POWER TOOL DUST COLLECTION ACCESSORIES AND POWER TOOL

Abstract

A self-priming dust collection accessory, comprising a dust collection motor and a fan wheel, can be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to several types of power tools. A dust collection accessory (60), attachable to a first power tool (1), comprises a housing (61), a suction area (80), a dust collector (65) that collects dust drawn in through the suction area (80), a fan wheel (94) that generates suction at the suction area (80), a dust collection motor (92) that rotates the fan wheel (94), and an adapter (200) that can be attached to at least one second power tool (1A) and is removable from the housing (61).The adapter (200) has a mechanical coupling device (14A, 66A) that couples the housing (61) and the second power tool (1A), and an electrical connector (205) that electrically connects the dust collection accessory (60) and the second power tool (1A) when the dust collection accessory (60) is coupled to the second power tool (1A).

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Technical field

[0001] The disclosure relates to a dust collection accessory attachable to a power tool for collecting dust generated by the power tool during use, and to a power tool to which the dust collection accessory is attachable. 2. State of the art

[0002] When a power tool, such as a hammer drill, is used to machine a target material such as concrete or stone, a dust collection attachment is attached to the power tool to prevent dust generated from the target material from scattering. The dust collection attachment includes a suction portion that sucks dust and a dust collector that collects the sucked dust, as disclosed in JP 2022-40593 A (hereinafter, Patent Literature 1). In the system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when a dust collection device is attached to a power tool, the dust collection path at the dust collection device connects to the interior of the power tool, which has a fan. When the fan rotates in response to the driving of the power tool, suction force is generated at the suction portion at the dust collection device, causing the sucked dust to be collected in the dust collector.

[0003] The system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes an adapter for coupling the dust collection device to different power tools, which have dust collection device mounting areas of different shapes at different positions. Thus, each power tool uses a dust collection device manufactured for that power tool. This results in less versatility of dust collection devices. The adapter allows one dust collection device to be attached to multiple types of power tools. SHORT SUMMARY

[0004] In the known system, the power tool and the dust collection accessory are simply mechanically coupled. Thus, for a self-priming dust collection accessory that features a motor and a fan for dust collection, the dust collection accessory does not allow signal transmission or power supply from the power tool to the dust collection accessory, and it cannot utilize the adapter.

[0005] One or more aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a self-priming dust collection accessory having a dust collection motor and a fan impeller, and capable of being mechanically coupled and electrically connected to multiple types of power tools, and to a power tool having such a dust collection accessory.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a power tool dust collection accessory attachable to a first power tool, wherein the dust collection accessory a housing, 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 collection motor configured to rotate the fan wheel, and an adapter which is attachable to at least a second power tool and is removably attachable to the housing, wherein the adapter a mechanical coupling device configured to couple the housing and the second power tool, and an electrical connector configured to electrically connect the dust collection accessory and the second power tool when the dust collection accessory is coupled to the second power tool.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a power tool with the power tool dust collection accessory according to the aspect described above, and the adapter that can be attached to the power tool dust collection accessory.

[0008] The technique according to the above-described aspects of the disclosure enables the dust collection accessory, which is a self-priming dust collection accessory including the dust collection motor and the fan, to be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the power tool and to the second power tool. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a power tool dust collection system in which a power tool dust collection accessory is directly attached to a hammer drill. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a left half of the area defined by line BB in Fig. 1 is displayed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a dust collection system for a power tool in which an adapter-mounted power tool dust collection accessory is attached to another hammer drill. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a dust collection system for a power tool in which an adapter-mounted power tool dust collection accessory according to a second embodiment is attached to another hammer drill. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of a dust collection system for a power tool in which an adapter-mounted power tool dust collection accessory according to a third embodiment is attached to another hammer drill. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFirst embodiment

[0009] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal center cross-sectional view of an exemplary dust collection system S for a power tool (hereinafter referred to simply as a dust collection system) in which a dust collection accessory 60 is directly attached to a hammer drill 1 without using an adapter (described later).

[0011] The hammer drill 1 will be described first. The hammer drill (a first power tool) 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. The motor housing 3 houses a motor 7. The 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.

[0012] The upper outer housing 4 is located above the motor housing 3 and covers the outer surface of the inner housing 2.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The front cylinder 11 has a tool body coupling device 14 at the lateral center of its front surface. As shown in Fig. 2, the tool body coupling device 14 is a rib extending vertically, with its horizontal cross section being T-shaped in the front-to-rear direction and in the lateral direction. The tool body coupling device 14 has a pair of right and left engaging grooves 15. Each engaging groove 15 extends upward from the lower end of the front cylinder 11. The tool body coupling device 14 has a blind hole 16 open forward at its lateral center. The blind hole 16 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The blind hole 16 accommodates a ball 17. The blind hole 16 has an opening diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 17. The blind hole 16 accommodates a coil spring 18 behind the ball 17. The ball 17 is biased by the coil spring 18 to a protruding position in which the ball 17 partially protrudes from the opening of the blind hole 16.

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the front cylinder 11 has engaging recesses 19 for receiving the dust collection accessory 60 on its left and right side surfaces. The engaging recesses 19 extend in the front-to-rear direction.

[0016] The handle 12 extends rearwardly from a lower portion of the front cylinder 11 and then upwardly to connect to the rear end of the upper outer casing 4.

[0017] The handle 12 is connected at its lower portion to a power cable 20. The power cable 20 is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13. The handle 12 has a main switch 21 and an auxiliary switch 22 above the power cable 20. The main switch 21 pushes a piston 23 forward. The main switch 21 is connected to a main lead wire 24. The main lead wire 24 is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13. The main lead wire 24 transmits an input-on signal to the tool body controller 13 in response to a push on the piston 23.

[0018] The auxiliary switch 22 pushes a piston 25 forward. The auxiliary switch 22 has a lever 26 at its front. The auxiliary switch 22 is connected to an auxiliary power wire 27. The auxiliary power wire 27 extends downward into the handle 12 between the main switch 21 and the inner surface of the handle 12.

[0019] The lower surface of the front cylinder 11 of the lower outer housing 5 has a connection opening 28 below the tool body control 13. The connection opening 28 is open downward. The connection opening 28 has a female connector 29 extending downward. The auxiliary power wire 27 is connected to the female connector 29.

[0020] A switching lever 30 is located in front of the main switch 21 and the auxiliary switch 22. The switching lever 30 is mounted on the handle 12 in a manner that can pivot in the front-to-back direction about its lower end. In a normal state, the switching lever 30 is in contact with the piston 23 of the main switch 21 and protrudes forward from the handle 12. The switching lever 30 has a pressing portion 31 above the position at which the switching lever 30 is in contact with the piston 23. The pressing portion 31 is located in front of the lever 26 of the auxiliary switch 22.

[0021] When the protruding switching lever 30 is pushed rearward, the switching lever 30 pushes the piston 23 to turn on the main switch 21 and also pushes the piston 25 with the push portion 31 and the lever 26 to turn on the auxiliary switch 22. The push portion 31 has a predetermined length so that the auxiliary switch 22 is turned on earlier than the main switch 21.

[0022] The impact assembly 6 includes a tool holder 35. The tool holder 35 is rotatably supported in 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 supported at the front of the rotating shaft 8 in the inner housing 2. A crankshaft 37 is supported behind the rotating shaft 8. The countershaft 36 and the crankshaft 37 each 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 bevel gear 40 at its upper end.

[0023] The tool holder 35 is connected to a shift sleeve 41 by means of splines. Behind the shift sleeve 41, a second bevel gear 42 is externally mounted to 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 the rotation of the first bevel gear 40 to the tool holder 35. The shift sleeve 41 is switched between a forward position and the rearward position by means of a switch knob 56 located on the rear surface of the upper outer housing 4.

[0024] 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 switching 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 in 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.

[0025] The switching lever 30 is pressed to turn on the main switch 21. The main switch 21 provides an on signal via the main line wire 24 to the tool body controller 13, which then supplies power to the 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 striker pin 49. When the switching sleeve 41 is switched to the rear position via the switching knob 56, the mode is switched to the 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, impact is simply performed without rotating the tool holder 35.

[0026] The dust collection accessory 60 is now described.

[0027] The dust collection accessory 60 includes a box-shaped 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.

[0028] A pair of dust collector coupling devices 66 are located in the lateral center on the rear surface of the main section 62. The main section 62 has the pair of dust collector coupling devices 66 on its rear surface in the lateral center. The dust collector coupling devices 66 are rails, each of which has an L-shaped cross section and extends upward from the upper surface of the rear protruding section 64. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the dust collector coupling devices 66 engage with the engagement grooves 15 on the tool body coupling device 14 from below. In this engaged state, the portion of the tool body coupling device 14 forward of the engagement grooves 15 is located between the dust collector coupling devices 66. This integrates the front cylinder 11 with the housing 61 in the front-to-rear direction. The main portion 62 has a fitting recess 67 on its rear surface. When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached, the ball 17 fits into the fitting recess 67.

[0029] 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 projecting portion 64. The space between the pair of side plates 68 receives the front cylinder 11 in the hammer drill 1 from above.

[0030] 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. 3, the hook plate 71 has the inner surface coupled 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 in a locking position in which its upper portion is biased laterally inward, as indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 3. The hook plate 71 has an engagement rod 74 at its upper end that projects inward. In the locking position, the engagement rod 74 projects inward from the side plate 68 through 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 engages the side engagement recess 19 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. 3. In the unlocking position, the engagement rod 74 is unlocked from the engagement recess 19.

[0031] 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 protrudes upward on its upper surface behind the receptacle 76. The connecting cylinder 77 is located on the rear protruding portion 64 at its lateral center. The connecting cylinder 77 holds a male connector 78 that extends upward. When the dust collection accessory 60 is attached, the connecting cylinder 77 is connected to the connecting opening 28 on the lower surface of the front cylinder 11. The male connector 78 is thus connected to the female connector 29 in the connecting opening 28.

[0032] The front protruding portion 63 receives a channel 80. The channel 80 has the front end (suction area) open forward on the front surface of the front protruding portion 63. The channel 80 extends rearward in the front protruding portion 63 and then turns in the main portion 62. The channel 80 has the lower end open on the front surface of the main portion 62 below the front protruding portion 63.

[0033] 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 includes a lid 81 and a box body 82 hinged together at their lower ends. The lid 81 has a filter 83 on its front inner surface. The box body 82 covers the filter 83 from the front side.

[0034] 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 located at the upper end of the cover 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 cover 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The motor chamber 90 accommodates a dust collection motor 92. The dust collection motor 92 is supported by a downwardly extending rotary shaft 93. A dust collection fan 94 is fixed to the rotary shaft 93. The main section 62 has outlets (not shown) in its right and left surfaces radially outward from the dust collection fan 94.

[0037] The dust collection motor 92 is connected to a positive and a negative lead wire 95. The lead wires 95 extend through a partition between the main section 62 and the rear protruding section 64 to an interior of the rear protruding section 64. The rear protruding section 64 houses a dust collector controller 96, which includes a control circuit board (not shown). The 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 signal lead wire 97.

[0038] The rear protrusion portion 64 accommodates a battery mounting portion 100. A battery pack 101 is slid from the rear and attached to the battery mounting portion 100 to supply power to the dust collection accessory 60. The battery mounting portion 100 includes a terminal block 102. The terminal block 102 is electrically connected to the attached battery pack 101. The terminal block 102 is electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via a power lead wire 103.

[0039] The dust collector controller 96 includes an indicator lamp 98. The indicator lamp 98 is exposed on the side surface of the rear protruding portion 64. The indicator lamp 98 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). The dust collector controller 96 monitors the voltage of the battery pack 101 attached to the battery mounting part 100. When the voltage value of the battery pack 101 decreases to a level less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the dust collector controller 96 turns on or flashes the indicator lamp 98 to indicate the voltage decrease.

[0040] The rear protrusion portion 64 is positioned below the front cylinder 11 of the hammer drill 1, with the engagement grooves 15 on the tool body coupling device 14 vertically aligned with the dust collector coupling devices 66. The dust collection accessory 60 is then moved vertically relative to the hammer drill 1. This fits the dust collector coupling devices 66 into the engagement grooves 15 from below.

[0041] The front cylinder 11, moving relatively downward, comes into contact with the hook plates 71 on the side plates 68, causing the hook plates 71 to pivot from the locking position to the unlocking position. This enables the relative movement of the dust collection attachment 60. When the dust collection attachment 60 is attached, the engagement rods 74 on the hook plates 71 are in the locking position and engaged with the engagement recesses 19 on the front cylinder 11. This restricts downward movement of the dust collection attachment 60 relative to the hammer drill 1. The attachment of the dust collection attachment 60 is thus completed. When the dust collection attachment 60 is attached, the ball 17 on the tool body coupling device 14 fits into the fitting recess 67 on the main body portion 62. This causes a click and pushes the main body portion 62 to reduce rattle in the coupled state.

[0042] Upon completion of the attachment of the dust collection accessory 60, the connecting cylinder 77 on the rear protruding portion 64 is connected to the connecting hole 28 on the front cylinder 11. This connects the male connector 78 to the female connector 29. The auxiliary switch 22 is thus electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via the auxiliary power wire 27 and the signal line wire 97.

[0043] 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. The bit 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.

[0044] This defines 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 through the flexible hose 105, the duct 80, the dust box 65 and the motor chamber 90.

[0045] To perform work using the dust collection system S, the switch lever 30 is pressed while the tip of the bit B is pressed against the target surface of a target material. This first turns on the auxiliary switch 22. The auxiliary switch 22 provides an on signal via the auxiliary power wire 27 and the signal line wire 97 to the dust collector controller 96. Upon receiving the on signal, the dust collector controller 96 receives power from the battery pack 101 via the terminal block 102 and the power line wire 103 and supplies power to the dust collection motor 92 via the line wires 95. This drives the dust collection motor 92 to rotate the rotary shaft 93 and the dust collection fan 94. This causes the dust collection path R to have a negative pressure to generate the suction force at the tip opening of the bit B.

[0046] The main switch 21 is turned on after the auxiliary switch 22 is turned on. The main switch 21 provides an on signal via the main line wire 24 to the tool body controller 13. Upon receiving the on signal, the tool body controller 13 receives mains power via the power cable 20 and supplies operating power to the motor 7. This drives the motor 7 to rotate the rotary shaft 8, which then rotates the countershaft 36 and the crankshaft 37. The piston 44 reciprocates regardless of whether the hammer drilling mode or the hammer mode is selected. This causes the percussion piston 48 to strike the bit B by means of the striker pin 49.

[0047] The power path extending from the power cable 20 via the tool body controller 13 to the motor 7 is electrically separated from the power path extending from the battery pack 101 via the dust collector controller 96 to the dust collection motor 92. The dust collection system S includes a reaction unit (the auxiliary switch 22, the auxiliary power wire 27, and the signal line wire 97) that drives and stops the dust collection motor 92 in response to an operation of the main switch 21, with the reaction unit separated from the signal path of the main switch 21.

[0048] This prevents any noise from the dust collection motor 92 from being transmitted to the power path of the hammer drill 1. The tool can thus pass an electromagnetic interference (EMI) test without any noise protection measures.

[0049] Dust generated from the target material is sucked into the dust suction path in 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 caught by the filter 83, and is collected in the box body 82.

[0050] When the work is completed, the switch lever 30 is released and the main switch 21 is turned off. The tool body control 13 stops the power supply to the motor 7 to deactivate the hammer drill 1.

[0051] When the switch lever 30 is released and the auxiliary switch 22 is turned off, the dust collector controller 96 waits for a predetermined delay time (a few seconds) to elapse after determining that the auxiliary switch 22 has been turned off. After the delay time, the dust collector controller 96 stops supplying power to the dust collection motor 92. This causes dust remaining in the dust collection path R to move to the dust box 65 when the hammer drill 1 is deactivated.

[0052] To remove the dust collection attachment 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 engagement recesses 19 on the front cylinder 11 to enable relative movement of the dust collection attachment 60. The dust collection attachment 60 is moved relatively away from the hammer drill 1 in a reverse manner to the attachment of the dust collection attachment 60. This unlocks the dust collector coupling devices 66 downward from the engagement grooves 15 on the tool body coupling device 14. The removal of the dust collection attachment 60 is thus completed.

[0053] To empty the dust in the dust box 65, the elastic strip 86 is pressed downward to release it from the front protruding portion 63. The dust box 65 is pulled forward around the engaging shaft 84 to be removed from the housing 61. The lid 81 is opened to empty the dust into the box body 82.

[0054] In the example described below, the dust collection accessory 60 is attached to a hammer drill having a different shape using an adapter.

[0055] A hammer drill (a second power tool or a power tool) 1A, which is in Fig. 4 has, on the front surface of the front cylinder 11, the same tool body coupling device 14 as the hammer drill 1 described above.

[0056] In the hammer drill 1A, the front cylinder 11 has a shorter vertical dimension than the front cylinder 11 in the hammer drill 1. When the receptacle 76 on the upper surface of the rear protruding portion 64 of the dust collection attachment 60 is in contact with the lower surface of the front cylinder 11, the engaging rods 74 on the hook plates 71 and the engaging recesses 19 on the front cylinder 11 are not vertically aligned, with the engaging recesses 19 being lower than the engaging rods 74. When the tool body coupling device 14 is engaged with the dust collector coupling devices 66, the engaging rods 74 and the engaging recesses 19 are not aligned in the front-to-rear direction, with the engaging recesses 19 on the front side of the engaging rods 74.

[0057] An adapter 200 is therefore used. The adapter 200 has a vertical plate 201 and a side plate 202. The vertical plate 201 is located between the front cylinder 11 and the main body portion 62. The side plate 202 is located between the front cylinder 11 and the rear projection portion 64.

[0058] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, the vertical plate 201 has a front coupling device 14A and rear coupling devices 66A. The front coupling device 14A has the same shape as the tool body coupling device 14 in the hammer drill 1. The front coupling device 14A has right and left engagement grooves 15A, which are the same as the engagement grooves 15. The rear coupling devices 66A have the same shape as the dust collector coupling devices 66. The vertical plate 201 has a fitting recess 67A on its rear surface for receiving the ball 17 in the tool body coupling device 14.The distance between each engagement groove 15A and the corresponding coupling device 66A in the front-to-back direction is equal to the distance by which each engagement rod 74 is displaced rearward from the corresponding engagement recess 19 in the front-to-back direction when the tool body coupling device 14 and the dust collector coupling devices 66 are directly coupled without the adapter 200.

[0059] The side plate 202 has an upper receptacle 203 on its upper surface. The upper receptacle 203 has the same shape as the receptacle 76. The vertical distance between the lower surface of the side plate 202 and the upper surface of the upper receptacle 203 is equal to the vertical distance by which each engagement rod 74 is displaced upward from the corresponding engagement recess 19 when the tool body coupling device 14 and the dust collector coupling devices 66 are connected directly without the adapter 200.

[0060] The side plate 202 has an intermediate cylinder 204 at its lateral center behind the upper mount 203. The intermediate cylinder 204 extends vertically. The upper end of the intermediate cylinder 204 is mateable with the connection opening 28 of the hammer drill 1A. The lower end of the intermediate cylinder 204 is mateable with the connection cylinder 77 of the dust collection accessory 60.

[0061] The intermediate cylinder 204 holds a metal connector 205. The metal connector 205 has a male part 206 at the upper end and a female part 207 at the lower end. The male part 206 is placeable in and connectable to the female connector 29 at the connection opening 28. The male connector 78 at the connection cylinder 77 is placeable in and connectable to the female part 207.

[0062] To attach the dust collection accessory 60 to the hammer drill 1A using the adapter 200, first, the adapter 200 is attached to the dust collection accessory 60. The front coupling device (mechanical coupling device) 14A on the vertical plate 201 of the adapter 200 is displaced downward relative to the dust collector coupling devices 66 from above the dust collector coupling device 66 until the receptacle 76 on the rear protruding portion 64 comes into contact with the lower surface of the side plate 202. Thus, the dust collector coupling devices 66 engage with the engagement grooves 15A on the front coupling device 14A and couple the vertical plate 201 to the main body portion 62. This also places the connecting cylinder 77 in the intermediate cylinder 204. The male connector 78 is thus placed in the female part 207 at the metal connector 205 and connected thereto.

[0063] The tool body coupling device 14 on the hammer drill 1A is then displaced downward relative to the adapter 200 from above the rear coupling devices (mechanical coupling devices) 66A on the adapter 200 until the upper receptacle 203 on the side plate 202 comes into contact with the lower surface of the front cylinder 11. Thus, the rear coupling devices 66A engage the engagement grooves 15 on the tool body coupling device 14 and couple the vertical plate 201 to the front cylinder 11. Thus, the engagement rod 74 on each hook plate 71 also engages the corresponding engagement recesses 19 and secures the dust collection accessory 60 to the hammer drill 1A. This also places the intermediate cylinder 204 in the connection opening 28. The male part 206 at the metal connector (electrical connector) 205 is thus placed in the female connector 29 and connected thereto.

[0064] The hammer drill 1A and the dust collection accessory 60 are thus coupled to each other via the adapter 200. At the same time, the auxiliary switch 22 of the hammer drill 1A is electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via the auxiliary power wire 27, the metal connector 205, and the signal line wire 97.

[0065] The dust collection accessory 60 and the dust collection system S in the first embodiment include the adapter 200 that is attachable to the hammer drill 1A and removably attachable to the housing 61. The adapter 200 includes the front coupling device 14A and the rear coupling devices 66A that couple the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1A, and the metal connector 205 that electrically connects the dust collection accessory 60 and the hammer drill 1A when the dust collection accessory 60 is coupled to the hammer drill 1A.

[0066] This structure enables the self-priming dust collection accessory 60, which includes the dust collection motor 92 and the dust collection fan 94, to be both mechanically coupled and electrically connected to each of the hammer drill 1 and the hammer drill 1A.

[0067] The metal connector 205 electrically connects the main switch 21 in the hammer drill 1A to the dust collector control 96 in the housing 61 for controlling the dust collection motor 92.

[0068] Thus, the dust collecting motor 92 can be driven in response to an operation on the main switch 21 in the hammer drill 1A.

[0069] The adapter 200 is attached to each of the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1A when it is moved in the same direction, which is the vertical direction, relative to the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1A.

[0070] Thus, the housing 61 can be easily attached to the hammer drill 1A in a short time by using the adapter 200.

[0071] The adapter 200 has a mounting surface for receiving the hammer drill 1A and a mounting surface for receiving the housing 61 opposite to the mounting surface for receiving the hammer drill 1A in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the adapter 200 has the mounting surface for receiving the hammer drill 1A at the rear of the front mounting surface for receiving the housing 61.

[0072] Thus, the two mounting surfaces are easily identifiable, enabling the adapter 200 to be attached to the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1A in a correct order.

[0073] The adapter 200 has the front coupling device 14A and the rear coupling devices 66A on surfaces different from a surface on which the metal connector 205 is located.

[0074] Thus, the mechanical coupling devices and the electrical connector for the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1A can be arranged without interfering with each other.

[0075] The housing 61 extends across the hammer drill 1A from the front portion to the bottom portion of the hammer drill 1A. The front coupling device 14A and the rear coupling devices 66A are located between the rear surface of the housing 61 and the front surface of the hammer drill 1A. The metal connector 205 is located between the upper surface of the housing 61 and the lower surface of the hammer drill 1A.

[0076] Thus, mechanical coupling and electrical connection of the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1A can be easily achieved in a small space by utilizing the shape of the housing 61. Second embodiment

[0077] The hammer drill in the first embodiment is powered by alternating current (AC), but the adapter according to one or another embodiment of the disclosure is also usable with a hammer drill powered by direct current (DC) from a battery pack. A second embodiment will now be described.

[0078] A hammer drill (second power tool or a power tool) 1B, which is Fig. 6, includes a lower housing 51 integral with the handle 12 below a motor housing 3. The lower housing 51 has a tool body battery mounting portion 52 at its rear. Two tool body battery packs (tool batteries) 53 are slid onto and attached to the tool body battery mounting portion 52 from the left side. The rated voltage (e.g., 40 V) of each tool body battery pack 53 is higher than the rated voltage (e.g., 18 V) of the battery pack (dust collector battery) 101 of the dust collection accessory 60. The tool body controller 13 is located in front of the tool body battery mounting portion 52 in the lower housing 51.

[0079] The handle 12 has no auxiliary switch and only a main switch 21. The main switch 21 is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13 via the main lead wire 24. The tool body battery mounting part 52 has terminal blocks (not shown) in its front and rear areas. The terminal blocks are electrically connected to the attached two tool body battery packs 53. Each terminal block is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13 via a second tool body lead wire 54.

[0080] The connection opening 28 is located in a lower front area of ​​the lower housing 51. The connection opening 28 has the female connector 29, which is electrically connected to the tool body controller 13 via a third tool body lead wire 55.

[0081] An adapter 200A includes a vertical plate 201 having the same structure as the vertical plate 201 in the first embodiment and a side plate 202 that houses a conversion device 208 inside. The side plate 202 has a connecting recess 209 in the lateral center of its rear lower surface. The connecting recess 209 can accommodate the connecting cylinder 77 on the rear protruding portion 64. The connecting recess 209 has a female terminal 210. The male terminal 78 on the connecting cylinder 77 is placed in and connected to the female terminal 210.

[0082] The side plate 202 has a connecting protrusion 211 in the lateral center of its front surface. The connecting protrusion 211 is mateable with the connecting opening 28 in the front cylinder 11. The connecting protrusion 211 has a male terminal 212. The male terminal 212 is placed in and connected to the female connector 29 in the connecting opening 28. Each of the female terminal 210 and the male terminal 212 is electrically connected to the conversion device 208 via an internal lead wire 213.

[0083] To attach the dust collection accessory 60 to the hammer drill 1B using the adapter 200A, the adapter 200A is first attached to the dust collection accessory 60. As in the first embodiment, the front coupling device 14A on the vertical plate 201 is displaced downward relative to the dust collector coupling devices 66 from above the dust collector coupling device 66 until the receptacle 76 on the rear protruding portion 64 comes into contact with the lower surface of the side plate 202. Thus, the dust collector coupling device 66 engages the engaging grooves 15A on the front coupling device 14A and couples the vertical plate 201 to the main body portion 62, as shown in Fig. 7. Thus, the connecting cylinder 77 also fits into the connecting recess 209. The male connector 78 is thus placed in the female connector 210 and connected thereto.

[0084] The tool body coupling device 14 on the hammer drill 1B is then slid relative to the adapter 200A from above the rear coupling devices 66A on the adapter 200A until the upper surface of the side plate 202 comes into contact with the lower surface of the front cylinder 11. Thus, the rear coupling devices 66A engage the engagement grooves 15 on the tool body coupling device 14 and couple the vertical plate 201 to the front cylinder 11. Thus, the engagement rod 74 on each hook plate 71 also engages the corresponding engagement recess 19 and secures the dust collection accessory 60 to the hammer drill 1B. This also places the connection projection 211 in the connection opening 28. The male terminal 212 is thus placed in and connected to the female connector 29.

[0085] The hammer drill 1B and the dust collection accessory 60 are thus coupled to each other via the adapter 200A. At the same time, the tool body controller 13 is electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via the third tool body lead wire 55, one of the internal lead wires 213, the conversion device 208, the other of the internal lead wires 213, and the signal lead wire 97.

[0086] In the second embodiment, when the power level of the battery pack 101 in the dust collection accessory 60 decreases and a voltage for driving the dust collection motor 92 cannot be provided, the tool body controller 13, having received such information from the dust collector controller 96, supplies power from the tool body battery packs 53 to the dust collection motor 92. The power supply voltage of each tool body battery pack 53 is lowered by the converter 208 to a power supply voltage suitable for the dust collection motor 92 before being supplied.

[0087] The dust collection accessory 60 and the dust collection system S according to the second embodiment include the adapter 200A that is attachable to the hammer drill 1B and removably attachable to the housing 61. The adapter 200A includes the front coupling device 14A and the rear coupling devices 66A that couple the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1B, and includes the electrical connectors (the female terminal 210, the internal lead wires 213, the conversion device 208, and the male terminal 212) that electrically connect the dust collection accessory 60 and the hammer drill 1B when the dust collection accessory 60 is coupled to the hammer drill 1B.

[0088] This structure enables the self-priming dust collection accessory 60, which includes the dust collection motor 92 and the dust collection fan 94, to be both mechanically coupled and electrically connected to each of the hammer drill 1 and the hammer drill 1B.

[0089] Specifically, the electrical connectors (the female terminal 210, the internal lead wires 213, the conversion device 208, and the male terminal 212) enable power to be supplied from the hammer drill 1B.

[0090] The power supply for the hammer drill 1B can be used to drive the dust collection accessory 60 by means of the adapter 200A, thereby improving usability.

[0091] The hammer drill 1B includes the tool body battery packs 53 for supplying power. The housing 61 includes the battery pack 101 with a rated voltage different from the rated voltage of each tool body battery pack 53. The adapter 200A includes the conversion device 208 for converting the rated voltage of each tool body battery pack 53 to the rated voltage of the battery pack 101.

[0092] Thus, power from the hammer drill 1B having the tool body battery packs 53 each having a different rated power can be used to operate the dust collection accessory 60. Third embodiment

[0093] For a hammer drill (a second power tool or a power tool) 1C, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a tool body battery pack 53 is slid from the rear side and attached to the tool body battery mounting portion 52 in the lower housing 51. The tool body battery pack 53 has the same rated voltage as the battery pack 101 in the dust collection accessory 60.

[0094] An adapter 200B has the same vertical plate 201 as in the second embodiment and a side plate 202 that does not have a conversion device. The female terminal 210 and the male terminal 212 are directly connected to the internal lead wire 213. The tool body controller 13 extends in the front-to-back direction in an upper front portion of the lower housing 51.

[0095] To attach the dust collection accessory 60 to the hammer drill 1C using the adapter 200B, the adapter 200B is first attached to the dust collection accessory 60. As in the second embodiment, the front coupling device (mechanical coupling device) 14A on the vertical plate 201 is displaced downward relative to the dust collector coupling devices 66 from above the dust collector coupling device 66 until the receptacle 76 on the rear protruding portion 64 comes into contact with the lower surface of the side plate 202. As in Fig. Thus, as shown in Figure 7, the dust collector coupling devices 66 engage the front coupling device 14A for coupling the vertical plate 201 to the main body portion 62. This also places the connecting cylinder 77 in the connecting recess 209. The male connector 78 is thus placed in and connected to the female terminal 210.

[0096] The tool body coupling device 14 on the hammer drill 1C is then slid downward relative to the adapter 200B from above the rear coupling devices 66A on the adapter 200B until the upper surface of the side plate 202 comes into contact with the lower surface of the front cylinder 11. Thus, the rear coupling devices 66A engage the tool body coupling device 14 to couple the vertical plate 201 to the front cylinder 11. This also engages the engagement rods 74 on the hook plates 71 with the engagement recesses 19 and secures the dust collection accessory 60 to the hammer drill 1C. This also places the connection projection 211 in the connection opening 28. The male terminal 212 is thus placed in and connected to the female connector 29.

[0097] The hammer drill 1C and the dust collection accessory 60 are thus coupled to each other via the adapter 200B. At the same time, the tool body controller 13 is electrically connected to the dust collector controller 96 via the third tool body lead wire 55, the internal lead wire 213, and the signal lead wire 97.

[0098] In the third embodiment, when the power level of the battery pack 101 in the dust collecting accessory 60 decreases and a voltage for driving the dust collecting motor 92 cannot be provided, the tool body controller 13, having received such information from the dust collector controller 96, supplies power from the tool body battery pack 53 to the dust collecting motor 92.

[0099] The dust collection accessory 60 and the dust collection system S according to the third embodiment include the adapter 200B that is attachable to the hammer drill 1C and removably attachable to the housing 61. The adapter 200B includes the front coupling device 14A and the rear coupling devices 66A that couple the housing 61 and the hammer drill 1C, and includes the electrical connectors (the female terminal 210, the internal lead wire 213, and the male terminal 212) that electrically connect the dust collection accessory 60 and the hammer drill 1C when the dust collection accessory 60 is coupled to the hammer drill 1C.

[0100] This structure enables the self-priming dust collection accessory 60, which includes the dust collection motor 92 and the dust collection fan 94, to be both mechanically coupled and electrically connected to each of the hammer drill 1 and the hammer drill 1C.

[0101] The hammer drill 1C includes the tool body battery pack 53 for supplying power. The housing 61 includes the battery pack 101 with the same rated voltage as the tool body battery pack 53. The dust collector controller 96 is operable with the tool body battery pack 53 and the battery pack 101 to control the dust collection motor 92.

[0102] Thus, the dust collection motor 92 can be driven by power from the tool body battery pack 53 when the power of the battery pack 101 becomes empty.

[0103] Modifications of the disclosure will now be described.

[0104] In the embodiments described above, the tool body coupling device is a rib, and the dust collector coupling devices are a pair of rails, but their structures can be reversed. In this case, the mechanical coupling devices in the adapter include the front coupling devices, which are a pair of rails, and the rear coupling device, which is a rib. In another example, the rib can be replaced with a pair of rails, and two coupling devices, each including a pair of rails, can achieve mechanical coupling.

[0105] In the embodiments described above, the hammer drill and the dust collection accessory are coupled using the tool body coupling device and the dust collector coupling devices located at the lateral center, but they can be coupled using tool communication devices and dust collector coupling devices located at both lateral ends. The mechanical coupling devices in the adapter can also be located at both lateral ends.

[0106] The tool body coupling device and the dust collector coupling devices may have other shapes instead of extending in the vertical direction. Couplings divided into upper and lower regions may engage with each other. The front coupling device and the rear coupling devices on the adapter may also be divided into upper and lower regions.

[0107] In the above-described embodiments, regardless of the tool body coupling device, the dust collector coupling devices, and the mechanical coupling devices in the adapter, the hook plates on the left and right sides of the rear protruding portion of the dust collection attachment lock the dust collection attachment against displacement, but such locking components may be included in the main portion. For example, a locking bar protruding from and biased by the main portion may engage the front surface of the hammer drill, and the locking bar may be retracted by a release operation on the main portion.

[0108] The adapter may comprise the ball and the coil spring that the tool body coupling device comprises.

[0109] In the embodiments described above, the adapter is used to attach the dust collection accessory to one type of hammer drill, but the adapter may also allow the dust collection accessory to be attached to two or more types of hammer drills.

[0110] In the hammer drill, the position and orientation of the motor and the position and orientation of the tool body controller are not limited to those in the above-described embodiments. For example, the motor may have the rotating shaft extending forward or diagonally forward.

[0111] The structure of the impact assembly is not limited to that of the embodiments described above. The selectable operating modes may include a drilling mode.

[0112] The power tool is not limited to a hammer drill, but can be another power tool, such as an electric hammer.

[0113] Although the dust suction bit is attached to the power tool as a front-end tool in the embodiments described above, a 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.

[0114] The dust collection accessory can be attached to the power tool in, for example, the front-to-back direction instead of the vertical direction.

[0115] In the dust collection accessory, the position and orientation of the dust collection motor and the position and orientation of the dust box are not limited to those of the above-described embodiments. For example, the dust collection motor can be mounted with its rotating shaft extending upward or laterally. The dust collection motor and the fan impeller can have separate shafts, and rotation can be transmitted from the rotating shaft of the dust collection motor to the fan impeller shaft.

[0116] The dust collector is not limited to the dust box and can have a cyclone structure without a filter. The dust collection path can thus be modified if appropriate.

[0117] The battery pack can be slid sideways instead of from the back to attach to the battery mounting bracket on the dust collection accessory. Multiple battery packs can be attached.

[0118] For example, in the dust collection accessory, the flexible hose can be connected to the top or 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.

[0119] 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, 1A to 1C hammer drills 2 inner housings 3 engine housing 4 upper outer casing 5 lower outer casing 6 Impact assembly 7 Engine 8 Rotating shaft 11 front cylinder 12 Handle 13 Tool body control 14 Tool body coupling device 15 engagement groove 19 engagement recess 20 power cables 21 Main switch 22 additional switches 24 Main line wire 27 Additional power wire 29 female connector 30 gear levers 35 tool holders 44 pistons 48 percussion pistons 49 firing pins 51 lower housing 52 Tool body battery assembly part 53 Tool body battery pack 60 Dust collection accessory 61 housings 62 Main Section 65 dust box 66 Dust collector coupling device 71 Hook plate 78 male connector 83 filters 92 Dust collection motor 94 Dust collection fan wheel 96 Dust collector control 97 Signal wire 101 Battery Pack 103 Power line wire 200, 200A, 200B adapters 201 vertical plate 202 side plate 14A front coupling device 15A engagement groove 66A rear coupling device 208 Conversion device 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] JP 2022 - 40 593 A

[0002]

Claims

[1] Power tool dust collection accessory (60) attachable to a first power tool (1), wherein the dust collection accessory (60) a housing (61), 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 in the suction area (80), a dust collection motor (92) configured to rotate the fan wheel (94), and an adapter (200) which is attachable to at least one second power tool (1A) and is removably attachable to the housing (61), wherein the adapter (200) a mechanical coupling device (14A, 66A) configured to couple the housing (61) and the second power tool (1A), and an electrical connector (205) configured to electrically connect the dust collection accessory (60) and the second power tool (1A) when the dust collection accessory (60) is coupled to the second power tool (1A). [2] The power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector (205) connects a switch (21) in the second power tool (1A) and a dust collector controller (96) in the housing (61) for controlling the dust collection motor (92). [3] The power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connector allows power to be supplied from the second power tool (1B). [4] Power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to claim 3, wherein the second power tool (1C) has a tool body battery (53) for supplying power, the housing (61) has a dust collector battery (101) with the same nominal voltage as the tool body battery (53), and the dust collector control (96) is operable with the tool body battery (53) and the dust collector battery (101) to control the dust collection motor (92). [5] Power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to claim 3, wherein the second power tool (1B) has a tool body battery (53) for supplying power, the housing (61) has a dust collector battery (101) with a nominal voltage different from a nominal voltage of the tool body battery (53), and the adapter (200A) has a conversion device (208) configured to convert the rated voltage of the tool body battery (53) to the rated voltage of the dust collector battery (101). [6] The power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the adapter (200) is attached to each of the housing (61) and the second power tool (1A) when moved in a first direction relative to the housing (61) and the second power tool (1A). [7] The power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to claim 6, wherein the adapter (200) has a mounting surface for receiving the second power tool (1A) and a mounting surface for receiving the housing (61) opposite to the mounting surface for receiving the second power tool (1A) in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. [8] The power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adapter (200) has a mechanical coupling device (14A, 66A) and the electrical connector (205) on surfaces of the adapter (200) that are different from each other. [9] Power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to claim 8, wherein the housing (61) extends over the second power tool (1A) from a front region to a lower region of the second power tool (1A), the mechanical coupling device (14A, 66A) is located between a rear surface of the housing (61) and a front surface of the second power tool (1A), and the electrical connector (205) is located between an upper surface of the housing (61) and a lower surface of the second power tool (1A). [10] Power tool (1), with the power tool dust collection accessory (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the adapter (200) which can be attached to the power tool dust collection accessory (60).

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