Hand-Held Power Tool and Protective Device for a Hand-Held Power Tool

Abstract

A hand-held power tool has a housing and a drive motor arranged in the housing. A blower wheel is provided, wherein the housing has at least one area provided with openings allowing passage of air conveyed by the blower wheel. A protective device is arranged on an exterior wall of the housing, wherein the protective device has a damping area and the damping area protects the housing in the area provided with the openings from mechanical impact loads.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a hand-held power tool comprising a drive motor that is arranged in a housing of the power tool and further comprising at least one blower wheel wherein the housing of the power tool has at least one area provided with openings allowing passage of air conveyed by the blower wheel. The invention furthermore relates to a protective device for a hand-held power tool.[0002]U.S. 2001 / 0005482 A1 discloses a hand-held power tool in the form of a blower whose housing has intake ports. In the area of the intake ports, the structure of the housing is weakened. When making such a housing from plastic material, reinforcements and the like must be provided in order to ensure a sufficient stability of the housing. A point impact load on the housing in the area of the intake ports can cause damage to the housing.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held power tool of the aforementioned kin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Advantageously, the damping area of the protective device is comprised at least partially of an elastic material. Advantageously, the elastic material is rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. Elastic materials can absorb impacts easily and distribute the impact well. In this way, overloading of the housing in individual areas is prevented. Such elastic or flexible materials have a comparatively minimal weight so that the housing including the protective device can be produced with a minimal weight in comparison to a housing that is so strong, i.e., has thick walls and is provided with reinforcements so that high impact forces can be absorbed. In particular, the protective device is comprised of a first material and a second material wherein the first and second materials have different mechanical properties. In this way, the protective device can be matched well to the forces to be absorbed. It can be provided that the damping area of the protective device is of a solid (no voids) configuration. It can also be advantageous that the damping area of the protective device has at least one cavity. By designing the cavities of the protective device in a suitable way, a targeted adjustment of the damping properties of the protective device can be achieved. By means of a suitable configuration of the cavities, it is also possible to provide through the cavities an elasticity or flexibility so that the material of the protective device itself must have only minimal elasticity.

[0011]Advantageously, the protective device is detachably secured on the housing. In this way, the protective device can be removed in case of working tasks in which the housing of the power tool is not subjected to high mechanical loads. In this way, the weight of the power tool is reduced for such tasks. Advantageously, the protective device is secured on the housing by a locking (snap-on) connection. Expediently, the protective device has at least one locking finger that is locked in an opening of the housing. For fixation of the protective device, the already existing openings can thus be used for this purpose. Additional devices for attachment must not be provided on the housing. However, it can be provided that the protective device is secured on the housing by an adhesive connection. Advantageously, the protective device is injection-molded onto the housing.

[0012]For a protective device for a hand-held power tool it is provided that the protective device has a damping area for protection of a housing of the power tool from mechanical loads as well as attachment means for attaching the protective device on the housing of the power tool. The protective device can be secured with the attachment means on the housing of the power tool, in particular in such way that the protective device protects an area of the housing of the power tool that is exposed to high mechanical loads or whose structure is weakened. Accordingly, in a simple way a protection of the housing of the power tool from mechanical loads and thus protection of the housing from damage can be achieved.

[0013]Advantageously, the attachment means provides for a releasable connection. In this way, the protective device can be removed or detached from the housing of the power tool when the power tool is to be used in such a way that it is exposed to only minimal mechanical loads. Depending on the type of use of the power tool, the protective device can be secured on the housing of the power tool or can be removed from it. Advantageously, the attachment means comprises a locking hook. The locking hook is in particular arranged on a locking finger wherein the locking finger is attached to the damping area. Advantageously, the damping area is of an annular configuration. The annular configuration of the damping area enables the protection of a comparatively large area of the power tool with little material being expended on the protective device. In this way, the protective device can be of a simple and lightweight design. The damping area can be, for example, of a circular ring shape or can be shaped as an oval ring.

Problems solved by technology

In the area of the intake ports, the structure of the housing is weakened.

A point impact load on the housing in the area of the intake ports can cause damage to the housing.

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