Work machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a work machine, and provides a technique capable of sufficiently cooling an electric motor while suppressing entry of foreign matter into the work machine. A work machine includes a work unit including a work mechanism, an electric motor, and a motor housing, a control device, a base, a rear housing, a front handle, and a rear handle. The base includes a passage portion. The motor housing includes an inner air supply port that opens to the inside of the passage portion and an outer exhaust port that opens to the outside of the work machine. The rear housing includes an outer air supply port that opens to the outside of the work machine and an inner exhaust port that opens to the inside of the passage portion. The working machine has formed therein a cooling air flow path that reaches the outside of the working machine from the outside of the working machine through the outside air supply port, the inside of the rear housing, the inside air discharge port, the inside of the passage part, the inside air supply port, the inside of the motor housing, and the outside air discharge port. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the inner air supply port and the inner exhaust port overlap each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a working machine. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a working machine, which includes: a working unit including a working mechanism, an electric motor driving the working mechanism, and a motor housing accommodating the electric motor; a control device controlling the electric motor; a rear housing mounted on the rear of the motor housing; a front handle that a user can hold with one hand; and a rear handle that is provided on the rear housing and that the user can hold with another hand. The motor housing includes an air supply port that opens to the outside of the working machine and an exhaust port that opens to the outside of the working machine. The working machine is provided with a cooling air flow path that reaches the outside of the working machine from the outside of the working machine via the air supply port, the inside of the motor housing, and the exhaust port.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0107129 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] As the operating mechanism is driven, foreign matter such as dust may sometimes fly around the operating mechanism. In the operating machine of Patent Document 1, there is a concern that foreign matter that is scattered as the operating mechanism is driven may enter the interior of the operating machine through the air supply port provided in the motor housing. Therefore, in order to suppress the entry of foreign matter into the interior of the operating machine, it is also considered to provide the air supply port that opens to the outside of the operating machine in the rear housing that is relatively far away from the operating mechanism. However, in this structure, the cooling air flow path will not only pass through the interior of the motor housing but also through the interior of the rear housing. Therefore, compared with the operating machine of Patent Document 1 in which the cooling air flow path does not pass through the interior of the rear housing, there is a possibility that the air does not flow smoothly in the cooling air flow path. As a result, there is a possibility that the flow rate of the air (i.e., cooling air) flowing in the cooling air flow path is insufficient and the electric motor cannot be fully cooled. In this specification, a technology is provided that can fully cool the electric motor while suppressing the entry of foreign matter into the interior of the operating machine.

[0008] Solutions for solving problems

[0009] The working machine disclosed in this specification includes: a working unit including a working mechanism, an electric motor driving the working mechanism, and a motor housing accommodating the electric motor; a control device controlling the electric motor; a base supporting the working unit; a rear housing mounted on the rear of the base; a front handle provided on the base and capable of being held by a user with one hand; and a rear handle provided on the rear housing and capable of being held by the user with another hand. The base includes a passage portion. The motor housing includes an inner air supply port opening to the inside of the passage portion and an outer air exhaust port opening to the outside of the working machine. The rear housing includes an outer air supply port opening to the outside of the working machine and an inner air exhaust port opening to the inside of the passage portion. The working machine is provided with a cooling air flow path that reaches the outside of the working machine from the outside of the working machine via the outer air supply port, the inside of the rear housing, the inner air exhaust port, the inside of the passage portion, the inner air supply port, the inside of the motor housing, and the outer air exhaust port. When viewed along the front-rear direction, the inner air supply port and the inner air exhaust port overlap each other.

[0010] If the inner air supply port and the inner exhaust port do not overlap with each other when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the air flowing out of the inner exhaust port may not flow smoothly into the inner air supply port. As a result, there is a possibility that the flow rate of cooling air is insufficient and the electric motor cannot be fully cooled. With the above-mentioned structure, since the inner air supply port and the inner exhaust port overlap with each other when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the air flowing out of the inner exhaust port flows smoothly into the inner air supply port. Therefore, the flow rate of cooling air increases, so that the electric motor can be fully cooled. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned structure, since the outer air supply port opening to the outside of the working machine is provided at the rear housing away from the working mechanism, it is possible to prevent foreign matter scattered with the driving of the working mechanism from entering the interior of the working machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a state in which the rear housing 12 of the hedge trimmer 2 of the first embodiment is in a normal position, as viewed from the upper right front.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the hedge trimmer 2 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the right.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the rear housing 12 of the hedge trimmer 2 of the first embodiment as viewed from the upper left rear side.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the rear housing 12 of the hedge trimmer 2 of the first embodiment as viewed from the upper left rear side.

[0015] Figure 5This is a diagram showing a state in which the rear housing 12 of the hedge trimmer 2 of the first embodiment is in a rotated position, as viewed from the upper right front.

[0016] Figure 6 1 is an exploded view of the front portion of the hedge trimmer 2 of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c of the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a side view of the vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c of the first embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view of the vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c of the first embodiment.

[0020] Fig.10 It is a perspective cross-sectional view of the vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c of the first embodiment.

[0021] Fig.11 1 is a diagram showing a vibration-isolating member 90 a , a first mounting member 128 , a second mounting member 134 , and a third mounting member 140 according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Fig.12 The diagram shows a state where the vibration-damping member 90 a of the first embodiment is mounted on the first mounting member 128 , the second mounting member 134 , and the third mounting member 140 .

[0023] Fig.13 1 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating member 90 b , the first mounting member 146 , the second mounting member 152 , and the third mounting member 158 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Fig.14 1 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating member 90 c , the first mounting member 164 , the second mounting member 168 , and the third mounting member 174 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] Fig.15 The diagram shows a state where the vibration-damping member 90 c of the first embodiment is mounted on the first mounting member 164 , the second mounting member 168 , and the third mounting member 174 .

[0026] Fig.16a So Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating members 90 a , 90 b , and 90 c of Example 1 when observing the cross section AA in FIG.

[0027] Fig.16b So Figure 8 The cross section BB in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating members 90 a , 90 b , and 90 c of Example 1. FIG.

[0028] Fig.16c So Figure 8 The section CC in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating members 90 a , 90 b , and 90 c of Example 1. FIG.

[0029] Fig.16d So Figure 8 The vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c of Example 1 are viewed from the cross section DD in FIG.

[0030] Fig.16e So Figure 8 The cross section EE in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating members 90 a , 90 b , and 90 c of Example 1. FIG.

[0031] Fig.16f So Figure 8 The cross section FF in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the vibration-isolating members 90 a , 90 b , and 90 c of Example 1. FIG.

[0032] Fig.17 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the motor case 22 of the hedge trimmer 2 according to the first embodiment is disassembled.

[0033] Fig.18 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cooling air flow path F of the hedge trimmer 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Fig.19 1 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the air supply port 188 of the motor case 22 and the air exhaust port 196 of the rear case 12 inside the passage portion 192 of the hedge trimmer 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 20 This is a diagram of the battery pack B in the state where the rear case 12 of the first embodiment and the battery mounting portion 38 mounted on the rear case 12 are viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis RA.

[0036] Fig.21 It is a perspective view of vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c according to a modified example.

[0037] Fig. 22 This is a diagram showing a state in which the rear housing 312 of the hedge trimmer 302 of the second embodiment is in a normal position, as viewed from the upper right front.

[0038] Fig.23 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the hedge trimmer 302 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the right.

[0039] Fig.24 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the rear housing 312 of the hedge trimmer 302 of the second embodiment as viewed from the upper left rear side.

[0040] Fig.25 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the rear housing 312 of the hedge trimmer 302 of the second embodiment as viewed from the upper left rear side.

[0041] Fig.26 This is a diagram showing a state in which the rear housing 312 of the hedge trimmer 302 of the second embodiment is in a rotated position, as viewed from the upper right front.

[0042] Fig. 27 1 is an exploded view of the front portion of the hedge trimmer 302 of the second embodiment.

[0043] Fig.28 This is a diagram showing a state in which the motor case 322 of the hedge trimmer 302 according to the second embodiment is disassembled.

[0044] Fig.29 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cooling air flow path F' of the hedge trimmer 302 of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Representative and non-limiting specific examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This detailed description is intended to simply show the details of the preferred examples for implementing the present invention to those skilled in the art, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, in order to provide a further improved working machine, the disclosed additional features and technical solutions can be used independently of other features and technical solutions, or used together with other features and technical solutions.

[0046] In addition, the combination of features and processes disclosed in the following detailed description is not necessary for implementing the present invention in the broadest sense, but is recorded only for the purpose of particularly illustrating the representative specific examples of the present invention. Furthermore, in providing additional and useful embodiments of the present invention, the various features of the following representative specific examples and the various features recorded in the claims do not necessarily have to be combined like the specific examples recorded here or in the order of enumeration.

[0047] All features described in this specification and / or claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other as limitations on the disclosure of the original application and specific matters described in the claims, with respect to the structures of the features described in the embodiments and / or claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges and records related to organizations or groups are intended to be disclosed as limitations on the disclosure of the original application and specific matters described in the claims with the intention of disclosing the intermediate structures thereof.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the control device may be accommodated in the rear housing. The control device may be arranged in the cooling air flow path.

[0049] According to the above-mentioned structure, not only the electric motor but also the control device can be cooled by the cooling air.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the cooling air flow path may include a flow path portion formed inside the rear housing and extending along the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the control device may be arranged in the flow path portion with its length direction extending along the front-rear direction.

[0051] According to the above-mentioned structure, since the cooling air flows along the longitudinal direction of the control device, the control device can be cooled efficiently.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the rear shell may be mounted on the base in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the base about a predetermined rotation axis, and the position of the rear shell relative to the base may be changed between a normal position and a rotational position after rotating from the normal position about the rotation axis.

[0053] With the above structure, the user can change the positional relationship between the front handle and the rear handle by changing the position of the rear housing relative to the base. For example, the user can adjust the positional relationship between the front handle and the rear handle, so as to maintain the working machine in a comfortable posture.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing may include a shaft portion extending along the rotation axis. The base may include a shaft holding portion that holds the shaft portion so that it can rotate around the rotation axis. The shaft portion may be provided with a through hole that passes through the interior of the shaft portion and connects the interior and exterior of the rear housing. The opening of the through hole that faces the exterior of the rear housing may function as the inner exhaust port.

[0055] If the inner exhaust port is arranged at a position away from the axis of rotation, when the rear shell is rotated relative to the base, the positional relationship between the inner air supply port and the inner exhaust port changes to a large extent. Therefore, depending on the position of the rear shell relative to the base, the air flowing out of the inner exhaust port sometimes does not flow smoothly into the inner air supply port. With the above-mentioned structure, since the inner exhaust port is arranged on the shaft, the inner exhaust port is arranged near the axis of rotation. As a result, even if the rear shell is rotated relative to the base, the positional relationship between the inner air supply port and the inner exhaust port does not change to a large extent. Therefore, regardless of the position of the rear shell relative to the base, the air flowing out of the inner exhaust port can flow smoothly into the inner air supply port.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the electric motor may be an inner rotor type brushless motor including a stator, a rotor disposed inside the stator, and an output shaft fixed to the rotor. When the motor housing is removed from the working machine, the outer surface of the stator is exposed to the outside of the working machine.

[0057] If a member covering the outer surface of the stator is provided separately from the motor housing, heat may be accumulated in the stator (ie, the electric motor). With the above structure, since there is no member covering the outer surface of the stator other than the motor housing, heat accumulation in the electric motor can be suppressed.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the operation mechanism may include a pair of blades extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of blades may be driven by the electric motor to reciprocate relatively in the front-rear direction.

[0059] According to the above-mentioned structure, the electric motor can be sufficiently cooled while suppressing foreign matter scattered along with the driving of the pair of blades from entering the interior of the working machine.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the working unit may further include a mechanism housing that supports the working mechanism. The mechanism housing may include an opposing surface that is exposed to the outside of the working machine and is opposed to the outer exhaust port.

[0061] With the above-mentioned structure, the mechanism housing is arranged in a manner opposite to the outer exhaust port. As a result, foreign matter (such as dust and debris) outside the working machine is not easy to reach the outer exhaust port, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the working machine from the outside through the outer exhaust port. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned structure, the momentum of the air is mitigated by causing the air just discharged from the outer exhaust port to collide with the opposite surface. As a result, the air discharged from the outer exhaust port can be prevented from strongly colliding with the user's body, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the base may include a bottom surface facing the plane when the working machine is placed on the plane. Alternatively, the direction from the inside of the working machine to the outside through the outer exhaust port is along the direction in which the bottom surface of the base faces.

[0063] Usually, there is no handle or the like for the user to hold on the bottom surface of the base. Therefore, when the user uses the working machine, it is expected that the user's body does not exist in the space to which the bottom surface of the base faces. With the above-mentioned structure, the direction from the inside of the working machine toward the outside (i.e., the direction to which the air discharged from the outside exhaust port faces) is directed toward the space to which the bottom surface of the base faces (i.e., the space to which the user's body is not expected to exist) through the outside exhaust port. As a result, it is possible to prevent the air discharged from the outside exhaust port from colliding with the user's body, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing may include a battery mounting portion for detachably mounting a battery pack. The outer air supply port may be opposite to the battery pack mounted on the battery mounting portion.

[0065] With the above structure, the battery pack is arranged opposite to the outer air supply port, so that foreign matter (such as dust and debris) outside the working machine is unlikely to reach the outer air supply port, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the working machine from the outside through the outer air supply port.

[0066] Another working machine disclosed in this specification includes: an electric motor; a working mechanism driven by the electric motor; a base supporting the working mechanism; a rear housing mounted on the rear of the base in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the base around a predetermined rotation axis, and the position of the rear housing relative to the base can be changed between a normal position and a rotation position after rotating from the normal position around the rotation axis; a front handle provided on the base, which a user can hold with one hand; a rear handle provided on the rear housing, which a user can hold with another hand; and a battery mounting portion provided on the rear housing, to which a battery pack is mounted in a detachable manner. Alternatively, when the battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion, the battery pack is arranged on the rotation axis.

[0067] With the above structure, the battery pack is installed on the rear housing in a manner arranged on the rotation axis. Therefore, the moment of inertia of the battery pack around the rotation axis becomes relatively small. As a result, the user can rotate the rear housing and the battery pack together with a relatively small force. Therefore, the convenience of use of the working machine can be improved.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, when the rear housing is in the normal position, the battery mounting portion may be provided at the rear of the rear housing.

[0069] When the user is holding the front handle and the rear handle, if the center of gravity of the working machine is near the user's body, it is easier for the user to handle the working machine. However, when viewed from the body of the user holding the front handle and the rear handle, the center of gravity of the working machine tends to approach the side of the base supporting the working machine (i.e., the front side). With the above-mentioned structure, since the battery pack is installed at the rear of the rear shell, the weight of the battery pack can be used to move the center of gravity of the working machine closer to the rear shell side (i.e., the rear side). As a result, the center of gravity of the working machine can be brought close to the body of the user holding the front handle and the rear handle. Therefore, it is easier for the user to handle the working machine.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, when the rear housing is in a normal position and the battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion, the center of gravity of the battery pack is arranged at a position rearward of a rear end of the rear handle.

[0071] With the above structure, no matter which part of the rear handle the user holds, the center of gravity of the battery pack is arranged behind the user's hand holding the rear handle. In other words, the center of gravity of the battery pack is arranged behind the user's body. This allows the center of gravity of the working machine to be closer to the user's body more reliably.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, when the rear housing is in the normal position, the rear handle is provided on the upper portion of the rear housing and extends in the front-rear direction. When the rear housing is in the normal position, the battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion by sliding relative to the battery mounting portion in a sliding direction from the upper rear portion toward the lower front portion.

[0073] Since the upper part of the rear housing provided with the rear handle is a part for the user to hold, it is necessary to have a certain degree of length in the front-to-back direction. However, the lower part of the rear housing not provided with the rear handle can shorten the length in the front-to-back direction. With the above structure, the battery mounting part provided at the rear of the rear housing becomes a shape that is inclined from the rear to the front as it moves from the top to the bottom. Thus, in the front-to-back direction, the length of the upper part of the rear housing can be made longer to a certain extent, while the length of the lower part of the rear housing can be made shorter.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, when the rear shell is in the normal position and the battery pack is installed in the battery mounting portion, the center of gravity of the working machine is arranged at a position rearward of the rear end of the front handle and forward of the front end of the rear handle.

[0075] When the center of gravity of the working machine is between the front handle and the rear handle, the center of gravity of the working machine is close to the body of the user who holds the front handle and the rear handle, thereby making it easier for the user to handle the working machine.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, when observing the rear housing and the battery pack installed in the battery mounting portion along the axial direction of the rotation axis, the rear housing and the battery pack are located inside an imaginary circle with a radius of 13 cm centered on the rotation axis.

[0077] With the above structure, the moment of inertia of the rear housing and the battery pack around the rotation axis is small, so that the user can rotate the rear housing and the battery pack together with a small force, thereby improving the convenience of use of the working machine.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the base may include: a front support portion that supports the working mechanism; a rear support portion that supports the working mechanism at a position rearward of the front support portion; and an arm portion that passes through the side of the working mechanism and connects the front support portion and the rear support portion.

[0079] With the above structure, since the base is compact, when the user uses the working machine, the base is unlikely to interfere with the user's body or obstacles, thereby improving the convenience of using the working machine.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the arm portion may include: a left arm portion, which passes through the left side of the operating mechanism and connects the front support portion and the rear support portion; and a right arm portion, which passes through the right side of the operating mechanism and connects the front support portion and the rear support portion.

[0081] If the front support part and the rear support part are connected by one arm, a large stress may be applied to the arm when the user uses the working machine. If a large stress is applied to the arm, there is a concern that the arm may deteriorate. With the above structure, since the front support part and the rear support part are connected by the left arm and the right arm, the stress can be dispersed between the left arm and the right arm. As a result, it is possible to suppress the large stress applied to the left arm and the right arm, respectively, and thus it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the left arm and the right arm, respectively.

[0082] In one or more embodiments, the operation mechanism may include a pair of blades extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of blades may be driven by the electric motor to reciprocate relatively in the front-rear direction.

[0083] With the above-mentioned structure, sometimes a pair of blades are arranged in a manner extending forward when viewed from the front handle. In this case, the tendency of the center of gravity of the working machine to approach the base side (i.e., the front side) becomes significant. With the above-mentioned structure, since the battery pack is installed at the rear of the rear housing, the weight of the battery pack can be used to move the center of gravity of the working machine closer to the rear housing side (i.e., the rear side). As a result, the center of gravity of the working machine can be brought closer to the body of the user holding the front handle and the rear handle. Therefore, it is easier for the user to handle the working machine.

[0084] (Example 1: Hedge trimmer 2)

[0085] like Figure 1 As shown, the working machine of this embodiment is a hedge trimmer 2. The hedge trimmer 2 is a gardening tool mainly used for trimming hedges and trees. The hedge trimmer 2 includes a working unit 4, a base 6 supporting the working unit 4, a front handle 8 provided on the base 6, a hand guard 10 for protecting the user's hand holding the front handle 8, a rear housing 12 installed at the rear of the base 6, and a rear handle 14 provided on the rear housing 12.

[0086] The operation unit 4 includes a pair of shear blades 16. The pair of shear blades 16 extend in a straight line and have a plurality of blades 18 along the length direction thereof. The pair of shear blades 16 trim hedges and trees using the plurality of blades 18 by reciprocating with each other. In the present embodiment, in the length direction of the pair of shear blades 16, the direction from the base 6 toward the pair of shear blades 16 is set as the front direction, and the direction from the pair of shear blades 16 toward the base 6 is set as the rear direction. In addition, the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and parallel to the plane in which the plurality of blades 18 of the pair of shear blades 16 extend is set as the left-right direction. In addition, in the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the left-right direction, the direction from the pair of shear blades 16 toward the hand guard 10 is set as the upper direction, and the direction from the hand guard 10 toward the pair of shear blades 16 is set as the lower direction.

[0087] The front handle 8 is provided at the front of the base 6 and has a generally U-shaped shape that is open downward. The front handle 8 extends to the left, top, and right of the base 6. The outer surface of the front handle 8 has a generally cylindrical shape. In addition, the rear handle 14 is provided at the upper portion of the rear housing 12 and extends linearly along the front-to-back direction. The outer surface of the rear housing 12 has a generally cylindrical shape. The user can carry the hedge trimmer 2 by holding the front handle 8 with one hand and the rear handle 14 with the other hand.

[0088] like Figure 2As shown, the operation unit 4 further includes an electric motor 20, a motor housing 22, a power transmission mechanism 24, and a mechanism housing 26. The electric motor 20 is, for example, an inner rotor type brushless motor including a stator 28, a rotor 30 disposed inside the stator 28, and an output shaft 32 fixed to the rotor 30. The electric motor 20 is housed in the motor housing 22. The motor housing 22 is fixed to the upper part of the mechanism housing 26. The output shaft 32 of the electric motor 20 is rotatably held in the motor housing 22 by a bearing 34, and is rotatably held in the mechanism housing 26 by a bearing 36. The output shaft 32 extends in the up-down direction and spans between the motor housing 22 and the mechanism housing 26. The mechanism housing 26 houses the power transmission mechanism 24 and supports a pair of shear blades 16. The output shaft 32 of the electric motor 20 is connected to the pair of shear blades 16 by the power transmission mechanism 24. The power transmission mechanism 24 is, for example, a crank cam, and converts the rotational motion of the output shaft 32 into the reciprocating motion of each of the pair of shear blades 16. The reciprocating directions of the pair of shear blades 16 are respectively along the front-rear direction.

[0089] A battery mounting portion 38 for detachably mounting the battery pack B is provided at the rear portion of the rear housing 12. The battery pack B is mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 by sliding in a sliding direction SD from the upper rear portion toward the lower front portion relative to the battery mounting portion 38. When the clockwise direction when viewed from the right is assumed to be positive, the inclination angle θ1 of the sliding direction SD relative to the front-rear direction is, for example, in the range of 45 to 90 degrees, and is 60 degrees in the present embodiment.

[0090] A control device 40 for controlling various parts of the hedge trimmer 2 is housed at the lower part of the rear housing 12. The control device 40 includes a control substrate 42 and a controller housing 44 that houses the control substrate 42. The control substrate 42 is equipped with, for example, a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and an inverter circuit composed of a plurality of switching elements (for example, FETs). The control device 40 can, for example, convert the direct current supplied from the battery pack B into three-phase alternating current and supply it to the electric motor 20. In addition, the control device 40 has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The control device 40 is arranged in such a manner that the longitudinal direction is along the front-back direction.

[0091] The rear housing 12 includes a shaft portion 46 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The shaft portion 46 is provided at the front portion of the rear housing 12. In addition, the base 6 includes a shaft retaining portion 48 that retains the shaft portion 46 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis RA. The shaft retaining portion 48 is provided at the rear portion of the base 6. The rotation axis RA is located on a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction, and is inclined from the top to the bottom as it moves from the rear to the front. When the clockwise direction when viewed from the right is set to be positive, the inclination angle θ2 of the rotation axis RA relative to the front-to-back direction is, for example, in the range of 0 to 30 degrees, and is 10 degrees in the present embodiment. In addition, the rotation axis RA extends in a manner that passes through the battery pack B mounted on the battery mounting portion 38. That is, the battery pack B mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 is arranged on the rotation axis RA.

[0092] like Figure 3 As shown, the shaft holding portion 48 includes a cylindrical surface 50 for holding the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 46 in a manner that allows the shaft portion 46 to rotate, and a cylindrical surface 50 for facing the rotation axis RA (see Figure 2 ) is recessed radially outwardly of the rear housing 12 to form a plurality of engaging grooves 52 (some engaging grooves 52 are not shown in the figure). In the present embodiment, five engaging grooves 52 are provided. The plurality of engaging grooves 52 extend along the rotation axis RA, respectively. The plurality of engaging grooves 52 are arranged at predetermined intervals (for example, intervals of 1 / 8 of a circle) in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis RA. In addition, a rotation locking member 54 is provided on the rear housing 12 to lock the rotation of the shaft portion 46 relative to the base 6 (that is, the rotation of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6). The rotation locking member 54 includes a locking piece 56 extending along the rotation axis RA. A receiving groove 58 is formed on the shaft portion 46, which is recessed radially inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 46 and can accommodate the locking piece 56. The receiving groove 58 extends along the rotation axis RA. When the receiving groove 58 and the engaging groove 52 are opposite to each other in the radial direction of the rotation axis RA, the rotation locking member 54 can be rotated in a manner such as Figure 3 As shown, the locking piece 56 enters the locking position of the engaging groove 52 and Figure 4 As shown, the locking piece 56 enters the unlocking position of the receiving groove 58 and slides. An operating portion 60 is fixed to the rotation locking member 54. Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the operation portion 60 is exposed on the left and right outer surfaces of the rear housing 12 and can slide along the outer surface of the rear housing 12. The user can slide the rotation locking member 54 by operating the operation portion 60. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a coil spring 62 is mounted on the rotation locking member 54. The lower end of the coil spring 62 is in contact with a support protrusion 63 (see FIG. 1 ) formed on the inner wall of the rear housing 12. Figure 2) abuts. The coil spring 62 urges the rotation locking member 54 upward relative to the support protrusion 63. Therefore, when the user does not operate the operating portion 60, the rotation locking member 54 is held in place by the urging force of the coil spring 62. Figure 3 When the rotation locking member 54 is in the locked position, the rear housing 12 is mechanically locked relative to the base 6, thereby prohibiting the rear housing 12 from rotating relative to the base 6. When the user overcomes the force of the coil spring 62 and presses the operating portion 60 from this state, the rotation locking member 54 is rotated to Figure 4 When the rotation locking member 54 is in the unlocked position, the rear housing 12 is unlocked relative to the base 6, thereby allowing the rear housing 12 to rotate relative to the base 6.

[0093] The user rotates the rear housing 12 while moving the rotation lock member 54 to the unlocked position, so that the locking piece 56 engages with the other engagement groove 52, thereby changing the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6. Figure 1 The usual position shown is changed to Figure 5 In the following, unless otherwise specified, the rear housing 12 is in the rotational position shown. Figure 1 Usual position shown.

[0094] like Figure 3 As shown, the rear housing 12 is provided with an operation button 64, a trigger lever 66 and a locking lever 68. The operation button 64 is arranged on the upper surface of the rear handle 14. The user can switch the main power of the hedge trimmer 2 on / off, change the rotation speed of the electric motor 20, drive the electric motor 20 in reverse, etc. by operating the operation button 64. The trigger lever 66 is arranged at the lower part of the rear handle 14 and is at a position that can be operated by the index finger of the hand holding the rear handle 14. In addition, the locking lever 68 is arranged at the upper part of the rear handle 14 and is at a position that can be operated by the palm of the hand holding the rear handle 14. The trigger lever 66 is usually mechanically locked by the locking lever 68. When the locking lever 68 is pushed in, the lock of the trigger lever 66 is released, thereby allowing the trigger lever 66 to be pulled up. When the trigger lever 66 is pulled up, the micro switch 70 stored in the interior of the rear housing 12 is pressed. When the micro switch 70 is pressed while the main power of the hedge trimmer 2 is turned on, the control device 40 operates the electric motor 20 to drive the pair of shear blades 16. When the pulling operation of the trigger lever 66 is released from this state, the micro switch 70 is no longer pressed. When the micro switch 70 is not pressed, the control device 40 stops the electric motor 20 to stop the pair of shear blades 16. Therefore, when the user pushes the lock lever 68 in and pulls up the trigger lever 66 while the main power of the hedge trimmer 2 is turned on, the pair of shear blades 16 can be driven.

[0095] The rotation locking member 54 is connected to a sliding member 540, which is held by the rear housing 12 so as to be able to slide in the front-rear direction. The rotation locking member 54 and the sliding member 540 are connected by inserting a pin 542 formed on the rotation locking member 54 into a long hole 544 formed on the sliding member 540. When the rotation locking member 54 slides, the pin 542 moves along the long hole 544, and the sliding member 540 slides. In addition, the sliding member 540 includes a notch groove 546 formed by partially missing the rear portion of the sliding member 540. A protrusion 548 that can enter the notch groove 546 is formed on the trigger lever 66. Figure 3 As shown, when the rotation locking member 54 is in the locked position, the slide 540 is in a position that does not mechanically interfere with the trigger rod 66. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 5 , when the rotation locking member 54 moves to the unlocking position, the slide 540 moves rearward, and the protrusion 548 formed on the trigger lever 66 enters the notch groove 546. Thus, the trigger lever 66 is mechanically locked. According to the above structure, when the user changes the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6, the trigger lever 66 cannot be operated, thereby prohibiting the driving of the pair of shear blades 16.

[0096] like Figure 6 As shown, the base 6 includes a base body 72, a handle member 74, a semi-cylindrical member 76 and a plate member 78. The base body 72, the handle member 74, the semi-cylindrical member 76 and the plate member 78 are fixed to each other by screws (not shown). The handle member 74 is a member that defines the front handle 8 and the hand guard 10. In addition, the base 6 includes a left side support portion 80 that supports the left part of the mechanism housing 26 via a vibration isolation member 90a, a right side support portion 82 that supports the right part of the mechanism housing 26 via a vibration isolation member 90b, a rear side support portion 84 that supports the rear part of the mechanism housing 26 via a vibration isolation member 90c, a left side arm portion 86 that passes through the left side of the mechanism housing 26 to connect the left side support portion 80 and the rear side support portion 84, and a right side arm portion 88 that passes through the right side of the mechanism housing 26 to connect the right side support portion 82 and the rear side support portion 84.

[0097] (Vibration Isolation Members 90a, 90b, 90c)

[0098] like Figure 7As shown, the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c use a rubber material (e.g., silicone rubber). The vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c are manufactured, for example, by injection molding. In the present embodiment, the length direction, width direction, and height direction of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c are defined as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The dimension of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c in the X direction is, for example, in the range of 20 mm to 70 mm, and is 50 mm in the present embodiment. The dimension of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c in the Y direction is, for example, in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm, and is 15 mm in the present embodiment. The dimension of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c in the Z direction is, for example, in the range of 10 mm to 40 mm, and is 25 mm in the present embodiment. The vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c are symmetrical with respect to the X direction and the Z direction. Therefore, the following description of the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c holds true even if the positive and negative signs in the X direction are reversed, and holds true even if the positive and negative signs in the Z direction are reversed.

[0099] The vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c include common components. Therefore, the components included in the vibration-isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c are described below with common reference numerals being given.

[0100] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c include a first mounting portion 92, a second mounting portion 94 located at a position offset in the negative direction of the Z direction when viewed from the first mounting portion 92, a third mounting portion 96 located at a position offset in the negative direction of the Z direction when viewed from the second mounting portion 94, a first connecting portion 98 connecting the first mounting portion 92 and the second mounting portion 94, and a second connecting portion 100 connecting the first mounting portion 92 and the third mounting portion 96. A first groove 102 is formed in a portion of the outer surface of the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c corresponding to the outer surface of the first connecting portion 98. In addition, a second groove 104 is formed in a portion of the outer surface of the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c corresponding to the outer surface of the second connecting portion 100. The first groove 102 and the second groove 104 extend over the entire circumference of the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, and 90c in the XY plane.

[0101] like Figure 7 As shown, the first mounting portion 92 has a plate shape extending along the XY plane. The first mounting portion 92 includes a mounting surface 106 facing the positive direction of the Z direction and a plurality of mounting holes 108 formed by recessing the mounting surface 106 toward the negative direction of the Z direction. The plurality of mounting holes 108 are long holes having a length direction in the X direction.

[0102] The second mounting portion 94 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the length direction being the X direction, the width direction being the Y direction, and the height direction being the Z direction. The second mounting portion 94 includes an end surface 110 facing the positive direction of the Y direction, a mounting recess 112 formed by recessing the end surface 110 in the negative direction of the Y direction, a plurality of mounting holes 114 formed by recessing the wall surface of the mounting recess 112 in the negative direction of the Z direction, and a plurality of mounting holes 116 formed by recessing the wall surface of the mounting recess 112 in the positive direction of the Z direction (see FIG. Fig. 9 ), and a plurality of weight-reducing holes 118 formed by penetrating the bottom surface of the mounting recess 112 in the negative direction of the Y direction. Fig.10 As shown, the plurality of mounting holes 116 are connected to the plurality of mounting holes 108 of the first mounting portion 92 respectively by means of the hollow space 120 formed inside the first connecting portion 98. In this embodiment, the wall surface defining the plurality of mounting holes 116, the wall surface defining the hollow space 120, and the wall surface defining the plurality of mounting holes 108 are smoothly connected.

[0103] like Fig. 9 As shown, the third mounting portion 96 has a plate shape extending along the XY plane similarly to the first mounting portion 92. The third mounting portion 96 includes a mounting surface 122 facing the negative direction of the Z direction and a plurality of mounting holes 124 formed by making the mounting surface 122 recessed in the positive direction of the Z direction. The plurality of mounting holes 124 are long holes having a length direction in the X direction. Fig.10 As shown, the plurality of mounting holes 124 are connected to the plurality of mounting holes 114 of the second mounting portion 94 by means of a hollow space 126 formed inside the second connecting portion 100. In this embodiment, the wall surface defining the plurality of mounting holes 124, the wall surface defining the hollow space 126, and the wall surface defining the plurality of mounting holes 114 are smoothly connected.

[0104] like Fig.11 As shown, the vibration isolation member 90a is arranged in such a manner that the positive direction in the X direction is the front direction, the positive direction in the Y direction is the right direction, and the positive direction in the Z direction is the upward direction. The first mounting portion 92 is mounted on a first mounting component 128 provided on the left portion of the handle member 74. The first mounting component 128 includes a support surface 130 facing downward (in the negative direction in the Z direction) and a plurality of mounting protrusions 132 protruding downward (in the negative direction in the Z direction) from the support surface 130. The plurality of mounting protrusions 132 each have a shape that can be engaged with the plurality of mounting holes 108. As shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown, the first mounting portion 92 is mounted on the first mounting member 128 by fitting the plurality of mounting protrusions 132 into the plurality of mounting holes 108 and bringing the mounting surface 106 into contact with the support surface 130 . Fig.11 The second mounting portion 94 shown is mounted on the mechanism housing 26 (see Figure 6) is provided on the left side of the mechanism housing 26. The second mounting member 134 includes a mounting frame 136 protruding from the outer surface of the mechanism housing 26 toward the left (negative direction in the Y direction) and a plurality of mounting protrusions 138 protruding from the upper surface of the mounting frame 136 toward the top (positive direction in the Z direction). The mounting frame 136 has a shape that can be fitted into the mounting recess 112. In addition, the plurality of mounting protrusions 138 each have a shape that can be fitted into the plurality of mounting holes 116 (see Fig. 9 ) in a chimeric shape. Fig.12 As shown, the second mounting portion 94 is mounted to the second mounting member 134 by fitting the mounting frame 136 into the mounting recess 112 and fitting the plurality of mounting protrusions 138 into the plurality of mounting holes 116 . Fig.11 The third mounting portion 96 shown is mounted on a third mounting member 140 provided on the left arm portion 86. The third mounting member 140 includes a support surface 142 facing upward (in the positive direction of the Z direction) and a plurality of mounting protrusions 144 protruding upward (in the positive direction of the Z direction) from the support surface 142. The plurality of mounting protrusions 144 each have a plurality of mounting holes 124 (see Fig. 9 ) in a chimeric shape. Fig.12 As shown, the third mounting portion 96 is mounted on the third mounting member 140 by fitting the plurality of mounting protrusions 144 into the plurality of mounting holes 124 and bringing the mounting surface 122 into contact with the support surface 142. The vibration isolating member 90a is normally sandwiched between the base body 72 and the handle member 74 and compressed in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0105] like Fig.13 As shown, the vibration isolation member 90b is arranged in such a manner that the positive direction in the X direction is the rear direction, the positive direction in the Y direction is the left direction, and the positive direction in the Z direction is the upward direction. The first mounting portion 92 is mounted on the first mounting component 146 provided on the right part of the handle member 74. The first mounting component 146 includes a support surface 148 and a plurality of mounting protrusions 150. In addition, the second mounting portion 94 is mounted on the mechanism housing 26 (refer to Figure 6 ). The second mounting component 152 includes a mounting frame 154 and a plurality of mounting protrusions 156. In addition, the third mounting portion 96 is mounted on a third mounting component 158 ​​provided on the right arm portion 88. The third mounting component 158 ​​includes a supporting surface 160 and a plurality of mounting protrusions 162. The first mounting component 146, the second mounting component 152 and the third mounting component 158 ​​have substantially the same shape as the aforementioned first mounting component 128, the second mounting component 134 and the third mounting component 140. Therefore, a detailed description of the first mounting component 146, the second mounting component 152 and the third mounting component 158 ​​is omitted. The vibration isolation member 90b is usually sandwiched between the base body 72 and the handle member 74 and compressed in the up-down direction (Z direction).

[0106] like Fig.14 As shown, the vibration isolation member 90c is arranged in such a manner that the positive direction of the X direction is the left direction, the positive direction of the Y direction is the front direction, and the positive direction of the Z direction is the upward direction. The first mounting portion 92 is mounted on the first mounting component 164 provided on the plate member 78. The first mounting component 164 includes a support surface 166 (i.e., the lower surface of the plate member 78). The first mounting component 164 is different from the aforementioned first mounting components 128 and 146, and does not include such a protrusion that enters into the plurality of mounting holes 108 of the first mounting portion 92. Fig.15 As shown, the first mounting portion 92 is mounted on the first mounting member 164 by making the mounting surface 106 abut against the support surface 166. In addition, the second mounting portion 94 is mounted on the mechanism housing 26 (see Figure 6 ). The second mounting component 168 includes a mounting frame 170 and a plurality of mounting protrusions 172. The third mounting portion 96 is mounted on a third mounting component 174 provided at the rear of the base body 72. The third mounting component 174 includes a supporting surface 176 and a plurality of mounting protrusions 178. The second mounting component 168 and the third mounting component 174 have substantially the same shape as the aforementioned second mounting components 134, 152 and the third mounting components 140, 158. Therefore, detailed description of the second mounting component 168 and the third mounting component 174 is omitted. The vibration isolation member 90c is usually sandwiched between the base body 72 and the plate member 78 and compressed in the up and down direction (Z direction).

[0107] Figure 8 The first vibration isolation region A1 shown is a region located on the negative side in the Z direction relative to the mounting surface 106 and on the positive side in the Z direction relative to the wall surface on the positive side in the Z direction of the mounting recess 112. Figure 6 ) and the second mounting member 134, 152, 168 (refer to Figure 6 ) is mainly transmitted to the other of the first mounting member 128, 146, 164 and the second mounting member 134, 152, 168 via the first vibration isolation area A1. The second vibration isolation area A2 is an area located on the positive side in the Z direction relative to the mounting surface 122 and on the negative side in the Z direction relative to the wall surface on the negative side in the Z direction of the mounting recess 112. The second mounting member 134, 152, 168 and the third mounting member 140, 158, 174 (see Figure 6 ) is mainly transmitted to the other of the second mounting components 134, 152, 168 and the third mounting components 140, 158, 174 via the second vibration isolation area A2.

[0108] Fig.16aThe illustrated cross section AA is a cross section perpendicular to the Z direction of a portion of the first vibration isolation region A1 corresponding to the first mounting portion 92 . Fig.16b The cross section BB shown is a cross section perpendicular to the Z direction of a portion corresponding to the first connection portion 98 in the first vibration isolation area A1. Fig.16c The cross section CC shown is a cross section perpendicular to the Z direction of a portion corresponding to the second mounting portion 94 in the first vibration isolation area A1. Fig.16d The cross section DD shown is a cross section perpendicular to the Z direction of a portion corresponding to the second mounting portion 94 in the second vibration isolation area A2. Fig.16e The illustrated cross section EE is a cross section perpendicular to the Z direction of a portion corresponding to the second connection portion 100 in the second vibration isolation area A2. Fig.16f The cross section FF shown is a cross section orthogonal to the Z direction of the portion corresponding to the third mounting portion 96 in the second vibration isolation area A2. When the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section AA is set to Sa, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section BB is set to Sb, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section CC is set to Sc, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section DD is set to Sd, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section EE is set to Se, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section FF is set to Sf, in this embodiment, the magnitude relationship of Sa=Sc=Sd=Sf>Sb=Se holds. This magnitude relationship can also be regarded as the magnitude relationship of the shear stiffness in each cross section. Therefore, in the first vibration isolation area A1, the first connecting portion 98 is more susceptible to shear deformation in the X direction and the Y direction than the first mounting portion 92 and the second mounting portion 94. In the second vibration isolation area A2, the second connecting portion 100 is more susceptible to shear deformation in the X direction and the Y direction than the second mounting portion 94 and the third mounting portion 96.

[0109] exist Figure 6 When the pair of shear blades 16 shown in FIG. 1 are driven, the operation unit 4 vibrates in the front-to-back direction (the X direction when viewed from the vibration isolation members 90a and 90b, and the Y direction when viewed from the vibration isolation member 90c) as the pair of shear blades 16 reciprocate. In this case, the vibration of the operation unit 4 is sequentially transmitted through the second mounting members 134, 152, and 168, and the first vibration isolation area A1 (see FIG. 1 ) of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, and 90c. Figure 8 ) and the first mounting members 128, 146, 164 are transmitted to the base 6. In addition, the vibration of the operation unit 4 is sequentially transmitted through the second mounting members 134, 152, 168, the second vibration isolation area A2 of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c (see Figure 8) and the third mounting components 140, 158, 174 are transmitted to the base 6. Among them, the first connecting portion 98 is shear-deformed to a large extent in the front-to-back direction in the first vibration isolation area A1 of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c, and the second connecting portion 100 is shear-deformed to a large extent in the front-to-back direction in the second vibration isolation area A2 of the vibration isolation members 90a, 90b, 90c, thereby reducing the vibration transmitted to the base 6. In addition, there is no constraint caused by the recess and the protrusion between the vibration isolation member 90c and the first mounting component 164, and the force (i.e., vibration) is transmitted only by the friction between the mounting surface 106 and the supporting surface 166. Therefore, it can also be considered that the vibration is substantially isolated between the vibration isolation member 90c and the first mounting component 164.

[0110] (Cooling structure of hedge trimmer 2)

[0111] like Fig.17 As shown, the motor housing 22 is composed of a left housing member 180 and a right housing member 182. The left housing member 180 and the right housing member 182 are fixed to each other by screws (not shown). A motor support frame 184 is formed on the inner wall of the motor housing 22. The motor support frame 184 supports the electric motor 20 by abutting against the outer surface of the stator 28. The motor support frame 184 is divided into a portion formed in the left housing member 180 and a portion formed in the right housing member 182 (not shown). When the motor housing 22 is removed, the outer surface of the stator 28 is exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2.

[0112] like Fig.18 As shown, the motor housing 22 includes a duct portion 186 extending rearward when viewed from the electric motor 20, an air supply port 188 formed at the rear end of the duct portion 186, an exhaust port 190L formed on the left surface of the motor housing 22, and an exhaust port 190R formed on the right surface of the motor housing 22 (see FIG. Fig.17 The air supply port 188 opens to the inside of a passage portion 192 provided in the base 6. The exhaust ports 190R and 190L open to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2, respectively.

[0113] The rear housing 12 includes a through hole 194 that passes through the interior of the shaft portion 46 and connects the interior and exterior of the rear housing 12, an exhaust port 196 that corresponds to an opening on the front side of the through hole 194, an air supply port 198L formed on the left surface of the rear housing 12, and an air supply port 198R formed on the right surface of the rear housing 12 (see FIG. Figure 1 The exhaust port 196 opens to the inside of the passage portion 192 provided in the base 6. The air supply ports 198L and 198R open to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2, respectively.

[0114] The passage portion 192 is provided in front of the shaft holding portion 48. In addition, the passage portion 192 and the shaft holding portion 48 are formed across the base body 72 and the semi-cylindrical member 76. An opening portion 200 is provided at the front end of the passage portion 192 for inserting the duct portion 186 of the motor housing 22. A gap 202 is provided between the outer surface of the duct portion 186 and the peripheral portion of the opening portion 200. If the gap 202 is not provided, the vibration of the working unit 4 will be directly transmitted to the base 6 because the motor housing 22 abuts against the semi-cylindrical member 76. By providing the gap 202, the motor housing 22 is prevented from abutting against the semi-cylindrical member 76, and the vibration of the working unit 4 is suppressed from being directly transmitted to the base 6. Among them, a dustproof member (not shown) that seals the gap 202 is provided in the gap 202. The dustproof member uses a member (such as a sponge) that has the property of not easily transmitting vibration. In this way, dust and other garbage are suppressed from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 2 through the gap 202.

[0115] The hedge trimmer 2 includes a cooling air flow path F that reaches the outside of the hedge trimmer 2 via the air supply ports 198L and 198R of the rear housing 12, the interior of the rear housing 12, the exhaust port 196 of the rear housing 12, the interior of the passage portion 192, the air supply port 188 of the motor housing 22, the interior of the motor housing 22, and the exhaust ports 190R and 190L of the motor housing 22. In this embodiment, a fan 204 is fixed to the output shaft 32, and the fan 204 generates a flow of air along the cooling air flow path F (also referred to as "cooling air" for short). The fan 204 is arranged below the rotor 30 and is at a position overlapping with the exhaust ports 190R and 190L when viewed in the left-right direction. When the electric motor 20 is operated, the fan 204 rotates together with the output shaft 32 to generate cooling air in the cooling air flow path F.

[0116] The cooling air flow path F includes a first flow path portion F1 for air to flow from the air supply ports 198L, 198R toward the front lower portion of the rear shell 12, a second flow path portion F2 for air to flow from the front lower portion of the rear shell 12 through the through hole 194 toward the exhaust port 196, a third flow path portion F3 for air to flow from the exhaust port 196 through the interior of the passage portion 192 toward the air supply port 188, a fourth flow path portion F4 for air to flow from the air supply port 188 through the interior of the duct portion 186 toward the front, a fifth flow path portion F5 for air to flow along the rear surface of the motor support frame 184 toward the upper portion of the motor housing 22, and a sixth flow path portion F6 for air to flow from the upper portion of the motor housing 22 through between the stator 28 and the rotor 30 of the electric motor 20 and toward the exhaust ports 190R, 190L.

[0117] The control device 40 is arranged in the first flow path portion F1. The first flow path portion F1 extends along the length direction (i.e., the front-rear direction) of the control device 40. In addition, the air supply ports 198L and 198R of the rear housing 12 are arranged at a position rearward of the rear end of the control device 40. Therefore, the control device 40 can be cooled in the range from the rear end to the front end by the cooling air flowing in the first flow path portion F1.

[0118] like Fig.19 As shown, when the interior of the passage portion 192 is viewed along the front-rear direction, the air supply port 188 of the motor housing 22 and the air exhaust port 196 of the rear housing 12 overlap each other. Thus, the cooling air flows smoothly in the third flow path portion F3.

[0119] Although not shown, electrical wiring that connects the electrical components housed in the rear housing 12 and the electrical components housed in the motor housing 22 is arranged in the cooling air flow path F. For example, electrical wiring that electrically connects the control device 40 housed in the rear housing 12 and the electric motor 20 housed in the motor housing 22 is arranged in the cooling air flow path F.

[0120] exist Fig. 20 , the rear housing 12, the battery pack B in the state of being mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 of the rear housing 12, and the imaginary circle VC centered on the rotation axis RA are shown. The radius of the imaginary circle VC is, for example, in the range of 5 cm to 15 cm, and is 13 cm in the present embodiment. When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis RA, the rear housing 12 and the battery pack B are located inside the imaginary circle VC.

[0121] like Figure 2 As shown, the center of gravity BG of the battery pack B mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 is arranged at a position rearward of the rear end 14r of the rear handle 14. In addition, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 is arranged at a position rearward of the rear end 8r of the front handle 8 and forward of the front end 14f of the rear handle 14. Furthermore, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 is arranged inside the motor housing 22. In addition, it should be noted that the center of gravity HG represents the center of gravity of the hedge trimmer 2 in a state where the battery pack B is mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 and the rear housing 12 is in a normal position. Although not shown in the figure, even if the rear housing 12 is in a rotated position, the center of gravity of the hedge trimmer 2 in a state where the battery pack B is mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 is arranged at a position rearward of the rear end 8r of the front handle 8 and forward of the front end 14f of the rear handle 14.

[0122] (Variation Example)

[0123] The working machine may be a working machine other than the hedge trimmer 2 (eg, a reciprocating saw, a chain saw, a brush cutter). In this case, the working unit 4 may include other working mechanisms (eg, a saw blade, a saw chain, a rotary knife) instead of the pair of shear blades 16 .

[0124] The hedge trimmer 2 may be configured such that only one of the pair of shear blades 16 is reciprocated instead of each of the pair of shear blades 16 being reciprocated.

[0125] The prime mover for driving the pair of shear blades 16 may be a prime mover other than the electric motor 20 (for example, an engine including an internal combustion engine).

[0126] Instead of providing the battery mounting portion 38, a power cord for connecting to an external power source (eg, a commercial power source or a backpack power source) may be provided on the rear housing 12. In this configuration, the hedge trimmer 2 can be operated using power supplied from the external power source via the power cord.

[0127] The electric motor 20 may be a motor other than the inner rotor type brushless motor (for example, an outer rotor type brushless motor, a brushed motor, etc.).

[0128] The base 6 may be configured to accommodate the motor case 22 and the mechanism case 26. Thus, the motor case 22 and the mechanism case 26 can be hidden when viewed from the outside of the hedge trimmer 2.

[0129] (Refer to Figure 6 ) The base 6 may not include the left side support portion 80 and the left side arm portion 86. In this case, the base 6 may be a structure in which the working unit 4 is supported by the right side support portion 82 via the vibration isolation member 90b, and the working unit 4 is supported by the rear side support portion 84 via the vibration isolation member 90c. Alternatively, the base 6 may not include the right side support portion 82 and the right side arm portion 88. In this case, the base 6 may be a structure in which the working unit 4 is supported by the left side support portion 80 via the vibration isolation member 90a, and the working unit 4 is supported by the rear side support portion 84 via the vibration isolation member 90c.

[0130] (Refer to Fig.18 ) The control device 40 may not be arranged in the first flow path portion F1. For example, the control device 40 may be arranged in the second flow path portion F2. In this case, the length direction of the control device 40 may be arranged in the direction along the up-down direction. Alternatively, the control device 40 may not be arranged in the cooling air flow path F. For example, the control device 40 may be arranged in front of the battery mounting portion 38 at a position opposite to the battery mounting portion 38.

[0131] (Refer to Figure 3 ) The rear housing 12 may also be mounted on the base 6 in a manner that it cannot rotate relative to the base 6. In this case, the hedge trimmer 2 may not include components such as the rotation locking member 54, the plurality of engagement grooves 52, and the storage groove 58.

[0132] (Refer to Fig.17) A member covering the electric motor 20 (e.g., a cylindrical cover extending along the outer surface of the stator 28) may be provided between the motor housing 22 and the electric motor 20. Thus, even if the motor housing 22 is removed, the outer surface of the stator 28 is not exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2.

[0133] (Refer to Figure 2 ) The shape of the rear portion of the rear housing 12 and the arrangement and shape of the battery mounting portion 38 may also be changed. Thus, the sliding direction SD of the battery pack B may be different from the direction described in the embodiment. For example, the sliding direction SD may be from the bottom to the top, from the left to the right, or from the back to the front.

[0134] (Refer to Fig. 20 ) It is also possible that, when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis RA, at least a portion of the rear housing 12 and the battery pack B are located outside the imaginary circle VC.

[0135] (Refer to Figure 2 ) The center of gravity BG of the battery pack B installed in the battery installation portion 38 can also be arranged at a position forward of the rear end 14r of the rear handle 14.

[0136] (Refer to Figure 2 ) The center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 may also be arranged at a position forward of the rear end 8r of the front handle 8. Alternatively, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 may also be arranged at a position rearward of the front end 14f of the rear handle 14.

[0137] (Refer to Figure 6 ) In view of the symmetry of the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, 90c in the Z direction, the first mounting portion 92 may be mounted on the third mounting member 140, 158, 174, and the third mounting portion 96 may be mounted on the first mounting member 128, 146, 164. In this case, the second mounting portion 94 may be mounted on the second mounting member 134 by fitting the plurality of mounting protrusions 138 into the plurality of mounting holes 114.

[0138] like Fig.21As shown, the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, 90c may not include the third mounting portion 96 and the second connecting portion 100. In this case as well, the working unit 4 can be held on the base 6 by mounting the first mounting portion 92 on the third mounting member 140, 158, 174 and mounting the second mounting portion 94 on the second mounting member 134, 152, 168. In addition, when the working unit 4 vibrates, the first connecting portion 98 is shear-deformed to a large extent, thereby reducing the vibration transmitted from the second mounting portion 94 to the first mounting portion 92 via the first connecting portion 98. As a result, the vibration transmitted from the working unit 4 to the front handle 8 provided on the base 6 is reduced.

[0139] (Refer to Figure 7 The shape of the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, 90c is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, 90c may have a substantially cylindrical shape with the height direction being the Z direction, for example.

[0140] (Refer to Fig.10 ) It is also possible not to form the hollow space 120 inside the first connecting portion 98. That is, the first connecting portion 98 may also be solid. In addition, it is also possible not to form the hollow space 126 inside the second connecting portion 100. That is, the second connecting portion 100 may also be solid.

[0141] (Refer to Figure 7 ) The second mounting portion 94 may also not include multiple weight-reducing holes 118.

[0142] (Refer to Figure 7 ) The shape of the first mounting portion 92 (third mounting portion 96) may also be changed. For example, the first mounting portion 92 (third mounting portion 96) may include a protrusion protruding from the mounting surface 106 (mounting surface 122) toward the positive direction of the Z direction (negative direction of the Z direction) instead of the plurality of mounting holes 108 (plurality of mounting holes 124). In addition, the shape of the first mounting components 128, 146, 164 (third mounting components 140, 158, 174) may also be changed to match the shape of the first mounting portion 92 (third mounting portion 96). For example, in the case where the first mounting portion 92 (third mounting portion 96) includes a protrusion, the first mounting components 128, 146, 164 (third mounting components 140, 158, 174) may also include a hole or a recessed portion for receiving the protrusion.

[0143] (Refer to Figure 7 ) The shape of the second mounting portion 94 may also be changed. For example, the second mounting portion 94 may not include the plurality of mounting holes 114, 116. In addition, the second mounting components 134, 152, 168 may not include the plurality of mounting protrusions 138, 156, 172.

[0144] (Refer to Fig.10 ) The multiple mounting holes 108 and the hollow space 120, the hollow space 120 and the multiple mounting holes 116, the multiple mounting holes 124 and the hollow space 126, or the hollow space 126 and the multiple mounting holes 114 may also be spatially unconnected.

[0145] (Features of Example 1)

[0146] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the hedge trimmer 2 (an example of a working machine) includes: a working unit 4 including a pair of shear blades 16 (an example of a working mechanism), an electric motor 20 for driving the pair of shear blades 16, and a motor housing 22 for housing the electric motor 20; a control device 40 for controlling the electric motor 20; a base 6 supporting the working unit 4; a rear housing 12 mounted on the rear of the base 6; a front handle 8 provided on the base 6 and capable of being held by a user with one hand; and a rear handle 14 provided on the rear housing 12 and capable of being held by a user with another hand. The base 6 includes a passage 192. The motor housing 22 includes an air supply port 188 (an example of an inner air supply port) opening to the inside of the passage 192 and exhaust ports 190R and 190L (an example of an outer exhaust port) opening to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2. The rear housing 12 includes air supply ports 198L and 198R (an example of an outer air supply port) opened to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2 and an exhaust port 196 (an example of an inner exhaust port) opened to the inside of the passage portion 192. The hedge trimmer 2 forms a cooling air flow path F that reaches the outside of the hedge trimmer 2 from the outside of the hedge trimmer 2 via the air supply ports 198L and 198R, the inside of the rear housing 12, the exhaust port 196, the inside of the passage portion 192, the air supply port 188, the inside of the motor housing 22, and the exhaust ports 190R and 190L. When viewed in the front-rear direction, the air supply port 188 and the exhaust port 196 overlap each other.

[0147] If the air supply port 188 and the exhaust port 196 do not overlap each other when viewed in the front-back direction, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 196 may not flow smoothly into the air supply port 188. As a result, there is a possibility that the flow rate of cooling air is insufficient and the electric motor 20 cannot be sufficiently cooled. With the above-mentioned structure, since the air supply port 188 and the exhaust port 196 overlap each other when viewed in the front-back direction, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 196 flows smoothly into the air supply port 188. Therefore, the flow rate of cooling air increases, so that the electric motor 20 can be sufficiently cooled. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned structure, since the air supply ports 198L and 198R opening to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2 are provided in the rear housing 12 away from the pair of shear blades 16, it is possible to suppress foreign matter scattered with the driving of the pair of shear blades 16 from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 2.

[0148] In one or more embodiments, the control device 40 is accommodated in the rear housing 12. The control device 40 is disposed in the cooling air flow path F.

[0149] According to the above-described configuration, not only the electric motor 20 but also the control device 40 can be cooled by the cooling air.

[0150] In one or more embodiments, the cooling air flow path F includes a first flow path portion F1 formed inside the rear housing 12 and extending in the front-rear direction. The control device 40 is disposed in the first flow path portion F1 with its longitudinal direction extending in the front-rear direction.

[0151] According to the above-described configuration, since the cooling air flows along the longitudinal direction of the control device 40 , the control device 40 can be cooled efficiently.

[0152] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing 12 is mounted on the base 6 in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the base 6 about a predetermined rotation axis RA, and the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6 can be changed between a normal position and a rotational position after rotating from the normal position about the rotation axis RA.

[0153] With the above structure, the user can change the positional relationship between the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14 by changing the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6. For example, the user can adjust the positional relationship between the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14, so that the hedge trimmer 2 can be held in a comfortable posture.

[0154] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing 12 includes a shaft portion 46 extending along the rotation axis RA. The base 6 includes a shaft holding portion 48 that holds the shaft portion 46 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis RA. A through hole 194 is formed in the shaft portion 46, passing through the interior of the shaft portion 46 and connecting the interior and exterior of the rear housing 12. The opening portion of the through hole 194 that faces the exterior of the rear housing 12 functions as an exhaust port 196.

[0155] If the exhaust port 196 is arranged at a position away from the rotation axis RA, when the rear housing 12 is rotated relative to the base 6, the positional relationship between the air supply port 188 and the exhaust port 196 changes to a large extent. Therefore, depending on the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 196 sometimes does not flow smoothly into the air supply port 188. With the above-mentioned structure, since the exhaust port 196 is provided on the shaft portion 46, the exhaust port 196 is arranged near the rotation axis RA. Therefore, even if the rear housing 12 is rotated relative to the base 6, the positional relationship between the air supply port 188 and the exhaust port 196 does not change to a large extent. Therefore, regardless of the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 196 can flow smoothly into the air supply port 188.

[0156] In one or more embodiments, the electric motor 20 is an inner rotor type brushless motor including a stator 28, a rotor 30 disposed inside the stator 28, and an output shaft 32 fixed to the rotor 30. When the motor housing 22 is removed from the hedge trimmer 2, the outer surface of the stator 28 is exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 2.

[0157] If a member covering the outer surface of the stator 28 is provided separately from the motor housing 22, heat may be accumulated in the stator 28 (i.e., the electric motor 20). With the above-described structure, since there is no member covering the outer surface of the stator 28 other than the motor housing 22, heat accumulation in the electric motor 20 can be suppressed.

[0158] In one or more embodiments, the working mechanism includes a pair of shear blades 16 (an example of a pair of blades) extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of shear blades 16 are driven by the electric motor 20 to relatively reciprocate in the front-rear direction.

[0159] According to the above-described configuration, the electric motor 20 can be sufficiently cooled while preventing foreign matter that is scattered as the pair of shear blades 16 are driven from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 2 .

[0160] In one or more embodiments, the hedge trimmer 2 (an example of a working machine) includes: an electric motor 20; a pair of shear blades 16 (an example of a working mechanism) driven by the electric motor 20; a base 6 that supports the pair of shear blades 16; a rear housing 12 that is mounted on the rear portion of the base 6 so as to be rotatable relative to the base 6 about a predetermined rotation axis RA, and the position of the rear housing 12 relative to the base 6 can be changed between a normal position and a rotation position after being rotated from the normal position about the rotation axis RA; a front handle 8 that is provided on the base 6 and can be held by a user with one hand; a rear handle 14 that is provided on the rear housing 12 and can be held by a user with another hand; and a battery mounting portion 38 that is provided on the rear housing 12 and to which a battery pack B is detachably mounted. When the battery pack B is mounted on the battery mounting portion 38, the battery pack B is arranged on the rotation axis RA.

[0161] With the above structure, the battery pack B is mounted on the rear housing 12 in a manner arranged on the rotation axis RA. Therefore, the moment of inertia of the battery pack B around the rotation axis RA becomes relatively small. As a result, the user can rotate the rear housing 12 together with the battery pack B with relatively small force. Therefore, the convenience of use of the hedge trimmer 2 can be improved.

[0162] In one or more embodiments, the battery mounting portion 38 is disposed at the rear portion of the rear housing 12 when the rear housing 12 is in the normal position.

[0163] When the user holds the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14, if the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 is near the user's body, it is easier for the user to handle the hedge trimmer 2. However, when viewed from the body of the user holding the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 tends to approach the side of the base 6 supporting the pair of shear blades 16 (i.e., the front side). With the above-mentioned structure, since the battery pack B is installed at the rear of the rear housing 12, the weight of the battery pack B can be used to bring the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 closer to the rear housing 12 side (i.e., the rear side). In this way, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 can be brought close to the body of the user holding the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14. Therefore, it is easier for the user to handle the hedge trimmer 2.

[0164] In one or more embodiments, when the rear housing 12 is in the normal position and the battery pack B is mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 , the center of gravity BG of the battery pack B is located behind the rear end 14 r of the rear handle 14 .

[0165] With the above structure, no matter which part of the rear handle 14 the user holds, the center of gravity BG of the battery pack B is arranged at a position behind the user's hand holding the rear handle 14. In other words, the center of gravity BG of the battery pack B is arranged at a position behind the user's body. This allows the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 to be more reliably close to the user's body.

[0166] In one or more embodiments, when the rear housing 12 is in the normal position, the rear handle 14 is provided at the upper portion of the rear housing 12 and extends in the front-rear direction. When the rear housing 12 is in the normal position, the battery pack B is mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 by sliding relative to the battery mounting portion 38 in a sliding direction SD from the upper rear portion toward the lower front portion.

[0167] Since the upper part of the rear housing 12 provided with the rear handle 14 is a part for the user to hold, it is necessary to have a certain degree of length in the front-to-back direction. However, the lower part of the rear housing 12 not provided with the rear handle 14 can shorten the length in the front-to-back direction. With the above-mentioned structure, the battery mounting portion 38 provided at the rear of the rear housing 12 becomes a shape that is inclined from the rear to the front as it moves from the top to the bottom. Thus, in the front-to-back direction, the length of the upper part of the rear housing 12 can be made longer to a certain extent, while the length of the lower part of the rear housing 12 can be made shorter.

[0168] In one or more embodiments, when the rear housing 12 is in the normal position and the battery pack B is installed in the battery mounting portion 38, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 is configured to be rearward of the rear end 8r of the front handle 8 and forward of the front end 14f of the rear handle 14.

[0169] When the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 is between the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 is close to the body of the user who grips the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14. Thus, the user can easily handle the hedge trimmer 2.

[0170] In one or more embodiments, when the rear case 12 and the battery pack B mounted on the battery mounting portion 38 are viewed along the axial direction of the rotation axis RA, the rear case 12 and the battery pack B are located inside an imaginary circle VC with a radius of 13 cm centered on the rotation axis RA.

[0171] With the above structure, the moment of inertia of the rear housing 12 and the battery pack B around the rotation axis RA is small. Therefore, the user can rotate the rear housing 12 and the battery pack B together with a small force. Therefore, the convenience of use of the hedge trimmer 2 can be improved.

[0172] In one or more embodiments, the base 6 includes: a left side support portion 80 and / or a right side support portion 82 (an example of a front side support portion), which supports a pair of shear blades 16; a rear side support portion 84, which supports a pair of shear blades 16 at a position farther rearward than the left side support portion 80 and / or the right side support portion 82; and a left side arm portion 86 and / or a right side arm portion 88 (an example of an arm portion), which passes through the side of the pair of shear blades 16 and connects the left side support portion 80 and / or the right side support portion 82 and the rear side support portion 84.

[0173] With the above structure, since the base 6 is compact, when the user uses the hedge trimmer 2, the base 6 is unlikely to interfere with the user's body or obstacles, thereby improving the convenience of using the hedge trimmer 2.

[0174] In one or more embodiments, the arm portion includes: a left arm portion 86, which passes through the left side of a pair of shear blades 16 and connects the left support portion 80 and the rear support portion 84; and a right arm portion 88, which passes through the right side of a pair of shear blades 16 and connects the right support portion 82 and the rear support portion 84.

[0175] If the left support part 80 and / or the right support part 82 are connected to the rear support part 84 by one arm, a large stress may be applied to the arm when the user uses the hedge trimmer 2. If a large stress is applied to the arm, there is a concern that the arm may deteriorate. With the above-mentioned structure, since the left support part 80 and / or the right support part 82 are connected to the rear support part 84 by the left arm part 86 and the right arm part 88, the stress can be dispersed between the left arm part 86 and the right arm part 88. This can prevent the left arm part 86 and the right arm part 88 from being subjected to large stress, respectively, and thus prevent the left arm part 86 and the right arm part 88 from being deteriorated.

[0176] In one or more embodiments, the working mechanism includes a pair of shear blades 16 (an example of a pair of blades) extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of shear blades 16 are driven by the electric motor 20 to relatively reciprocate in the front-rear direction.

[0177] With the above-mentioned structure, the pair of shear blades 16 may be arranged so as to extend forward when viewed from the front handle 8. In this case, the tendency of the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 to approach the base 6 side (i.e., the front side) becomes significant. With the above-mentioned structure, since the battery pack B is installed at the rear of the rear housing 12, the weight of the battery pack B can be used to bring the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 closer to the rear housing 12 side (i.e., the rear side). As a result, the center of gravity HG of the hedge trimmer 2 can be brought closer to the body of the user holding the front handle 8 and the rear handle 14. Therefore, it is easier for the user to handle the hedge trimmer 2.

[0178] (Example 2: Hedge trimmer 302)

[0179] like Fig. 22 As shown, the working machine of this embodiment is a hedge trimmer 302. The hedge trimmer 302 is a gardening tool mainly used for trimming hedges and trees. The hedge trimmer 302 includes a working unit 304, a base 306 supporting the working unit 304, a front handle 308 provided on the base 306, a rear housing 312 installed at the rear of the base 306, and a rear handle 314 provided on the rear housing 312.

[0180] The operation unit 304 includes a pair of shear blades 316. The pair of shear blades 316 extend in a straight line and have a plurality of blades 318 along the length direction thereof. The pair of shear blades 316 use the plurality of blades 318 to trim hedges and trees by reciprocating each other. In the present embodiment, in the length direction of the pair of shear blades 316, the direction from the base 306 toward the pair of shear blades 316 is set as the front direction, and the direction from the pair of shear blades 316 toward the base 306 is set as the rear direction. In addition, the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and parallel to the plane in which the plurality of blades 318 of the pair of shear blades 316 extend is set as the left-right direction. In addition, in the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the left-right direction, the direction from the pair of shear blades 316 toward the front handle 308 is set as the upper direction, and the direction from the front handle 308 toward the pair of shear blades 316 is set as the lower direction.

[0181] The front handle 308 is provided at the front of the base 306 and has a generally U-shaped shape that is open downward. The front handle 308 extends to the left, top, and right of the base 306. The outer surface of the front handle 308 has a generally cylindrical shape. In addition, the rear handle 314 is provided at the upper portion of the rear housing 312 and extends in a straight line along the front-to-back direction. The outer surface of the rear housing 312 has a generally cylindrical shape. The user can carry the hedge trimmer 302 by holding the front handle 308 with one hand and the rear handle 314 with the other hand.

[0182] like Fig.23As shown, the operation unit 304 further includes an electric motor 320, a motor housing 322, a power transmission mechanism 324, and a mechanism housing 326. The electric motor 320 is, for example, an inner rotor type brushless motor including a stator 328, a rotor 330 disposed inside the stator 328, and an output shaft 332 fixed to the rotor 330. The electric motor 320 is housed in the motor housing 322. The motor housing 322 is fixed to the upper part of the mechanism housing 326. The output shaft 332 of the electric motor 320 is rotatably held in the motor housing 322 by a bearing 334, and is rotatably held in the mechanism housing 326 by a bearing 336. The output shaft 332 extends in the up-down direction and spans between the motor housing 322 and the mechanism housing 326. The mechanism housing 326 houses the power transmission mechanism 324 and supports a pair of shear blades 316. The output shaft 332 of the electric motor 320 is connected to the pair of shear blades 316 by the power transmission mechanism 324. The power transmission mechanism 324 is, for example, a crank cam, and converts the rotational motion of the output shaft 332 into the reciprocating motion of each of the pair of shear blades 316. The reciprocating directions of the pair of shear blades 316 are respectively along the front-rear direction.

[0183] A battery mounting portion 338 for detachably mounting the battery pack B' is provided at the rear lower portion of the rear housing 312. The battery pack B' is mounted on the battery mounting portion 338 by sliding relative to the battery mounting portion 338 from the rear to the front.

[0184] A control device 340 for controlling various parts of the hedge trimmer 302 is housed in the front lower portion of the rear housing 312. The control device 340 includes a control substrate 342 and a controller housing 344 that houses the control substrate 342. The control substrate 342 is equipped with, for example, a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and an inverter circuit composed of a plurality of switching elements (for example, FETs). The control device 340 can, for example, convert the direct current supplied from the battery pack B' into three-phase alternating current and supply it to the electric motor 320.

[0185] The rear housing 312 includes a shaft portion 346 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The shaft portion 346 is disposed at the front portion of the rear housing 312. In addition, the base 306 includes a shaft retaining portion 348 that retains the shaft portion 346 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis RA′. The shaft retaining portion 348 is disposed at the rear portion of the base 306. The rotation axis RA′ is located on a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction, and is inclined from the top to the bottom as it moves from the rear to the front. When the clockwise direction when viewed from the right is set to be positive, the inclination angle θ′ of the rotation axis RA′ relative to the front-rear direction is, for example, in the range of 0 to 30 degrees, and is 10 degrees in the present embodiment.

[0186] like Fig.24As shown, the shaft holding portion 348 includes a cylindrical surface 350 for holding the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 346 in a manner that allows the shaft portion 346 to rotate, and a cylindrical surface 350 facing the rotation axis RA′ (see Fig.23 ) is recessed radially outwardly to form a plurality of engaging grooves 352 (some engaging grooves 352 are not shown in the figure). In addition, a rotation locking member 354 is provided on the rear housing 312, and the rotation locking member 354 is used to lock the rotation of the shaft portion 346 relative to the base 306 (i.e., the rotation of the rear housing 312 relative to the base 306). The rotation locking member 354 includes an operating portion 356 for the user to hook his finger for operation, a spring receiving portion 360 for receiving the coil spring 358, and a locking piece 362 extending forward from the front end of the spring receiving portion 360. The operating portion 356 is arranged on the outside of the rear housing 312. The spring receiving portion 360 and the locking piece 362 are arranged on the inside of the rear housing 312. The rotation locking member 354 is usually in a locking position (i.e., the locking piece 362 enters into any one of the plurality of engaging grooves 352) Fig.24 The rotation locking member 354 can be in the locked position and as shown. Fig.25 The locking piece 362 slides in the front-to-back direction between the unlocking positions where the locking piece 362 is pulled out of the engaging groove 352. Fig.23 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear end of the coil spring 358 abuts against the support protrusion 364 formed on the inner wall of the rear housing 312. The coil spring 358 applies force to the rotation locking member 354 forward relative to the support protrusion 364. Therefore, when the user does not operate the operating portion 356, the rotation locking member 354 is held in place by the force of the coil spring 358. Fig.24 When the rotation locking member 354 is in the locked position, the rear housing 312 is mechanically locked relative to the base 306, thereby prohibiting the rear housing 312 from rotating relative to the base 306. When the user overcomes the force of the coil spring 358 and pulls the operating portion 356 backward from this state, the rotation locking member 354 is rotated to Fig.25 When the rotation locking member 354 is in the unlocked position, the rear housing 312 is unlocked relative to the base 306, thereby allowing the rear housing 312 to rotate relative to the base 306.

[0187] The user rotates the rear housing 312 while moving the rotation locking member 354 to the unlocked position, so that the locking piece 362 engages with the other engagement groove 352, thereby changing the position of the rear housing 312 relative to the base 306. For example, the position of the rear housing 312 can be changed from Fig. 22 The usual position shown is changed to Fig.26Thus, the user can adjust the positional relationship between the front handle 308 and the rear handle 314, so that the hedge trimmer 302 can be held in a comfortable posture. Fig. 22 In the normal position shown, the lower surface of the base 306 and the lower surface of the rear housing 312 are substantially flush. Fig.23 As shown in the figure, the hedge trimmer 302 can be placed on a plane P such as the ground with the lower surface of the base 306 and the lower surface of the rear housing 312 facing vertically downward. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower surface of the base 306 / the lower surface of the rear housing 312 when the rear housing 312 is in the normal position are also referred to as the bottom surface 366 of the base 306 / the bottom surface 368 of the rear housing 312. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the rear housing 312 is in the normal position.

[0188] like Fig.23 As shown, a grip detection rod 370 is provided on the outer surface of the front handle 308, and the grip detection rod 370 can be operated by the fingers of the user's hand holding the front handle 308. A grip detection switch 371 is provided inside the front handle 308, and the grip detection switch 371 is pressed when the grip detection rod 370 is operated. The grip detection switch 371 can detect whether the grip detection rod 370 is operated.

[0189] like Fig.24 As shown, the rear housing 312 is provided with an operation button 372, a trigger lever 374 and a locking lever 376. The operation button 372 is arranged on the upper surface of the rear handle 314. The user can switch the main power of the hedge trimmer 302 on / off, change the rotation speed of the electric motor 320, drive the electric motor 320 in reverse, etc. by operating the operation button 372. The trigger lever 374 is arranged at the lower part of the rear handle 314 and is at a position that can be operated by the index finger of the hand holding the rear handle 314. In addition, the locking lever 376 is arranged at the upper part of the rear handle 314 and is at a position that can be operated by the palm of the hand holding the rear handle 314. The trigger lever 374 is usually mechanically locked by the locking lever 376. When the locking lever 376 is pushed in, the lock of the trigger lever 374 is released, thereby allowing the trigger lever 374 to be pulled up. When the trigger lever 374 is pulled up, the micro switch 378 housed in the rear housing 312 is pressed. When the trigger lever 374 is released from this state, the trigger lever 374 is returned to its original position by the force of the torsion spring 379. Fig.24 The micro switch 378 is no longer pressed. The micro switch 378 can detect whether the trigger lever 374 is operated.

[0190] When the main power of the hedge trimmer 302 is turned on, the micro switch 378 and the grip detection switch 371 (see Fig.23 ) is pressed, the control device 340 causes the electric motor 320 (refer to Fig.23 ) to drive a pair of shear blades 316 (refer to Fig.23 ). When at least one of the micro switch 378 and the grip detection switch 371 is no longer pressed, the control device 340 stops the electric motor 320, thereby stopping the pair of shear blades 316. Therefore, the user turns on the locking lever 376 and the grip detection lever 370 (see FIG. 1 ) while the main power of the hedge trimmer 302 is turned on. Fig.23 ) is pushed in, and the trigger rod 374 is pulled up, thereby driving a pair of shear blades 316.

[0191] like Fig. 27 As shown, the base 306 includes a base body 382, ​​a handle member 384, a semi-cylindrical member 386 and a bottom plate 390. The base body 382, ​​the handle member 384, the semi-cylindrical member 386 and the bottom plate 390 are fixed to each other by screws (not shown). The handle member 384 is a member that defines the front handle 308. In addition, the base 306 includes a left side support portion 392 that supports the left part of the mechanism housing 326 via a vibration isolation member 402a, a right side support portion 394 that supports the right part of the mechanism housing 326 via a vibration isolation member 402b, a rear side support portion 396 that supports the rear part of the mechanism housing 326 via a vibration isolation member 402c, a left side arm portion 398 that passes through the left side of the mechanism housing 326 to connect the left side support portion 392 and the rear side support portion 396, and a right side arm portion 400 that passes through the right side of the mechanism housing 326 to connect the right side support portion 394 and the rear side support portion 396.

[0192] The vibration isolating members 402a, 402b, 402c are substantially the same as the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, 90c described in Example 1. In addition, the structure in which the base 306 supports the mechanism housing 326 via the vibration isolating members 402a, 402b, 402c is substantially the same as the structure in which the base 306 supports the mechanism housing 326 via the vibration isolating members 90a, 90b, 90c described in Example 1. Therefore, please refer to Example 1 for detailed description of these structures.

[0193] (Cooling structure of hedge trimmer 302)

[0194] like Fig.28As shown, the motor housing 322 is composed of a left housing member 404 and a right housing member 406. The left housing member 404 and the right housing member 406 are fixed to each other by screws (not shown). A motor support frame 408 is formed on the inner wall of the motor housing 322. The motor support frame 408 supports the electric motor 320 by abutting against the outer surface of the stator 328. The motor support frame 408 is divided into a portion formed in the left housing member 404 and a portion formed in the right housing member 406 (not shown). When the motor housing 322 is removed, the outer surface of the stator 328 is exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302.

[0195] like Fig.29 As shown, the motor housing 322 includes a duct portion 410 extending rearward when observed from the electric motor 320, an air supply port 412 formed at the rear end of the duct portion 410, an exhaust port 414 formed on the lower surface of the motor housing 322, a partition wall 416 separating the air supply port 412 and the exhaust port 414 inside the motor housing 322, and a plurality of ribs 418 arranged near the exhaust port 414.

[0196] The air supply port 412 opens toward the inside of the passage portion 420 provided in the base 306 along the front-rear direction. The exhaust port 414 opens toward the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 along the up-down direction. The direction from the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 toward the outside through the exhaust port 414 is in the downward direction (i.e., the direction toward which the bottom surface 366 of the base 306 is facing). In addition, the exhaust port 414 faces the upper surface 424 of the mounting frame 422 of the mechanism housing 326. The mounting frame 422 is the same as the mounting frame 170 of the first embodiment (see Fig.14 ) corresponding components. The upper surface 424 of the mounting frame 422 is a plane parallel to the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction, and is arranged at a position offset downward from the exhaust port 414 (the lower surface of the motor housing 322). The distance between the upper surface 424 of the mounting frame 422 and the exhaust port 414 (i.e., the lower surface of the motor housing 322) is, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 30 mm, and is 12 mm in the present embodiment. In addition, a plurality of ribs 418 are arranged along a direction (front-to-back direction) that is orthogonal to the opening direction (up-down direction) of the exhaust port 414. As Fig.28 As shown, the plurality of ribs 418 respectively include a first wall portion 426 extending in the up-down direction and a second wall portion 428 extending forward from the upper end of the first wall portion 426. When foreign matter (such as dust or debris) enters the exhaust port 414, the plurality of ribs 418 blocks the foreign matter with the second wall portion 428, thereby preventing the foreign matter from further entering the interior of the motor housing 322.

[0197] like Fig.29As shown, the rear shell 312 includes a through hole 430 that passes through the interior of the shaft portion 346 and connects the interior and exterior of the rear shell 312, an exhaust port 432 corresponding to the opening portion on the front side of the through hole 430, and an air supply port 436 opposite to the front surface of the battery pack B′ installed on the battery mounting portion 338.

[0198] The exhaust port 432 is arranged along the rotation axis RA′ (refer to Fig.23 ) is opened to the inside of the passage portion 420 provided in the base 306. The air supply port 436 is formed on the outer wall of the rear housing 312 and is opened to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302. The direction from the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 to the inside via the air supply port 436 is a direction from the rear lower part to the front upper part. A plurality of ribs 438 are provided near the air supply port 436. The plurality of ribs 438 are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the air supply port 436 (a direction from the rear upper part to the front lower part). The plurality of ribs 438 respectively include a first wall portion 440 extending forward and upward from the outer wall of the rear housing 312 and a second wall portion 442 extending rearward and upward from the upper end of the first wall portion 440. In the case where foreign matter (such as dust, debris) enters the air supply port 436, the plurality of ribs 438 use the second wall portion 442 to block the foreign matter, thereby being able to inhibit the foreign matter from further entering the inside of the motor housing 322.

[0199] The passage portion 420 is provided in front of the shaft holding portion 348. The passage portion 420 and the shaft holding portion 348 are formed across the base body 382 and the semi-cylindrical member 386. An opening portion 444 is provided at the front end of the passage portion 420 for inserting the duct portion 410 of the motor housing 322. A gap 446 is provided between the outer surface of the duct portion 410 and the inner surface of the passage portion 420. If the gap 446 is not provided, the vibration of the operation unit 304 will be directly transmitted to the base 306 because the motor housing 322 abuts against the base 306. By providing the gap 446, the motor housing 322 is prevented from abutting against the base 306, and the vibration of the operation unit 304 is suppressed from being directly transmitted to the base 306. Among them, a dustproof member 448 is provided in the gap 446 to seal the gap 446. The dustproof member 448 uses a member (such as a sponge) having a property that does not easily transmit vibration. This prevents dust and other debris from entering the hedge trimmer 302 through the gap 446 .

[0200] The hedge trimmer 302 includes a cooling air flow path F' that reaches the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 via the air supply port 436 of the rear housing 312, the interior of the rear housing 312, the exhaust port 432 of the rear housing 312, the interior of the passage portion 420, the air supply port 412 of the motor housing 322, the interior of the motor housing 322, and the exhaust port 414 of the motor housing 322. In this embodiment, a fan 450 is fixed to the output shaft 332, and the fan 450 generates a flow of air along the cooling air flow path F' (also referred to as "cooling air" for short). The fan 450 is arranged below the rotor 330. When the electric motor 320 is operated, the fan 450 rotates together with the output shaft 332 to generate cooling air in the cooling air flow path F'.

[0201] The cooling air flow path F′ includes a first flow path portion F1′ for air to flow from the air supply port 436 through the front lower portion of the rear shell 312 toward the through hole 430, a second flow path portion F2′ for air to flow through the through hole 430 toward the exhaust port 432, a third flow path portion F3′ for air to flow from the exhaust port 432 through the interior of the passage portion 420 toward the air supply port 412, a fourth flow path portion F4′ for air to flow from the air supply port 412 through the interior of the duct portion 410 and the upper space of the partition wall 416 toward the front, a fifth flow path portion F5′ for air to flow along the rear surface of the motor support frame 408 toward the upper portion of the motor housing 322, a sixth flow path portion F6′ for air to pass from the upper portion of the motor housing 322 between the stator 328 and the rotor 330 of the electric motor 320 and flow downward, and a seventh flow path portion F7′ for air to flow through the lower space of the partition wall 416 toward the exhaust port 414.

[0202] The control device 340 is arranged in the first flow path portion F1' so as to be opposite to the air supply port 436. Specifically, the control device 340 is arranged so that the length direction is along a direction orthogonal to the opening direction of the air supply port 436 (a direction from the upper rear to the lower front). Therefore, when the fan 450 rotates, the cooling air flows in a manner that bypasses the control device 340, so that the heat around the control device 340 is guided to the exhaust port 414 by the cooling air without omission. In this way, the control device 340 can be efficiently cooled.

[0203] When the interior of the passage portion 420 is viewed in the front-rear direction, the air supply port 412 of the motor housing 322 and the air exhaust port 432 of the rear housing 312 overlap each other. Thus, the cooling air flows smoothly in the third flow path portion F3'.

[0204] Although not shown, electrical wiring is arranged in the cooling air flow path F' to connect the electrical components housed in the rear housing 312 and the electrical components housed in the motor housing 322. For example, electrical wiring is arranged in the cooling air flow path F' to electrically connect the control device 340 housed in the rear housing 312 and the electric motor 320 housed in the motor housing 322.

[0205] (Variation Example)

[0206] The working machine may also be a working machine other than the hedge trimmer 302 (eg, a reciprocating saw, a chain saw, a brush cutter). In this case, the working unit 304 may also include other working mechanisms (eg, a saw blade, a saw chain, a rotary knife) instead of including a pair of shear blades 316 .

[0207] The hedge trimmer 302 may be configured such that only one of the pair of shear blades 316 is reciprocated instead of the pair of shear blades 316 being reciprocated.

[0208] The prime mover for driving the pair of shear blades 316 may be a prime mover other than the electric motor 320 (eg, an engine including an internal combustion engine).

[0209] A power cord for connecting to an external power source (eg, a commercial power source or a backpack power source) may be provided on the rear housing 312 instead of providing the battery mounting portion 338. In this configuration, the hedge trimmer 302 can also be operated using power supplied from an external power source via the power cord.

[0210] The electric motor 320 may be a motor other than the inner rotor type brushless motor (for example, an outer rotor type brushless motor, a brushed motor, etc.).

[0211] The base 306 may also be configured to accommodate the motor housing 322 and the mechanism housing 326. Thus, the motor housing 322 and the mechanism housing 326 may be hidden when viewed from the outside of the hedge trimmer 302.

[0212] (Refer to Fig.29 ) The control device 340 may not be arranged in the first flow path portion F1′. For example, the control device 340 may be arranged in the second flow path portion F2′. Alternatively, the control device 340 may not be arranged in the cooling air flow path F′. For example, the control device 340 may be arranged above the battery mounting portion 338 at a position opposite to the battery mounting portion 338.

[0213] (Refer to Fig.24 ) The rear housing 312 may also be mounted on the base 306 in a manner that it cannot rotate relative to the base 306. In this case, the hedge trimmer 302 may not include components such as the rotation locking member 354 and the plurality of engagement grooves 352.

[0214] (Refer to Fig.28 ) A member covering the electric motor 320 (e.g., a cylindrical cover extending along the outer surface of the stator 328) may be provided between the motor housing 322 and the electric motor 320. Thus, even if the motor housing 322 is removed, the outer surface of the stator 328 is not exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302.

[0215] (Refer to Fig.28 ) The hedge trimmer 302 may also not include components that are opposite to the exhaust port 414 from the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 (such as the mounting frame 422 of the mechanism housing 326).

[0216] (Refer to Fig.28 ) The exhaust port 414 may also be provided on a surface other than the lower surface of the motor housing 322 (e.g., the front surface, the left surface, the upper surface, etc. of the motor housing 322). Thus, the direction from the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 toward the outside through the exhaust port 414 becomes a direction other than the lower direction (e.g., the front direction, the left direction). In this case, the mechanism housing 326 may further include a wall surface opposite to the exhaust port 414. The wall surface can inhibit foreign matter (e.g., dust, debris) outside the hedge trimmer 302 from reaching the exhaust port 414, and mitigate the momentum of the air discharged from the exhaust port 414.

[0217] (Refer to Fig.28 ) The air supply port 436 may be provided at a position not facing the battery pack B′ mounted on the battery mounting portion 338. The air supply port 436 may be provided on the rear surface, left surface, or upper surface of the rear housing 312, for example.

[0218] (Features of Example 2)

[0219] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the hedge trimmer 302 (an example of a working machine) includes: a working unit 304 including a pair of shear blades 316 (an example of a working mechanism), an electric motor 320 driving the pair of shear blades 316, and a motor housing 322 accommodating the electric motor 320; a control device 340 controlling the electric motor 320; a base 306 supporting the working unit 304; a rear housing 312 mounted on the rear of the base 306; a front handle 308 provided on the base 306 and capable of being held by a user with one hand; and a rear handle 314 provided on the rear housing 312 and capable of being held by a user with another hand. The base 306 includes a passage 420. The motor housing 322 includes an air supply port 412 (an example of an inner air supply port) opening to the inside of the passage 420 and an exhaust port 414 (an example of an outer exhaust port) opening to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302. The rear housing 312 includes an air supply port 436 (an example of an outer air supply port) opening to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 and an exhaust port 432 (an example of an inner exhaust port) opening to the inside of the passage portion 420. The hedge trimmer 302 forms a cooling air flow path F' that reaches the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 via the air supply port 436, the inside of the rear housing 312, the exhaust port 432, the inside of the passage portion 420, the air supply port 412, the inside of the motor housing 322, and the exhaust port 414. When viewed in the front-to-back direction, the air supply port 412 and the exhaust port 432 overlap each other.

[0220] If the air supply port 412 and the exhaust port 432 do not overlap each other when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 432 may not flow smoothly into the air supply port 412. As a result, there is a possibility that the flow rate of cooling air is insufficient and the electric motor 320 cannot be fully cooled. With the above-mentioned structure, since the air supply port 412 and the exhaust port 432 overlap each other when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 432 flows smoothly into the air supply port 412. Therefore, the flow rate of cooling air increases, so that the electric motor 320 can be fully cooled. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned structure, since the air supply port 436 opened to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 is provided at the rear housing 312 away from the pair of shear blades 316, it is possible to suppress foreign matter scattered with the driving of the pair of shear blades 316 from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 302.

[0221] In one or more embodiments, the control device 340 is accommodated in the rear housing 312. The control device 340 is disposed in the cooling air flow path F'.

[0222] With the above-described configuration, not only the electric motor 320 but also the control device 340 can be cooled by the cooling air.

[0223] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing 312 is mounted on the base 306 in such a manner that it can rotate relative to the base 306 about a predetermined rotation axis RA′, and the position of the rear housing 312 relative to the base 306 can be changed between a normal position and a rotational position after rotating from the normal position about the rotation axis RA′.

[0224] With the above structure, the user can change the positional relationship between the front handle 308 and the rear handle 314 by changing the position of the rear housing 312 relative to the base 306. For example, the user can adjust the positional relationship between the front handle 308 and the rear handle 314, so that the hedge trimmer 302 can be held in a comfortable posture.

[0225] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing 312 includes a shaft portion 346 extending along the rotation axis RA'. The base 306 includes a shaft holding portion 348 that holds the shaft portion 346 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis RA'. A through hole 430 is formed in the shaft portion 346, passing through the interior of the shaft portion 346 and connecting the interior and the exterior of the rear housing 312. The opening portion of the through hole 430 that faces the exterior of the rear housing 312 functions as an exhaust port 432.

[0226] If the exhaust port 432 is arranged at a position away from the rotation axis RA', when the rear housing 312 is rotated relative to the base 306, the positional relationship between the air supply port 412 and the exhaust port 432 changes to a large extent. Therefore, depending on the position of the rear housing 312 relative to the base 306, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 432 sometimes does not flow smoothly into the air supply port 412. With the above-mentioned structure, since the exhaust port 432 is provided on the shaft portion 346, the exhaust port 432 is arranged near the rotation axis RA'. Therefore, even if the rear housing 312 is rotated relative to the base 306, the positional relationship between the air supply port 412 and the exhaust port 432 does not change to a large extent. Therefore, regardless of the position of the rear housing 312 relative to the base 306, the air flowing out of the exhaust port 432 can flow smoothly into the air supply port 412.

[0227] In one or more embodiments, the electric motor 320 is an inner rotor type brushless motor including a stator 328, a rotor 330 disposed inside the stator 328, and an output shaft 332 fixed to the rotor 330. When the motor housing 322 is removed from the hedge trimmer 302, the outer surface of the stator 328 is exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302.

[0228] If a member covering the outer surface of stator 328 is provided separately from motor case 322, heat may be accumulated in electric motor 320. With the above structure, since there is no member covering the outer surface of stator 328 other than motor case 322, heat accumulation in electric motor 320 can be suppressed.

[0229] In one or more embodiments, the working mechanism includes a pair of shear blades 316 (an example of a pair of blades) extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of shear blades 316 are driven by the electric motor 320 to reciprocate relatively in the front-rear direction.

[0230] According to the above-described structure, the electric motor 320 can be sufficiently cooled while preventing foreign matter scattered along with the driving of the pair of shear blades 316 from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 .

[0231] In one or more embodiments, the working unit 304 further includes a mechanism housing 326 supporting a pair of shear blades 316. The mechanism housing 326 includes an upper surface 424 (an example of an opposite surface) exposed to the outside of the hedge trimmer 302 and opposite to the exhaust port 414.

[0232] With the above-mentioned structure, the mechanism housing 326 is arranged in a manner opposite to the exhaust port 414. As a result, foreign matter (such as dust and debris) outside the hedge trimmer 302 is not easy to reach the exhaust port 414, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 from the outside through the exhaust port 414. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned structure, the momentum of the air is mitigated by causing the air just discharged from the exhaust port 414 to collide with the upper surface 424 of the mounting frame 422. As a result, the air discharged from the exhaust port 414 can be prevented from strongly colliding with the user's body, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0233] In one or more embodiments, the base 306 includes a bottom surface 366 that is opposite to the plane P when the hedge trimmer 302 is placed on the plane P. The direction (downward direction) from the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 to the outside through the exhaust port 414 is along the direction (downward direction) in which the bottom surface 366 of the base 306 is facing.

[0234] Usually, a handle or the like for the user to hold is not provided on the bottom surface 366 of the base 306. Therefore, when the user uses the hedge trimmer 302, it is expected that the user's body does not exist in the space toward which the bottom surface 366 of the base 306 faces. With the above-mentioned structure, the direction from the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 toward the outside (i.e., the direction toward which the air discharged from the exhaust port 414 faces) faces the space toward which the bottom surface 366 of the base 306 faces (i.e., the space where the user's body is not expected to exist) through the exhaust port 414. As a result, it is possible to prevent the air discharged from the exhaust port 414 from colliding with the user's body, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable.

[0235] In one or more embodiments, the rear housing 312 includes a battery mounting portion 338 for detachably mounting the battery pack B′. The air supply port 436 faces the battery pack B′ mounted on the battery mounting portion 338 .

[0236] With the above structure, the battery pack B' is arranged opposite to the air supply port 436. Thus, foreign matter (such as dust and debris) outside the hedge trimmer 302 is unlikely to reach the air supply port 436, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the hedge trimmer 302 through the air supply port 436.

Claims

1. A working machine, wherein: The operating machinery includes: An operating unit comprising an operating mechanism, an electric motor for driving the operating mechanism, and a motor housing for accommodating the electric motor; a control device that controls the electric motor; A base supporting the working unit; A rear housing mounted on the rear of the base; a front handle disposed on the base, the front handle being capable of being held by a user with one hand; and a rear handle, which is provided on the rear housing and which the user can hold with his other hand; The base includes a passage portion, The motor housing includes an inner air supply port opened to the inside of the passage portion and an outer air exhaust port opened to the outside of the working machine. The rear housing includes an outer air supply port opened to the outside of the working machine and an inner air exhaust port opened to the inside of the passage portion. The working machine is formed with a cooling air flow path extending from the outside of the working machine through the outside air supply port, the inside of the rear housing, the inside exhaust port, the inside of the passage portion, the inside air supply port, the inside of the motor housing, and the outside exhaust port to the outside of the working machine. When viewed along the front-rear direction, the inner air supply port and the inner air exhaust port overlap each other.

2. The working machine according to claim 1, wherein: The control device is housed in the rear housing and is disposed in the cooling air flow path.

3. The working machine according to claim 2, wherein: The cooling air flow path includes a flow path portion, which is formed inside the rear housing and extends along the front-rear direction. The control device is arranged in the flow path portion such that the longitudinal direction thereof extends along the front-rear direction.

4. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The rear housing is mounted on the base so as to be rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis relative to the base, and the position of the rear housing relative to the base can be changed between a normal position and a rotation position obtained by rotating from the normal position about the rotation axis.

5. The working machine according to claim 4, wherein: The rear housing includes a shaft portion extending along the rotation axis, The base includes a shaft holding portion that holds the shaft portion so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. The shaft portion is formed with a through hole that passes through the interior of the shaft portion and connects the interior and the exterior of the rear housing. Among the openings of the through hole, an opening facing the outside of the rear housing functions as the inner exhaust port.

6. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The electric motor is an inner rotor type brushless motor including a stator, a rotor arranged inside the stator, and an output shaft fixed to the rotor. When the motor case is removed from the working machine, the outer surface of the stator is exposed to the outside of the working machine.

7. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The working mechanism includes a pair of blades extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of blades are driven by the electric motor to relatively reciprocate in the front-rear direction.

8. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The operation unit further comprises a mechanism housing supporting the operation mechanism. The mechanism housing includes an opposing surface that is exposed to the outside of the working machine and is opposed to the outer exhaust port.

9. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The base includes a bottom surface that faces the plane when the working machine is placed on the plane. A direction from the inside of the working machine toward the outside through the outer exhaust port is along a direction in which the bottom surface of the base faces.

10. The working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The rear housing includes a battery mounting portion for detachably mounting the battery pack. The outer air supply port faces the battery pack mounted on the battery mounting portion.

11. A working machine, wherein: The operating machinery includes: Electric motor; an operating mechanism driven by the electric motor; A base supporting the working mechanism; a rear housing mounted on the rear portion of the base so as to be rotatable relative to the base about a predetermined rotation axis, wherein the position of the rear housing relative to the base can be changed between a normal position and a rotation position after being rotated from the normal position about the rotation axis; A front handle, which is provided on the base and can be held by a user with one hand; a rear handle disposed on the rear housing, the user being able to hold the rear handle with the other hand; and a battery mounting portion provided on the rear housing, wherein a battery pack for supplying electric power to the electric motor is detachably mounted on the battery mounting portion, When the battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion, the battery pack is arranged on the rotation axis.

12. The working machine according to claim 11, wherein: When the rear housing is in the normal position, the battery mounting portion is provided at the rear of the rear housing.

13. The working machine according to claim 12, wherein: When the rear housing is in the normal position and the battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion, the center of gravity of the battery pack is arranged at a position rearward of the rear end of the rear handle.

14. The working machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: When the rear housing is in the normal position, The rear handle is disposed on the upper portion of the rear housing and extends along the front-rear direction. The battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion by sliding relative to the battery mounting portion in a sliding direction from the upper rear portion toward the lower front portion.

15. The working machine according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: When the rear housing is in the normal position and the battery pack is mounted on the battery mounting portion, the center of gravity of the working machine is arranged behind the rear end of the front handle and in front of the front end of the rear handle.

16. The working machine according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: When the rear housing and the battery pack mounted on the battery mounting portion are viewed along the axial direction of the rotation axis, the rear housing and the battery pack are located inside an imaginary circle with a radius of 13 cm centered on the rotation axis.

17. The working machine according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein: The base comprises: A front support portion that supports the operating mechanism; a rear support portion that supports the working mechanism at a position rearward of the front support portion; and An arm passes through the side of the working mechanism to connect the front supporting part and the rear supporting part.

18. The working machine according to claim 17, wherein: The arm comprises: a left side arm portion passing through the left side of the working mechanism to connect the front side support portion and the rear side support portion; and The right arm passes through the right side of the working mechanism to connect the front supporting part and the rear supporting part.

19. The working machine according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein: The working mechanism includes a pair of blades extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of blades are driven by the electric motor to relatively reciprocate in the front-rear direction.

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