Hand-held power tool, related control system and its use, and method of controlling said tool

Abstract

Herein a hand-held power tool comprising an internal combustion engine (4) is disclosed. The hand-held power tool comprises, a working tool (6), a centrifugal clutch (8), and a control system (10). The internal combustion engine (4) has a clutch-in speed (C) above which the internal combustion engine (4) drives the working tool (6). A speed limitation controller (14), is configured to limit an engine speed at a limitation speed below the clutch-in speed (C). The control system (10) is configured to calculate an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine (4), and to deactivate the speed limitation controller (14) after the integral reaches an integration limit value, such that the internal combustion engine (4) is rotatable above the limitation speed (L) to drive the working tool (6) via the centrifugal clutch (8).

Claims

1. A hand-held power tool comprising an internal combustion engine, a working tool, a centrifugal clutch, and a control system, wherein the working tool is driven by the internal combustion engine via the centrifugal clutch, wherein the internal combustion engine has a clutch-in speed above which the internal combustion engine drives the working tool, wherein the internal combustion engine is controlled by the control system, the control system comprising a rotation speed sensor, and a speed limitation controller, wherein the speed limitation controller is configured to limit an engine speed at a limitation speed, the limitation speed being below the clutch-in speed, and wherein the speed limitation controller is active or activated during a starting procedure of the internal combustion engine, characterised in that the control system is configured to calculate an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and to deactivate the speed limitation controller after the integral reaches an integration limit value, such that the internal combustion engine is rotatable above the limitation speed to drive the working tool via the centrifugal clutch.

2. The hand-held power tool according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to deactivate the speed limitation controller upon the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed after the integral has reached the integration limit value.

3. The hand-held power tool according to claim 2, wherein the deactivation rotational speed corresponds to the offset speed, or the limitation speed.

4. The hand-held power tool according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to calculate the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the limitation speed.

5. The hand-held power tool according to claim 1, wherein an offset speed below the clutch-in speed is set in the control system, and wherein the control system is configured to calculate the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the offset speed.

6. A control system for controlling an internal combustion engine of a hand-held power tool, the hand-held power tool comprising a working tool, and a centrifugal clutch, wherein the internal combustion engine has a clutch-in speed above which the internal combustion engine drives the working tool, wherein the control system comprises a rotation speed sensor, and a speed limitation controller, wherein the speed limitation controller is configured to limit an engine speed at a limitation speed, which limitation speed is below the clutch-in speed, and wherein the speed limitation controller is active or activated during a starting procedure of the internal combustion engine, characterised in that the control system is configured to calculate an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and to deactivate the speed limitation controller after the integral reaches an integration limit value, such that the internal combustion engine is rotatable above the limitation speed to drive the working tool via the centrifugal clutch.

7. The control system according to claim 6, wherein the control system is configured to deactivate the speed limitation controller upon the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed after the integral has reached the integration limit value.

8. The control system according to claim 7, wherein the control system is configured to calculate the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the limitation speed.

9. The control system according to claim 7, wherein the deactivation rotational speed corresponds to the offset speed, or the limitation speed.

10. The control system according to claim 6, wherein an offset speed below the clutch-in speed is set in the control system, and wherein the control system is configured to calculate the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the offset speed.

11. Use of the control system according to claim 6 in the hand-held power tool, wherein the working tool is driven by the internal combustion engine via the centrifugal clutch.

12. A method of controlling a hand-held power tool, the hand-held power tool comprising an internal combustion engine, a working tool, a centrifugal clutch, and a control system, wherein the working tool is driven by the internal combustion engine via the centrifugal clutch, wherein the internal combustion engine has a clutch-in speed above which the internal combustion engine drives the working tool, wherein the internal combustion engine is controlled by the control system, the control system comprising a rotation speed sensor, and a speed limitation controller, wherein the speed limitation controller is configured to limit an engine speed at a limitation speed, which limitation speed is below the clutch-in speed, wherein the method comprises steps of: activating the speed limitation controller prior to, or during, a starting procedure of the internal combustion engine, calculating an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, reaching an integration limit value, and deactivating the speed limitation controller in response to reaching the integration limit value.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising a step of: sensing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed, after the step of reaching (an integration limit value, and prior to the step of deactivating the speed limitation controller.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of calculating the integral comprises: calculating the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the limitation speed.

15. The method (100) according to claim 12, wherein an offset speed below the clutch-in speed is set, and wherein the step of calculating the integral comprises: calculating the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the offset speed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1a illustrates a hand-held power tool according to embodiments,

(3) FIG. 1b illustrates schematically components of a hand-held power tool,

(4) FIG. 1c illustrates schematically a control system of a hand-held power tool,

(5) FIGS. 2a-2c illustrates diagrams depicting operation of control systems for controlling an internal combustion engine of a hand-held power tool according to various embodiments, and

(6) FIG. 3 illustrates a method of controlling a hand-held power tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

(8) FIG. 1a illustrates a hand-held power tool 2 according to embodiments. In these embodiments the hand-held power tool is a chainsaw 2. FIG. 1b illustrates schematically components of the hand-held power tool 2. In the following reference is made to FIGS. 1a-1b. The hand-held power tool 2 comprises an internal combustion engine 4, a working tool 6 in the form of a saw chain, a centrifugal clutch 8, and a control system 10. The working tool 6 is driven by the internal combustion engine 4 via the centrifugal clutch 8. The internal combustion engine 4 is controlled by the control system 10. The internal combustion engine 4 has a clutch-in speed above which the internal combustion engine 4 drives the working tool 6. That is, at the clutch-in speed, the internal combustion engine 4 has a rotational speed sufficient for rotating the centrifugal clutch 8 at a speed such that it engages thus, driving the working tool 6. Below the clutch-in speed the internal combustion engine 4 has a rotational speed which is too low for rotating the centrifugal clutch 8 at a speed such that it engages, i.e. below the clutch-in speed the working tool 6 is not driven by the centrifugal clutch 8.

(9) FIG. 1c illustrates schematically a control system 10 of a hand-held power tool. The control system 10 comprising a rotation speed sensor 12, and a speed limitation controller 14. The rotation speed sensor 12 is configured to sense a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 4, and may be arrange on the internal combustion engine 4 to sense a rotation of a crankshaft of the engine 4. The speed limitation controller 14 is configured to limit an engine speed as a start safety function during start-up of the hand-held power tool, in particular during starting of the engine 4. The speed limitation controller 14, when activated, limits the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 4 at a limitation speed, which limitation speed is below the clutch-in speed thus, preventing the engine 4 from reaching the clutch-in speed. The intention is that the speed limitation controller 14 will, when the operator starts the engine 4, stop the internal combustion engine 4 from revving up such that the centrifugal clutch 8 is prevented from driving the working tool 6. An uncontrolled driving of the working tool 6 may be dangerous for the operator. The speed limitation controller 14 is active or activated during a starting procedure of the internal combustion engine 4. The speed limitation controller 14 may only dependent on the starting of the internal combustion engine 4. This may entail that the activation of the speed limitation controller 14 may not relate to any requirement except the fact that the internal combustion engine 4 is being started. Thus, failure of the start safety function may be avoided.

(10) The control system 10 further comprises a control unit 16, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor or similar unit, with associated memory function for storing a computer program for controlling the speed limitation controller 14, and optionally for controlling further functions of the internal combustion engine 4 and/or the hand-held power tool. The speed limitation controller 14 may be implemented as a function in the control unit 16, or may form a separate unit communicating with the control unit 16. The rotation speed sensor 12 is connected to the control unit 16. The rotation speed sensor 12 communicates data of the engine 4 to the control unit 16. Such data may be actual rotational speed data, or more or less raw data, which is used by the control unit 16 for calculating one or more different rotational speed data. Rotational speed data may be e.g. revolutions per minute (rpm), revolutions per second (rps), rad/s, average rotational speed over a specific period of time, average rotational speed over as specific number of revolutions of the engine, or any other type of filter algorithm. Within the scope of the invention every type of speed sensor is considered, including both direct and indirect sensing of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 4. Examples of direct detection or sensing would be the utilization of magnetic or hall-effect sensors for detecting the rotation of the shaft or an electric sensor for detecting the current generated by a primary firing pulse generator of the combustion engine. An example of an indirect detection of the rotational speed of the engine would be the detection and counting of ignitions of a fuel/air mixture in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine 4.

(11) In accordance with the present invention the control system 10 is configured to calculate an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 4, and to deactivate the speed limitation controller 14 after the integral reaches an integration limit value. Thus, by running the internal combustion engine 4 until the integration limit value has been reached, the operator may indicate to the control system 10 that he, or she, is ready to operate the hand-held power tool 2. This may entail that the engine 4 is run at a comparatively low rotational speed over a longer time period, or at a comparatively high rotational speed over a shorter time period. After the speed limitation controller 14 has been deactivated, the hand-held power tool 2 is fully operational with the working tool 6 operable, i.e. the start safety function has been deactivated.

(12) The internal combustion engine 4 comprises according to some embodiments a throttle valve 18. A throttle lever 20 is controlled by the operator of the hand-held power tool 2 in order to control an opening degree of the throttle valve 18 and thus, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 4. The hand-held power tool 2 may comprise a throttle valve 18 positionable in a starting position, the starting position resulting in the internal combustion engine 4 reaching the limitation speed. More specifically, prior to starting the internal combustion engine 4, the throttle valve 18 may be positioned such that when the engine 4 starts, it reaches the limitation speed.

(13) It may be mentioned that the internal combustion engine 4 may be operated at speeds lower than the limitation speed, e.g. at an idle speed when the throttle lever 20 is released by the operator.

(14) Alternative means of controlling the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 4 may be a controller of a fuel injection system, in case the internal combustion engine 4 comprises such a system.

(15) FIGS. 2a-2c illustrates diagrams depicting operation of control systems for controlling an internal combustion engine of a hand-held power tool according to various embodiments. Moreover, FIG. 2a-2c illustrate methods of controlling a hand-held power tool according to various embodiments. The control system may be a control system 10 as discussed above in connection with FIG. 1c.

(16) In the diagrams, time, t, is represented on the X-axis and rotations per time unit, , of the internal combustion engine are represented on the Y-axis. As discussed above, the hand-held power tool has a clutch-in speed, C, and a limitation speed, L. At t=0 the internal combustion engine is started and the speed limitation controller is active. The control system may be configured to implement a time delay between a starting of the internal combustion engine and allowing deactivation of the speed limitation controller. During the time delay, i.e. in the diagram from t=0 to t=t1, the speed limitation controller is not deactivated. That is, during the time delay the speed limitation controller remains activated. It remains activated, irrespective of how the internal combustion engine itself behaves immediately after it has started, or of how the operator attempts to control the internal combustion engine or the hand-held power tool. The time delay may be provided for the internal combustion engine to start and run on fuel supplied to it prior to imposing further control parameters on the internal combustion engine. Moreover, an acceleration of the internal combustion engine during a starting procedure thereof may not be mistaken for an intentional acceleration of the internal combustion engine by the operator. Thus, the internal combustion engine may be reliably started without accidentally deactivating the speed limitation controller. The internal combustion engine may thus, start reliably before an operator is permitted to control the internal combustion engine.

(17) As discussed above, the control system is configured to calculate an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and to deactivate the speed limitation controller after the integral reaches an integration limit value, Ilim.

(18) In the diagram of FIG. 2a the integration limit value, Ilim, is represented by the area below the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. In these embodiments, the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is calculated from the end of the time delay, i.e. from t=t1. The graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine varies to some extent around the limitation speed, L, which indicates that an operator of the hand-held power tool is manipulating the throttle of the internal combustion engine. Thus, integration limit value, Ilim, is reached at t2. if the operator would manipulate the throttle to a lesser degree, or even refrain from attempting to manipulate the throttle, the integration limit value, Ilim, would be reached at a point later in time than t2. In case the integration limit value, Ilim, is reached without the operator manipulating the throttle, i.e. the integration limit value, Ilim, is reached with the engine idling, the assumption would be that sufficient time has passed since starting the engine in order for the operator to grasp and handle the hand-held power tool in a safe manner.

(19) In alternative embodiments, the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine may be calculated from t=0. The integration limit value, Ilim, may in such embodiments be larger than illustrated in FIG. 2a to an extent including the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine during the time delay, i.e. from t=0 to t=t1.

(20) In practice, according to some embodiments the integral may be calculated by the control unit 16 summing up the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine multiplied by time. For instance, the rotational speed may be sampled at regular time intervals and multiplied by the length of one such time interval, the resulting products are summed up. The sum is compared to the integration limit value, Ilim. Instead of sampling the rotational speed at regular time intervals, the rotational speed may be sampled every rotation of the internal combustion engine. Despite such a sampling time being dependent on the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, it may be sufficiently precise for calculating the integral as a sum of each rotational speed sample.

(21) The control system may additionally be configured to deactivate the speed limitation controller upon the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed after the integral has reached the integration limit value, Ilim.

(22) In these embodiments, the deactivation rotational speed corresponds to a particular rotational speed, D, below the limitation speed, L. That is, after the integration limit value, Ilim, has been reached, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine has to drop below the particular rotational speed, D, before the speed limitation controller is deactivated and the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is permitted to increase above the limitation speed, L, and the clutch-in speed, C. In the diagram of FIG. 2a the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops below the particular rotational speed, D, at t3.

(23) According to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2b, the control system is configured to calculate the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the limitation speed, L. Again, in the diagram the integration limit value, Ilim, is represented by the area below the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. However, in these embodiments the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is calculated only when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine exceeds the limitation speed, L. In the example illustrated, the integral is calculated from t4 to t5. At t5 the integration limit value, Ilim, has not yet been reached. Accordingly, at t6 when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine again exceeds the limitation speed, L, calculation of the integral is continued. At t7 the integration limit value, Ilim, has been reached.

(24) As an alternative to representing the integration limit value, Ilim, by the area below the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, the integration limit value, Ilim, may be represented by the area between the limitation speed, L, and the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, as indicated with the crosshatched area in FIG. 2b. Accordingly, when calculating the integral in such embodiments, the rotational speed difference between the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and the limitation speed, L, is multiplied with the time interval, during periods when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine exceeds the limitation speed, L.

(25) Again, the control system is configured to deactivate the speed limitation controller upon the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed after the integral has reached the integration limit value, Ilim. In these embodiment, the deactivation rotational speed corresponds to the limitation speed, L. That is, after the integration limit value, Ilim, has been reached, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine has to drop below the limitation speed, L, before the speed limitation controller is deactivated and the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is permitted to increase above the limitation speed, L, and the clutch-in speed, C. In the diagram of FIG. 2b the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops below the limitation speed, L, at t8.

(26) Alternatively, the deactivation rotational speed may correspond to a particular rotational speed, D, below the limitation speed, L, as discussed in the connection with FIG. 2a may be applied. If the particular rotational speed, D, is at the limitation speed, L, minor rotational speed variations of the internal combustion engine around the limitation speed, L, which may occur during certain engine operating conditions, might be mistaken for a drop below the particular rotational speed, D.

(27) According to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2c, an offset speed O below the clutch-in speed C is set in the control system. The control system is configured to calculate the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the offset speed O. Again, in the diagram the integration limit value, Ilim, is represented by the area below the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. In these embodiments the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is calculated only when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine exceeds the offset speed, O. In the example illustrated, the integral is calculated from t9 to t10. At t10 the integration limit value, Ilim, has not yet been reached. Accordingly, at t11 when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine again exceeds the offset speed, O, calculation of the integral is continued. At t12 the integration limit value, Ilim, has been reached.

(28) Again, the control system is configured to deactivate the speed limitation controller upon the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed after the integral has reached the integration limit value, Ilim. In these embodiment, the deactivation rotational speed corresponds to the offset speed O. That is, after the integration limit value, Ilim, has been reached, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine has to drop below the offset speed, O, before the speed limitation controller is deactivated and the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is permitted to increase above the limitation speed, L, and the clutch-in speed, C. In the diagram of FIG. 2c the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops below the offset speed, O, at t13.

(29) Again, the deactivation rotational speed may alternatively correspond to a particular rotational speed, D, below the limitation speed, L, as discussed in the connection with FIG. 2a. As a further alternative the deactivation rotational speed may correspond to the limitation speed, L, as discussed in the connection with FIG. 2b.

(30) As in the embodiments discussed in connection with FIG. 2b, as an alternative to representing the integration limit value, Ilim, by the area below the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, the integration limit value may be represented by the area between the limitation speed, L, and the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, or by the area between the offset speed, O, and the graph representing the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

(31) In the embodiments discussed in connection with FIG. 2c the offset speed, O, is set between the limitation speed, L, and the clutch-in speed, C. In comparison with embodiments wherein the integral is calculated at a level above the limitation speed, L, in these embodiments where the integral is calculated at a level above the offset speed, O, the integral will not be calculated due to minor rotational speed variations of the internal combustion engine around the limitation speed, L, which may occur during certain engine operating conditions. Alternatively, the offset speed, O, may be set below the limitation speed, L, e.g. at the particular rotational speed, D, illustrated in FIG. 2a.

(32) Mentioned purely as an example, for a chainsaw having a 2-stroke internal combustion engine of 50 cm3, the limitation speed, L, may be approximately 60 rps, the clutch-in speed, C, may be approximately 68 rps, and the offset speed, O, may be approximately 63 rps, the rotational speed being an average rotational speed calculated over the latest 10 revolutions of the engine.

(33) FIG. 3 illustrates a method 100 of controlling a hand-held power tool. The hand-held power tool may be a hand-held power tool 2 as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1a-1c. The hand-held power tool may comprise a control system 10 as discussed in connection with FIGS. 1c-2c. The diagrams of FIGS. 2a-2c also relate to the method 100 of controlling the hand-held power tool.

(34) The method 100 comprises steps of: activating 102 the speed limitation controller prior to, or during, a starting procedure of the internal combustion engine, calculating 104 an integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, reaching 106 an integration limit value, and deactivating 108 the speed limitation controller.

(35) The step of calculating 104 the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine results ultimately in the step of reaching 106 the integration limit value. The integration limit value may be reached over one continuous calculation of the integral, e.g. as illustrated in FIG. 2a, or alternatively, over two or more consecutive calculations of the integral, which two or more calculations form an accumulated sum of the integral, eventually reaching the integration limit value, e.g. as illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 2c.

(36) According to embodiments, the method 100 may comprise a step of: sensing 110 the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping below a deactivation rotational speed, after the step of reaching 106 an integration limit value, and prior to the step of deactivating 108 the speed limitation controller.

(37) According to embodiments, the step of calculating 104 an integral may comprise: calculating 112 the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the limitation speed, L.

(38) According to embodiments, an offset speed, O, below the clutch-in speed, C, may be set, and the step of calculating 104 an integral may comprise: calculating 114 the integral of the rotational speed only at a level above the offset speed, O.

(39) According to embodiments, the method may comprise a step of: implementing 116 a time delay between a starting of the internal combustion engine and the deactivating 108 of the speed limitation controller.

(40) The step of implementing 116 the time delay may be performed prior to the step of calculating 104 the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In alternative embodiments the step of implementing 116 the time delay may be performed in parallel with the step of calculating 104 the integral of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

(41) The length of the time delay may be chosen such that the internal combustion engine is permitted to stabilize its speed during the starting of the internal combustion engine, depending on the hand-held power tool and its internal combustion engine, the time delay may be between 1 second and up to 30-60 seconds.

(42) It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For instance, it is to be understood that the control system may be configured to deactivate the speed limitation controller 14 based on further criteria, such as e.g. the low speed state of an internal combustion engine as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,699,039.