DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR A POWER TOOL

Abstract

A power tool and a dust collection accessory each have their respective batteries as power supply devices and can be operated continuously when one of the batteries is depleted. A dust collection system (S) for a power tool comprises a power tool (1) having a switch (18), a tool body DC motor (7), a tool body controller (13), and a tool body battery (26), and a dust collection accessory (60) that can be attached to the power tool (1) and has a suction area (80), a dust collector (65), a fan wheel (94), a dust collector DC motor (92), a dust collector controller (96), and a dust collector battery (101). When the dust collection accessory (60) is attached to the power tool (1), the tool body controller (13) and the dust collector controller (96) are electrically connected.The dust collector control (96) uses the tool body battery (26) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92) or uses the dust collector battery (101) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92).

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dust collection system for a power tool comprising a power tool and a dust collection accessory attached to the power tool for collecting dust generated by the power tool during use. 2. State of the art

[0002] When a power tool, such as a hammer drill, is used to work a target material, such as concrete or stone, a dust collection system with a dust collection accessory attached to the power tool is used to prevent dispersal of dust generated by the target material, as disclosed, for example, in EP 3 222 386 A1. The dust collection accessory includes a suction portion that sucks in dust, a dust collector that collects the sucked-in dust, and a dust collection motor that includes a fan impeller that generates suction force. The power tool and the dust collection accessory include their respective batteries as power supply devices. SHORT SUMMARY

[0003] In the conventional dust collection system for power tools, the power tool and the dust collection accessory are powered by their respective batteries. The power tool or dust collection accessory cannot be used if its battery power level drops to a certain level, which is insufficient to drive the motor. If one of the batteries runs out during operation, the corresponding one of the dust collection accessory and the power tool will stop working, while the other continues to operate. This can interrupt work and also reduce the efficiency of the batteries.

[0004] One or more aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a dust collection system for a power tool, wherein a power tool and a dust collection accessory include their respective batteries as power supply devices and can continue to operate when one of the batteries becomes depleted.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a dust collection system for a power tool, comprising a power tool that a switch, a tool body DC motor; a tool body controller configured to control the tool body DC motor in response to an operation on the switch, and a tool body battery, and a dust collection accessory attachable to the power tool for collecting dust generated by the power tool during use, wherein the dust collection accessory a suction area, a dust collector configured to collect dust sucked through the suction area, a fan configured to generate a suction force at the suction area, a dust collector DC motor configured to rotate the fan wheel, a dust collector controller configured to control the dust collector DC motor, and has a dust collector battery, wherein, when the dust collection accessory is attached to the power tool, the tool body control and the dust collector control are electrically connected to each other, and the tool body controller or the dust collector controller individually uses the tool body battery to supply power to the tool body DC motor and the dust collector DC motor, or individually uses the dust collector battery to supply power to the tool body DC motor and the dust collector DC motor.

[0006] In the dust collection system according to the above-described aspect of the disclosure, the power tool and the dust collection accessory have their respective batteries as power supply devices and can be continuously operated when one of the batteries is depleted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a dust collection system for a power tool. Fig. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of an area on the left side of a line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of an operation control of the dust collection system for the power tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of an exemplary dust collection system S for a power tool (hereinafter simply referred to as a dust collection system) including a dust collection accessory 60 attached to a hammer drill 1 as an example of a power tool.

[0009] The hammer drill 1 includes a housing including an inner housing 2, a motor housing 3, an upper outer housing 4, and a lower outer housing 5. The inner housing 2 houses an impact assembly 6 extending in the front-to-back direction. The motor housing 3 is connected to a lower portion of the inner housing 2 and houses a tool body direct current (DC) motor 7. The tool body DC motor 7 is held in the motor housing 3 with a rotating shaft 8 extending upward. The rotating shaft 8 has its upper portion supported by a bearing 9 held in the inner housing 2. The rotating shaft 8 has a drive pinion 10 at its upper end, which projects into the inner housing 2.

[0010] The upper outer housing 4 is located above the motor housing 3 and covers the outer surface of the inner housing 2.

[0011] The lower outer casing 5 includes a front cylinder 11 and a handle 12. The front cylinder 11 covers the outer surface of the motor casing 3 from below. The front cylinder 11 houses a tool body controller 13 behind the motor casing 3. The tool body controller 13 includes a control circuit board (not shown) and extends vertically. The tool body controller 13 includes a central processing unit (CPU) on the control circuit board and a memory connected to the CPU. The tool body controller 13 controls the operation of the hammer drill 1.

[0012] The front cylinder 11 has a front guide groove 14 in the lateral center of its front surface. The front guide groove 14 extends vertically. An upper engagement recess 15 is located above and forward of the front guide groove 14 for receiving the dust collection accessory 60. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the front cylinder 11 has side engagement recesses 16 on its right and left surfaces for receiving the dust collection accessory 60. A pair of side guide grooves 17 are located at the front and rear of each side engagement recess 16. The side guide grooves 17 extend upward from the lower end of the front cylinder 11.

[0013] The handle 12 extends upward from a lower portion of the front cylinder 11 and then upward to connect to the rear end of the upper outer casing 4.

[0014] The handle 12 has a switch 18. The switch 18 pushes a piston 19 forward. The switch 18 is connected to a first tool body lead wire 20. The first tool body lead wire 20 is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13. The first tool body lead wire 20 is used to input an on signal to the tool body controller 13 when the piston 19 is pressed.

[0015] The handle 12 has a switch lever 21 located in front of the switch 18. The switch lever 21 is pivotable in the front-to-back direction about its lower end. In a normal state, the switch lever 21 is in contact with the piston 19 at the switch 18 and protrudes forward from the handle 12. When the protruding switch lever 21 is pushed rearward, the switch lever 21 pushes the piston 19 to turn on the switch 18.

[0016] The lower surface of the front cylinder 11 has a connection opening 22 below the tool body controller 13. The connection opening 22 is open downward. The connection opening 22 has a female connector 23 extending downward. The female connector 23 is connected to a second tool body lead wire 24. The second tool body lead wire 24 is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13.

[0017] The handle 12 has a tool body battery mounting portion 25 at its lower portion. A tool body battery pack (tool body battery) 26 is slid from the rear and attached to the tool body battery mounting portion 25 to supply power.

[0018] The tool body battery mounting part 25 has a terminal block 27. The terminal block 27 is electrically connected to the attached tool body battery pack 26. The terminal block 27 is connected to a third tool body lead wire 28. The third tool body lead wire 28 is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13. The tool body controller 13 receives power from the tool body battery pack 26 via the third tool body lead wire 28 and receives voltage information from the tool body battery pack 26. The tool body controller 13 has a tool body indicator lamp (indicator) 29. The tool body indicator lamp 29 is exposed on the side surface of the front cylinder 11. The tool body indicator lamp 29 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED).When the voltage value obtained from the tool body battery pack 26 decreases to be less than or equal to a predetermined value stored in the memory in advance, the tool body controller 13 turns on or flashes the tool body indicator lamp 29 to indicate the voltage decrease.

[0019] The impact assembly 6 has a tool holder 35. The tool holder 35 is rotatably held at a front portion of the inner housing 2. The tool holder 35 is cylindrical and extends in the front-to-back direction. A countershaft 36 is journaled at the front of the rotating shaft 8 in the inner housing 2. A crankshaft 37 is journaled behind the rotating shaft 8 in the inner housing 2. The countershaft 36 and the crankshaft 37 extend vertically. The countershaft 36 receives a gear 38. The crankshaft 37 receives a gear 39. The gear 38 and the gear 39 mesh with the drive pinion 10 on the rotating shaft 8. The countershaft 36 receives a first bevel gear 40 at its upper end.

[0020] The tool holder 35 is splined to a shift sleeve 41. Behind the shift sleeve 41, a second bevel gear 42 is externally mounted on the rear end of the tool holder 35 in a rotatable manner. The second bevel gear 42 meshes with the first bevel gear 40 on the countershaft 36. When the shift sleeve 41 is engaged in a rearward position, the second bevel gear 42 transmits rotation of the first bevel gear 40 to the tool holder 35. The shift sleeve 41 is shifted between a forward position and the rearward position by means of a shift knob 51. The shift knob 51 is located on the rear surface of the upper outer housing 4.

[0021] The inner housing 2 holds a cylinder 43 in its rear portion. The cylinder 43 is coaxially placed in a rear portion of the tool holder 35. The cylinder 43 accommodates a piston 44 that is movable back and forth. The crankshaft 37 has an eccentric pin 45 projecting from its upper portion. The piston 44 and the eccentric pin 45 are connected by a connecting rod 46. The cylinder 43 accommodates a striking piston 48 that is movable back and forth at the front of the piston 44, with an air chamber 47 located between the piston 44 and the striking piston 48. The tool holder 35 has a striking pin 49 at the front of the striking piston 48. The striking pin 49 comes into contact with a bit B placed at the front end of the tool holder 35. The tool holder 35 has an actuating sleeve 50 which is attached externally to its front area.The actuating sleeve 50 can be actuated to attach and remove the bit B.

[0022] The switching lever 21 is pressed to turn on the switch 18. The switch 18 provides an on signal to the tool body controller 13 via the first tool body lead wire 20. The tool body controller 13 receives power from the tool body battery pack 26 and supplies power to the tool body DC motor 7 to rotate the rotary shaft 8. The crankshaft 37 then rotates to move the piston 44 back and forth via the connecting rod 46. This causes the impact piston 48 to strike the bit B via the impact pin 49. When the switching sleeve 41 is switched to the rear position with the switching knob 51, the mode is switched to a hammer drilling mode. In the hammer drilling mode, the rotation of the countershaft 36 is transmitted to the tool holder 35 via the second bevel gear 42. When the switching sleeve 41 is switched to the front position, the mode is switched to a hammer mode.In the hammer mode, the impact is simply carried out without the tool holder 35 rotating.

[0023] The dust collection accessory 60 is now described.

[0024] The dust collection accessory 60 includes a box-like housing 61. The housing 61 includes a main portion 62, a front protruding portion 63, and a rear protruding portion 64. The main portion 62 extends vertically. The front protruding portion 63 extends forward from an upper portion of the main portion 62. A dust box 65 is removably attachable to the front of the main portion 62 and the bottom of the front protruding portion 63. The rear protruding portion 64 extends rearward from a lower portion of the main portion 62. The main portion 62 and the rear protruding portion 64 can be attached to the hammer drill 1.

[0025] The main portion 62 has an upper engagement projection 66 projecting upwardly on its upper surface at the lateral center. The upper engagement projection 66 is insertable into the upper engagement recess 15 of the front cylinder 11 of the hammer drill 1.

[0026] The main portion 62 has an engagement plate 67 at an upper portion of its rear surface. The engagement plate 67 extends vertically. The engagement plate 67 is engageable with the front guide groove 14 on the front surface of the front cylinder 11.

[0027] A pair of right and left side plates 68 extend from the rear surface of the main portion 62 to the upper surface of the rear protruding portion 64. The space between the pair of side plates 68 accommodates the front cylinder 11 of the hammer drill 1 from above. Each side plate 68 has a pair of front and rear ribs 69 on an inner surface. The ribs 69 are fitted into the side guide grooves 17 on the side surfaces of the front cylinder 11.

[0028] Each side plate 68 has a recess 70 extending vertically on its outer surface. The recess 70 receives a hook plate 71. The hook plate 71 is a strip plate that fits into the recess 70 and extends vertically. As shown in Fig. 2, the hook plate 71 has the inner surface connected to a shaft 72 in its intermediate region. The shaft 72 extends in the front-to-back direction in the recess 70. The hook plate 71 is pivotable about the shaft 72. A lower portion of the hook plate 71 is urged laterally outward by a coil spring 73 between the hook plate 71 and the inner surface of the recess 70. Thus, the hook plate 71 is biased to a locking position in which its upper portion is inclined laterally inward, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 2. The hook plate 71 has an engagement rod 74 at its upper end, which projects inwardly. In the locking position, the engagement rod 74 projects inwardly from the side plate 68 via a through hole 75 in the recess 70. When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached to the hammer drill 1, the engagement rod 74 is engaged with the side engagement recess 16 on the front cylinder 11. When the lower portion of the hook plate 71 is pressed toward the recess 70, the hook plate 71 inclines to an unlocking position, as shown by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 2. In the unlocked position, the engagement rod 74 tilts laterally outward from the side plate 68.

[0029] The rear protruding portion 64 has a receptacle 76 on its upper surface. When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached, the receptacle 76 is in contact with the lower surface of the front cylinder 11. The rear protruding portion 64 has a connecting cylinder 77 that projects upwardly on its upper surface behind the receptacle 76. The connecting cylinder 77 is located on the rear protruding portion 64 at its lateral center and holds a male connector 78 that extends upwardly. When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached, the connecting cylinder 77 is connected to the connecting opening 22 on the front surface of the front cylinder 11. The male connector 78 is thus connected to the female connector 23 in the connecting opening 22.

[0030] The front protruding portion 63 receives a channel 80. The channel 80 has the front end (suction area) open forwardly on the front surface of the front protruding portion 63. The channel 80 extends rearwardly from the front protruding portion 63 and turns into the main portion 62. The channel 80 has the rear end open on the front surface of the main portion 62 from below the front protruding portion 63.

[0031] The dust box (dust collector) 65 is attached to the housing 61 from the front side below the front protrusion 63. The dust box 65 has a lid 81 and a box body 82 hinged together at their lower ends. The lid 81 holds a filter 83 on its front inner surface. The box body 82 covers the filter 83 from the front side.

[0032] The main portion 62 has an engaging shaft 84 extending laterally from the lower end of its front surface. The box body 82 has a receiving recess 85 extending laterally from its lower surface. The engaging shaft 84 engages with the receiving recess 85, and an elastic strip 86 at the upper end of the lid 81 engages with the lower surface of the front projecting portion 63. The dust box 65 is thus removably attached to the housing 61. The lid 81 has an inlet opening 87 in its upper region and an outlet opening 88 in its lower region. The inlet opening 87 is connected to the lower end of the duct 80. The outlet opening 88 is located behind the filter 83.

[0033] The main section 62 has a motor chamber 90 defined behind the outlet opening 88. When the dust box 65 is attached, the outlet opening 88 is aligned with an opening 91 in the front surface of the motor chamber 90 and is connected to the motor chamber 90.

[0034] The motor chamber 90 houses a dust collector DC motor 92. The dust collector DC motor 92 is supported by a downwardly extending rotating shaft 93. A dust collection fan 94 is fixed to the rotating shaft 93. The main section 62 has outlets (not shown) in its right and left surfaces radially outward of the dust collection fan 94.

[0035] The dust collector DC motor 92 is connected to positive and negative first dust collector lead wires 95. The first dust collector lead wires 95 extend through a partition between the main portion 62 and the rear protruding portion 64 to the interior of the rear protruding portion 64. The rear protruding portion 64 houses a dust collector controller 96 having a control circuit board (not shown). The dust collector controller 96 has a CPU on the control circuit board and a memory connected to the CPU. The dust collector controller 96 controls the operation of the dust collection accessory 60. The first dust collector lead wires 95 are electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96. The dust collector controller 96 is electrically connected to the male connector 78 via a second dust collector lead wire 97.

[0036] The rear protrusion portion 64 accommodates a dust collector battery mounting part 100. A dust collector battery pack (dust collector battery) 101 is slidably mounted on the dust collector battery mounting part 100 from the rear side and attached thereto to supply power to the dust collection accessory 60. The structure by which the dust collector battery pack 101 is mounted on the dust collector battery mounting part 100 is the same as the structure by which the tool body battery pack 26 is mounted on the tool body battery mounting part 25.

[0037] The dust collector battery assembly 100 includes a terminal block 102. The terminal block 102 is electrically connected to the dust collector battery pack 101. The terminal block 102 is electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via a third dust collector lead wire 103.

[0038] The dust collector controller 96 includes a dust collector indicator lamp (indicator) 104. The dust collector indicator lamp 104 is exposed on the side surface of the rear protruding portion 64. The dust collector indicator lamp 104 is, for example, an LED. The dust collector controller 96 monitors the voltage of the dust collector battery pack 101 attached to the dust collector battery mounting part 100. When the voltage value of the dust collector battery pack 101 has decreased to less than or equal to a predetermined value stored in advance, the dust collector controller 96 turns on or flashes the dust collector indicator lamp 104 to indicate the voltage decrease.

[0039] The rear projection portion 64 is placed below the front cylinder 11 of the hammer drill 1, with the ribs 69 on the side plates 68 vertically aligned with the side guide grooves 17 on the front cylinder 11. The dust collection accessory 60 is then moved vertically relative to the hammer drill 1. This causes the ribs 69 to fit into the side guide grooves 17 from below, and also causes the upper engagement projection 66 on the main portion 62 to fit into the upper engagement recess 15 on the front cylinder 11 from below. The engagement plate 67 on the main portion 62 engages the front guide groove 14 on the front cylinder 11 from below.

[0040] The front cylinder 11, moving relatively downward, comes into contact with the hook plates 71 on the side plates 68 and causes the hook plates 71 to pivot from the locking position to the unlocking position. This allows relative movement of the dust collection accessory 60. When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached, the engagement rods 74 on the hook plates 71 are in the locking position and are engaged with the side engagement recesses 16 on the front cylinder 11. This restricts downward movement of the dust collection accessory 60 relative to the hammer drill 1. The attachment of the dust collection accessory 60 is thus completed.

[0041] After completing the attachment of the dust collection accessory 60, the connecting cylinder 77 on the rear protruding portion 64 is connected to the connecting port 22 on the front cylinder 11. The male connector 78 is thus connected to the female connector 23. The tool body controller 13 is thus electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via the second tool body lead wire and the second dust collector lead wire.

[0042] Bit B is attached to the hammer drill 1. Bit B is a dust suction bit that has a dust suction path along its axis with a suction opening at the front end. Bit B can externally accommodate a hose fitting (not shown) on its outer circumference. A flexible hose 105 connects between the hose fitting and the front end of the duct 80 on the dust collection accessory 60, where suction is generated.

[0043] The flexible hose 105 is connected to define a dust collection path R so that air can flow between the bit B and the dust collection accessory 60. As indicated by the dashed arrows in Fig. 1, the dust collection path R extends from the bit B to the outlets via the flexible hose 105, the duct 80, the dust box 65 and the motor chamber 90.

[0044] The dust collector controller 96, when electrically connected to the tool body controller 13, determines whether the voltage of each of the tool body battery pack 26 and the dust collector battery pack 101 is zero or at least a predetermined value. The dust collector controller 96 selects one of the battery packs to be used based on the determination result and executes operation control for the dust collection system S. The operation control is executed based on a program prestored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium having the memory connected to the CPU in the dust collector controller 96.

[0045] In the operation control for the dust collection system S, the battery pack voltage being at least a predetermined value refers to the battery pack voltage having a voltage value sufficient to drive the DC motors 7 and 92 (e.g., 36 V). When the battery pack voltage is zero, the battery pack voltage refers to a voltage value (e.g., 5 V) that is insufficient to drive the DC motors 7 and 92, but sufficient to operate the tool body controller 13 or the dust collector controller 96.

[0046] The operation control for the dust collection system S will now be described with reference to the flow chart in Fig. 3 described.

[0047] If it is determined in step S1 that the switch 18 is on in response to pressing the switch lever 21, in step S2 the dust collector controller 96 determines whether the voltage of the dust collector battery pack 101 is zero or at least a predetermined value. If the voltage of the dust collector battery pack 101 is at least a predetermined value, in step S3 the determination is made as to whether the voltage of the tool body battery pack 26 is zero or at least a predetermined value. If the voltage of the tool body battery pack 26 is at least a predetermined value, in step S4 the tool body battery pack 26 is used to supply power to the dust collector controller 96 at the dust collection accessory 60. In step S5, the tool body DC motor 7 and the dust collector DC motor 92 are driven using power from only the tool body battery pack 26 to operate the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection accessory 60.The tool body battery pack 26, which normally has a higher capacity than the dust collector battery pack 101, is used before the dust collector battery pack 101 is used.

[0048] The operation of the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection accessory 60 will now be described in detail.

[0049] The tool body controller 13 receives an on signal from the switch 18 and also receives a command from the dust collector controller 96 to use the tool body battery pack 26 as a power supply device. The tool body controller 13 then supplies power from the tool body battery pack 26 to the dust collector controller 96 via the second tool body lead wire 24 and the second dust collector lead wire 97. The dust collector controller 96 then supplies power to drive the dust collector DC motor 92, which rotates the rotary shaft 93 and the dust collection fan 94. This causes the dust collection path R to have a negative pressure to generate suction at the tip opening of the bit B.

[0050] When the tool body controller 13 receives the on signal from the switch 18, the tool body controller 13 waits for a predetermined delay time (a few seconds) to elapse and then starts supplying power from the tool body battery pack 26 to the tool body DC motor 7. The tool body DC motor 7 is thus activated after the dust collector DC motor 92 is activated. The tool body DC motor 7 rotates the rotary shaft 8, which rotates the countershaft 36 and the crankshaft 37. In this state, the piston 44 reciprocates regardless of whether the hammer drilling mode or the hammer mode is selected. This causes the impact piston 48 to strike the bit B by means of the impact pin 49.

[0051] The dust generated from the target material is sucked into the dust suction path in the bit B and enters the duct 80 via the flexible hose 105. The dust then enters the dust box 65 via the dust collection path R, is captured by the filter 83, and collected in the box body 82.

[0052] When the work is completed, the switch lever 21 is released, and the switch 18 is turned off. When the tool body controller 13 determines that the switch 18 has been turned off, the tool body controller 13 stops the power supply to the tool body DC motor 7 and deactivates the hammer drill 1. The tool body controller 13 transmits an off signal from the switch 18 to the dust collector controller 96. When the dust collector controller 96 determines that the switch 18 has been turned off, the dust collector controller 96 waits for a predetermined delay time (a few seconds) to elapse and stops the power supply to the dust collector DC motor 92. This causes dust remaining in the dust collection path R to move into the dust box 65 when the hammer drill 1 is deactivated.

[0053] If it is determined that switch 18 is off in step S6, the dust collector controller 96 deactivates the dust collector DC motor 92 after waiting for the delay time to elapse. This terminates the operation control. If it is determined in step S6 that switch 18 remains on, the process returns to step S2 to again determine whether the voltage of each of the battery packs 26 and 101 is zero or at least a predetermined value.

[0054] When the tool body battery pack 26 has a reduced power level after being used individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92, it is determined in step S3 that the voltage of the tool body battery pack 26 is zero. The dust collector controller 96 then uses the dust collector battery pack 101 to supply power to the tool body controller 13 via the second dust collector lead wire 97 and the second tool body lead wire 24 in step S7. In step S8, the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection accessory 60 are operated using power from only the dust collector battery pack 101.

[0055] If it is determined in step S2 that the voltage of the dust collector battery pack 101 is zero, in step S9, a determination is made as to whether the voltage of the tool body battery pack 26 is zero or at least a predetermined value. If it is determined in step S10 that the voltage of the tool body battery pack 26 is at least a predetermined value, the controller switches to the tool body controller 13 for operation control.

[0056] In step S11, the tool body controller 13 uses the tool body battery pack 26 to supply power to the dust collector controller 96. In step S12, the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection accessory 60 are operated using power from only the tool body battery pack 26.

[0057] If it is also determined in step S9 that the tool body battery pack 26 has power, neither of the battery packs has any remaining power. Thus, an on operation of the switch 18 cannot cause the hammer drill 1 or the dust collector accessory 60 to operate (step S13). In step S14, the tool body controller 13 turns on or flashes the tool body indicator lamp 29 and the dust collector indicator lamp 104 to indicate that the battery packs 26 and 101 are empty.

[0058] To remove the dust collection accessory 60 from the hammer drill 1, the lower portions of the right and left hook plates 71 are pressed to move the hook plates 71 to the unlocking position. This unlocks the engagement rods 74 from the side engagement recesses 16 on the front cylinder 11 to enable relative movement of the dust collection accessory 60. The dust collection accessory 60 is moved relatively away from the hammer drill 1 in a reverse manner to the attachment of the dust collection accessory 60. This unlocks the ribs 69 on the side plates 68 from the side guide grooves 17 on the front cylinder 11 and also unlocks the engagement plate 67 on the main portion 62 downward from the front guide groove 14. At the same time, the upper engagement projection 66 on the main portion 62 is removed from the upper engagement recess 15 on the front cylinder 11.The removal of the dust collection accessory 60 is now complete.

[0059] To empty the dust in the dust box 65, the elastic strip 86 is pushed down to release it from the front protruding portion 63. The dust box 65 is then pulled forward around the engaging shaft 84 to be removed from the housing 61. The lid 81 is opened to empty the dust in the box body 82.

[0060] The dust collection system S includes the hammer drill 1 controlling the switch 18, the tool body DC motor 7, the tool body controller 13 controlling the tool body DC motor 7 in response to an operation on the switch 18, and the tool body battery pack 26.

[0061] The dust collection system S also includes the dust collection accessory 60, which is attachable to the hammer drill 1 for collecting dust generated by the hammer drill 1 during use. The dust collection accessory 60 includes the duct 80, the dust box 65, which collects the dust sucked through the duct 80, the dust collection fan 94, which generates suction in the duct 80, the dust collector DC motor 92, which rotates the dust collection fan 94, the dust collector controller 96, which controls the dust collector DC motor 92, and the dust collector battery pack 101.

[0062] When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached to the hammer drill 1, the tool body controller 13 and the dust collector controller 96 are electrically connected to each other. The dust collector controller 96 individually uses the tool body battery pack 26 to supply power to the tool body DC motor 7 and the dust collector DC motor 92, or individually uses the dust collector battery pack 101 to supply power to the tool body DC motor 7 and the dust collector DC motor 92.

[0063] With this structure, the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection attachment 60 have their respective battery packs as power supply devices and can be operated continuously even when one of the battery packs becomes empty. This improves operability. One of the two battery packs 26 and 101 is used until it is empty, and subsequently the other is used until it is empty. This improves the usage efficiency of the battery packs 26 and 101.

[0064] The dust collector controller 96 uses the tool body battery pack 26 individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92 before using the dust collector battery pack 101 individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92 (steps S1 to S8).

[0065] The tool body battery pack 26, which normally has a higher capacity than the dust collector battery pack 101, can be used before the dust collector battery pack 101 is used.

[0066] The dust collector controller 96 monitors the voltage of each of the battery packs 26 and 101. When the battery pack 26 (101) used individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92 has a voltage value less than or equal to the predetermined value and is a voltage at which the DC motors 7 and 92 are not drivable, the other battery pack 101 (26) is used individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92 (steps S1 to S12).

[0067] This allows selective use of battery pack 26 or 101 based on the voltage value, effectively preventing interruption of operation when one of the battery packs becomes empty.

[0068] The dust collector controller 96 determines that the battery pack 26 (101) is used individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92. When the battery pack 26 (101) has a voltage value less than or equal to the predetermined value, the tool body controller 13 determines that the battery pack 101 (26) is to be used individually to supply power to the DC motors 7 and 92 (steps S10 to S12).

[0069] This reduces the use of the tool body battery pack 26 and enables uninterrupted operation control of the dust collection system S when the dust collector battery pack 101 has a reduced voltage value.

[0070] The tool body battery pack 26 is removably attachable to the tool body battery mounting part 25 of the hammer drill 1. The dust collector battery pack 101 is removably attachable to the dust collector battery mounting part 100 of the dust collection accessory 60. The structure by which the tool body battery pack 26 is attached to and removed from the tool body battery mounting part 25 is the same as the structure by which the dust collector battery pack 101 is attached to and removed from the dust collector battery mounting part 100.

[0071] Thus, each of the battery packs 26 and 101 having the same rated voltage can be attached to each of the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection accessory 60, thereby improving usability.

[0072] The dust collector controller 96 activates the tool body DC motor 7 after activating the dust collector DC motor 92 in response to an on operation on the switch 18.

[0073] The dust collection accessory 60 is activated to generate suction power before the hammer drill 1 is activated. This enables reliable dust suction simultaneously with the operation of the hammer drill 1.

[0074] The dust collector controller 96 deactivates the dust collector DC motor 92 after deactivating the tool body DC motor 7 in response to an off operation on the switch 18.

[0075] This allows the dust to be moved into the dust box 65 without remaining in the dust collection path R after the hammer drill 1 has been deactivated.

[0076] The tool body indicator lamp 29 and the dust collector indicator lamp 104 indicate that each of the tool body battery pack 26 and the dust collector battery pack 101 has a voltage less than or equal to the predetermined value.

[0077] The user can thus promptly replace or charge battery packs 26 and 101.

[0078] Modifications of the disclosure will now be described.

[0079] In the operation control described above, the tool body battery pack is used individually to supply power to the two DC motors before the dust collector battery pack is used individually to supply power to the two DC motors. In some embodiments, the dust collector battery pack may be used individually to supply power to the two DC motors before the tool body battery pack is used individually to supply power to the two DC motors.

[0080] This can delay a decrease in the power level of the tool body battery pack and ensure its performance when the hammer drill is operated independently.

[0081] In the above-described operation control, the voltage of each battery pack is determined to be zero when the battery pack has a voltage value insufficient to drive the two DC motors. In some embodiments, when one of the two battery packs is not attached to the battery mounting part, the tool body controller or the dust collector controller may determine that the voltage is zero and use the other battery pack individually to supply power to the two DC motors.

[0082] In this case, the entire system can be powered by a single attached battery pack, further improving usability.

[0083] The battery pack to be used individually to supply power can be determined based on any factor other than the voltage value of the battery pack. For example, each battery mounting part can have a detection device, such as a sensor or a switch, to detect that a battery pack is attached. The battery pack to be used individually to supply power can be determined based on whether the detection device has detected that a battery pack is attached.

[0084] In the hammer drill, the position and orientation of the tool body DC motor and the position and orientation of the tool body controller are not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the tool body DC motor may have a rotating shaft extending forward or diagonally forward. The tool body controller may extend laterally.

[0085] The position of the tool body battery mounting part can be changed as appropriate. The tool body battery pack can be moved from the front and side to mount instead of the rear. When two tool body battery packs are mountable, a set of two tool body battery packs or the dust collector battery can be selected for individual use.

[0086] The tool body battery in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be different than the removable tool battery pack in the embodiments described above. For example, the tool body battery may be retained in the housing of the power tool in a non-removable manner and may be rechargeable via a cord.

[0087] The structure of the impact assembly is not limited to the embodiments described above. The selectable operating modes may include a drilling mode.

[0088] The power tool is not limited to a hammer drill and can be another power tool, such as an electric hammer.

[0089] Although the dust suction bit is attached to the power tool as a front-end tool in the embodiments described above, any front-end tool other than the dust suction bit may be attached. In this case, a cylindrical accessory with a hose fitting may be attached to the front end of the power tool to cover the outer surface of the front-end tool. The hose fitting may be connected to the suction area on the dust collection accessory using a flexible hose.

[0090] The dust collection accessory can be attached to the power tool in, for example, the front-to-back direction instead of the vertical direction.

[0091] In the dust collection accessory, the position and orientation of the dust collector DC motor and the position and structure of the dust box are not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the dust collector DC motor can be mounted with its rotating shaft extending upward or laterally. The dust collector DC motor and the fan impeller can have their shafts separate, and rotation can be transmitted from the rotating shaft of the dust collector DC motor to the fan impeller shaft.

[0092] The dust collector is not limited to a dust box and can have a cyclone structure without a filter.

[0093] The dust collection path can therefore be modified if appropriate.

[0094] The dust collector battery pack can be slid from the front or side instead of the back to attach to the dust collector battery mounting part.

[0095] The dust collector battery in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may also be different from the removable dust collector battery pack in the embodiments described above. For example, the dust collector battery may be retained in the housing of the dust collection accessory in a non-removable manner and may be rechargeable via a cable.

[0096] For example, in the dust collection accessory, the flexible hose can be connected to the top surface or the side surface of the housing instead of the front surface. The dust collection accessory can be attached without a flexible hose. For example, the dust collection accessory can have a sliding cylinder that defines a dust collection path inside and protrudes from the housing. The sliding cylinder can have a suction opening at the tip for receiving a front-end tool.

[0097] The indication is not limited to a lamp and can provide a display using, for example, a display with letters or numbers. The indication can use a sound, such as an electric tone, or can use both a lamp and a sound.

[0098] It is explicitly emphasized that all features disclosed in the description and / or the claims are to be considered separate and independent of each other for the purpose of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, regardless of the feature combinations in the embodiments and / or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all range specifications or specifications of groups of units disclose every possible intermediate value or subgroup of units for the purpose of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, in particular also as a limit of a range specification. List of reference symbols 1 hammer drill 2 inner housings 3 engine housing 4 upper outer casing 5 lower outer casing 6 Impact assembly 7 Tool body DC motor 8 Rotating shaft 11 front cylinder 12 Handle 13 Tool body control 18 switches 21 gear levers 23 female connector 25 Tool body battery assembly part 26 Tool body battery pack 29 Tool body indicator lamp 35 tool holders 44 pistons 48 percussion pistons 49 firing pins 60 Dust collection accessory 61 housings 62 Main Section 65 dust box 71 Hook plate 78 male connector 83 filters 92 Dust collector DC motor 94 Dust collection fan wheel 96 Dust collector control 100 dust collector battery assembly part 101 Dust collector battery pack 104 Dust collector indicator lamp B Bit R Dust collection path S dust collection system for power tools QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 222 386 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Dust collection system (S) for a power tool, with a power tool (1) that a switch (18), a tool body DC motor (7), a tool body controller (13) configured to control the tool body DC motor (7) in response to an operation on the switch (18), and a tool body battery (26), and a dust collection accessory (60) attachable to the power tool (1) for collecting dust generated by the power tool (1) during use, wherein the dust collection accessory (60) a suction area (80), a dust collector (65) configured to collect dust sucked in by the suction area (80), a fan wheel (94) configured to generate a suction force at the suction area (80), a dust collector DC motor (92) configured to rotate the fan wheel (94), a dust collector controller (96) configured to control the dust collector DC motor (92), and a dust collector battery (101), wherein, when the dust collection accessory (60) is attached to the power tool (1), the tool body control (13) and the dust collector control (96) are electrically connected to each other, and the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) uses the tool body battery (26) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92), or uses the dust collector battery (101) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92). [2] The dust collection system (S) according to claim 1, wherein the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) uses the tool body battery (26) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92) before the dust collector battery (101) is individually used to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92). [3] The dust collection system (S) according to claim 1, wherein the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) uses the dust collector battery (101) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92) before the tool body battery (26) is used individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92). [4] The dust collection system (S) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) monitors a voltage of the tool body battery (26) and a voltage of the dust collector battery (101), and when one of the tool body battery (26) or the dust collector battery (101) individually used to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92) has a voltage value less than or equal to a predetermined value and is a voltage with which the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92) are not drivable, the other of the tool body battery (26) and the dust collector battery (101) individually is used to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92). [5] The dust collection system (S) according to claim 4, wherein the dust collector controller (96) determines that one of the tool body battery (26) and the dust collector battery (101) is to be used individually for supplying power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92), and when the dust collector battery (26) has a voltage value less than or equal to the predetermined value, the tool body controller (13) determines that one of the tool body battery (26) and the dust collector battery (101) is to be used individually for supplying power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92). [6] Dust collection system (S) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the power tool (1) has a tool body battery mounting part (25) to which the tool body battery (26) can be removably attached, the dust collection accessory (60) has a dust collector battery mounting part (100) to which the dust collector battery (101) can be removably attached, and a structure with which the tool body battery (26) is attached to and removed from the tool body battery mounting part (25) is the same as a structure with which the dust collector battery (101) is attached to and removed from the dust collector battery mounting part (100). [7] The dust collection system (S) according to claim 6, wherein when one of the tool body battery (26) and the dust collector battery (101) is not attached to the tool body battery mounting part (25) or the dust collector battery mounting part (100), the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) uses the other of the tool body battery (26) and the dust collector battery (101) individually to supply power to the tool body DC motor (7) and the dust collector DC motor (92). [8] Dust collection system (S) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) activates the tool body DC motor (7) after the dust collector DC motor (92) has been activated in response to an on operation on the switch (18). [9] Dust collection system (S) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tool body controller (13) or the dust collector controller (96) deactivates the dust collector DC motor (92) after the tool body DC motor (7) has been deactivated in response to an off operation on the switch (18). [10] The dust collection system (S) according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a display (29, 104) configured to display that each of the tool body battery (26) and the dust collector battery (101) has a voltage less than or equal to the predetermined value.

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