POWER TOOL

Abstract

The invention relates to a power tool (10) comprising a mechanical device (50) for setting a working parameter of said power tool (10) via a potentiometer (56) that is adjustable via the mechanical device for setting the working parameter, the power tool (10) further comprising a printed circuit board (44) and an illumination device (64), in particular an LED (70), with electrical contacts (72), the illumination device (64) being adapted for illuminating the mechanical device (50) for setting the working parameter. The electrical contacts (72) of the illumination device (64) are indirectly connected to the printed circuit board (44) via flexible wires (74).

Claims

1. Power tool (10) comprising a mechanical device (50) for setting a working parameter of said power tool (10), at least part of the mechanical device (50) being visible and accessible from outside of the power tool (10) by a user of the power tool (10), the power tool (10) further comprising a printed circuit board (44) and an illumination device (64) with electrical contacts (72), the illumination device (64) being adapted for illuminating at least that part of the mechanical device (50) being visible from outside of the power tool (10), characterized in that the electrical contacts (72) of the illumination device (64) are indirectly connected to the printed circuit board (44) via flexible wires (74).

2. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical device (50) comprises a potentiometer (56) for setting the working parameter of the power tool (10) and a turn-switch (52) adapted to adjust a resistance value of the potentiometer (56) and being located in the power tool (10) such that it is visible and accessible from outside of the power tool (10) by the user of the power tool (10).

3. Power tool (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the illumination device (64) is adapted for illuminating the turn-switch (52).

4. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the illumination device (64) comprises at least one light emitting diode (70).

5. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible wires (74) are stranded or braided wires.

6. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical device (50) comprises a potentiometer (56), wherein the potentiometer (56) comprises electrical contacts that are indirectly connected to the printed circuit board (44) via flexible wires (60), preferably wherein the flexible wires (60) are stranded or braided wires.

7. Power tool (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least part of the mechanical device (50) being visible from outside of the power tool (10), in particular the turn-switch (52), is at least partially made of a translucent material (65) allowing translucence of light emitted by the illumination device (64) located inside the mechanical device (50).

8. Power tool (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that that the translucent material (65) of part of the mechanical device (50) being visible from outside of the power tool (10), in particular of the turn-switch (52), resembles numbers referring to certain values of the working parameters of the power tool (10) if the mechanical device (50) is set to these numbers.

9. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical device (50) comprises a turn-switch (52), wherein the turn-switch (52) is rotatable around an axis of rotation (58) and the illumination device (64) is accommodated within the turn-switch (52) and preferably offset to the axis of ration (58).

10. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical device (50) comprises a turn-switch (52), wherein the turn-switch (52) has a contour which is substantially in the shape of a truncated cone.

11. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical device (50) comprises a turn-switch (52), wherein the turn-switch (52) comprises protrusions (82) on its circumferential outer surface (66) constituting a knurling structure.

12. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the working parameter of said power tool (10) set by the mechanical device (50) is a driving speed of the power tool (10).

13. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the power tool (10) is electrically powered and hand-held or hand-guided.

14. Power tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the power tool (10) is one of a polisher and a sander, preferably an orbital polisher or sander, in particular a random orbital or a roto-orbital polisher or sander.

15. Power tool (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the illumination device (64) comprises at least one light emitting diode (70).

16. Power tool (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible wires (74) are stranded or braided wires.

17. Power tool (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the mechanical device (50) comprises a potentiometer (56), wherein the potentiometer (56) comprises electrical contacts that are indirectly connected to the printed circuit board (44) via flexible wires (60), preferably wherein the flexible wires (60) are stranded or braided wires.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a power tool according to the present invention in an exploded view;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a mechanical device for setting the working parameter of a such a power tool in a top view;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the mechanical device for setting the working parameter of FIG. 2 in an perspective view; and

[0026] FIG. 4 a cover as part of the mechanical device according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In FIG. 1 a power tool 10 according to the present invention is shown in an exploded view. The power tool is embodied as a sander, but could be embodied as any other type of power tool, too, e.g. as a polisher. The sander 10 comprises a housing 12 preferably made of a rigid material, such as plastic. The housing 12 comprises a bottom part 12a and a top part 12b detachably fixed to the bottom part 12a by means of a latching connection and/or screws 14. In its front part, the bottom part 12a of the housing 12 comprises a palm pad 16, which is adapted to be gripped by a user with one hand when operating the power tool 10. The palm pad 16 preferably comprises an insert and is preferably made of resilient material such as an elastomer or rubber. The rear part of the housing 12 forms a grip section which can be gripped by the user with his other hand. The housing further comprises a lower section 18 below the palm pad 16 with an enlarged diameter. The lower section 18 is adapted for receiving a working element (backing pad with a sanding paper or in the case of a polisher with a polishing pad) for working the surface of a workpiece, such as the body of a vehicle or the hull of a boat. A suction bonnet 20 preferably made of resilient material can be connected to the lower section 18 of the housing 12. The suction bonnet 20 has an annular shape and comprises a suction nozzle 22 located circumferentially and directed radially towards the outside. The suction nozzle 22 can be connected to a suction spout 24 adapted for being releasably fixed to the bottom of the housing 12, e.g. by means of a screw 24a. At its distal end the spout 24 comprises a hose adapter 26 for connecting the spout 24 and hence the entire suction elements 20, 22 to the hose of a vacuum cleaner for aspirating dust or other fine particles occurring during working the work piece. This has the advantage that the working area is free of dust and other particles during operation of the power tool 10 and can be clearly monitored by the user. Furthermore, health risks for the user of the power tool 10 due to the fine particles in the air surrounding the working area can be avoided.

[0028] An electric motor (not shown) of the tool 10 is located in the housing 12, preferably within or under the palm pad 16.

[0029] The motor serves for making the working element of the tool 10 perform an actuating movement, which may be e.g. a purely rotary, a roto-orbital or a random-orbital actuating movement. If necessary, one or more gear mechanisms (not shown) can be located functionally between the motor shaft and the working element, in order to translate the rotational movement of the motor shaft into the desired actuating movement of the working element. The electric motor is powered with electricity provided to the power tool 10 by means of a power cord 28 comprising three wires 30. The power cord 28 is introduced into the housing 12 from the rear end by means of a sealing grommet 32, preferably made of a resilient material and clamped between the two parts 12a and 12b of the housing 12 when fixed together. Immediately after the grommet 32 a strain-relief element 34 is located in the housing 12, which is releasably fixed to the housing 12 by means of screws 34a.

[0030] The upper part 12a of the housing 12 comprises an on/off switch 36 and an actuating lever 38 pivotably fixed to the upper part 12a. The lever 38 is pivotable about an axis defined by a turning shaft 40 against the force of a spring element 42. With the power tool 10 turned on (switch 36 in the on-position), the actuating lever 38 serves for starting and stopping operation of the working element and for controlling the speed of the working element's actuating movement. The lever 38 can be pressed down by the user with the same hand which also rests on the palm pad 16.

[0031] In the housing 12, more specifically between the lower part 12a and the upper part 12b of the housing 12, a printed circuit board (PCB) 44 is accommodated. The PCB 44 comprises a control unit 46 for the power tool 10. The control unit 46 may comprise a microprocessor. The PCB 44 further comprises several circuit paths and a plurality of electronic components for realizing the control unit's functionality. For example, a surface mounted switching element 48 is located on the PCB 44, which is in connection with the on/off switch 36, when the power tool 10 is assembled. Furthermore, the PCB 44 comprises electric sockets to which the wires 30 of the power cable 28 are connected for providing the tool 10, its control unit 46 and the electric motor with electric energy.

[0032] The power tool 10 also comprises a mechanical device 50 for setting a working parameter of the power tool. The working parameter can be, e.g. a maximum speed of the working element, if the actuating lever 38 is completely pressed down during operation of the tool 10. The mechanical device 50 comprises a turn-switch 52 being visible and accessible from outside of the power tool 10. In particular, when the power tool 10 is assembled, the turn-switch 52 protrudes through an opening 54 in the bottom part 12a of the housing 12. Of course, the visible part of the mechanical device 50 could be visible and accessible at any other position of the housing 12, too. The turn-switch 52 is connected to a potentiometer 56. By actuating the turn-switch 52, in particular by rotating it about an axis 58 of rotation, the resistance of the potentiometer 56 can be adjusted to a desired value corresponding to or representative of the desired value the working parameter.

[0033] The potentiometer 56 is connected to the printed circuit board 44 via three flexible wires 60. In the present embodiment the flexible wires 60 are stranded wires. In the assembled state of the power tool 10 the potentiometer 56 is covered by a cover 62 having a through hole 62a in order to allow the turning movement of the turn-switch 52 to be transferred to the potentiometer 56. The cover 62 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4.

[0034] The power tool 10 further comprises an illumination device 64, that is symbolically shown in FIG. 1. Of course, the tool 10 could also comprise more than one illumination device 64. In the assembled state of the tool 10 according to the described embodiment the illumination device 64 is accommodated within the turn-switch 52 and is placed offset to the axis of rotation 58. In particular, the cover 62 comprises a receiving hole 62b located offset to the axis 58 near the outside of the cover 62. During assembly of the power tool 10 the illumination device 50 is located inside the receiving hole 62b. The illumination device 50 serves for illuminating the turn-switch 52 from the inside. The turn-switch 52 comprises transparent sections 65 allowing translucence of the light emitted by the illumination device 64. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, the transparent sections 65 are made of translucent material preferably resembling numbers referring to certain values of the working parameters of the power tool 10 if the mechanical device 50 is set to these numbers. The illumination device 64 is, just as the potentiometer 56, connected to the printed circuit board 44 via flexible wires that are preferably stranded wires and are not separately shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] In FIG. 2 an alternative embodiment of the mechanical device 50 for setting the working parameter is shown. The turn-switch 52 is substantially in the shape of a truncated cone (see FIG. 3). A circumferential wall 66 of the turn-switch 52 is constructed of untransparent (opaque) material while the transparent sections 65 are made of translucent material. Further translucent sections 65 could also be provided in the turn-switch 52, e.g. a bottom face 68.

[0036] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the illumination device 64 comprises two LEDs 70. Both of the LEDs 70 are accommodated within the turn-switch 52, preferably within appropriate receiving holes 62b of a cover 62, and arranged offset to the axis of rotation 58 of the turn-switch 52. When the illumination device 64 emits light, then this light is blocked off by the untransparent circumferential walls 66, but can pass the translucent sections 65 of the turn-switch 52. Both LEDs 70 comprise electrical contacts 72. The electrical contacts 72 are solid wires extending out of the LEDs 70 and forming part of the LEDs 70. The LEDs 70 are indirectly connected to the printed circuit board 44 by flexible wires 74, i.e. the flexible wires 74 connect the electrical contacts 72 to the printed circuit board 44. An electric and/or electronic component 76 as well as two heat sinks 78 are directly connected to the printed circuit board 44.

[0037] Electrical connections of the printed circuit board 44 are implemented by wires 80, which are preferably rigid wires, each containing a single conducting strand.

[0038] The turn-switch 52 comprises protrusions 82 on its circumferential outer surface 66 constituting a knurling structure, for an enhanced grip and an easier actuation of the turn-switch 52 by a user. The protrusions 82 are arranged in groups 84 wherein in the individual groups 84 of protrusions 82 are separated by smoothed sections of the circumferential surface 66, where the transparent sections 65 are realized.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows the mechanical device 50 of FIG. 2 in a perspective view. It is well visible that the printed circuit board 44 has a frame 86 around its circumferential edge and attached to that frame are connecting feet 88, which allow for easy installation of the printed circuit board 44 in the housing 12 of the power tool 10.

THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0040] It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawing herein is not drawn to scale.

[0041] Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.