power tool accessory 200 is mounted to the power tool 100. In some other examples, the third reciprocal electrical contact 406 and the third electrical contact 506 are a data connection between the power tool accessory 200 and the power tool 100. In this way, status information or any other information of the power tool accessory 200 and the power tool 100 can be transmitted between the power tool accessory 200 and the power tool 100. This can help the power tool 100 manage the power requirements of the power tool 100 and the power tool accessory 200 during operation.
As shown in
As can be seen from
In some examples, the first electrical coupling 500 and the second reciprocal electrical coupling 400 are mounted on surfaces such that the first electrical coupling 500 and the second reciprocal electrical coupling 400 do not project outwardly from the power tool housing 102 or the accessory housing 202. Accordingly, when either the power tool 100 or the power tool accessory is placed on a surface, the first electrical coupling 500 and the second reciprocal electrical coupling 400 are protected. This improves the lifetime of the electrical connection between the power tool 100 and the power tool accessory 200.
Turning to
The plurality of electrical contacts 502, 504, 506 are mounted on the upper slot surface 512 as shown in
The plurality of electrical contacts 502, 504, 506 are not equally spaced along the upper slot surface 512. Indeed, the first electrical contact 502 and the second electrical contact 504 are separated by a first distance d1. The second electrical contact 504 and the third electrical contact 506 are separated by a second distance d2. In some examples, the first and the second distances d1, d2 are not equal. As shown in
Turning to
Accordingly, when mounting the power tool accessory 200 on the power tool 100, the plurality of electrical contacts 502, 504, 506 and the plurality of reciprocal electrical contacts 402, 404, 406 will not accidentally short circuit.
Another example will be discussed with reference to
The example as shown in
In
In another example, two or more examples are combined. Features of one example can be combined with features of other examples.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
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