Chainsaw System

Abstract

A chainsaw system includes a chainsaw and a saw blade module, which has a cutting chain and at least one guide unit for forming a guide for at least one part of the cutting chain. The chainsaw system further includes at least one coupling unit for coupling the saw blade module to the chainsaw and at least one release unit that has at least one fastening element and is provided in order to provide tool-free decoupling of the at least one saw blade module which is coupled by means of the coupling unit.

Claims

1. A chainsaw system, comprising: a chainsaw having at least one release unit; a saw blade module comprising a cutting strand and at least one guide unit designed to guide at least a part of the cutting strand; and at least one coupling unit designed to couple the saw blade module to the chainsaw, wherein the chainsaw at least one release unit includes at least one actuating element, the at least one release unit designed for decoupling, without use of tools, the at least one saw blade module that is coupled by the coupling unit.

2. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chainsaw has at least one blocking unit that is designed at least to prevent the saw blade module, coupled by means of the coupling unit, from being decoupled by the release unit while the chainsaw is in operation.

3. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the blocking unit has at least one decoupling blocking element that is designed to block an actuation of the actuating element of the release unit while the chainsaw is in operation.

4. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the blocking unit has at least one transmission element operatively coupling an operating switch of the chainsaw to the decoupling blocking element, the at least one transmission element being designed to transmit a movement of the operating switch to the decoupling blocking element.

5. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chainsaw has at least one blocking unit designed at least to prevent the chainsaw from being put into operation while the release unit is in a decoupling mode.

6. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the blocking unit has at least one operation blocking element that is designed to block an actuation of an operating switch of the chainsaw while the release unit is in a decoupling mode.

7. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chainsaw has at least one recoil safeguard element designed to prevent, at least to a large extent, a manual actuation of the actuating element of the release unit while the chainsaw is in operation.

8. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling unit has at least one locking unit and at least one locking element designed to latch within the locking unit.

9. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking element has at least one locking head, and the locking unit has at least one locking element designed to engage behind the at least one locking head, at least in a locking state.

10. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking unit has at least one magnet element designed, in at least one operating state, to exert a holding force upon the locking element.

11. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling unit has at least one positioning bolt designed to at least one of align and orient the saw blade module relative to the chainsaw.

12. The chainsaw system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chainsaw has at least one receiving recess designed to at least partially receive the saw blade module in a mounted state.

13. A saw blade module for use in a chainsaw system that includes a chainsaw with at least one release unit and at least one coupling unit designed to couple the saw blade module to the chainsaw, the saw blade module comprising: a cutting strand and at least one guide unit designed for guiding at least a part of the cutting strand, wherein the saw blade module is designed to be coupled to the chainsaw with the at least one coupling unit, and to be decoupled from the chainsaw without use of tools by the at least one release unit, which includes at least one actuating unit.

14. A chainsaw comprising: at least one release unit that includes at least one actuating element and is designed for decoupling, without use of tools, at least one saw blade module, which is coupled to a chainsaw by a coupling unit and includes a cutting strand and at least one guide unit designed to guide at least a part of the cutting strand, from the chainsaw.

Description

DRAWING

[0025] Further advantages are given by the following description of the drawing. The drawing shows two exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Persons skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them to create appropriate further combinations.

[0026] There are shown:

[0027] FIG. 1 a chainsaw system, having a chainsaw and a saw blade module in a coupled state, in a schematic representation,

[0028] FIG. 2 a chainsaw system, in an uncoupled state, in a schematic representation,

[0029] FIG. 3a an exploded representation of a locking unit and a release unit of the chainsaw system, in a schematic representation,

[0030] FIG. 3b an explode representation of the saw blade module, in a schematic representation,

[0031] FIG. 4 a blocking unit of the chainsaw system, in an initial state, in a schematic representation,

[0032] FIG. 5 the blocking unit or the chainsaw system during operation of the chainsaw, in a schematic representation,

[0033] FIG. 6 a blocking unit of the chainsaw system in a decoupling state for releasing the saw blade module, in a schematic representation,

[0034] FIG. 7 a recoil safeguard element of the chainsaw, which partially covers an actuating element of the release unit, in a schematic representation,

[0035] FIG. 8 an alternative recoil safeguard element of the chainsaw, which partially covers an actuating element of the release unit, in a schematic representation,

[0036] FIG. 9 a further alternative recoil safeguard element of the chainsaw, which partially covers an actuating element of the release unit, in a schematic representation, and

[0037] FIG. 10 an alternative chainsaw system, having a chainsaw and a saw blade module in a uncoupled state, in a schematic representation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a chainsaw system 10a, having a chainsaw 12a and a saw blade module 14a, in a mounted state. FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a chainsaw system 10a in an unmounted state, in which the saw blade module 14a is decoupled from the chainsaw 12a. The saw blade module 14a has a cutting strand 18a, and at least one guide unit 50a for guiding at least a part of the cutting strand 18a. The chainsaw system 10a also has a coupling unit 16a for coupling the saw blade module 14a to the chainsaw 12a. The coupling unit 16a is designed to connect the saw blade module 14a to the portable chainsaw 12a, by means of a form-fit and/or force-fit connection, for the purpose of performing work on a workpiece. In particular, when the coupling unit 16a is connected to the chainsaw 12a and the chainsaw 12a is in an operating state, forces and/or torques are transmitted from a transmission unit of the chainsaw 12a to the saw blade module 14a, for the purpose of driving the cutting strand 18a. Preferably, the chainsaw 12a has a torque transmission element 52a which, when the saw blade module 14a is coupled to the chainsaw 12a by means of the coupling unit 16a, engages in the cutting strand 18a, or in a pinion 98a of the saw blade module 14a that is rotatably mounted in a housing 60a of the saw blade module 14a (see FIG. 3b) for the purpose of driving the cutting strand 18a. The torque transmission element 52a is arranged in a rotatably mounted manner on the chainsaw 12a. The torque transmission element 52a may be realized, in particular, as a toothed shaft 54a of a transmission unit of the portable chainsaw 12a. The chainsaw 12a has at least one receiving recess 48a that is designed to receive the saw blade module 14a, at least partially, in a mounted state. The receiving recess 48a has at least one inner contour that corresponds, at least substantially, to an outer contour of the housing 60a of the saw blade module 14a.

[0039] The coupling unit 16a has a locking unit 36a, and at least one locking element 38a that is designed to latch within the locking unit 36a. The chainsaw 12a also has at least one release unit 20a, having at least one actuating element 22a that is designed to decouple the at least one saw blade module 14a, coupled by means of the coupling unit 16a, without use of tools. The locking unit 36a and the release unit 20a are realized, at least partially, as a single piece. FIG. 3a shows the locking unit 36a and the release unit 20a in an exploded representation. The locking element 38a has at least one locking head 40a, and the locking unit 36a has at least one locking means 42a that is designed to engage behind the locking head 40a, at least in a locking state. Here, for example, the coupling unit 16a has two locking elements 38a, realized as locking pins. Upon the locking element 38a being inserted into the locking unit 36a, a fork element 62a is pushed out of the locking position by the locking element 38a. The actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a is rotated into a locking position by a torsion spring 64a. In an interior, the actuating element 22a has a cam track 66a that is rotated jointly with the actuating element 22a. A lever element 68a and a release ring 70a are displaced by a compression spring 72, as a result of which the locking means 42a are released and go into a locking position. The coupling unit 16a also has at least one positioning bolt 46a that is designed to align and/or orient the saw blade module 14a relative to the chainsaw 12a. For example, the coupling unit 16a has three positioning bolts 46a, while the chainsaw 12a has a corresponding number of receivers 58a for the positioning bolts 46a. Upon the saw blade module 14a being mounted on the chainsaw 12a, the positioning bolts 46a engage in the receivers 58a for the purpose of positioning the saw blade module 14a relative to the chainsaw 12a.

[0040] The release unit 20a is designed to undo the form-fit and/or force-fit connection, between. the saw blade module 14a and the chainsaw 12a, that is produced. by means of the coupling unit 16a and that couples the saw blade module 14a to the chainsaw 12a. In particular, the release unit 20a is designed to undo the form-fit and/or force-fit connection, between the saw blade module 14a and the chainsaw 12a, that is produced by means of the coupling unit 16a and that couples the saw blade module 14a to the chainsaw 12a, for the purpose of separating the saw blade module 14a from the chainsaw 12a. For the purpose of decoupling, the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a is actuated in a rotary movement. The cam track 66a creates a pull on the lever element 68a. The locking means 42a are moved out of the locking position by a cam mechanism element 74a that is pressed in the direction of the actuating element 22a by means of a spring element 76a. The locking unit 36a has at least one magnet element 44a that is designed, in at least one operating state, to exert a holding force upon due locking element 38a. Preferably, the magnet element 44a is designed, upon an actuation of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a, to exert a magnetic holding force upon the locking element 38a. When the saw blade module 14a is being decoupled from the chainsaw 12a, this magnetic holding force must be overcome by an operator of the chainsaw system 10a. It is thereby possible to prevent, in particular, the locking element 38a from inadvertently slipping out, and thus to prevent inadvertent release of the saw blade module 14a from the chainsaw 12a upon actuation of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a.

[0041] The saw blade module 14a preferably comprises at least one pretensioning unit 82a for automatically compensating a play due to the production process and/or a tolerance of the cutting strand 18a due to the production process (see FIG. 3b). Preferably, the pretensioning unit 82a comprises at least one pretensioning element 84a, 86a, in particular a spring element, arranged on the housing 60a of the saw blade module 14a. In the design represented in FIG. 3b, the pretensioning unit 82a has at least two pretensioning elements 84a, 86a, which are realized as spring elements, in particular as compression springs.

[0042] It is also conceivable, however, for the pretensioning unit 82a to comprise a number of pretensioning elements 84a, 86a′ other than two. The pretensioning element/s 84a, 86a is/are preferably designed to exert a pretensioning force, in particular a pretensioning force directed away from the housing, upon the guide unit 50a, on which the cutting strand 18a is arranged. Preferably, the guide unit. 50a is mounted in a movable, in particular translationally movable, manner on the housing 60a. The guide unit 50a preferably has at least one movement guide element 88a, in particular a guide slot. The movement guide element 88a preferably acts in combination with at least one, in particular at least two, counter-guide element/s 90a, 92a of the saw blade module 14a. The counter-guide element/s 90a, 92a is/are preferably realized as a guide bolt or as a guide sleeve/s. The counter-guide element/s 90a, 92a preferably engage, at least partially, in the movement guide element 88a, in particular in the movement guide element 88a realized as a guide slot, or extend through the movement guide element 88a. A maximum movement distance of the guide unit 50a relative to the housing 60a can preferably he limited by means a combined action of the movement guide element 88a and the counter-guide element/s 90a, 92a. One end of the pretensioning element/s 84a, 86a is preferably supported on the housing 60a, in particular on a wall of the housing 60a that delimits a recess of the housing 60a. Another end of the counter-guide element/s 90a, 92a is/are supported on the guide unit 50a and/or on at least one support element 94a, 96a arranged on the guide unit 50a or on a slide element 100a of the saw blade module 14a. The slide element 100a is preferably fixed to the guide unit 50a. The slide element 100a is preferably mounted in the housing 60a so as to be movable, in particular translationally movable, together with the guide unit 50a, relative to the housing 60a. A tensioning bolt 102a of the pretensioning unit 82a is fixed to the guide unit 50a and/or to the slide element 100a. The tensioning bolt 102a extends out of the housing 60a, in particular along a direction that is at least substantially perpendicular to a cutting plane of the cutting strand 18a.

[0043] When the saw blade module 14a is arranged on the chainsaw 12a, the tensioning bolt 102a extends into the chainsaw 12a. When the saw blade module 14a is arranged on the chainsaw 12a, the tensioning bolt 102a can operatively connected to an eccentric element 104a of the release unit 20a and/or the locking unit 36a. In at least one state of the release unit 20a and/or the locking unit 36a, a force can. be applied the eccentric element 104a by means of a tensioning element 106a of the release unit 20a and/or the locking unit 36a. The tensioning element 106a is preferably realized as a torsion spring. The tensioning element 106a applies to the eccentric element a spring force that acts in a direction away from the tensioning bolt 102a. As a result of a movement of the actuating element 22a, a movement transmission element 108a, in particular a toothed wheel, of the release unit 20a and/or of the locking unit 36a can be moved. The actuating element 22a preferably has an external toothing 110a, which is designed to engage in the movement transmission element 108a. The movement transmission element 108a is preferably designed to move the eccentric element 104a in dependence on a movement of the actuating element 22a, in particular at least in the direction of the tensioning bolt 102a. Preferably, the movement transmission element 108a is designed to move the eccentric element 104a, in particular at least in the direction of the tensioning bolt 102a, via a blocking element 112a of the release unit 20a and/or of the locking unit 36a. The blocking element 112a is preferably designed, in at least one state, to block a moment of the eccentric element 104a by the tensioning element 106a. The blocking element 112a preferably comprises a blocking offset, which is designed, at least in one state, to bear against a blocking face of the eccentric element 104a. The blocking element 112a preferably has at least one circular toothing segment, which is designed to act in combination with the movement transmission element 108a.

[0044] Arranging of the saw blade module 14a on the chainsaw 12a causes the tensioning bolt 102a to be inserted into the chainsaw 12a. As a result of a movement of the actuating element 22a, the blocking element 112a can be moved into a blocking position, via the movement transmission element 108a. The blocking element 112a comes to bear against. the eccentric element 104a and moves it, contrary to the spring force of the tensioning element 106a, in the direction of the tensioning bolt 102a. Owing to the toothing of the blocking element 112a, the movement transmission element 108a and the actuating element 22a, a movement of the eccentric element 104a is ensured. The eccentric element 104a can move the tensioning bolt 102a, and/or hold it in a position, relative to the housing 60a for the purpose of tensioning and/or holding a tensioning of the cutting strand 18a. As a result of the actuating element 22a being moved into a release position, in which the saw blade module 14a can be removed from the chainsaw 12a, the blocking element 112a can be moved away from the eccentric element 104a. The eccentric element 104a can be moved into an initial position by the spring force of the tensioning element 106a. The tensioning bolt 102a can be moved independently of the eccentric element 104a. Pretensioning of the cutting strand 18a is effected by the pretensioning unit 82a.

[0045] The chainsaw 12a has at least one blocking unit 24a that is designed to prevent the saw blade module 14a, coupled by means of the coupling unit 16a, from being decoupled by means of the release unit 20a while the chainsaw 12a is in operation. The blocking unit 24a is represented in FIGS. 4 to 6, in differing operating states. FIG. 4 shows the blocking unit 24a in an initial operating state. In particular, the blocking unit 24a is designed to prevent functioning of the release unit 20a during operation of the chainsaw 12a, in particular while a motor is running, in such a manner that undoing of the form-fit and/or force-fit connection, between the saw blade module 14a and the chainsaw 12a, that is produced by means of the coupling unit 16a, is prevented. The blocking unit 24a has at least one decoupling blocking element. 26a that is designed to block an actuation of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a while the chainsaw 12a is in operation (see FIG. 5). When the chainsaw 12a is in an idle state, the decoupling blocking element 26a is arranged entirely outside of an actuating course of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a. During operation of the chainsaw 12a, in particular while a motor of the chainsaw 12a is running, the decoupling blocking element 26a is arranged, at least partially, in a movement path of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a. The decoupling blocking element 26a is movably mounted and, upon the chainsaw 12a being put into operation, can be moved, in particular can be slid and/or swiveled, at least partially, into an actuating course of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a. The blocking unit 24a has at least one transmission element 28a, which operatively couples an operating switch 30a of the chainsaw 12a to the decoupling blocking element 26a and which is designed to transmit a movement of the operating switch 30a to the decoupling blocking element 26a. The transmission element 28a is realized as a transmission arm. One end 56a of the transmission element 28a is connected to the operating switch 30a of the chainsaw 12a. The end 56a of the transmission element 28a that is connected to the operating switch 30a is designed to follow a movement of the operating switch 30a, at least substantially. Preferably, the transmission element 28a is designed to follow a movement of the operating switch 30a at least substantially over its entire longitudinal extent. The decoupling blocking element 26a is arranged on the transmission element 28a, and connected to it. The transmission element 28a is designed to transmit a movement of the operating switch 30a to the decoupling blocking element 26a in such a manner that the decoupling blocking element 26a is in an actuating course of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a, at least partially, when the operating switch 30a of the chainsaw 12a is in an operating position. An actuation of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a is thereby blocked. The transmission element 2$a is also designed to transmit a movement of the operating switch 30a to the decoupling blocking element 26a in such a manner that the decoupling blocking element 26a is entirely outside of actuating course of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a, when the operating switch. 30a of the chainsaw 12a is in an idle position. An actuation of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a is possible in this state.

[0046] The blocking unit 24a is also designed to prevent the chainsaw 12a from being put into operation while the release unit 20a is in a decoupling mode. The blocking unit 24a is designed, in particular, to prevent the chainsaw 12a from being put into operation as long as the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a is in a decoupling position. In particular, the blocking unit 24a is designed to prevent a motor of the chainsaw 12a from being put into operation while the release unit 20a is in a decoupling mode. The blocking unit 24a has at least one operation blocking element 32a that is designed to block an actuation of the operating switch 30a of the of the chainsaw 12a while the release unit 20a is in a decoupling mode (see FIG. 6). The operation blocking element 32a is designed to mechanically block an actuation course of the operating switch 30a while the release unit 20a is in a decoupling mode. In particular, the operation blocking element 32a is designed to block the operating switch 30a of the chainsaw 12a in a release position while the release unit 20a is in a decoupling mode. The operation blocking element 32a is connected to the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a, or is at least partially integral with the actuating element. 22a of the release unit 20a. The operation blocking element 32a is designed to follow a movement of the actuating element 22 of the release unit 20a. The operation blocking element 32a is designed to act upon the decoupling blocking element 26a and block a movement of the decoupling blocking element 26a when the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a is in a decoupling position. The decoupling blocking element 26a is arranged on the transmission element 28a, and connected to it, with the result that a movement of the transmission element 28a is likewise blocked by the blocking of the decoupling blocking element 26a. The transmission element 28a is connected to the operating switch 30a of the chainsaw 12a, with the result that the movement of the operating switch 30a is also blocked.

[0047] The chainsaw 12a also has at least one recoil safeguard element 34a. The recoil safeguard element 34a may be designed to prevent, at least to a large extent, a manual actuation of the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a while the chainsaw 12a is in operation. The recoil safeguard element 34a is realized as a recoil lever. The recoil safeguard element 34a is designed, in the case of a recoil of the chainsaw system 10a resulting from an actuation by an operator of the chainsaw system 10a, to be brought from an operating position into a brake position. In particular, the recoil safeguard element 34a may be designed, in the brake position, to cause the chainsaw 12a, in particular the motor of the chainsaw 12a, to brake. The recoil safeguard element 34a is designed, in the operating position, to mechanically cover the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a, at least partially, and preferably at least to a large extent. FIGS. 7 to 9 show differing embodiments of a recoil safeguard element 34a that covers the actuating element 22a of the release unit 20a, at least partially, and preferably at least to a large extent.

[0048] FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions and the drawings are limited substantially to the differences between the exemplary embodiments and, in principle, reference may be made to the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular to FIGS. 1 to 9, in respect of components having the same designation, in particular i respect of components having the same reference numerals. To distinguish the exemplary embodiments, the letter a has been appended to the references of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 9. In the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 10, the letter a has been replaced by the letter b.

[0049] FIG. 10 shows an alternative chainsaw system 10b in an unmounted state, in which the saw blade module 14b has been decoupled from the chainsaw 12b. The chainsaw system 10b has a coupling unit 16b for coupling the saw blade module 14b to the chainsaw 12b. The coupling unit 16b is designed to connect the saw blade module 14b to the portable chainsaw 12b, by means of a form-fit and/or force-fit connection, for the purpose of performing work on a workpiece. In particular, when the coupling unit 16b is connected to the chainsaw 12b and the chainsaw 12b is in an operating state, forces and/or torques are transmitted from a transmission unit of the chainsaw 12b to the saw blade module 14b, for the purpose of driving the cutting strand 18b. Preferably, the chainsaw 12b has torque transmission element 52b which, when the saw blade module 14b is coupled to the chainsaw 12b by means of the coupling unit 16b, engages in the cutting strand 18b for the purpose of driving the cutting strand 18b. The torque transmission element 52b is arranged in a rotatably mounted manner on the chainsaw 12b. The torque transmission element 52b may be realized, in particular, as a toothed shaft 54b of a transmission unit of the chainsaw 12b. The chainsaw 12b has at least one receiving recess 48b that is designed to receive the saw blade module 14b, at least partially, in a mounted state. The receiving recess 48b has at least one inner contour that corresponds, at least substantially, to an outer contour of a housing 60b of the saw blade module 14b.

[0050] The coupling unit 16b has a locking unit 36b, and at least one locking element 38b that is designed to latch within the locking unit 36b. The locking element 38b is arranged on the chainsaw 12b. The locking unit 36b is arranged on the saw blade module 14b. The locking element 38b has a latching and/or expansion head 78b. Upon the saw blade module 14b being coupled to the chainsaw 12b, the latching and/or expansion head 78b latches in a recess 80b of the locking unit 36b. The coupling unit 16b also has at least one positioning bolt 46b that is designed to align and/or orient the saw blade module 14b relative to the chainsaw 12b. For example, the coupling unit 16b has three positioning bolts 46b, while the chainsaw 12b has a corresponding number of receivers 58b for the positioning bolts 46b. Upon the saw blade module 14b being mounted on the chainsaw 12b, the positioning bolts 46b engage in the receivers 58b for the purpose of positioning saw blade module 14b relative to the chainsaw 12b.