Hedge trimmer

Abstract

The application discloses an electric garden tool, in particular a hedge trimmer, comprising: a driving motor arranged in a housing; a transmission mechanism arranged in the housing and coupled with the driving motor; a blade arrangement extending from the housing and coupled with the transmission mechanism; a printed circuit board assembly arranged in the housing and mounted to one end of the driving motor; wherein the shape of the printed circuit board assembly corresponds to the cross section of the driving motor, and wherein the in-line arrangement of the driving motor and the printed circuit board assembly is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade arrangement. The electric garden tool has the advantages of being light and easy to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to outdoor gardening tools, and more particularly to hedge trimmers for pruning branches or leaves of hedges, or hedge trimmers in which the cutting blades reciprocate via an electric motor. Background Technology

[0002] A hedge trimmer is an outdoor gardening tool used to cut branches or leaves from hedges or similar structures into a desired shape, for example, through a linear reciprocating motion of a long, thin cutting blade, or cutting rod. This cutting is typically performed by the worker holding the hedge trimmer with both hands and moving the cutting blade along the shape of the hedge. Electric hedge trimmers are particularly popular today because they are lighter and more compact than internal combustion engine types when held and moved during operation. To ensure a thorough and stable hedge cut, the rotational drive force from the electric motor on the hedge trimmer is typically converted into greater torque and lower speed using, for example, a gear reduction mechanism.

[0003] However, conventional electric hedge trimmers are still generally bulky and difficult to operate for the average user, and there is still a need in the field for lightweight and easy-to-operate hedge trimmers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above background, the object of the present invention is to provide an alternative electric garden tool, in particular a hedge trimmer, which eliminates or at least mitigates the above-mentioned technical problems or at least provides a useful alternative.

[0005] Other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. Therefore, the foregoing description is not exhaustive and is merely illustrative of some of the many objects of the invention.

[0006] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is a hedge trimmer, comprising: a drive motor disposed in a housing; a transmission mechanism disposed in the housing and coupled to the drive motor; a blade arrangement extending from the housing and coupled to the transmission mechanism; and a printed circuit board assembly disposed in the housing and mounted to one end of the drive motor; wherein the shape of the printed circuit board assembly corresponds to the cross-section of the drive motor, and wherein the in-line arrangement of the drive motor and the printed circuit board assembly is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade arrangement.

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an electric garden tool comprising: a drive motor assembly disposed in a housing; a transmission mechanism disposed in the housing and coupled to the drive motor assembly; a blade arrangement extending from the housing and coupled to the transmission mechanism; and a printed circuit board assembly mounted on the drive motor assembly, wherein a heat sink is disposed between the drive motor assembly and the printed circuit board assembly.

[0008] In one embodiment, the printed circuit board assembly includes a first printed circuit board mounted to the end of the drive motor assembly remote from the motor output shaft, and the heat sink includes a first heat sink disposed between the drive motor assembly and the first printed circuit board.

[0009] In one embodiment, the shape of the first printed circuit board corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the drive motor assembly.

[0010] In one embodiment, the ratio between the area of ​​the first printed circuit board and the cross-sectional area of ​​the drive motor assembly is 0.7-1.5.

[0011] In one embodiment, the drive motor assembly, the first printed circuit board assembly, and the first heat sink are arranged in a straight line, with the first printed circuit board positioned generally parallel to the extension direction of the blade arrangement.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first heat sink is a passive heat sink that covers at least 50% of the area of ​​the first printed circuit board assembly.

[0013] In one embodiment, the printed circuit board assembly further includes a second printed circuit board mounted on the side of the drive motor assembly and positioned perpendicular to the extension direction of the blade arrangement.

[0014] In one embodiment, a second heat sink is disposed between the drive motor assembly and the second printed circuit board assembly.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second heat sink is a passive heat sink that serves as a support for a second printed circuit board, which is at least partially housed within the second heat sink.

[0016] In one embodiment, the printed circuit board assembly includes a third printed circuit board mounted on the side of the drive motor assembly and positioned at an angle to the extending direction of the blade arrangement. The angle is in the range of 30-70 degrees.

[0017] In one embodiment, a third heat sink is disposed between the drive motor assembly and the third printed circuit board assembly. The third heat sink is a passive heat sink that serves as a support for the third printed circuit board, which is at least partially housed within the third heat sink.

[0018] In one embodiment, the drive motor assembly includes a fan disposed at one end of the drive motor assembly near the motor output shaft and in the same inline arrangement as the drive motor and the first printed circuit board assembly.

[0019] In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a gear transmission mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism, or a combination of a gear transmission mechanism and a belt transmission mechanism. Wherein, the transmission mechanism is a gear transmission mechanism, and the gear transmission mechanism includes planetary gears or bevel gears.

[0020] In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes planetary gears and a sun gear, and the transmission mechanism is arranged in the same in-line configuration as the drive motor assembly and the printed circuit board assembly, wherein the planetary gears include a first-stage planetary gear or a second-stage planetary gear.

[0021] In one embodiment, the housing includes or is attached to a front handle and a rear handle, one of which is provided with a trigger for activating the drive motor assembly, and one of which is provided with a safety switch, wherein the drive motor assembly rotates only when both the trigger and the safety switch are actuated.

[0022] In one embodiment, the rear handle is at least rotatable relative to at least a portion of the housing and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade arrangement.

[0023] In one embodiment, the center of gravity of the electric garden tool is approximately at the front handle.

[0024] In one embodiment, the power source for the electric garden tool is a removable battery pack, which is housed within the housing, attached to the housing, or attached to the front or rear handle.

[0025] In one embodiment, the blade arrangement includes at least one cutting bar, the cutting bar including cutting teeth with sharp cutting edges arranged on both sides, wherein at least some of the cutting teeth near the housing have blunt ends at their tips.

[0026] In one embodiment, the upper top of the housing has a protrusion adapted to accommodate a linear arrangement including the circuit board assembly and the drive motor assembly.

[0027] In one embodiment, the upper part of the housing is provided with an exhaust port to promote air circulation and thus improve heat dissipation performance.

[0028] The electric gardening tool can be a hedge trimmer.

[0029] More preferably, the rear handle is at least rotatable relative to at least a portion of the housing and relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade arrangement.

[0030] In one embodiment, the front handlebar is rotatable about its mounting axis to adjust the angle of the front handlebar relative to the housing.

[0031] In one embodiment, the rear handle is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the hedge trimmer.

[0032] This invention offers numerous advantages. It employs a linear integration of the printed circuit board assembly and the drive motor, and the motor fan and drive mechanism can also be arranged in the same linear configuration as the printed circuit board assembly and drive motor, thus enabling a compact design while allowing for lightweight construction. Furthermore, the linear arrangement of components facilitates a more easily centered center of gravity at the front handle, improving human-machine interaction. Additionally, in some preferred embodiments, the combination of a single-stage planetary gear and double-sided sharp cutting teeth achieves satisfactory cutting / trimming performance while maintaining a lightweight and compact design. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The foregoing and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments provided by way of example only and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the overall appearance of a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 A perspective view of the blade assembly of a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The image shows a partial enlarged view of the upper housing of the blade assembly.

[0037] Figure 4 A blade assembly according to a partial embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] Figure 5 A blade is shown in a blade assembly according to a partial embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 6 A gear train according to a partial embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0040] Figure 7 The internal components of a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0041] Figure 8 The exterior of a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0042] Figure 9 Different orientations of a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0043] Figure 10 An integrated drive unit for a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0044] Figure 11 An integrated drive unit for a hedge trimmer according to a partial embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0045] In the following claims and the foregoing description of the invention, the word “comprising” or its variations (e.g., “including” or “containing”) is used in an inclusive manner, except where the context requires otherwise due to the language of expression or necessary implication, i.e., to indicate the presence of the stated feature but not to exclude the presence or addition of additional features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0046] For example, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “above,” “below,” and similar terms used herein are intended to describe the invention in the orientation in which it is normally used, and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular orientation.

[0047] It should be understood that if any prior art publications are cited in this document, such references do not constitute an acknowledgment that such publications form part of common general knowledge in any country or art.

[0048] In this document, an arrangement including a drive motor and a printed circuit board assembly mounted at one end of the drive motor can be referred to as an inline arrangement. Alternatively, an arrangement including a heat sink and / or motor fan disposed between the drive motor and the printed circuit board assembly, in addition to the drive motor and the printed circuit board assembly mounted at one end of the drive motor, can also be referred to as an inline arrangement. The significance of calling it an inline arrangement is that the components in this arrangement (printed circuit board assembly, heat sink, drive motor, and motor fan, etc.) are arranged along an axial direction, or arranged relative to each other in a substantially inline manner (generally having the same axis, or generally "connected" in series on the same axis), thereby enabling a compact arrangement and arrangement. As described below, in some preferred embodiments of the invention, the transmission mechanism (including gears, etc.) located between the integrated drive unit and the driven component (cutting rod) can also be in the same inline arrangement as the printed circuit board assembly and the drive motor, thereby making the overall construction, shape, and size of the hedge trimmer more compact. The compact design results in smaller space occupied by the components and reduces the number of components and required mounting parts and materials compared to a non-compact design. This allows for a reduction in overall weight and enables other design layouts, utilizing the machine's center of gravity (which will be described below). As discussed further below, the approximate axis of the in-line arrangement can be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade arrangement or the cutting bar, and will be referred to herein as a vertical in-line arrangement.

[0049] The hedge trimmer of some embodiments of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] refer to Figure 1 The figure shows a perspective view of a hedge trimmer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the hedge trimmer 100 includes a housing 110. A front handle 120 and a rear handle 130 are formed or attached to the housing 110. Control switches may be provided on the front handle 120 and the rear handle 130, either individually or simultaneously. In some embodiments, the front handle 120 is an annular handle formed or attached to the front of the housing 110. The rear handle 130 is formed at the rear of the housing 110. A motor is disposed in the portion of the housing 110 between the front handle 120 and the rear handle 130. The rear handle 130 terminates at an enlarged end for attaching a removable battery 140. The housing 110 also includes a baffle 150 at the front of the front handle 120 for preventing injury to the user from pruned branches and leaves and for blocking debris that may fly towards the user during trimming operations.

[0051] The hedge trimmer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention also includes a blade assembly 160 extending forward from the housing 110. The structure of the blade assembly 160 is as follows: Figures 2 to 5This is further illustrated in the text.

[0052] Figure 2 The mounting portion of the blade assembly 160 is shown. The mounting portion of the blade assembly 160 includes an upper housing 161, which is mounted to a lower housing 162. The upper housing 161 and the lower housing 162 together form a housing structure for accommodating the blade structure. In some embodiments, the housing structure formed by the upper housing 161 and the lower housing 162 is housed within a housing 110. In other embodiments, the lower housing 162 forms part of the housing 110. A gear cavity 164 is formed on the upper housing 161 for mounting a gear train. This gear train is used to transmit motor output to the blade assembly 160, which will be explained further below.

[0053] The upper housing 161 may optionally have a mounting portion 163 for mounting the front handle 120. Figure 3 An enlarged view of the mounting portion 163 is shown. Optionally, a wiring harness structure, such as an opening 1630, is provided on the mounting portion 163 for a control cable to pass through and at least partially secure it. This control cable may be a wire from a control circuit board leading to a control switch in the front handlebar 120. In some embodiments, the opening 1630 also allows a bolt (not shown) to pass through to secure the front handlebar 120 to the mounting portion 163. This bolt further secures the control cable.

[0054] Figure 4 The cutting portion of the blade assembly 160 is shown. The cutting portion of the blade assembly 160 includes two stacked first blades 165 and second blades 166. In one embodiment, the first blades 165 and second blades 166 may have substantially the same configuration, but they are stacked together in opposite orientations. Figure 5One of the blades is shown. A sharp tooth 167 is provided on one side of the blade. The sharp tooth 167 extends a short distance laterally, has a flat end, and forms a sharp cutting edge on both sides of a plane. Therefore, the sharp tooth 167 provides good cutting ability. On the other side of the blade, the front and rear teeth have different configurations. A short, blunt tooth 168 is provided at the front of this other side. The short, blunt tooth 168 extends a short distance laterally, has a flat end, and does not have a sharp cutting edge on both sides. Therefore, the short, blunt tooth 168 itself does not provide cutting ability, but its length does not prevent objects (such as hedges) from entering the cutting gap between the teeth. A long, blunt tooth 169 is provided at the rear of this other side. The long, blunt tooth 169 extends a longer distance laterally, has a rounded end, and does not have a sharp cutting edge on both sides. Therefore, the long, blunt tooth 169 itself does not provide cutting ability, and it helps to prevent objects (such as hands) from entering the cutting gap between the teeth. The longer blunt tooth 169 is larger than the shorter blunt tooth 168, making it more robust and capable of cutting thicker hedges. The longer blunt tooth 169 and the shorter blunt tooth 168 each occupy about half the length of the blade. (See attached...) Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the long blunt tooth 169 occupies approximately two-thirds of the blade's length, and the short blunt tooth 168 occupies approximately one-third of the blade's length.

[0055] By stacking a first blade 165 and a second blade 166 having the above configuration together with opposite orientations, the blade assembly 160 has a first cutting gap at its front end defined by sharp teeth 167 and short blunt teeth 168. This first cutting gap changes pitch with the relative reciprocating motion of the first blade 165 and the second blade 166. In some embodiments, to further improve the cutting effect, the short blunt teeth 168 may be replaced with sharp teeth 167.

[0056] The blade assembly 160 has a second cutting gap at its rear defined by sharp teeth 167 and long blunt teeth 169. This second cutting gap changes pitch with the relative reciprocating motion of the first blade 165 and the second blade 166. The longer, blunt teeth 169 discourage hedges from entering the second cutting gap, but at the same time, this configuration helps prevent user limbs from entering the second cutting gap, thus providing better safety. Because this area is closer to the user, it is more likely that user limbs (especially hands) will approach the blade assembly 160.

[0057] The blade assembly configuration of the present invention achieves excellent cutting results. This is particularly true in embodiments where the short, blunt teeth 168 are replaced with sharp teeth 167. Based on this, the configuration of the motor and transmission gear system can be adjusted accordingly, thereby reducing the size of the hedge trimmer 100 of the present invention, making it more compact, and reducing its weight while maintaining cutting performance. This will be discussed in detail below.

[0058] Figure 2 A gear cavity 164 accommodating a transmission gear train is shown. A gear train 180 arranged in a straight line according to a partial embodiment of the invention is shown. Figure 6 As shown in the figure. In some embodiments, the in-line gear train 180 has a double-layer planetary gear system arranged along an axis. Specifically, each of the double-layer planetary gear systems has a ring gear 181 and 182, a sun gear 184, and at least one planetary gear 183. The output shaft of the double-layer planetary gear system is connected to an eccentric mechanism 185. The eccentric mechanism 185 drives the first blade 165 and the second blade 166 in a linear reciprocating motion relative to each other. In some embodiments, particularly in embodiments where the short blunt teeth 168 are replaced with sharp teeth 167, the double-layer planetary gear system can be replaced with a single-layer planetary gear system, which further reduces the size and weight of the hedge trimmer 100 of the present invention. In addition, although the arrangement of double-layer planetary gears (secondary planetary gears) and single-layer planetary gears (primary planetary gears) has been described for the foregoing, it is readily understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can employ various types of transmission mechanisms. Gear transmission mechanisms include planetary gears and bevel gears. In other words, the present invention covers any transmission mechanism that can transmit the rotational output of a drive motor to an eccentric mechanism so that the rotational motion can be converted into linear reciprocating motion through the interaction between the eccentric mechanism and the blade.

[0059] Figure 7 A partial view of the hedge trimmer 100 of the present invention is further shown, wherein part of the housing 110 is hidden in order to show some components more clearly. Figure 7 A motor 170 is shown, which is arranged in parallel with a gear train 180 located in a gear cavity 164. See also Figure 8 The diagram shows that, in some embodiments, the housing 110 includes a protrusion 111 at the top, the interior space of which is used to accommodate at least a portion of the motor. Due to the fewer layers of the gear train 180 in the hedge trimmer 100 of the present invention, and the protrusion 111 of the housing, a linear arrangement of the motor 170 and the gear train 180 is possible. This linear arrangement reduces the length of the hedge trimmer 100, thereby reducing the product's volume and weight. Furthermore, this linear arrangement allows the motor 170 and gear train 180 of the hedge trimmer 100 to be positioned as close as possible, sequentially, to the rear handle 130, thereby shifting the center of gravity, which will be discussed further below. Advantageously, a safety switch or activation switch, etc., can be provided on the protrusion 111.

[0060] Figure 8The housing 110 is shown to include at least a first air inlet 112. The first air inlet 112 is located at the bottom of the housing 110. In one embodiment, the first air inlet 112 is formed by a plurality of small holes arranged in a generally fan-shaped pattern. These small holes preferably open downwards to prevent dust from entering the interior of the housing 110. The housing 110 also includes a second air inlet 113. The second air inlets 113 are located on both sides of the housing. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the second air inlet 113 is approximately at the same height as the air inlet 172 and the heat dissipation device 173 in the motor 170. The heat dissipation device 173 is positioned close to the control circuit (not shown) to provide heat dissipation for the control circuit. Thus, air entering the housing 110 via the first air inlet 112 cools the gear train 180, and air entering the housing 110 via the second air inlet 113 accelerates the heat dissipation of the heat dissipation device and therefore the control circuit. This air enters the interior of the motor 170 via the air inlet 172 on the motor housing, cooling the motor 170. The air then exits the motor 170 via the bottom of the motor 170. A fan 171 is mounted on the bottom of the motor 170. This fan 171 generates a pressure differential for airflow. First air outlets 114 are provided on both sides of the top 111 of the housing 110. Air exiting the bottom of the motor 170 exits the housing 110 via these first air outlets 114. The above cooling path achieves excellent cooling for the motor and the control circuit board.

[0061] Figure 9 The hedge trimmer 100 of the present invention is shown. P represents a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the blade assembly 160, i.e. Figure 9 The planes on the paper are P1, P2, and P3, which represent the planes defined by their corresponding dashed lines extending in a direction perpendicular to plane P. P1 is a horizontal plane, i.e., a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The middle hedge trimmer 100 is placed on the ground, with the plane containing the blades parallel to plane P1. The upper and lower hedge trimmers 100 are suspended vertically at the front handle 120 position. This simulates the user holding the hedge trimmer 100 during normal operation. In this case, the plane containing the blade assembly 160 can be either plane P2 or plane P3. The angle between plane P2 and plane P1 is A, while the angle between plane P3 and plane P1 is B. For the hedge trimmer 100, the blade assembly 160, motor 170 and gear train 180, and battery are relatively heavy components. As mentioned above, the present invention adjusts the position of the machine's center of gravity by using a linear arrangement of motors 170 and gear train components, as well as other aspects, so that its projection position in plane P is approximately within the range of the projection of the front handle 120 in plane P, thereby achieving a better human-computer interaction effect.

[0062] More specifically, during pruning operations, frequent adjustments to the user's or arm's posture are required to rotate the machine and change its operating state. This not only increases workload but also makes it difficult to meet pruning needs in actual work. Furthermore, this method often results in poor overall machine balance. For example, when pruning the sides, the hedge trimmer needs to be used horizontally. Compared to normal use, horizontal use causes a significant shift in the machine's center of gravity relative to the handle. The center of gravity is now horizontal relative to the handle, making the machine feel heavier and causing considerable discomfort to the user's arm, affecting operational comfort. This problem is particularly pronounced in hedge trimmers with large battery capacities. This invention aims to solve this problem by adjusting the center of gravity position, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the present invention makes angle A between 0 and 10 degrees, preferably between 0 and 7 degrees, more preferably between 0 and 5 degrees, and even more preferably between 0 and 3 degrees; or makes angle B between -10 and 0 degrees, preferably between -7 and 0 degrees, more preferably between -5 and 0 degrees, and even more preferably between -3 and 0 degrees.

[0063] In one embodiment, the front handle 120 can be positioned about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the trimmer (i.e., perpendicular to the axis of rotation). Figure 9 The orientation of the paper can be adjusted. Specifically, the front handle 120 can be rotated about its axis of rotation to the desired angle and then locked by a locking mechanism (not shown). This makes it easier for the user to adjust the position of the front handle (i.e., the angle relative to the housing), thereby adjusting the center of gravity of the trimmer to suit the user's habits. This is especially advantageous when using batteries of different weights.

[0064] In other embodiments of the invention, the rear handle 130 may be configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the hedge trimmer relative to the front portion of the housing 110. In such embodiments, the hedge trimmer also includes a rotating component at least partially disposed on the housing 110 or on the rear handle 130, such that the rear handle 130 and / or a portion of the housing including the rear handle 130 can rotate relative to other portions of the housing 110 (preferably, portions housing the drive motor 170 and gear train 180, etc.) and about the longitudinal axis of the hedge trimmer 110, thereby enabling the orientation of the cutting plane to be changed by gripping the front handle 120 while the rear handle 130 remains stationary. This is beneficial for keeping the center of gravity of the hedge trimmer in a vertical plane.

[0065] Figure 10A perspective view of an integrated drive unit 190 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The integrated drive unit 190 includes a motor and a printed circuit board assembly 191 mounted at one end (e.g., front or rear end) of the motor. The shape of the printed circuit board assembly 191 may correspond to the cross-section of the drive motor. Therefore, the printed circuit board assembly 191 and the drive motor can be assembled / integrated together in a shape-corresponding manner, thereby reducing the height and width of the integrated drive unit 190 in one dimension (and thus reducing the height and width of the hedge trimmer). The printed circuit board assembly 191 can be used to implement various control functions of the hedge trimmer 100 of the present invention. In some embodiments, in addition to the printed circuit board assembly 191 mounted at one end of the drive motor, the illustrated integrated drive unit 190 may also include additional printed circuit board assemblies 192 and 193 if desired. In this embodiment, printed circuit board assembly 193 is integrated parallel to the inline arrangement of printed circuit board assembly 191, motor, motor fan, transmission mechanism, etc. Specifically, printed circuit board assembly 193 can be parallel to and attached to the approximate axis of the inline arrangement of printed circuit board assembly 191, motor, motor fan, transmission mechanism, etc., while printed circuit board assembly 192 can be integrated at an angle to the inline arrangement. In this configuration embodiment, integration is achieved not only in the dimension along the approximate axis of the inline arrangement but also in the direction / dimension perpendicular to the approximate axis, thus reducing the height and width of the hedge trimmer. It should be understood that in some embodiments, additional printed circuit board assemblies 192 and 193 may be omitted, with printed circuit board assembly 191 providing the functionality of additional printed circuit board assemblies 192 and 193. Furthermore, each printed circuit board assembly 191, 192, and 193 can be attached to a heat sink and integrated with the inline arrangement. The printed circuit board assembly can be mounted on one end / side of the drive motor by any mounting / attachment means, such as bolts, snap-fit ​​connections, mounting brackets, etc. Furthermore, a heat sink can preferably be provided between the printed circuit board assembly 191 and the drive motor to improve heat dissipation efficiency. In various embodiments of the invention, the size of the hedge trimmer in all dimensions can be reduced by integrating the printed circuit board assembly in a generally axial direction of an in-line arrangement and in a direction perpendicular to that generally axial direction. This in-line arrangement provides the ability to integrate the printed circuit board assembly in all dimensions; therefore, a compact and small housing and product design can be achieved only by partially accommodating / adapting the housing design to this in-line arrangement.

[0066] Figure 11A perspective view of an integrated drive unit 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The integrated drive unit 200 includes, from top to bottom, a printed circuit board assembly 210, a first mounting bracket 220, a motor 170, and a second mounting bracket 230. The printed circuit board assembly 210 is mounted to the motor 170 via the first mounting bracket 220, and the motor 170 is mounted to the housing 110 of the hedge trimmer 100 via the second mounting bracket 230. The motor 170 is also connected to a gear train 180. The printed circuit board assembly 210, the first mounting bracket 220, the motor 170, and the second mounting bracket 230 all have substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions and size.

[0067] In some embodiments, the integrated drive unit 200 further includes a heat dissipation device 240. In one embodiment, the heat dissipation device 240 is formed as a plurality of spaced-apart metal plates radiating outward from the center. The metals can be selected from metals with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or aluminum alloys. It is understood that other forms of heat sinks are also applicable to the present invention. The heat dissipation device is located between the motor 170 and the printed circuit board assembly 210. The heat dissipation device 240 is preferably part of the first mounting bracket 220, such that the heat sink helps dissipate heat from the printed circuit board assembly 210. The heat dissipation device 240 faces the bottom of the motor 170.

[0068] In some embodiments, a fan 250 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 170. During operation, the rotation of the motor 170 causes the fan 250 to rotate, and airflow flows through the interior of the motor, exits from the bottom, and is then blown onto the heat sink 240. The airflow then exits the trimmer through the air duct or outlet on the housing 110 of the hedge trimmer 100, thereby carrying away heat from the motor and the heat sink. By using a heat sink positioned between the motor and the printed circuit board assembly, the technical solution of the present invention improves the heat dissipation effect of the components, thereby improving the performance and service life of the trimmer.

[0069] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. It should be understood that exemplary embodiments are shown and described only, and the invention is not limited in any way. It is understood that any feature described herein can be used in any embodiment. Illustrative embodiments do not exclude each other or other embodiments not listed herein. Therefore, the invention also provides combinations including one or more of the exemplary embodiments described above. Modifications and variations can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope; therefore, such limitations should only be made as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hedge trimmer, comprising: A housing, the housing including a front handle and a rear handle; A drive assembly located within the housing, the drive assembly including a motor and a first printed circuit board located on top of the motor; A transmission component located within the housing and coupled to the drive assembly; A blade assembly coupled to the transmission assembly, the blade assembly defining a blade assembly plane; The first printed circuit board, the motor, and the transmission assembly are arranged in a straight line within the housing. When the hedge trimmer is suspended from the front handle, the angle between the plane of the blade assembly and the horizontal plane is between -7 degrees and 7 degrees. The housing includes a first air inlet at its bottom to allow air entering the housing through the first air inlet to cool the transmission assembly. The housing also includes a second air inlet on its side at the same height as the motor air inlet to allow air entering the housing through the second air inlet to cool the first printed circuit board. The housing further includes first air outlets on both sides of its top, through which air exits the housing.

2. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The angle is between -5 degrees and 5 degrees.

3. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The angle is between -3 degrees and 3 degrees.

4. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The blade assembly includes at least one blade, which has sharp teeth on one side and blunt teeth on the other side.

5. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The other side includes short blunt teeth at the front and long blunt teeth at the rear.

6. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission assembly is an in-line gear system, which includes one or more planetary gear systems arranged in a straight line along the axis.

7. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The motor and the in-line gear system are arranged in parallel along the axis.

8. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The top of the housing has a protrusion for accommodating at least a portion of the drive assembly.

9. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a first vent located at the bottom or side, and a second vent located at the top.

10. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first air inlet faces the transmission assembly.

11. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The second air inlet faces the heat dissipation device in the housing and / or the vent in the drive assembly.

12. The hedge trimmer as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The second vent faces the fan in the drive assembly.

13. The hedge trimmer according to claim 1, wherein, The motor and the first printed circuit board have similar cross-sectional shapes.

14. The hedge trimmer according to claim 13, wherein, The motor fan, motor, and first printed circuit board are arranged in the same inline configuration.

15. The hedge trimmer according to claim 11, wherein, The heat dissipation device is located on the side of the drive assembly, and the second printed circuit board is thermally connected to the heat dissipation device.

16. The hedge trimmer according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein, The front handle is rotatable about its mounting axis to adjust the angle of the front handle relative to the housing.

17. The hedge trimmer according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein, The rear handle is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the hedge trimmer.

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