POWER TOOL AND ACCESSORY SYSTEM

Abstract

A power tool and accessory system is described that comprises a power tool such as hammer drill and an accessory such as dust extractor. In order to provide electrical power to the drive motor of the dust extractor, a first induction coil is disposed in the hammer drill and is electrically connected to the power supply of the hammer drill. A second induction coil is disposed in the dust extractor at a location in which, when the hammer drill and dust extractor are connected, current through the first induction coil induces a voltage in the second induction coil through inductive coupling. As a consequence, the drive motor of the dust collector is powered by inductive power transfer from the electrical power source of the hammer drill.

Claims

1. A power tool comprising: a source of electrical power; an electric motor for driving a tool output; and a first induction coil configured to wirelessly transmit electrical power to a second induction coil disposed in a tool accessory to power an accessory output of the tool accessory, wherein said tool accessory is mountable to said power tool.

2. A power tool according to claim 1, wherein the power tool is a hammer drill and said tool accessory is one of a dust extractor, a light or a laser.

3. A power tool accessory mountable to a power tool, the power tool accessory comprising: an accessory output; and a second induction coil configured to receive electrical power wirelessly transmitted from a first induction coil of a power tool in use to power said accessory output.

4. A power tool and accessory system comprising: a power tool comprising: a source of electrical power; an electric motor for driving a tool output; and a first induction coil configured to wirelessly transmit electrical power; and a tool accessory mountable to said power tool, the tool accessory comprising: an accessory output; and a second induction coil configured to receive electrical power wirelessly transmitted from said first induction coil to power said accessory output.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the power tool is a hammer drill and said tool accessory is one of a dust extractor, a light or a laser.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power tool and accessory system embodying the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of the dust extractor accessory of the system of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of a power tool of the system of FIG. 1; and

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic of the induction coupling of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a power tool and accessory system 2 comprises a power tool such as hammer drill 4 and an accessory such as dust extractor 6. Hammer drill 4 comprises an electric motor (not shown) to drive a rotary spindle output 8. A source of electrical power such as battery pack 10 is provided, although the hammer drill 4 could also be powered by a corded connection to mains electricity. Hammer drill 4 is able to drive a bit (not shown) in both a reciprocating and rotary manner as will be familiar to persons skilled in the art.

[0022] Dust extractor 6 comprises an inlet 12 comprising an aperture 14 through which a bit of hammer drill 4 is arranged to project. Dust extractor 6 also comprises an electric motor (not shown) to drive a fan (not shown) to draw dust laden air into inlet 12. A filter 16 is provided to filter dust from air drawn in through inlet 12. The dust extractor 6 is mountable to hammer drill 4 using a mechanical interface which includes projection 18 which is slideably received in a corresponding slot (not shown) of hammer drill 4. Latching means (not shown) is also provided to releaseably lock the dust extractor 6 to the hammer drill 4.

[0023] In order to provide electrical power to the drive motor of the dust extractor 6, a first induction coil 20 is disposed in the hammer drill 4 and is electrically connected to the power supply of the hammer drill. A second induction coil 22 is disposed in the dust extractor 6 at a location in which when the hammer drill 4 and dust extractor 6 are connected as shown in FIG. 1, current through the first induction coil 20 induces a voltage in the second induction coil 22 through inductive coupling. As a consequence, the drive motor of the dust collector 6 is powered by inductive power transfer from the electrical power source of the hammer drill 4.

[0024] It should be understood that the hammer drill and dust extractor system is only one example of a power tool and accessory system that can use wireless power transfer by inductive coupling between the first and second induction coils 20 and 22. Other accessories such as lasers and lights can use such inductive coupling, as well as other power tools such as saws and routers.

[0025] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0026] Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0027] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprises, comprising, including, and having, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.