Control device for a power tool and safety tool comprising such a control device

Abstract

Disclosed are a control device for a power tool and a power tool provided with the control device. The control device includes an operation control interface which is provided with a manually operated controller; an impedance-measuring safety interface, wherein the impedance-measuring interface includes a first manual contact electrode and a second manual contact electrode which are electrically isolated from each other, and wherein the manual contact electrodes are provided on the controller and extend over a manual bearing surface of the controller. The device is suitable for controlling and ensuring the safe use of power tools, especially electrical tools, such as pruning shears.

Claims

1. Control device for a power tool, the control device comprising: an operation control interface provided with a manually actuated controller, presenting a manual bearing surface for movement of the controller between an off position and at least one operating position; a safety impedance-measuring interface, including a first manual contact electrode and a second manual contact electrode, which are electrically insulated from each other, and in which the manual contact electrodes are positioned on the controller and extend on the manual bearing surface of the controller.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the controller presents at least one of a recessed relief, and an insulating electric separator including a material selected from a moisture-absorbing material and a water repellent material, the first recessed relief, respectively the separator extending on the manual bearing surface, between the first manual contact electrode and the second manual contact electrode.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the first recessed relief is a relief with angular edges.

4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the controller presents an elongated shape and in which the first and the second manual contact electrode and said first recessed relief extend longitudinally on the controller.

5. Device according to claim 2, wherein the controller includes one of a lever trigger and a pushbutton.

6. Device according to claim 2, wherein the controller includes a lever in which the first recessed relief extends a first face of the lever forming the manual bearing surface.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the lever includes at least a second recessed relief extending on a second face of the lever, opposite the first face of the lever.

8. Device according to claim 2, wherein the controller includes a central body of electrically insulating material and fittings in an electrically conductive material recessed on side flanks of the central body, the fittings forming respectively the first manual contact electrode and the second manual contact electrode of the impedance-measuring interface.

9. Device according to claim 1, which the impedance-measuring interface includes at least one electrically conductive glove worn by an operator of the control device.

10. Safety power tool comprising: an active, electrically conductive component: a control device; drive motor of the active component; a monitoring device with a comparator of electric characteristics, responsive to an operator's contact with the active component; an emergency stop device for the active component servo-driven by the monitoring device; characterized in that: the control device is in accordance with claim 1; the drive motor of the active component is controlled through the intermediary of the operation control interface of the control device; and the monitoring device includes the impedance-measuring safety interface of the control device.

11. Tool according to claim 10, wherein the monitoring device comprises: a first electric circuit including the first manual contact electrode, a first electric impedance and the active component, the first electric circuit is capable of closing, upon a simultaneous contact of the operator with said first manual contact electrode and the active component; a second electric circuit including the first and the second manual contact electrode, the first electric impedance and a second electric impedance, the second electric circuit is capable of closing upon a simultaneous contact of the operator with the first and the second manual contact electrodes; at least one measuring device of an impedance characteristic of the first electric circuit and an impedance characteristic of the second electric circuit; a comparator of the impedance characteristic of the first electric circuit and at least one threshold characteristic dependent on the impedance characteristic of the second electric circuit, the comparator being connected to the emergency stop device to cause an emergency stop in case of a crossing of the threshold characteristic.

12. Tool according to claim 11, in which wherein the second electric circuit includes a switch, the switch being servo-driven by the operation control interface to open the second circuit when the controller is in operating position, and to close the second circuit when the controller is in the off-position; the measuring device being configured to measure an impedance characteristic of the first electric circuit (142) when the second electric circuit is open and to measure an impedance characteristic of the second electric circuit when the second electric circuit is closed.

13. Tool according to claim 12, any wherein the monitoring electrical characteristic is one of the following: a voltage equal to the monitoring voltage, or dependent on the monitoring voltage, the threshold electrical characteristic being equal to the product of the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value and the monitoring current; an impedance value dependent on the monitoring voltage and the monitoring current; the threshold characteristic being an impedance value dependent on the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value; a ratio of the monitoring voltage to the monitoring current, the threshold characteristic being equal to the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value.

14. Tool according to claim 10, wherein the monitoring device comprises: an electric monitoring circuit including the first manual contact electrode and the active component, the electric monitoring circuit is capable of closing upon a simultaneous contact of the operator with said first manual contact electrode and the active component; an electric generator of a monitoring current in the first electric circuit; a measuring device a monitoring voltage between the active component and the second manual contact electrode; a comparator of at least one monitoring electrical characteristic dependent on the monitoring voltage and a threshold electrical characteristic dependent on the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value, the comparator being connected to the emergency stop device to cause an emergency stop when the monitoring electrical characteristic crosses the threshold electrical characteristic.

15. Tool according to claim 14, wherein the monitoring electrical characteristic is a voltage dependent on the monitoring voltage and in which the threshold electrical characteristic is a threshold voltage dependent on the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value and the monitoring current.

16. Tool according to claim 14, wherein the monitoring electrical characteristic is one of the following: a voltage equal to the monitoring voltage, or dependent on the monitoring voltage, the threshold electrical characteristic being equal to the product of the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value and the monitoring current; an impedance value dependent on the monitoring voltage and the monitoring current; the threshold characteristic being an impedance value dependent on the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value; a ratio of the monitoring voltage to the monitoring current, the threshold characteristic being equal to the impedance value which increases the human body conduction impedance value.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified representations of a control device in accordance with the invention with a controller in the off-position.

(2) FIGS. 3 and 4 are representations of the devices of FIGS. 1 and 2, with a controller in operating or working position.

(3) FIGS. 5A, 58 and 5C are respectively a perspective, a side view and a section view along a plane A-A of a pushbutton forming a controller of a control device according to the invention.

(4) FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are respectively a perspective, a side view and a section view along a plane B-B of a lever trigger forming a controller of a control device according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 7 is a functional schematic representation illustrating a possibility of production of a safety power tool in accordance with the invention and using the control device.

(6) FIG. 8 is a functional schematic representation illustrating another possibility of production of a safety power tool in accordance with the invention and using the control device.

(7) The figures are drawn in free scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THE INVENTION

(8) In the following description identical, similar or equivalent parts of the various figures are identified with the same reference marks so as to make it possible to refer from one figure to another.

(9) FIGS. 1 to 4 show a control device 10 for a tool 12 including an active component, of which only a handle 14 is shown. The handle is held by an operator's hand. The control device includes an operation control interface 128.

(10) The operation control interface 128 includes a manually actuated controller 130 and one or several electric components 20 actuated by the controller to deliver or modify a control signal to actuate the active component.

(11) On FIGS. 1 to 4, the electrical components 20 of the operation control interface are symbolized by a simple switch without prejudging the configuration of this controller which may also include a speed controller, an optical interface or other components for forming or modifying a control signal.

(12) In the case of an electric tool, the control signal may be directed towards an electric power supply card for an electric drive motor of the active component, governing the electric power supply to the motor as a function of the control signal.

(13) In the case of a tool with a heat engine, the operation control interface may be an electric or mechanic control interface.

(14) FIGS. 1 and 3 show a controller 130 including a lever trigger 18 actuated by a finger of the operator's hand grasping the handle. On FIG. 1, the finger touches a manual bearing surface 22 of the controller 130 but without pushing the lever trigger in. It is an indexed off-position of the lever trigger in which the tool is at off or standby position.

(15) On FIG. 3, the finger touching the manual bearing surface 22 exerts pressure on this manual bearing surface. It makes the lever trigger pivot and the control interface 128 emits or modifies a signal putting the tool in operation. The position of the controller 130 of FIG. 3 is designated by the operating position.

(16) Likewise FIGS. 2 and 4 show a controller 130 including a pushbutton 19 also operated by a finger of the hand grasping the handle. The finger is shown in contact with a manual bearing surface 22 of the controller. FIG. 2 corresponds to the pushbutton in an off position in which the pushbutton protrudes from the shaft 14. FIG. 4 corresponds to the controller in an operating position: the pushbutton 19 is pushed into the handle 14 by the pressure exerted by the finger in contact with the manual bearing surface 22.

(17) The pushbutton 19 or the lever trigger 18 constitute the manually operated controller 130 and are part of the operation control interface 128 but also constitute an impedance-measuring interface 131 described below.

(18) It can be seen that the operator's hand on FIG. 2 is covered by an electrically conductive glove 133. This glove is part of, or at least associated with, the operation control interface. It improves the contact of the hand or the finger with the impedance-measuring interface 131. It can be noted that only the part of the glove in contact with the impedance-measuring interface may be covered with a conductive coating. However, the conductive coating is not only on the outside of the glove to come into contact with the impedance-measuring interface, it is also on the inside of the glove, so as to also come into contact with the operator's skin. The exterior conductive coating and the interior conductive coating are thus electrically connected to put the operator's hand into electric contact with the impedance-measuring interface. In order to avoid an imperfect contact between the interior conductive coating of the glove and the operator's skin; the interior coating is preferably not limited to just the part facing the impedance-measuring interface. It is preferable that the glove be conductive over a large surface in contact with the hand to ensure a weak contact impedance between the operator's hand and the glove, thereby ensuring a weak contact impedance between the hand and the impedance-measuring interface.

(19) The impedance-measuring interface 131 includes essentially a first manual contact electrode 132 and a second manual contact electrode 134. The manual contact electrodes of the impedance-measuring interface 131 appear better on FIGS. 5A and 5C as well as on FIGS. 6A and 6C.

(20) FIG. 5A is a perspective of a possibility of special implementation of the controller 130 with manual actuation and more precisely of a pushbutton 19 which constitutes the part of the controller protruding from the shaft of the tool.

(21) FIG. 5C is a section of the pushbutton along a section A-A indicated on FIG. 5B representing a side view of the pushbutton. It shows that the pushbutton presents an electrically insulating central body 30, for example made of plastic material; the sides 32, 34 of which receive metallic fittings forming the manual contact electrodes 132, 134. The central body 30 may also include or constitute a separator. It includes in this case, a moisture-absorbing material such as porous ceramic, or a water repellent material such as PTFE or PVDF, a Teflon-type coating or a closed cell foam of a water repellent material. FIG. 5C shows the central body 30 covered by such a separator 31 made of Teflon.

(22) Reference 22 indicates the bearing surface of the pushbutton 19. As FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show, the central body 30 of the pushbutton is retracted relative to the manual contact electrodes so as to make a recessed relief 40 between the manual contact electrodes. The recessed relief extends longitudinally on the pushbutton and extends itself on the manual bearing surface.

(23) Returning to FIGS. 1 to 4, it can be noted when activating the controller 130, the operator's finger extends perpendicularly to the recessed relief 40 so as to connect the manual contact electrodes to each other.

(24) FIGS. 6A, 6B and 60 show another possibility of manufacturing the controller 130 with manual activation in which the controller includes a lever trigger 18. The lever 18 presents a pivoting axis 50 and is mounted on a pivot of the tool, not shown. It is noted here that the pivot of the tool is made of a plastic material or an insulating ceramic, so as not to electrically connect the manual contact electrodes. The pivot may also be of a metallic material. In this case, however, the electrodes are configured not to come into contact with the pivot, in order not to be electrically connected by the pivot.

(25) FIGS. 6A and 6C show that the lever 18 includes a central body 30, of which the opposing sides receive metallic fittings forming the manual contact electrodes 132, 134. The central body is made of an electrically insulating material, for example, a plastic material. A first recessed relief 40 presents itself in the form of a longitudinal groove. It runs longitudinally along a first face 52 of the lever 18, forming the manual bearing surface 22. The first recessed relief 40 extends between the manual contact electrodes 132, 134 and parallel to the manual contact electrodes. It is formed by a recess of the central body 30 relative to the manual bearing surface 22.

(26) FIG. 6C shows a section of the lever 18 along a section B-B indicated on FIG. 6B, representing a side view of the lever. As FIG. 6C shows a second recessed relief 42 extends similarly on a second face 54 opposite to the first face 52, by also running along the lever in a longitudinal manner between the manual contact electrodes. In the example of FIG. 6C, the central body 30 is entirely made of an electrically insulating, moisture-absorbing material or of a water repellent electrically insulating material. It thus constitutes a separator 31 in the sense of the invention.

(27) FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a safety power tool 12 provided with an emergency stop device and using a control device as described previously. The tool 12 is provided with an active component 112. It is for example an electric pruning shear whose active component is a cutting element formed by a mobile blade that may be capable of closing on a hook, so as to cut off a branch or a twig caught between the blade and the hook. The blade and the hook are metallic and electrically conductive parts. They may possibly be covered by an electrically insulating polymer coating 113 to protect them against corrosion and to facilitate their slide against each other.

(28) The active component 112 is electrically connected to the ground 118 of the tool constituting a reference potential.

(29) The tool 12 also includes an electric drive motor 120 mechanically connected to the active component 112, through a transmission mechanism 122.

(30) The electric motor 120 is associated with an electric power supply 124 and an electronic control card 126 of the motor. The electronic control card 126 receives signals from the operation control interface 128 of the control device 10. The operation control interface includes the manually actuated controller 130 shown schematically.

(31) An emergency stop device 140 of the tool's electric drive motor 120 is governed by two electric circuits 142, 144. The electric circuits 142, 144 include components of the tool, in particular the active component 112, but may also include parts of a human body using the tool.

(32) The first electric circuit 142 includes, in series, a component forming a first electrical impedance 152, a first manual contact electrode 132 and the active component 112.

(33) The first electrical impedance 152, whose value is noted Z.sub.1, may be a simple electronic component such as an electric resistance.

(34) Its value is preferably defined to be equal or greater than 100 kΩ.

(35) The first electric circuit 142 is normally an open circuit having consequently a quasi-infinite global impedance.

(36) When an operator touches the impedance-measuring interface 131 of the control device 10, his hand comes into contact with the manual contact electrodes 132, 134 and hence with the first manual contact electrode 132. The first electric circuit 142 remains open.

(37) Whereas, when the operator also touches the active component 112, for example with a finger of his free hand, he closes the first electric circuit 142. In this case, the first electrical impedance 152 finds itself successively in series with the first manual contact electrode 132, a contact impedance 160 of the operator's hand or finger with the first manual contact electrode 132, an impedance 162 of the operator's body, a contact impedance 164 of the finger with the active component 112, and finally the active component 112 itself. It can be noted here that, in the case where the tool 12 is a pruning shear, the circuit would also be closed if the operator indirectly touched the active component 112, in this case a blade, through the intermediary of a conductor such as a branch, a vine tendril or even a trellis wire in the process of being cut. This situation only adds a supplemental impedance in the circuit and does not jeopardize the operation. For the sake of simplification, only the case of a direct contact of the finger with the active component will be dealt with below.

(38) The values of the contact impedance 160 of the hand or the finger touching the impedance-measuring interface, of the impedance 162 of the body and of the contact impedance 164 of the finger with the active component are noted respectively Z.sub.M1, Z.sub.C and Z.sub.D.

(39) Thus, when the first circuit is closed a total impedance Z.sub.142 is such that:
Z.sub.142=Z.sub.1+Z.sub.M1+Z.sub.C+Z.sub.D

(40) The impedance of wiring and the cutting element are ignored here.

(41) A measuring device of an impedance characteristic of the first electric circuit is provided. In the example of implementation of FIG. 7, it includes an electric generator 156 in the form of an alternating current source in series with the first circuit 142, and a voltmeter 158 connected in parallel with the first impedance 152. The value of voltage measured by the voltmeter is, in this case, the impedance characteristic of the first circuit, in the sense of the invention.

(42) A second electric circuit 144 includes the first electrical impedance 152, the first manual contact electrode 132, the second manual contact electrode 134 and a second electrical impedance 154.

(43) Just like the first electrical impedance, the second electrical impedance may be formed by an electronic component such as a simple resistance of a defined value, preferably above 100 kΩ. Its impedance value whether real or complex, is marked Z.sub.2.

(44) The second electric circuit is also an open circuit when the operator does not touch the impedance-measuring interface 131 of the tool 12. The manual contact electrodes 132, 134 are in effect electrically insulated from each other.

(45) However, when the operator puts a finger or his hand on the impedance-measuring interface 131 of the controller 130, his finger or his hand will electrically connect the first and the second manual contact electrodes 132, 134 of the impedance-measuring interface 131. A contact impedance 160 of the operator's hand or finger with the first manual contact electrode 132 of value Z.sub.M1, and a contact impedance 161, of a value noted as Z.sub.M2 of the operator's hand or finger with the second manual contact electrode 134 of the impedance-measuring interface 131 then are added in series in the second circuit.

(46) In this case, the impedance Z.sub.144 of the second electrical circuit 144 is such that:
Z.sub.144=Z.sub.1+Z.sub.2+M.sub.1+M.sub.2

(47) Now, the values Z.sub.M1 and Z.sub.M2 are coming from contacts of the same kind and their variations are therefore similar. The same is the case for the value Z.sub.D in the first circuit and each circuit thus includes two values of contact impedance of the same kind. A comparison of Z.sub.142 and Z.sub.144 thus makes it possible to eliminate the variations of the contact impedances with the manual contact electrodes, and to measure the occurrence of a contact of the operator's finger with the active component 112 by evaluating Z.sub.C and Z.sub.D against Z.sub.2 and Z.sub.M2.

(48) A measuring device is also provided to establish an impedance characteristic of the second electric circuit. In the example of implementation described, this the electric generator 156 and the voltmeter 158 already mentioned, and also used in connection with the first electric circuit 142. The voltage measured at the terminals of the first electrical impedance 152 is a value of the characteristic of the second electrical circuit 144.

(49) Since a single measuring device is provided to measure the impedance characteristics of the first and second electric circuit 142, 144, an alternate measure is provided.

(50) For this purpose, the second electrical circuit 144 includes a switch 170 for opening or closing the second electric circuit. The switch 170 may be of the electromechanical type or, preferably, an electronic transistor switch.

(51) The switch 170 is servo-driven by the operation control interface 128 so as to be closed in the off-position and to be open in the operating position.

(52) In the absence of an operating command, the risk of the operator being cut by the active component is low or non-existent. The first circuit is open, assuming that the operator does not touch the active component 112. The switch 170 of the second circuit is then closed and enables a measurement of the characteristic of the second electric circuit 144. An electrical characteristic of singular value can however be measured in the case where the operator does not simultaneously touch the two manual contact electrodes and when the circuit 144 is open in spite of the switch 170 being closed.

(53) When the operator activates the controller 130, for example, by depressing a pushbutton or a lever trigger, the switch 170 of the second electric circuit 144 is open so as to enable a measurement of the impedance characteristic of the first electric circuit 142.

(54) At each measurement of the impedance characteristic of the second electric circuit 144, the value of this impedance characteristic, or a value proportional to the impedance characteristic is updated and saved in a memory 172 until a next measurement. The measurements of the impedance characteristic of the second electric circuit 144 and the update of the memory 172 can be made at each closing of the switch 170 of the second electric circuit or at predetermined intervals when said switch remains closed.

(55) The stored value constitutes a threshold characteristic.

(56) The memory 172 is connected to an input of a comparator 174 so as to supply the threshold characteristic as a reference value.

(57) A second input of the comparator 174 receives the impedance characteristic of the first electric circuit at the time of an operation control, i.e. when the switch 170 of the second electric circuit 144 is open.

(58) The impedance characteristic of the first electrical circuit is thus compared to the threshold value.

(59) An output of the comparator 174 is connected to the electronic control card 126 of the drive motor 120. If the threshold value is deviated from by higher or lower value, according to the impedance characteristic selected, the comparator emits a stop signal in the direction of the electronic control card of the drive motor. The stop signal is used by the electronic card to trigger an emergency stop of the drive motor and the cutting operation. The emergency stop may include, for example, an opening of a circuit of electric power supply to the drive motor, or a servo-drive of the motor to block the movement of the cutting element. Additionally, the comparator may also emit such a stop signal in case of the presence of a singular value in the memory 172, signifying a simultaneous contact default of the two manual contact electrodes of the impedance-measuring interface 131. Such a situation is in fact likely to compromise a detection of an unintentional contact of the operator with the active component.

(60) The electronic control card 126 of the drive motor is thus part of the emergency stop device 140. The emergency stop device may also include a switch 127 for opening a circuit of an electric power supply of the drive motor.

(61) In a particularly simple implementation of the cutting tool, the first electric impedance 152 and the second electric impedance 154 may be set at a same value Z.sub.1=Z.sub.2 in the order of 100 kΩ or 200 kΩ. These values are clearly much higher than an estimated impedance of the human body and to an estimated impedance of contact of the finger with the cutting element.

(62) An impedance of the human body is estimated to be less than 10 kΩ. The same is true for the impedance of the finger with the active component, which is estimated to be less than 10 kΩ, and rather in an order of magnitude of 1 kΩ, especially following a developing injury.

(63) In this example of implementation, the retained threshold characteristic Z.sub.threshold is directly the measured impedance of the second circuit, which is:
Z.sub.threshold=Z.sub.144=Z.sub.1+Z.sub.2+Z.sub.M1+Z.sub.M2

(64) When the first electronic [sic] circuit is open, its impedance Zi is quasi-infinite and Z.sub.142>Z.sub.threshold.

(65) However, when the operator touches simultaneously the impedance-measuring interface 131 and the active component 112, the impedance of the first electric circuit becomes:
Z.sub.142=Z.sub.1+Z.sub.M1+Z.sub.C+Z.sub.D

(66) The comparator 174 thus compares:
Z.sub.1+Z.sub.M1+Z.sub.C+Z.sub.D and Z.sub.1+Z.sub.M1+Z.sub.M2+Z.sub.2

(67) By eliminating Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.M1 in the two total impedances, this amounts to comparing the sum of the impedance of the operator's body and of the contact impedance with the active component to the electrical impedance Z.sub.2 increased by a value Z.sub.M2.

(68) Thus, as Z.sub.2 is chosen to be greater than the estimated values of Z.sub.C and Z.sub.D, the sum of Z.sub.M2+Z.sub.2 is greater than the sum of Z.sub.C and Z.sub.D and one gets: Z.sub.142<Z.sub.threshold.

(69) The threshold has been exceeded and the comparator delivers an emergency stop signal.

(70) The reference 176 designates a control electrode electrically connected to the active component 112. It is provided to enable a test of the emergency stop without touching the active component. In fact, it suffices for the operator to touch the impedance-measuring interface and simultaneously touches with his free hand the control electrode 176 to cause an emergency stop. The electronic control card 126 can possibly be configured to request such a periodic control operation, in order to ensure that the emergency stop device is functioning properly.

(71) A monitoring circuit 178 of the potential of the cutting element is also provided. It is built around a voltmeter and is also connected to the electronic control card 126 of the electric drive motor 120 to cause an emergency stop when an electric potential of the cutting element becomes different from a set value. In the example of implementation shown, one verifies that the electric potential of the cutting element is at the reference potential of the tool.

(72) Another possibility of execution of he tool 12 is illustrated in FIG. 8 and described below.

(73) The tool 12 of FIG. 8 presents a certain number of components that are common with that of FIG. 7, the description of which is not repeated here. It is possible to refer to FIG. 7 and to the preceding description.

(74) An emergency stop device 140 of the electric drive motor 120 of the tool 12 is governed by an electric monitoring circuit 143. As with the tool in FIG. 7, the electric monitoring circuit 143 includes components of the tool 112 but may also include parts of the body of a human using the tool.

(75) The electric monitoring circuit 143 includes, particularly, in series, an adjustment impedance 152, the first manual contact electrode 132 of the impedance-measuring interface 131, the active component 112 and an electric generator 156 of a monitoring current. The electric generator may be a source of voltage or current. It is for example, an electric battery or a rechargeable battery. The adjustment impedance 152 may be formed by one or more electrical components whose electric impedance value Z.sub.1 is known. It may be included in the electric generator 156. It is, for example, an electric resistance with a value, for example, of 100 kΩ. However, its value is not critical. It may range, for example, from 1Ω to 200 kΩ. By a measurement of the voltage V1 at the terminals of the adjustment impedance 152, it is possible to determine a monitoring current Is flowing in the monitoring circuit.

(76) The adjustment impedance 152 is not necessary when the electric generator 156 is a current source. During a closing of the electric monitoring circuit 143, the generator then supplies a current of defined value I.sub.S. In the description below, the generator is considered to be a source of voltage, without however prejudging the possibility of replacing it with a current source.

(77) In the absence of contact with an operator, the electric monitoring circuit 143 is normally an open circuit having consequently a quasi-infinite global impedance and a current of zero.

(78) When an operator touches the impedance-measuring interface 131, his hand or finger come into contact with the manual contact electrodes 132, 134 and hence with the first manual contact electrode 132. The first electric circuit 143 remains open.

(79) However, when the operator also touches the active component 112, for example, with a finger of his free hand, he closes the electric monitoring circuit 143. In this case, the adjustment impedance 152 finds itself in series successively with the first manual contact electrode 132, a contact impedance 160 of the operator's hand or finger with the first manual contact electrode 132, an impedance 162 of the operator's body, a contact impedance 164 of the operator's finger with the active component 112, and, finally the active component 112.

(80) The values of the contact impedance 160 of the hand or finger with the first manual contact electrode 162, the impedance 162 of the body and of the contact impedance 164 of the finger with the active component are marked Z.sub.M1, Z.sub.C et Z.sub.D respectively.

(81) Thus, when the first circuit is closed, a total impedance Z.sub.T is such that:
Z.sub.T=Z.sub.1+Z.sub.M1+Z.sub.C+Z.sub.D

(82) The impedance of wiring and active component are being ignored here.

(83) Also ignored is the impedance of the electric generator 156 which is considered here to be a voltage source.

(84) When the monitoring circuit 143 is closed, the generator 156 causes an Is monitoring current to flow in the circuit.

(85) The value of the current Is can be predefined by the current generator when it includes a current source. It can also be predetermined based on a voltage measurement made on the terminals of the adjustment impedance 152 when the generator includes a voltage source, for example. Measurement of voltage V.sub.1 at the terminals of the adjustment impedance 152, of value Z.sub.1, is taken by an integrated voltmeter 153.

(86) A voltage measuring device 145, for example, another integrated voltmeter, is connected between the ground 118 of the tool 12 and the second manual contact electrode 134. It measures a potential V.sub.E2, or more precisely a monitoring voltage V.sub.E2 between the ground 118 and the second manual contact electrode 134.

(87) The monitoring voltage V.sub.E2 as well as the voltage delivered by the integrated voltmeter 153 are supplied to a digital management unit 175.

(88) The digital management unit, for example a microcontroller, or a dedicated integrated circuit, allows various operations to be performed.

(89) A first operation consists of calculating the monitoring current Is by performing a ratio V.sub.1/Z.sub.1.

(90) A second operation may consist of calculating an impedance value Z based on the monitoring voltage and the monitoring current. By referring to the preceding description, it is recalled that:
Z=Z.sub.C+Z.sub.D=V.sub.E2/I.sub.S

(91) Finally, and mainly, the digital management unit 175 constitutes a comparator.

(92) In particular, it can be used to compare the impedance value Z to the threshold value Z.sub.threshold, which increases the human body impedance value.

(93) It can also be used to compare the monitoring voltage V.sub.E2 to the threshold voltage V.sub.threshold such as V.sub.threshold=Z.sub.threshold×I.sub.S.

(94) When the voltage drops below the voltage threshold value or when the impedance drops below the impedance threshold value, the threshold electrical characteristic is respectively crossed and the emergency stop is actuated.

(95) The comparisons can be made for other parameters depending on the aforementioned parameters and also be calculated by the digital management unit 175. For example, it is possible to compare conductances rather than impedances.

(96) Following the comparison, and when the threshold electrical characteristic has been crossed, by higher or lower values, depending on the selected characteristic, the emergency stop device 140 is actuated.

(97) The electrical threshold characteristics used by the comparator of the digital management unit, for example the values V.sub.threshold or Z.sub.threshold, can be stored in a memory 172 associated with a digital management unit 175.

(98) In the example of FIG. 8, the emergency stop device also includes the electronic control card 126 for the electric drive motor 120. The electronic control card 126 receives the emergency stop signal as indicated by a dot-and-dash line. In this case, the motor electronic control card is configured to actuate a movement of the drive motor itself to counteract the movement of the active component 112 and/or to cause an electromagnetic braking of the motor and of the active component by using the inductive circuits of the electric motor.

(99) This results in an almost instantaneous stop of the movement of the active tool.

(100) After the stop of the active component 112, a cutoff of the electric power supply can also be done. It can be effectuated by a switch 127, and in particular a transistor switch, servo-driven by the digital management unit 175.

(101) It should be noted that the digital management unit 175, and in particular, the comparator which it constitutes, as well as the electronic control card 126 of the drive motor 120 can be produced in the form of a single integrated component.

(102) Reference 180 designates an impedance to ground. In the example of FIG. 8 this is an electric resistance greater than 1 MΩ connected between the second manual contact electrode 134 and the ground 118 of the tool 12. It prevents a floating voltage of the second manual contact electrode 134. It is also capable of setting the voltage of the second manual contact electrode 134 at a value of zero when the second manual electrode is not in contact with the operator's hand or finger.

(103) Measurement of a monitoring voltage of zero by the voltage measuring device 145 can thus be exploited by the digital management unit 175 to inhibit the operation of the tool or to cause an emergency stop. In the example of FIG. 8, the electric power supply to the drive motor 120 can simply be inhibited in the case of a measurement of zero monitoring voltage.

(104) This makes it possible, for example, to prevent the operation of the tool when it is being held by an operator wearing insulating gloves that would prevent the detection of a contact with the cutting element.

(105) Almost no current flows through the grounding impedance 180 or the operator's finger in contact with the second manual contact electrode 134 of the impedance-measuring interface 131. Thus, the potential V.sub.E2 measured on the second manual contact electrode 134 is quasi-identical to a potential V.sub.C which would be measured between an imaginary point C inside the operator's body who touches the impedance-measuring interface 131 and the active component 112, and thereby the ground of the tool.

(106) The reference 176 designates a control electrode which is electrically connected to the cutting element 12 in the manner already described with reference to FIG. 7.

(107) A monitoring circuit 178 of the potential of the cutting element is also provided. It is built around a voltmeter and is also connected to the electronic control card 126 of the electric motor 120 to cause an emergency stop when an electric potential of the active component 112 becomes different from a set value. In the example of implementation shown, it is checked that the electrical potential of the cutting element is at the ground potential of the tool. The voltmeter can be an integrated component being part of the same electronic card as the digital management unit.

(108) In the preceding description, the drive motor of the active component is an electric motor. When the drive motor is a heat engine, the electronic control card 126 can be replaced by a fuel supply and/or ignition control card. When the drive motor is a heat engine, an electromagnetic or electromechanical brake acting on the engine 120, the transmission 122 or directly on the active component 112, can be servo-driven by the comparator 174 in FIG. 7 or by the digital management unit 175 in FIG. 8, in order to cause a rapid emergency stop. The electromagnetic or electromechanical brake is not shown on the figures.

(109) In the case of an electric drive motor, an electromagnetic braking can be performed directly by the motor 120 itself, for example, by short-circuiting its phases.