Patent Application
20170125192
This application claims priority to Japanese patent application no. 2015-211414 filed on Oct. 28, 2015, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a power tool such as a disc grinder.
In a disc grinder used for cutting, grinding, and/or performing other operations on stone, concrete, or the like, switching a start switch to the ON side (ON position) starts an electric motor and thereby rotates a circular grinding wheel. The start switch is configured such that it can be locked (a so-called “lock-ON” function or feature) in the actuated or ON state so that the user is not required to continuously hold the start switch in the ON position while using the grinder to process a workpiece, thereby facilitating the processing work. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 2012-76160 and its English counterpart US 2013/0186661 disclose a technique in which the lock-ON function of the start switch is implemented by microcontroller control (motor control), which controls the actuation of the electric motor serving as a drive source.
However, when such a lock-ON feature (function) is provided, it is necessary to reliably prevent the situation from arising in which the lock-ON state is not released (disabled) when the supply of electric power is cut off, e.g., during a power failure, because the motor will inadvertently restart after the supply of electric power returns (resumes) if the start switch remains in the lock-ON state. In the above-described known art, because the release (disabling) of the lock-ON function when the electric power is cut off is configured in an electrical manner under motor control, the increased complexity of the motor control leads to an increase in size and cost. One object of the present disclosure is provide techniques to release or disable the lock-ON function in response to the supply of electric power being cut off (interrupted), without depending on electric motor control and without leading to increased size and cost.
The aforementioned problem is solved by one or more of the aspects below. In a first aspect of the disclosure, a power tool, in which an electric motor is built in as a drive source, comprises a start switch that starts the electric motor. In a lock-ON state in which the start switch is locked in the ON position, if the supply of electric current is cut off (interrupted), then the lock-ON state of the start switch is released or disabled by pushing out or advancing an actuation pin of an electromagnetic actuator that is configured to push out/advance the actuation pin when the electric current is cut off.
According to the first aspect of the disclosure, as a means for releasing or disabling the lock-ON state of the start switch, the electromagnetic actuator is preferably designed such that, if the supply of electric current is cut off (interrupted), then the actuation pin is actuated (moved) in the pushed out direction. Thus, when the supply of electric power is cut off, such as in a power failure, the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator is pushed out from (advanced out of) a body of the electromagnetic actuator and the lock-ON state of the start switch is released or disabled. Therefore, when the supply of electric power subsequently returns (resumes), the electric motor does not start, thereby preventing an inadvertent startup of the power tool. The power tool according to the first aspect of the disclosure is preferably configured such that the lock-ON state of the start switch is released or disabled by utilizing the actuation of the electromagnetic actuator; i.e. it is not configured in an actuation control of the electric motor, as in the above-described known art. Therefore, the controller that controls the actuation (driving) of the electric motor can be made more compact and, consequently, the power tool can be reduced in size and cost.
In a second aspect of the disclosure, a power tool, in which an electric motor is built in as a drive source, comprises a start switch that starts the electric motor. In the lock-ON state in which the start switch is locked at the ON position, if the supply of electric current is cut off (interrupted), then the lock-ON state of the start switch is released or disabled by pulling in (retracting) an actuation pin of an electromagnetic actuator that is configured to pull in the actuation pin when the electric current is cut off.
According to the second aspect of the disclosure, as a means for releasing or disabling the lock-ON state of the start switch, the electromagnetic actuator is preferably designed such that, if the supply of electric current is cut off, then the actuation pin is retracted or pulled into the body of the electromagnetic actuator. When the supply of electric power is cut off, such as in a power failure, the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator retracts and the lock-ON state of the start switch is released or disabled. Therefore, when the supply of electric power subsequently returns (resumes), the electric motor does not start, thereby preventing an inadvertent startup of the power tool. Thus, the power tool according to the second aspect of the disclosure is also preferably configured such that the lock-ON state of the start switch is released or disabled by utilizing the actuation of the electromagnetic actuator; i.e. it is also not configured in an actuation control of the electric motor, as in the above-described known art. Therefore, in the second aspect as well, the controller that controls actuation (driving) of the electric motor can be made more compact and, consequently, the power tool can be reduced in size and cost.
A third aspect of the disclosure is the power tool according to either of the first or second aspect of the disclosure, wherein the start switch is supported by a support-pedestal part of a main-body housing such that it is configured to slide between the ON position and an OFF position, and is supported in the ON position such that it is tiltable or pivotable between a lock-ON position and a lock-OFF position. When the start switch is in the ON position and is tilted or pivoted to the lock-ON position, it is held at (in) the lock-ON position by the engagement of a lock part with the support-pedestal part.
According to the third aspect of the disclosure, the electric motor can be started by the start switch being slid to the ON position. Then, by tilting the start switch while it is at the ON position, and engaging the lock part with the support-pedestal part, the start switch can be locked (mechanically engaged) at (in) the ON position. When the supply of electric current is cut off, the lock-ON state of the start switch is physically (mechanically) released (disengaged) by the actuation of the electromagnetic actuator, and thereby the power tool is prevented from inadvertently starting when the supply of electric current subsequently resumes.
A fourth aspect of the disclosure is the power tool according to any one of the first to third aspects of the disclosure, wherein an intermediate lever is interposed between the start switch and the electromagnetic actuator, and wherein the intermediate lever is tilted or pivoted by the actuation (movement) of the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator, thereby releasing or disabling the lock-ON state of the start switch.
According to the fourth aspect of the disclosure, the degrees of freedom in the arrangement of the electromagnetic actuator can be increased. In addition, the thrust of the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator is amplified by the leverage of the intermediate lever and that thrust can be used as the operating force that releases or disables the lock-ON state of the start switch. Therefore, the electromagnetic actuator can be reduced in size. Furthermore, by changing or shifting the positional relationship between a tilt fulcrum of the intermediate lever and the point of contact on the start switch, any type of electromagnetic actuator that either pulls in (retracts) or pushes out (advances) in response to the cutoff of the electric current supply can be selected and utilized in an unrestricted manner.
A fifth aspect of the disclosure is the power tool according to the second aspect of the disclosure, wherein the start switch directly engages with the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator, and thereby locks the start switch, at (in) the ON position. For example, the start switch may be configured to: (i) directly engage or latch the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator in the ON position of the start switch when the electromagnetic actuator is in a first configuration (e.g., the actuation pin is pushed out of the body of the electromagnetic actuator), thereby locking the start switch in the lock-ON state; and (ii) disengage or unlatch from the actuation pin when the electromagnetic actuator is in a second configuration (e.g., the actuation pin is pulled into the body of the electromagnetic actuator) so that the lock-ON state is released or disabled.
According to the fifth aspect of the disclosure, because the start switch directly engages or latches the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator, which is, e.g., in a state of being pushed out owing to the supply of electric current, in the lock-ON state, the start switch is locked at (in) the ON position by the actuation pin. In this lock-ON state, when the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic actuator is cut off by the cutoff of the supply of electric power to the power tool, the actuation pin is pulled in (retracted) and disengages or unlatches from the start switch, thereby releasing or disabling the lock-ON state of the start switch. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, because a configuration is provided in which the start switch directly engages with the actuation pin, the configuration (structural elements) of the lock-ON mechanism can be simplified and reduced in cost more than in a configuration in which the start switch is indirectly engaged via one or more other structural elements, such as an intermediate lever.
Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to
A rear-part case 4 is joined to a rear part of the main-body housing 3. A switch main body (power switch) 5 is housed in the rear-part case 4. A power-supply cord 6 for supplying electric power (current) is routed through the rear part of the rear-part case 4. An alternating electric current in the range of 100-240 volts (mains electricity) is supplied via the power-supply cord 6.
A cooling fan 18 is attached to an output shaft 2a of the electric motor 2. Upon starting the electric motor 2, the cooling fan 18 rotates together with the electric motor 2, thereby drawing outside air into the main-body housing 3 and cooling the electric motor 2. The rear side of the cooling fan 18 is covered by a baffle plate 19, which is attached at the side of the cooling fan 18 facing the main-body housing 3. Because the rear side of the cooling fan 18 is covered by the baffle plate 19, a cooling draft that flows from the rear side toward the front side of the main-body housing 3 as the cooling fan 18 rotates is efficiently generated.
A gear-head case 11 of a gear-head part 10 is joined to a front part of the main-body housing 3. A drive-side bevel gear 12 is attached to the output shaft 2a of the electric motor 2. The bevel gear 12 meshes with a follower-side bevel gear 13. The follower-side bevel gear 13 is joined to a spindle 14. The spindle 14 is supported such that it is rotatable relative to the gear-head case 11 around an axis line orthogonal to the output shaft 2a of the electric motor 2. A lower part of the spindle 14 protrudes downward from a lower surface of the gear-head case 11.
A circular grinding wheel 15 (one representative, non-limiting example of a tool accessory that may be driven by the spindle 14) is attached to the lower part of the spindle 14 that protrudes from the lower surface of the gear-head case 11. The grinding wheel 15 is attached to the spindle 14 such that the grinding wheel 15 is interposed between an inner flange 16 and an outer flange 17. A grinding-wheel cover 7 covers a substantially semicircular area of the rear side of the grinding wheel 15. The grinding-wheel cover 7 prevents the dispersion of dust, chips or the like towards the user (i.e. in the rearward direction).
A start switch 20 is disposed on a left-side surface of the front part of the main-body housing 3. The start switch 20 is configured to slide in the forward-rearward direction and is provided along a flat support-pedestal part 3a on a left-side part of the main-body housing 3. When the start switch 20 is slid toward the front side, e.g., by a fingertip (e.g., a thumb) of the hand that grips the main-body housing 3, the electric motor 2 starts and the grinding wheel 15 rotates. When the start switch 20 is slid toward the rear side, the electric motor 2 stops and consequently the grinding wheel 15 stops.
A lock part (latch) 20a and an arm part 20b are integrally provided on the start switch 20. The left-side, outer surface of the start switch 20 is designed as a pressing (pressable) part 20c, which extends in the leftward direction in an arc shape, and is configured to be pressed by a user's finger (e.g., thumb). A jagged, slip-preventing part is formed on the outer surface of the pressing part 20c that is pressed by the user's finger. The lock part 20a protrudes in the rightward direction (i.e. towards the interior of the main-body housing 3) from the front end of the pressing part 20c.
The arm part 20b protrudes toward the interior of the main-body housing 3 through an insertion window 3b, which is provided in (penetrates through) the support-pedestal part 3a of the main-body housing 3. The arm part 20b is coupled to a front part of a connecting rod (intermediate lever) 21. A rear part of the connecting rod 21 is coupled to a switch frame 23 via a tension spring 22. The switch frame 23 is disposed around leftward and rearward portions of the switch main body 5 and is supported so as to be movable in the forward-rearward direction of the power tool 1. When the start switch 20 is slid forward toward the ON position, the switch frame 23 is displaced (pulled) forward by the connecting rod 21 and the tension spring 22, thereby pressing forward (inward) an actuation button 5a of the switch main body 5 and turning ON the switch main body 5. When the switch main body 5 turns ON, the electric motor 2 starts.
When the start switch 20 returns rearward to its OFF position, the switch frame 23 is displaced rearward by the connecting rod 21, thereby releasing the actuation button 5a of the switch main body 5 and turning OFF the switch main body 5. When the switch main body 5 turns OFF, the electric motor 2 stops. Because the tension spring 22 is interposed between the connecting rod 21 and the switch frame 23, the biasing force of the tension spring 22 is continuously applied, via the switch frame 23, to the actuation button 5a of the switch main body 5 and therefore, a large pushing force is not directly applied to the actuation button 5a and the switch main body 5.
The actuation button 5a of the switch main body 5 is spring-biased toward its OFF side (the protruding side, i.e. rearward). Consequently, the direction of the sliding (the ON operation) of the start switch 20 toward the front side is opposite of the direction of the biasing force of the tension spring 22 and the spring-biasing force of the actuation button 5a. Conversely, when the pressing force on (sliding of) the start switch 20 toward the front side is released, the start switch 20 returns rearward to its OFF position owing to the biasing force of the tension spring 22 and the spring-biasing force of the actuation button 5a.
The start switch 20 can be locked at (in) the ON position on the front side in a lock-ON state. That is, after the start switch 20 has been slid by a fingertip to the ON position on the front side so that the lock part 20a is laterally adjacent to the support-pedestal part 3a, if the tip side of the start switch 20 (i.e. the lock part 20a) is then pushed radially inward (in the right direction) with respect to the substantially-cylindrical main-body housing 3, then the lock part 20a will catch (latch) on a front-end part of the support-pedestal part 3a, i.e. the lock part 20a engages or latches on the front-end part of the support-pedestal part 3a. In this caught (engaged) state, the biasing force of the tension spring 22 acts on the start switch 20 via the connecting rod 21, thereby holding the start switch 20 in this position, i.e. in the lock-ON state. The lock-ON state, in which the lock part 20a is caught by (engaged with) the front-end part of the support-pedestal part 3a, can be released (disengaged or unlatched) manually by the user, for example, by pressing the rear side of the start switch 20 towards the housing 3 (i.e. radially inward with respect to the cylindrical housing 3 or in the direction of the right arrow shown in
The power tool 1 of the present embodiment also includes a mechanism for automatically releasing, disabling and/or preventing the lock-ON state of the start switch 20 when the supply of electric power is cut off (interrupted). As shown in
Thus, when the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic actuator 30 is cut off, the actuation pin 30a is pushed out (moved to its advanced position), as shown in
In contrast, as shown in
Consequently, as shown in
If the supply of electric power to the power tool 1 is cut off while the start switch 20 is engaged in the lock-ON state, for example, by the power-supply cord 6 mistakenly being pulled out of the power-supply outlet or by the occurrence of a power failure, then the supply of electric power to the electromagnetic actuator 30 is also cut off, which causes the actuation pin 30a to be actuated (advanced) in the pushed out (ejection) direction. As shown in
Thus, if the supply of electric power is cut off in the lock-ON state of the start switch 20, then the lock-ON state is automatically released (disabled) and the switch main body 5 turns off. Consequently, when the supply of electric power subsequently returns (resumes), the electric motor 2 does not automatically start in a manner that would be contrary to the intention of the user, because the start switch 20 was previously moved back to its OFF position. After the supply of electric power resumes and the user once again turns ON the start switch 20, then the electric motor 2 will start and the user can perform work using the power tool 1. In addition, because the actuation pin 30a of the electromagnetic actuator 30 is actuated (moved) to the pulled-in side by the resumption of the supply of electric power, the user can perform work without having to hold the start switch 20 for as long as the start switch 20 remains in the lock-ON state.
According to the embodiment explained above, if the supply of electric power to the power tool 1 is cut off, then the actuation pin 30a of the electromagnetic actuator 30 is actuated (advanced) to the pushed out side and the lock-ON state of the start switch 20 is forcibly released (disengaged or unlatched). As a result, when the supply of electric power returns (resumes), the electric motor 2 will not automatically start in an unintended manner, thereby preventing an inadvertent startup of the power tool 1. The embodiment described above is configured such that the lock-ON state of the start switch 20 is released (disengaged) by the electromagnetic actuator 30 and thus this release (disengagement) is not in the actuation control of the electric motor, as in the known example described above in the background section. Therefore, the controller that controls the actuation of the electric motor can be simplified and made more compact, thereby enabling a reduction of size and cost of the power tool 1.
In addition, after the work ends, the start switch 20 is switched to the OFF side, thereby stopping the electric motor 2. If the power-supply cord 6 is subsequently pulled out of the power-supply outlet, then the actuation pin 30a of the electromagnetic actuator 30 will be held in the state that it is pushed out (i.e. it is maintained in the pushed out or advanced position). Consequently, when the power tool 1 is not in use (e.g., when in storage), the lock-ON operation is prevented from being mistakenly performed even if, for example, some other structural element or a person interferes with (e.g., accidentally slides) the start switch 20 to its ON position. In this manner, an inadvertent start up is reliably prevented when the power tool 1 is subsequently reconnected to a supply of electric power, e.g., when the power cord 6 is plugged into an electric outlet (mains power) again.
In the embodiment as explained above, various modifications are possible. The first embodiment described above illustrates a configuration in which the lock part 20a of the start switch 20 is directly pressed by the actuation pin 30a of the electromagnetic actuator 30, thereby releasing the lock-ON state of the start switch 20. However, as shown in
In the second embodiment, as shown in
In the second embodiment, the electromagnetic actuator 40 includes an actuation pin 40a that actuates (moves) reversely (in an opposite direction) to the movement direction of the actuation pin 30a of the electromagnetic actuator 30 of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, when electric current is supplied to the electromagnetic actuator 40, the actuation pin 40a is pushed out (advanced) by an electromagnetic force. When the actuation pin 40a is pushed out (advanced out of the body of the actuator 40), the intermediate lever 41 tilts (pivots) about the pivot 42 in the clockwise direction, as shown in
When the intermediate lever 41 is tilted in the clockwise direction in
If the supply of electric power to the power tool 1 is subsequently cut off such that the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic actuator 40 is also cut off, then the actuation pin 40a is actuated (moved) to the pulled-in side (that is, it retracts), as shown in
When the intermediate lever 41 is tilted or pivoted in the counterclockwise direction as shown in
The second embodiment thus also has a configuration in which, when the supply of electric power is cut off, the lock-ON state of the start switch 20 is released (disabled) by the movement of the actuation pin 40a of the electromagnetic actuator 40. Therefore, the controller for motor control can be simplified and made more compact as compared with the configuration in which the lock-ON state is electrically released in the actuation control of the electric motor, as in the above-described known example.
In addition, when the power-supply cord 6 is pulled out of the power-supply outlet after usage of the power tool 1 has concluded, the actuation pin 40a of the electromagnetic actuator 40 will be held in the pushed out (advanced) state (i.e. it is maintained in the pushed out or advanced position). Therefore, the engaging part 41a of the intermediate lever 41 remains at the front side of the end part of the support-pedestal part 3a. Consequently, the start switch 20 cannot be pushed into the lock-ON position due to the blocking effect of the engaging part 41a. It follows from this that, even if, for example, some other structure or a person interferes with (accidentally slides) the start switch 20 to its ON position while the power tool 1 is not being used to process a workpiece, the start switch 20 can not be placed (intentionally or unintentionally) into the lock-ON state. Therefore, the power tool 1 will not inadvertently start when the power tool 1 is subsequently re-connected to a supply of power, i.e. when the cord 6 is plugged into a power-supply outlet again.
The electromagnetic actuator 50 is disposed on one side of the upper end portion of the intermediate lever 51. When the actuation pin 50a of the electromagnetic actuator 50 is pulled in (retracted into the body of the actuator 50) by supplying electric current to the electromagnetic actuator 50, the intermediate lever 51 is tilted (pivoted) about the pivot 52 in the counterclockwise direction, as shown in
On the other hand, when the supply of electric power to the power tool 1 is cut off (interrupted) and thus the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic actuator 50 is also cut off (interrupted), the actuation pin 50a of the electromagnetic actuator 50 is pushed out (is advanced out of the body of the actuator 50), as shown in
In addition, because the engaging part 51a of the intermediate lever 51 is positioned (located) at the front side of the front-end part of the support-pedestal part 3a when the supply of electric power is cut off, the lock part 20a of the start switch 20 cannot be caught by (latched on) the front-end part of the support-pedestal part 3a. Consequently, when the supply of electric power is cut off, the start switch 20 cannot be placed in the lock-ON position (state) due to the blocking effect of the engaging part 51a.
According to the third embodiment, a configuration is again adopted in which the lock-ON state of the start switch 20 is released (disabled) by the electromagnetic actuator (50), and therefore the controller for motor control can be simplified and made more compact as compared with the above-described known configuration in which the lock-ON state is electronically released in the actuation control of the electric motor.
In addition, according to the third embodiment as well, when the supply of electric power is cut off (interrupted), the start switch 20 cannot be pushed into the lock-ON position. Therefore, even if some other member (structure) or a person interferes with (accidentally pushes) the start switch 20 when the power tool 1 is not being used for workpiece processing (e.g., during storage), the start switch 20 can not be put (intentionally or unintentionally) into the lock-ON state. Consequently, the power tool 1 will not inadvertently start when the supply of electric power is subsequently connected to the power tool 1 again.
The start switch 61 has an elongated lever shape and may be referred to as a “paddle switch”. The start switch 61 is disposed such that it extends from the lower surface of the front part of the main-body housing 3 to the rear part of the lower surface of the rear-part case 4. The start switch 61 is supported such that it is capable of tilting (pivoting) up and down (according to the directional arrows shown in
A lock-OFF lever 62 is provided on the start switch 61 between the front-side-grip part 61a and the rear-side-grip part 61b. The function of the lock-OFF lever 62 is to lock the start switch 61 at (in) its OFF position in order to prevent the start switch 61 from being turned ON inadvertently. The lock-OFF lever 62 is supported such that it is capable of tilting (pivoting) frontward and rearward (clockwise and counterclockwise) about a pivot 62a. The lock-OFF lever 62 is biased toward a standing or vertical position (a lock-OFF position), as is shown in
The switch main body 5 is located within the main-body housing 3 upward of the rear-side-grip part 61b. The switch main body 5 turns ON when the rear-side-grip part 61b of the start switch 61 presses (pushes upward) the actuation button 5a into the switch main body 5. A lock-ON lever 63 is provided at (adjacent) the rear side of the start switch 61. The lock-ON lever 63 is supported by the rear-part case 4 so that the lock-ON lever 63 is capable of tilting (pivoting) upward and downward (i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise) about a pivot 63a. The lock-ON lever 63 is biased towards the lock-ON-released side (the clockwise direction in
A lock part 63b is provided integrally with the lock-ON lever 63. The lock part 63b extends upward from the vicinity of the pivot 63a. An electromagnetic actuator 60 is supported along (held by) the lock part 63b. Therefore, the electromagnetic actuator 60 displaces (pivots) integrally with the lock-ON lever 63. The fourth embodiment utilizes an actuator of the type in which an actuation pin 60a is pulled in (retracted) by the supply of electric current, the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the supply of electric current is cut off (interrupted), the actuation pin 60a is pushed out (advanced out of the body of the actuator 60). In
When electric power is being supplied, as shown in
When the start switch 61 is pulled in (the ON state of the switch main body 5) and the lock-ON lever 63 is subsequently pushed in against the compression spring 64, then the lock part 63b and the electromagnetic actuator 60 integrally displace (pivot) upward and forward (i.e. counterclockwise) about the pivot 63a and along an arcuate path. At this time, the actuation pin 60a of the electromagnetic actuator 60 displaces (moves) towards the pulled-in (lower) side of the start switch 61 (in particular, towards an engaging (contact) part 61c). By then engaging (abutting) the tip of the counterclockwise-pivoted lock part 63b with (on) the lower surface of the raised (upward tilted) engaging part 61c provided on a rear-end portion of the start switch 61, the start switch 61 is prevented (blocked) from returning (pivoting clockwise) towards its OFF position. In this respect, the engaging (contact) part 61c may be formed as a lip or flange at the end of the rear-side-grip part 61b of the start switch 61 that is designed to catch or latch the upper (terminal) end of the lock part 63b. Therefore, the start switch 61 is held in the lock-ON state by the abutment of the lock part 63b on the engaging (contact) part 61c while the actuation pin 60a is pulled into the body of the electromechanical actuator 60, as shown in
In other words, by engaging (abutting) the forward-pivoted lock part 63b with (on) the upward-tilted engaging part 61c from below, the lock-ON state results in which the start switch 61 is locked at the ON position and it is prevented (blocked) from returning (pivoting downward or clockwise) towards its OFF position. In addition, by engaging (abutting) the lock part 63b with (on) the engaging part 61c from below, the lock-ON lever 63 is prevented or blocked from pivoting in the clockwise direction according to
To manually release the lock-ON state, the user's grip may be strengthened (i.e. the start switch 61 is squeezed upward towards the housing 3) so that the start switch 61 is displaced slightly upward; thereby, the engaging part 61c is retracted upward and away from the lock part 63b. When the engaging part 61c is slightly retracted (pulled) upward away so as to be spaced apart or separated from the lock part 63b (and the actuation pin 60a is in its retracted position), the lock-ON lever 63 will automatically pivot in the clockwise direction past the raised engaging part 61c owing to the biasing force of the compression spring 64. Therefore, the lock-ON lever 63 will return to its lock-ON-released position, which is shown in
If the supply of electric power is cut off (interrupted) in the lock-ON state set by the counterclockwise-pivoted lock-ON lever 63, then the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic actuator 60 is cut off (interrupted). As shown in
According to the power tool 1 of the fourth embodiment as explained above, a configuration is again adopted in which the lock-ON state of the start switch (61) is released (disabled) by the electromagnetic actuator (60), and therefore the controller for motor control can be simplified and made more compact than in the above-described known configuration in which, the lock-ON state is electrically released in the actuation control of the electric motor.
In addition, according to the fourth embodiment as well, when the supply of electric power is cut off, the actuation pin 60a of the electromagnetic actuator 60 is pushed out. Consequently, even if the start switch 61 is mistakenly pulled (squeezed) and the lock-ON lever 63 is pressed in, the start switch 61 is prevented or blocked from locking in the ON position (i.e. the lock-ON state is disabled), and therefore the power tool 1 will not inadvertently start when it is connected to a supply of electric power again.
Each embodiment as explained above can be supplemented with additional modifications. For example, by using an electromagnetic actuator in which the direction of the actuation (movement) of the actuation pin is the reverse of that in the first embodiment, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the lock part 20a of the start switch 20 directly engages with (latches) the actuation pin of the electromagnetic actuator in order to lock the start switch 20 in the ON position, i.e. the lock part 20a engages/contacts the actuation pin instead of the front-end part of the support-pedestal part 3a. In such an embodiment, if the supply of electric current to the electromagnetic actuator is cut off, then the actuation pin is pulled in (retracted) and the engagement (latching) of the lock part 20a with the actuation pin is released, whereby the lock-ON state of the start switch 20 is released (disabled).
In addition, power tools are illustrated in which an AC power supply (mains power) serves as the power supply, but the present disclosure can likewise be adapted to power tools in which a rechargeable battery pack is used as the power supply. The present techniques are particularly advantageous in the situation in which the charge of the rechargeable battery runs out while the power tool is operating in the lock-ON state. If the start switch is not moved out of the ON position (e.g., by an electromagnetic actuator according to the present disclosure), the power tool will start operating, possibly detrimentally to the user, as soon as a recharged battery pack is mounted on the power tool. Such a power tool optionally can be designed such that the electromagnetic actuator is actuated to disable the lock-ON state when the remaining charge of the battery pack falls below a predetermined threshold, to reduce the likelihood that the rechargeable battery will reach an over-discharged state that could permanently damage the rechargeable battery.
Furthermore, although a disc grinder was illustrated as the power tool 1, the same functions and effects also can be obtained with other power tools, such as cutting machines (e.g., reciprocating saws), screwdrivers, polishers, sanders, etc., by using an electromagnetic actuator as described above to automatically release (disable) a lock-ON mechanism when the supply of electric power is cut off (interrupted).
Each of the electromagnetic actuators 30, 40, 50, 60 disclosed herein may be embodied as an electromechanical solenoid having an electromagnetically-inductive coif wound around a movable steel or iron pin (actuation pin), which may also be called a plunger or armature. The coil is shaped such that the pin moves either in or out of the center of the coil in response to energization of (supply of electric current to) the coil. A return spring biases the pin in a direction opposite of the direction that the magnetic field generated by the coil pulls the pin when the coil is energized. Therefore, in the absence of the magnetic field (i.e. when the current to the coil is interrupted), the pin will move in the direction of the biasing force of the return spring.
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 power tools.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015211414 | Oct 2015 | JP | national |
