Rotary tool with grip zone speed control
By designing rear and front speed controllers on the rotary tool, users can adjust the motor speed while holding it, solving the problem of inconvenient speed control in the prior art and improving operating efficiency and flexibility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511065190.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-07-31
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing handheld power tools are inconvenient to control speed when performing delicate operations, requiring the non-handle to adjust the speed, which leads to operation delays or obstruction of vision, and it is difficult to achieve a temporary power boost without affecting vision.
A rotating tool is designed with a first speed controller located behind the grip and a second speed controller located between the front and rear controllers. The motor speed can be modified by holding the tool without completely releasing the grip. The speed adjustment is achieved by operating the second speed controller with the thumb, index finger, or middle finger.
It enables rapid adjustment of motor speed without affecting grip stability and line of sight, improving operating efficiency and flexibility, and reducing operation delay.
Smart Images
Figure CN121447571A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to hand-held power tools. BACKGROUND
[0002] Hand-held power tools, and in particular rotary power tools, are often used to perform delicate operations such as engraving, carving and polishing. When performing delicate operations using a hand-held power tool, it is often desirable to use a tool provided with a so-called "pencil grip" in which the user holds the tool with one hand, particularly with the thumb and one or both of the index and middle fingers, in a grip similar to that used when holding a pencil, to control the tool.
[0003] While hand-held tools incorporating pencil grips are very effective in providing control, they suffer from a number of disadvantages. One such disadvantage is speed control. In particular, hand-held power tools typically include a speed control located behind the grip area or portion of the tool. Thus, use of the tool is achieved by holding the tool with one hand, powering the tool with the other hand, and modifying the rotational speed of the device by manipulating the speed control. The delicate operation is then commenced.
[0004] The delicate operation can continue until completion, provided that no further speed modification is required. However, in some cases, increased speed is desired. The increased speed can be desired simply to remove material more quickly, or to adapt the tool to changes in material density / hardness, for example when a knot or grain pattern is encountered in wood. For example, when forming the delicate details and contours of a region, a low material removal rate is typically used, and hence the speed is also low. For the rough details and material removal within the region boundary, a faster material removal is typically desired, and hence the speed is also faster. In order to change the speed of the tool to address these issues, the user must adjust the speed control. However, modification of the speed control requires movement of the hand not holding the tool between the user's eyes and the workpiece. This can lead to errors when the user cannot see the workpiece as they continue to remove material. Alternatively, the user must first stop removing material, modify the speed, and then recommence the delicate operation. Neither of these scenarios is optimal.
[0005] Furthermore, in the case where the user is using the non-grip hand to stabilise the workpiece, the speed of the hand-held power tool must first be modified before the workpiece can be positioned in a safe location. This leads to a delay in the delicate operation.
[0006] There is a need for a hand-held power tool that ameliorates one or more of the above disadvantages. It would be advantageous if the hand-held power tool could achieve a controllable temporary power boost without obscuring the user's view of the workpiece. It would be even more advantageous if the same hand used to hold the hand-held power tool could be used to modify the power / speed of the hand-held power tool. SUMMARY
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotary tool includes a housing, which can be generally cylindrical, defining an axis and including a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pencil grip portion (also referred to as a "region") adjacent the front end portion. The pencil grip portion is configured to be held in a pencil grip manner by a hand of a user. A first speed control is located rearward of the pencil grip portion and extends through or is accessible through the housing. A second speed control is located along the axis between the front end portion and the first speed control and extends through or is accessible through the housing. The second speed control is configured to be operated by the hand after the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand without fully releasing the pencil grip.
[0008] In one or more embodiments, the rotary tool is a hand-held power tool.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the first speed control is configured to set a base speed of a motor located within the housing, and the second speed control is configured to modify the speed of the motor from the base speed.
[0010] In one or more embodiments, the pencil grip portion includes a first grip region and a second grip region radially spaced around the housing. The first grip region is configured to be contacted by an index finger of the hand when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand. The second grip region is configured to be contacted by a thumb of the hand when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand. The second speed control is positioned such that it is operated by one of the index finger, the middle finger, or the thumb of the hand after the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand without fully releasing the pencil grip.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the second speed control is positioned at or near a front portion of the first grip region at a position radially offset from a position of the index finger when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, the second speed control is positioned at or near the first grip region at a first position along the axis offset from a position of the index finger when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand so as to be manipulated by rolling or moving the index finger or the middle finger along the axis when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand. Alternatively, the second speed control is positioned at or near the second grip region at a second position along the axis offset from a position of the thumb when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand so as to be manipulated by rolling the thumb along the axis when the rotary tool is held in the pencil grip manner by the hand.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, the second speed control includes a button extending outwardly from the housing.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, the second speed control is configured to increase the speed of the motor to a second speed greater than the base speed when the second speed control is manipulated.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the second speed control is configured to select any one of a plurality of motor speeds when manipulated, each of the plurality of motor speeds being greater than the base speed.
[0016] In one or more embodiments, the bulbous portion of the front end portion of the housing is located immediately forward of the pencil grip portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon empirical
[0018] Figure 1 A side view of a rotary tool in the form of a hand-held power tool is shown having two speed controls extending from or accessible through a housing of the hand-held power tool, one speed control between a pistol grip portion and a rear portion of the housing and the other speed control within the pistol grip portion of the housing;
[0019] Figure 2 A perspective partial exploded view of the rotary tool of Figure 1 is shown, showing a motor, a control board, and a battery located within a housing of the rotary tool;
[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a control circuit of the rotary tool of Figure 1 is shown;
[0021] Figure 4 A partial side perspective view of the rotary tool of Figure 1 is shown, the rotary tool being held in a pistol grip manner by a user using two fingers and a thumb;
[0022] Figure 5 A partial side perspective view of an alternative rotary tool is shown, the tool having two speed controls extending from or accessible through a housing of the hand-held power tool, one speed control between a pistol grip portion and a rear portion of the housing and the other speed control within the pistol grip portion of the housing, the tool being held in a pistol grip manner by a user using a single finger and a thumb; and
[0023] Figure 6A partial side perspective view of an alternative rotary tool is shown having two speed controls extending from or accessible through the housing of a hand-held power tool, one of which is located between the pistol grip portion and the rear portion of the housing and the other of which is located within the pistol grip portion of the housing, which is held in a pistol grip manner by the user using two fingers and the thumb. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described below. It is emphasized that such embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the present disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments, and includes further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.
[0025] Figure 1 A rotary tool in the form of a hand-held power tool 100 is depicted. The hand-held power tool includes a housing 102, which in the present embodiment is generally cylindrical, extending along an axis 104. The housing 102 includes a front end portion 106, a pencil grip portion 108, an intermediate portion 110, and a rear end portion 112.
[0026] A tool holder in the form of a chuck 114 extends forwardly from the front end portion 106. A bulbous portion 116 of the front end portion 106 of the housing 102 is located immediately forward of the pencil grip portion 108.
[0027] The pencil grip portion 108 includes two grip regions 118 / 120, which are radially offset from one another about the axis 104. A speed control in the form of a push button speed control 122 extends outwardly from the pencil grip portion 108 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the speed control 122 is accessible through the housing 102.
[0028] The intermediate portion 110 of the housing 102 defines a window 124 through which a second speed control in the form of a slide switch 126 is accessible, which in the present embodiment is a speed and power combination control. In embodiments in which the speed control 122 is accessible through the housing 102, a similar window is provided. In these embodiments, the speed control 122 can be a push button control or any other desired type of control. For example, in some embodiments, the speed control can be one of a pressure switch, a variable speed trigger, a rotary dial (e.g., a potentiometer), etc.
[0029] The rear end portion 112 includes a removable cover 128. The removable cover 128 provides access to a battery 130 (see Figure 2In some embodiments, the rear end portion 112 is configured to allow charging of the battery 130, and the removable cover 128 is omitted. In other embodiments, the removable cover 128 allows the battery 130 to be removed for charging or replacement. In still other embodiments, a wired connection is provided instead of the battery 130 or supplemental battery 130.
[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 102 in this embodiment includes two flip-top housing portions 132 / 134 that define at least a portion of the front end portion 106, the pencil-grip portion 108, and the middle portion 110. A motor 136 is housed within the middle portion 110 and includes an output shaft 138 operably connected to a chuck 114. A control board 140 is also located within the middle portion 110. A control circuit 150 (see...) Figure 3 At least a portion of it is disposed on the control panel 140.
[0031] Figure 3 The control circuit 150 shown includes a controller 152 operatively connected to a memory 154 storing program instructions. The controller 152 is configured to execute the program instructions to perform the process described herein. The controller 152 is also operatively connected to a push-button speed controller 122, a slide switch speed controller 126, a battery 130, and a motor 136.
[0032] To use the handheld power tool 100 for delicate operations, the user first holds the handheld power tool 100 with one hand 156, such as... Figure 4 As shown. In Figure 4 In this embodiment, the user holds the handheld power tool 100 between the thumb 158 located on the grip area 120 and the index finger 160 and middle finger 162 located on the grip area 118. In some embodiments, the grip areas 118 / 120 are formed of a material that enhances grip, such as rubber. In other embodiments, the grip areas are simply textured portions of the housing 102. The grip portions provide the user with visual assistance in correctly positioning the thumb 158, index finger 160, and middle finger 162 on the pencil-like grip portion 108.
[0033] The user then manipulates the slide switch speed controller 126 using their non-grip hand. In response, controller 152 controls the application of power from battery 130 to motor 136 to achieve a basic speed related to the position of slide switch 126. Rotation of motor 136 causes chuck 114 to rotate, thereby rotating the working tool / accessory (not shown) located in chuck 114. The user then performs fine operations using handheld power tool 100.
[0034] During fine operation, when the user desires to increase (or decrease) the speed of the hand-held power tool 100, the user need only pinch the thumb 158, index finger 160, and middle finger 162 on the pencil grip portion 108, moving the thumb knuckle 164 in the direction of arrow 166 (see Figure 4 ). This causes the thumb 158 to roll in the direction of arrow 168 relative to the grip area 120, thereby depressing the pushbutton speed control 122. In response, the controller 152 controls the motor 136 to increase (or decrease) the speed in accordance with program instructions stored in the memory 154. The selective increase (or decrease) in speed is useful, among other things, in smaller, lower power rotary tools. In some embodiments, the increase (or decrease) in speed is achieved while maintaining a constant torque, while in other embodiments, the torque is decreased (or increased) to maintain a constant power.
[0035] In some embodiments, execution of the program instructions by the controller 152 causes the speed to be increased (or decreased) from the base speed in a single increment over a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, execution of the program instructions causes the speed to be increased (or decreased) from the base speed in a single increment as long as the pushbutton speed control 122 is depressed. In some embodiments, execution of the program instructions causes the speed to be incrementally (or decrementally) increased (or decreased) from the base speed in response to rapid successive depressions of the pushbutton speed control 122. Control can return to the base speed based on time, release of the pushbutton speed control 122, or subsequent depression of the pushbutton speed control 122. In some embodiments, the pushbutton speed control is replaced with a force switch or a multi-variable trigger switch to allow an additional range of motor speed increase.
[0036] While Figure 1 embodiments show the pushbutton speed control switch 126 positioned for actuation with the thumb, in some embodiments, the pushbutton speed control switch is positioned for use by one or more of the index and middle fingers. Such positioning is particularly useful when the pencil grip is achieved using only one finger and the thumb. For example, Figure 5 A hand-held power tool 100' is depicted that is identical to the hand-held power tool 100 except for the positioning of the pushbutton speed control switch. In Figure 5 the pushbutton speed control switch 126' is aligned with the grip area 118' along the axis 104', but is radially offset from the grip area 118'. Such a configuration is useful when the user is using the thumb 158 and index finger 160 to grip the pencil grip portion 108' in a pencil grip. The user then selectively depresses the pushbutton speed control switch 126' using the middle finger 162.
[0037] In another embodiment, the push-button speed control switch is positioned for use by the middle finger when employing a pencil-like grip using two fingers and a thumb. For example, Figure 6 A handheld power tool 100" is depicted, which is identical to the handheld power tool 100 except for the positioning of the push-button speed control switch. Figure 6 In this configuration, the button-type speed control switch 126" is aligned along axis 104" with the grip area 118". In this configuration, the user rolls their middle finger 162 to selectively press the button-type speed control switch 126" in a manner similar to rolling the thumb 158 described above. Alternatively, the user can simply move their middle finger 162 forward to selectively press the button-type speed control switch 126". As with each of the aforementioned embodiments, Figure 6 The embodiment allows users to adjust the speed of the handheld power tool with one of their index, middle, or thumb fingers after holding the rotary tool with two or three fingers in a pencil grip, without having to completely release the pencil grip.
[0038] Although this disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and foregoing description, these should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. It should be understood that only preferred embodiments have been presented, and all changes, modifications, and further applications within the spirit and scope of this disclosure are intended to be protected.
Claims
1. A rotating tool, comprising: The housing defines an axis and includes a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pencil grip portion adjacent to the front end portion, the pencil grip portion being configured to be held by a user's hand in a pencil grip manner; A first speed controller is located behind the pencil-style grip portion and extends through or is accessible through the housing. as well as A second speed controller is located along the axis between the front end portion and the first speed controller, and extends through or is accessible through the housing. The second speed controller is configured to be operated by hand after the rotating tool is held in a pencil-like grip, without having to completely release the pencil grip.
2. The rotating tool according to claim 1, wherein: The first speed controller is configured to set the basic speed of the motor located inside the housing; and The second speed controller is configured to modify the motor speed from the base speed.
3. The rotating tool according to claim 2, wherein: The pencil-style grip portion includes a first grip area and a second grip area that are radially spaced around the outer shell; The first grip area is configured such that when the user holds the rotating tool in a pencil-grip manner, the index finger of the hand contacts the first grip area. The second grip area is configured such that when the user holds the rotating tool in a pencil-grip manner, the thumb of the hand contacts the second grip area. and The second speed controller is positioned to be operated by one of the index, middle, or thumb fingers of the hand after the rotating tool is held in a pencil-like grip, without having to completely release the pencil-like grip.
4. The rotating tool according to claim 3, wherein the second speed controller is located at or near the front of the first gripping area, at a position radially offset from the position of the index finger when the user's hand grips the rotating tool in a pencil grip manner.
5. The rotary tool according to claim 3, wherein: The second speed controller is located at or near the first grip area, at a first position offset from the position of the index finger along the axis when the user's hand holds the rotating tool in a pencil grip manner, such that when the user's hand holds the rotating tool in a pencil grip manner, the second speed controller can be operated by rolling or moving the index or middle finger along the axis. or The second speed controller is located at or near the second grip area, at a second position offset from the position of the thumb along the axis when the user's hand holds the rotating tool in a pencil grip, such that the second speed controller is operated by rolling the thumb along the axis when the user's hand holds the rotating tool in a pencil grip.
6. The rotary tool according to claim 5, wherein, The second speed controller includes buttons that extend outward from the housing.
7. The rotary tool according to claim 6, wherein, The second speed controller is configured to increase the speed of the motor to a second speed greater than the base speed when the second speed controller is operated.
8. The rotary tool according to claim 5, wherein, The second speed controller is configured to select any one of a plurality of motor speeds when manipulated, each of the plurality of motor speeds being greater than the base speed.
9. The rotating tool according to claim 5, wherein, The spherical portion of the front end of the outer casing is located immediately in front of the pencil-like grip portion.
10. A handheld power tool, comprising: The housing defines an axis and includes a front end portion, a rear end portion, and a pencil grip portion adjacent to the front end portion, the pencil grip portion being configured to be held by a user's hand in a pencil grip manner; A first speed controller is located behind the pencil-style grip portion and extends through or is accessible through the housing. as well as A second speed controller is located along an axis between the front end portion and the first speed controller, and extends through or is accessible through the housing. The second speed controller is configured to be operated by hand after the handheld power tool is held in a pencil grip, without having to completely release the pencil grip.
11. The handheld power tool according to claim 10, wherein: The first speed controller is configured to set the basic speed of the motor located inside the housing; and The second speed controller is configured to modify the motor speed from the base speed.
12. The handheld power tool according to claim 11, wherein: The pencil-style grip portion includes a first grip area and a second grip area that are radially spaced around the outer shell; The first grip area is configured such that when the user's hand holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip manner, the index finger of the hand contacts the first grip area. The second grip area is configured such that when the user's hand holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip manner, the thumb of the hand contacts the second grip area. and The second speed controller is designed to be operated by one of the index, middle, or thumb fingers of the hand after the handheld power tool is held in a pencil grip, without having to completely release the pencil grip.
13. The handheld power tool according to claim 12, wherein, When the user holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip manner, the second speed controller is positioned at or near the front of the first grip area, at a position radially offset from the position of the index finger.
14. The handheld power tool according to claim 12, wherein: The second speed controller is located at or near the first grip area, at a first position offset from the position of the index finger along the axis when the user's hand holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip manner, such that when the user's hand holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip manner, the second speed controller is operated by moving or rolling the index or middle finger along the axis. or The second speed controller is positioned at or near the second grip area, at a second position offset from the thumb position along the axis when the user's hand holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip, such that when the user's hand holds the handheld power tool in a pencil grip, the second speed controller is operated by rolling the thumb along the axis.
15. The handheld power tool according to claim 14, wherein, The second speed controller includes a button extending outward from the housing.
16. The handheld power tool according to claim 15, wherein, The second speed controller is configured to increase the speed of the motor to a second speed greater than the base speed when the second speed controller is operated.
17. The handheld power tool according to claim 14, wherein, The second speed controller is configured to select any one of a plurality of motor speeds when manipulated, each of the plurality of motor speeds being greater than the base speed.
18. The rotary tool according to claim 14, wherein, The spherical portion of the front end of the outer casing is located immediately in front of the pencil-like grip portion.