Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

A handheld work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a work tool rotationally via a belt drive. The belt drive has a first, driving pulley and a second, driven pulley. The second pulley is connected fixedly to the work tool so as to rotate therewith. The rotational speed of the second pulley is lower during operation than that of the first pulley. A brake unit acts on the belt drive. A first drive belt of a first stage and a second drive belt of a second stage act between the pulleys to transfer the drive torque. The belts each bring about a rotational speed reduction. The belt drive includes a redirection roll which bears against the belt, via which the highest drive torque is transmitted during operation. As a result, a braking operation of the work tool is enabled independently of the rotational speed of the tool.

A handheld work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a work tool rotationally via a belt drive. The belt drive has a first, driving pulley and a second, driven pulley. The second pulley is connected fixedly to the work tool so as to rotate therewith. The rotational speed of the second pulley is lower during operation than that of the first pulley. A brake unit acts on the belt drive. A first drive belt of a first stage and a second drive belt of a second stage act between the pulleys to transfer the drive torque. The belts each bring about a rotational speed reduction. The belt drive includes a redirection roll which bears against the belt, via which the highest drive torque is transmitted during operation. As a result, a braking operation of the work tool is enabled independently of the rotational speed of the tool.

A handheld work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a work tool in rotation via a belt drive. The belt drive has at least one first, driving pulley and at least one second, driven pulley. Between the first pulley and the second pulley there acts at least one drive belt for transmitting the drive torque. A second pulley is connected to the tool for conjoint rotation. The rotational speed of the second pulley is less than the rotational speed of the first pulley during operation. The work apparatus has a brake unit which acts on the first pulley. The belt drive includes at least one redirection roll. During braking, at least one redirection roll bears on the tight side of each drive belt which acts between the first pulley and the second pulley. This allows a simple structure and safe braking of the work tool.

A handheld work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a work tool in rotation via a belt drive. The belt drive has at least one first, driving pulley and at least one second, driven pulley. Between the first pulley and the second pulley there acts at least one drive belt for transmitting the drive torque. A second pulley is connected to the tool for conjoint rotation. The rotational speed of the second pulley is less than the rotational speed of the first pulley during operation. The work apparatus has a brake unit which acts on the first pulley. The belt drive includes at least one redirection roll. During braking, at least one redirection roll bears on the tight side of each drive belt which acts between the first pulley and the second pulley. This allows a simple structure and safe braking of the work tool.

Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.

Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.

The invention relates to a safety device for a machine tool, comprising a detection device which is designed to detect a potentially hazardous state for a part of the body of a user of the machine tool caused by a component of the machine tool which could cause injury a safety measure device which is designed to carry out a safety measure by means of which a hazardous state of the user of the machine tool is reduced or avoided by a component of the machine tool, a control device which is coupled to the detection device and the safety measure device in terms of signal technology and is designed to carry out an evaluation of a potentially hazardous state detected by the detection device on the basis of predetermined criteria and, depending on the evaluation, to trigger the safety measure device to carry out a safety measure,
characterized in that
the capture device comprises a head mount for attachment to the user's head and an image capture device attached to the head mount and aligned to perform image capture in the user's field of view, and
the control device is designed to perform the evaluation on the basis of images captured by the image capture device.

The invention relates to a safety device for a machine tool, comprising a detection device which is designed to detect a potentially hazardous state for a part of the body of a user of the machine tool caused by a component of the machine tool which could cause injury a safety measure device which is designed to carry out a safety measure by means of which a hazardous state of the user of the machine tool is reduced or avoided by a component of the machine tool, a control device which is coupled to the detection device and the safety measure device in terms of signal technology and is designed to carry out an evaluation of a potentially hazardous state detected by the detection device on the basis of predetermined criteria and, depending on the evaluation, to trigger the safety measure device to carry out a safety measure,
characterized in that
the capture device comprises a head mount for attachment to the user's head and an image capture device attached to the head mount and aligned to perform image capture in the user's field of view, and
the control device is designed to perform the evaluation on the basis of images captured by the image capture device.