Power tool

Abstract

A power tool includes: a power source (7); a tip tool (2); two switches (SW1,SW2); and a control unit (6e). The tip tool (2) is configured to be driven by the power source (7). The two switches (SW1,SW2) are configured to be turned on for activating the power source (7). The control unit (6e) is configured to control the power source (7) in accordance with on/off of the two switches (SW1,SW2), and operate if at least one of the two switches (SW1,SW2) is turned on.

Claims

1. A power tool comprising: a power source; a tip tool configured to be driven by the power source; two switches configured to be turned on for activating the power source, the power source being activated if both the two switches are turned on; and a control unit configured to control the power source in accordance with on/off of the two switches, the control unit comprising: a control circuit configured to control the power source; a power supply circuit configured to supply electric power to the control circuit and a detecting circuit configured to detect that one of the two switches is turned on or off, wherein the control unit is configured to operate if at least one of the two switches is turned on.

2. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the power source is activated if at least one of the two switches are turned on.

3. The power tool according to claim 2, having an auxiliary function configured to be activated by the control unit, wherein the auxiliary function is activated if at least one of the two switches is turned on.

4. The power tool according to claim 1, having an auxiliary function configured to be supplied electric power by the power supply circuit, wherein the auxiliary function is activated if at least one of the two switches is turned on.

5. The power tool according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary function is activated while the at least one of the two switches is turned on.

6. The power tool according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary function is deactivated upon lapse of a prescribed period of time after the at least one of the two switches is turned on.

7. The power tool according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary function is deactivated upon lapse of a prescribed period of time after the auxiliary function is activated.

8. The power tool according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary function is configured to display information of the power source.

9. The power tool according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary function is activated while the at least one of the two switches is turned on.

10. The power tool according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary function is deactivated upon lapse of a prescribed period of time after the at least one of the two switches is turned on.

11. The power tool according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary function is deactivated upon lapse of a prescribed period of time after the auxiliary function is activated.

12. A power tool comprising: a blade assembly having blades configured to reciprocate; a power source configured to drive the blade assembly; two handles, one handle having a first switch and another handle having a second switch, the first switch or the second switch being turned on for activating an auxiliary unit configured to at least display information; and a controller configured to: control the power source and the auxiliary unit in accordance with on/off of the first switch and the second switch; and activate the auxiliary unit if one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on.

13. The power tool according to claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to activate the power source in addition to the auxiliary unit if both the switches are turned on.

14. The power tool according to claim 12, wherein the controller comprises: a control circuit configured to control the auxiliary unit and the power source; a power supply circuit configured to supply electric power to the control circuit; a first detecting circuit configured to detect that one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on or off; a second detecting circuit configured to detect that another one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on or off; and a discriminating circuit configured to discriminate whether or not at least one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on based on detection results of the first detecting circuit and the second detecting circuit and activate the power supply circuit if at least one of the first switch and the second switch is turned on, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to activate the auxiliary function if one of the switches is turned on, and to activate the power source in addition to the auxiliary unit if both the first switch and the second switch are turned on.

15. A power tool comprising: a power source; a tip tool configured to be driven by the power source; two switches configured to be turned on for activating the power source; an auxiliary function configured to display information of the power source; and a control unit configured to: control the power source in accordance with on/off of the two switches; and activate the auxiliary function if at least one of the two switches is turned on.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a power tool according to embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the power tool shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control system of the power tool shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(4) A power tool according to embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to FIGS. 1 to 3.

(5) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power tool comprises a main body 1 and a blade assembly 2. The blade assembly 2 is a tip tool of the power tool.

(6) A battery 3 is removably attached to the rear end of the main body 1. The battery 3 supplies electric power to a motor 7, which is a power source of the power tool. In this embodiment, the battery 3 is used as electric power supply of the power source. Nonetheless, the motor 7 may be driven by the electric power supplied through a power-supply cord, or an engine may be used for driving the motor 7.

(7) A main handle 4 and a sub-handle 5 are provided on the main body 1. The main handle 4 extends in the lengthwise direction of the main body 1. The sub-handle 5 extends in a direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the main body 1. A display unit 1a is provided in the upper part of the main body 1. The display unit 1a has a display circuit 1b and performs an auxiliary function of displaying information.

(8) The display unit 1a is configured to display information about, for example, switching in rotation speed or a rotation direction. The power tool may have, if necessary, an auxiliary function of illumination by means of, for example, LED lamps. The power tool may have both an auxiliary function of display and an auxiliary function of illumination. In this case, the power tool may have a selection switch which selects, when operated, one or both of these auxiliary functions.

(9) The main handle 4 and sub-handle 5 have a switch lever 4a and a switch lever 5a, respectively. The main handle 4 incorporates a micro-switch SW1, which is turned on or off as the switch lever 4a is operated. The main body 1 communicates with the inner space of the main handle 4. A control board 6 (encircled with the dotted line), a motor 7, and a reduction mechanism 8 are provided in the inner space of the main handle 4.

(10) The control board 6 holds an SW1 detecting circuit 6a, an SW2 detecting circuit 6b, an SW discriminating circuit 6c, a power supply circuit 6d, a control circuit 6e, a drive circuit 6f and a switching element (MOSFET) Ql. These components will be later described in detail.

(11) If the user turns on the switch lever 4a provided on the main handle 4 or the switch lever 5a provided on the sub-handle 5, the display unit 1a, which has the display circuit 1b, performs the auxiliary function of displaying information.

(12) In addition, if the user turns on both the switch levers 4a and 5a provided respectively on the main handle 4 and sub-handle 5 while holding the main handle 4 with one hand and the sub-handle 5 with the other hand, not only the auxiliary function is performed, but also the motor 7 is driven with the electric power supplied from the battery 3 turned on by the control board 6 (later described in detail).

(13) The reduction mechanism 8 has a reduction gear 8a and a transmission gear 8b. The reduction gear 8a is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 7. The transmission gear 8b meshes with the reduction gear 8a. An eccentric cam 9 is arranged beneath the transmission gear 8b. The eccentric cam 9 rotates as the reduction gear 8a rotates. If the drive force of the motor 7 is transmitted to the eccentric cam 9 via the reduction gear 8a and transmission gear 8b, the eccentric cam 9 rotates. The rotation of the eccentric cam 9 is transmitted to the blade assembly 2.

(14) The blade assembly 2 comprises a blade holder 2c and a holder plate 2d. The blade holder 2c and holder plate 2d are formed in elongated shapes. An upper blade 2a and a lower blade 2b are arranged between the blade holder 2c and holder plate 2d.

(15) If the rotation of the eccentric cam 9 is transmitted to the blade assembly 2, the upper blade 2a and lower blade 2b are driven back and forth. The power tool can therefore cut twigs and leaves, to trim the hedge.

(16) A guard 10 is provided in front of the sub-handle 5. The guard 10 protects the user from the twigs and leaves the blades 2a and 2b have cut.

(17) The power tool shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has such a control system as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the solid lines indicate electric power lines, and the dotted lines indicate control lines. As shown in FIG. 3, the micro-switch SW1, motor 7, micro-switch SW2 and switching element (MOSFET) Q1 are connected in series, and are connected in parallel to the battery 3.

(18) The micro-switch SW1 is turned on or off as the switch lever 4a provided on the main handle 4 is operated. The micro-switch SW1 has a moving contact a, an on fixed contact a-1, and an off fixed contact a-2. If the switch lever 4a on the main handle 4 is turned on (that is, if the user pulls the switch lever 4a with a finger), the moving contact a contacts the on fixed contact a-1. If the switch lever 4a on the main handle is turned off (that is, if the user releases the switch lever 4a), the moving contact a contacts the off fixed contact a-2.

(19) The micro-switch SW2 is turned on or off as the switch lever 5a provided on the sub-handle 5 is operated. The micro-switch SW2 has a moving contact b, an on fixed contact b-1, and an off fixed contact b-2. If the switch lever 5a on the sub-handle 5 is turned on (that is, if the user pulls the switch lever 5a with a finger), the moving contact b contacts the on fixed contact b-1. If the switch lever 5a on the sub-handle 5 is turned off (that is, if the user releases the switch lever 5a), the moving contact b contacts the off fixed contact b-2.

(20) As described above, the control board 6 holds the SW1 detecting circuit 6a, SW2 detecting circuit 6b, SW2 detecting circuit 6b, SW discriminating circuit 6c, power supply circuit 6d, control circuit 6e, drive circuit 6f and switching element (MOSFET) Q1.

(21) The SW1 detecting circuit 6a detects that the micro-switch SW1 is turned on or off. The SW2 detecting circuit 6b detects that the micro-switch SW2 is turned on or off. The SW discriminating circuit 6c determines whether the micro-switch SW1 and micro-switch SW2 are turned on or off, based on the detection results of the SW1 detecting circuit 6a and SW2 detecting circuit 6b. The SW discriminating circuit 6c then applies the voltage from the battery 3 to the power supply circuit 6d. The power supply circuit 6d performs DC/DC conversion on the electric power supplied from the SW discriminating circuit 6c, and functions as a control power supply, supplying power to the control circuit 6e, display circuit lb and drive circuit 6f.

(22) On receiving the electric power from the power supply circuit 6d, the control circuit 6e starts operating, and drives the display circuit lb and drive circuit 6f in accordance with the discrimination result of the discriminating circuit 6c. That is, if the discriminating circuit 6c determines that either the micro-switch SW1 or the micro-switch SW2 is on, the control circuit 6e drives only the display circuit 1b.

(23) Thus, if the switch lever 4a on the main handle 4 or the switch lever 5a on the sub-handle 5 is turned on, the display circuit lb is driven. At this point, the display circuit 1b displays the information about, for example, the switching in the rotation speed and rotation direction, while the motor 7 remains not driven.

(24) The control unit 6e drives not only the display circuit 1b, but also the drive circuit 6e, if the discriminating circuit 6c determines that both the micro-switch SW1 and micro-switch SW2 are on. The display circuit lb may be driven while one of the micro-switches SW1 and SW2 or both are kept on. Alternatively, the display circuit lb may be activated if one or both of the micro-switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on, and may then be automatically turned off upon lapse of a prescribed period of time (e.g., one minute).

(25) If the drive circuit 6f turns on the switching element Q1 at this time instant, the power is supplied from the battery 3 to the motor 7. The motor 7 is thereby driven. Then, the output of the motor 7 is transmitted to the eccentric cam 9 via the reduction gear 8a and transmission gear 8b, the eccentric cam 9 rotates. The rotation of the eccentric cam 9 is transmitted to the blade assembly 2. The upper blade 2a and the lower blade 2b are thereby driven back and forth. The power tool can therefore cut twigs and leaves, to trim the hedge.

(26) Thus, in this embodiment, if one of the switches (i.e., micro-switch SW1 or micro-switch SW2) is turned on, a control unit activates an auxiliary function. In addition, if both the switches (i.e., micro-switch SW1 or micro-switch SW2) are turned on, not only the auxiliary function is activated, but also the power source (i.e., motor 7) is driven.

(27) The auxiliary function is, for example, a function of displaying information, such as the switching in rotation speed or a rotation direction. Further, the embodiment may perform an auxiliary function of illumination by means of, for example, LED lamps. Furthermore, the embodiment, which incorporates the battery 3, may perform an auxiliary function of displaying the power remaining in the battery 3.

(28) According to the embodiment, the user only needs to turn on one of the switches (either micro-switch SW1 or micro-switch SW2) so as to make the power tool perform the auxiliary function. This can render the power tool more user-friendly.

(29) The control means may have a control circuit (6e), a power supply circuit (6d), a first detecting circuit (SW1 detecting circuit 6a), a second detecting circuit (SW2 detecting circuit 6b), and a discriminating circuit (SW discriminating circuit 6c). The control circuit (6e) controls the display function (display circuit 1b) and/or illumination function (LED lights for applying light), and controls the power source (motor 7). The power supply circuit (6d) supplies electric power to the control circuit (6e). The first detecting circuit (SW1 detecting circuit 6a) detects that one switch (micro-switch SW1) is turned on or off. The second detecting circuit (SW2 detecting circuit 6b) detects that the other switch (micro-switch SW2) has been turned on or off. The discriminating circuit (SW discriminating circuit 6c) activates the power supply circuit (6d), upon detecting, based on the detection results of the first and second detecting circuits (SW1 detecting circuit 6a and SW2 detecting circuit 6b), that at least one of the switches (i.e., micro-switch SW1 or micro-switch SW2) is turned on.

(30) In this case, the control circuit (6e) activates the display function (display circuit 1b) and/or the illumination function (LED lights for applying light) if the discriminating circuit (SW discriminating circuit 6c) discriminates that one of the switches (i.e., micro-switch SW1 or micro-switch SW2) is turned on. If the discriminating circuit (SW discriminating circuit 6c) discriminates that both the switches (i.e., micro-switch SW1 and micro-switch SW2) are turned on, the control circuit (6e) further activates the power source (motor 7).

(31) While description has been made with respect to a hedge trimmer as one example of power tools, the present invention is also applicable to any tool that has two switches for driving the power source, such as a blower, a rotary saw and the like. Further, the power source may be an engine, not a motor.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(32) 1 Main Body

(33) 1a Display Unit

(34) 1b Display Circuit

(35) 2 Blade Assembly

(36) 2a Upper Blade

(37) 2b Lower Blade

(38) 2c Blade Holder

(39) 2d Holder Plate

(40) 3 Battery

(41) 4 Main Handle

(42) 4a, 5a Switch Lever

(43) 5 Sub-handle

(44) 6 Control Board

(45) 6a SW1 Detecting Circuit

(46) 6b SW2 Detecting Circuit

(47) 6c SW Discriminating Circuit

(48) 6d Power Supply Circuit

(49) 6e Control Circuit

(50) 6f Drive Circuit

(51) 7 Motor

(52) 8 Reduction Mechanism

(53) 8a Reduction Gear

(54) 8b Transmission Gear

(55) 9 Eccentric Cam

(56) 10 Guard

(57) Q1 Switching Element

(58) SW1, SW2 Micro-switch