Power tool

Abstract

Power tool with: a main body portion having a battery compartment into which a battery is insertable and receivable from above, and a cover attached to the battery compartment for covering the battery accommodated in the battery compartment from above; an electric working section provided at a front side of the main body section and configured to be operated by power supplied from the battery; a front handle positioned above the main body portion and in front of the battery compartment, the front handle including a first part extending in a cross direction intersecting a longitudinal direction and a height direction; and a rear handle connected to a rear side of the main body portion so as to extend rearwardly, wherein when a virtual plane is defined that touches an upper area of ​​the first part of the front handle and an upper area of ​​the rear handle, the battery stored in the battery compartment protrudes beyond the virtual plane.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a power tool. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] CN 117 356 287 A discloses a chainsaw (a battery-powered tool). In this chainsaw, the entire battery is located below a virtual plane that touches the handlebar and the operating area.

[0003] With such a structure, even if the chainsaw falls vertically, the battery will not hit the ground directly, and the impact can be absorbed by the handle tube and the operating area. SHORT EXPLANATION

[0004] However, with such a structure, it is difficult to mount a large-capacity battery (that is, a battery with large external dimensions), and to accommodate such a battery, the overall dimensions of the chainsaw must be increased.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure provides a power tool that mitigates the shock to the battery when dropped without increasing the overall size. Means of solving the problem

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power tool comprises: a main body portion having a battery compartment into which a battery is insertable and receivable from above, and a cover attached to the battery compartment to cover the battery accommodated in the battery compartment from above; an electric working portion provided at a front side of the main body portion and configured to be operated by power supplied from the battery; a front grip positioned above the main body portion and in front of the battery compartment, the front grip including a first part extending in a cross direction intersecting a longitudinal direction and a height direction;and a rear handle connected to a rear side of the main body portion so as to extend rearwardly, wherein, when a virtual plane is defined that contacts an upper portion of the first part of the front handle and an upper portion of the rear handle, the battery stored in the battery compartment extends beyond the virtual plane;

[0007] According to such an aspect, the impact on the battery when dropped can be mitigated without increasing its size. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view showing the overall structure of the chainsaw. Fig. 2 shows the chainsaw from above. Fig. 3 shows the chainsaw from below. Fig. 4 shows the positional relationship of each part with respect to the battery. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of the cross section taken along the line AA in Fig. 2 shows. Fig. 6 shows another configuration example of the cover. Fig. 7 shows another configuration example of the cover. DETAILED EXPLANATION

[0008] The figures explained below serve to describe the embodiment of the power tool. The various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with one another.

[0009] The following shows a chainsaw for cutting trees, boards and the like as an example of a power tool.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view showing the overall structure of the chainsaw. Fig. 2 shows the chainsaw from above. Fig. 3 shows the chainsaw from below. Fig. 4 shows the positional relationship of the individual parts to each other in relation to the battery. Fig. Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of the section along the line AA in Fig. 2 shows.

[0011] In this description, the height direction (“top / bottom”), the length direction (“front / back”) and the left-right direction or transverse direction are defined as shown in the figure.

[0012] Specifically, in the chainsaw 1, the vertical direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to a flat and horizontal support surface when the chainsaw is standing on it. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction is defined as the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction is defined as the direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0013] The chainsaw 1 comprises a main body portion 2, an electric working portion 3, an air intake portion 4, a handle portion 5 having a front handle 51, a rear handle 23, and a battery 6.

[0014] The electric working section 3 is provided at the front of the main body section 2 and is configured to be powered by electric power from the battery 6 when the operator performs a task with the chainsaw 1. Through this operation, the electric working section 3 directly impacts the workpiece. The work performed by the operator includes, for example, cutting trees, boards, and the like.

[0015] The electric working section 3 includes a guide bar 31, a saw chain 32, and a lever 33. The guide bar 31 is a plate-shaped member extending longitudinally and having its rear end fixed to the main body section 2. The annular saw chain 32 encircles the outer circumference of the guide bar 31.

[0016] Although this is Fig. 1 is not shown, the main body portion 2 includes the control board, the drive gear, the motor controller and the like.

[0017] The saw chain 32 is engaged with the drive gear. The drive gear is rotated by the engine.

[0018] The control board executes a control process that controls the rotation of the motor through the lever 33.

[0019] In the above structure, when the operator operates the lever 33, the motor controlled by the control board rotates the drive gear, and the resulting rotational force causes the saw chain 32 to rotate along the outer circumference of the guide bar 31.

[0020] The main body portion 2 is made of a plastic material or the like and serves as a housing (also referred to as a "shell") containing the aforementioned motor and other components. This main body portion 2 includes a bottom surface portion 21 and a battery compartment 22.

[0021] The bottom surface portion 21 is the portion that comes into contact with the support surface when the chainsaw 1 is placed on a flat support surface. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface portion 21 comprises a flat surface that comes into contact with the support surface, but the chainsaw 1 can remain stable on the support surface even if it comes into contact with the support surface at multiple sides or points.

[0022] The battery 6 is inserted into the battery compartment 22 from above for installation. The rear handle 23 is connected to the rear of the main body section 2 so as to extend rearward. This rear handle 23 is a part gripped by the operator when performing electrical work. The rear handle 23 is a longitudinally elongated, rod-shaped portion and is designed with dimensions selected so that it can be easily grasped by the operator's hand. Note that the rear handle 23 can also be considered a part of the main body section 2.

[0023] The air inlet portion 4, which includes an air inlet opening 41, forms a passage through which air introduced from the air inlet opening 41 is guided as cooling air into the interior of the main body portion 2.

[0024] The handle section 5 includes the front handle 51 and a front hand guard 52.

[0025] The front handle 51 is a section that is gripped by the operator during electrically assisted work. As shown in Fig. 2, the front handle 51 is positioned above the main body portion 2 and in front of the battery compartment 22, which includes the first part 511 extending in a cross direction (substantially the left-right direction) intersecting both the front-back and vertical directions, and the second part 512 continuing from the first part 511 and provided from the top to the left side of the main body portion 2. With this configuration, the operator can switch between gripping the first part 511 and the second part 512 depending on whether the workpiece to be cut is oriented vertically or horizontally.

[0026] The front hand guard 52 protects the operator's hand holding the front handle 51 from injury and at the same time serves as a brake to stop the electrical working section 3.

[0027] As explained above, the user of the chainsaw 1 carries the main body portion 2 by holding the front handle 51 and the rear handle 23 and rotates the saw chain 32 to work on a workpiece, for example, a tree.

[0028] In the chainsaw 1, the side of the saw chain 32 where work is performed is defined as the front side, and the side of the rear handle 23 held by the operator is defined as the rear side. The directions pointing forward and backward are defined as the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, from the rear to the front, the left direction and the right direction are defined as the left-right direction.

[0029] The battery 6 has an elongated outer shape. This battery 6 is inserted from the top into the receiving space 220 of the battery compartment 22, with its longitudinal direction serving as the insertion direction.

[0030] Hereinafter, when the battery 6 is inserted into the battery compartment 22, the end located at the top is referred to as the upper end 61 and the end located at the bottom is referred to as the lower end 62.

[0031] On the other hand, the battery 6 is taken out upward along the removal direction which is opposite to the insertion direction.

[0032] The battery compartment 22 comprises a receiving space 220 into which the battery 6 can be inserted from above and which releasably holds the battery 6 inserted into the receiving space 220. The receiving space 220 comprises the first opening 221 on the top side, through which the battery 6 passes during insertion, and the second opening 222 on the bottom side opposite the first opening 221.

[0033] The second opening 222 is dimensioned to allow a worker's finger to pass through.

[0034] According to this aspect, when an operator inserts a finger into the second opening 222 and presses the lower end 62 of the battery 6, a force can be applied to the battery 6 in the removal direction (upward), whereby the battery 6 can be removed more easily than in the case where the second opening 222 is not provided. Furthermore, since the provision of the second opening 222 is simpler than, for example, the provision of a removal mechanism including a spring portion and a lever, the battery can be easily removed from the chain saw 1 with a simpler structure.

[0035] The first opening 221 is the position where the receiving space 220 on the upper surface 61 of the battery 6 is open to the outside. The second opening 222 is the position where the receiving space 220 on the lower surface 62 of the battery 6 is open to the outside. That is, when the battery compartment 22 of the main body portion 2 is arranged with the bottom surface portion 21 facing downward, the second opening 222 is arranged below the first opening 221. According to this structure, the battery 6 can be inserted into the receiving space 220 by its own weight. Therefore, the battery 6 can be inserted more easily than when the positional relationship between the first opening 221 and the second opening 222 is reversed.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the main body portion 2 is provided with an anti-slip portion 24 at the rear of the first opening 221 (battery compartment 22). The anti-slip portion 24 is formed by a plurality of ridges extending in the left-right direction. The anti-slip portion 24 is a portion that comes into contact with the operator's thumb when gripping the rear grip 23 and with the operator's fingers when removing the battery 6, and is configured to reduce the likelihood of the operator's fingers slipping.

[0037] The corrugation 24 is not limited to a plurality of ribs, but may, for example, be a surface with a plurality of projections, a plurality of depressions, or a file-like structure such as a knurling or wave pattern.

[0038] In addition, as in Fig. 3, the main body portion 2 is provided with an exhaust port 25 at the front of the second opening 222. The exhaust port 25 discharges the air (cooling air) drawn in from the air inlet port 41 to the outside and used to cool heat-generating components such as a motor and a control board arranged within the main body portion 2.

[0039] As explained above, the battery compartment 22 includes the second opening 222 located at the bottom 62 of the battery 6. In this configuration, the length (dimension) of the battery 6 in the left-right direction is greater than the length (dimension) of the second opening 222 in the left-right direction. In other words, part of the bottom end 62 of the battery 6 is covered by the bottom surface portion 21.

[0040] Thus, the second opening 222 has a shape and size such that the battery 6 inserted into the receiving space 220 is prevented from falling through the bottom surface portion 21 or the like. According to this aspect, the structural strength of the main body portion 2 can be more easily ensured than in a case where the second opening 222 has a shape and size that allows the battery 6 to fall through, as is the case with the first opening 221.

[0041] In addition, the outlet opening 25 is located between the electrical working section 3 and the second opening 222. According to this aspect, foreign matter such as sawdust generated during operation can be prevented from entering the receiving space 220 through the air exiting from the outlet opening 25.

[0042] By aligning the direction of the air exiting from the outlet opening 25 towards the side on which the electrical working section 3 is arranged in the left-right direction (in Fig. 3 downwards), the penetration of foreign bodies such as sawdust into the receiving space 220 can be further prevented.

[0043] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the battery compartment 22 forms a gap 223 between the battery 6 and the battery compartment 22 when the battery 6 is inserted (received) into the receiving space 220. The gap 223 is open toward the top of the battery compartment 22 at the first opening 221 and also open downward into the battery compartment at the second opening 222. In other words, the gap 223 penetrates the main body portion 2 (battery compartment 22) at the top and bottom even when the battery 6 is received in the receiving space 220.

[0044] In addition, the upper main body portion 2 includes a cover 29 attached to the battery compartment 22 to cover the battery 6 stored in the battery compartment 22 from above, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5. The cover 29, in a state attached to the battery compartment 22, is configured to expose the gap 223 to the outside, covering the upper end 61 side of the battery 6 without covering the top of the gap 223.

[0045] According to this structure, water W, such as rainwater, is drained from the bottom of the battery compartment 22 to the outside through the gap 223. Therefore, adverse effects (e.g., short circuits or corrosion) on the battery 6 and other electrical components can be adequately prevented. Furthermore, the heat H generated by the battery 6 does not accumulate in the battery compartment 22 but is drained from the top to the outside, thus sufficiently preventing malfunction of the battery 6.

[0046] In addition, the cover 29 is attached to the battery compartment 22 in a rotatable or pivotable manner. This design allows the battery 6 to be attached to and removed from the battery compartment 22 relatively easily.

[0047] When a virtual plane is defined that touches an upper portion of the first part 511 of the front handle 51 and an upper portion of the rear handle 23, the battery 6 stored in the battery compartment 22 protrudes as shown in Fig. 4 shown beyond the virtual plane.

[0048] According to this structure, the battery 6 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction (insertion direction) is vertical and not aligned with the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 2, thus protruding beyond the virtual plane IP. Therefore, a (physically large) battery 6 with a relatively large capacity can be installed (mounted) without increasing the length of the chainsaw 1.

[0049] In such a chainsaw 1, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the cover 29 is mounted on the battery compartment 22 so that it covers the battery 6 from above. Accordingly, even if the chainsaw 1 accidentally falls vertically downward, the front handle 51 and the cover 29 come into contact with the ground first. As a result, the front handle 51 and the cover 29 absorb the impact of the fall, thus mitigating damage to the battery 6.

[0050] From this perspective, it is advantageous that a buffer absorption space is formed between the battery 6 and the cover 29, which stores the battery 6 in the battery compartment 22 from above, in which the battery 6 and the cover 29 do not contact. By providing a buffer absorption space 290 between the cover 29 and the battery 6, the cover 29 absorbs the shock and thus further mitigates the shock exerted on the battery 6. In this case, the cover 29 is preferably made of a hard plastic material or a metallic material.

[0051] Furthermore, a shock-absorbing material is preferably disposed between the cover 29, which stores the battery 6 in the battery compartment 22 from above, and at least one of the battery 6 and the battery compartment 22. By disposing the shock-absorbing material between the cover 29 and the battery compartment 22, the impact applied to the battery 6 can be further mitigated. Examples of the shock-absorbing material include blocks of rubber or viscoelastic foam (shock-absorbing material), as well as various hollow bodies and various foams (sponges).

[0052] Specific attachment positions of the shock-absorbing material are, for example, a position between the upper end 61 of the battery 6 and the cover body 291 and a position between the edge of the cover body 291 and the edge of the battery compartment 22.

[0053] In addition, the shock-absorbing material may be attached to the cover 29 (cover body 291), to the battery compartment 22, or to neither.

[0054] The cover 29 includes a cover body 291 covering the battery 6, and a leg 292 connected to the cover body 291 and fixed to the battery compartment 22. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of the leg 292 is pivotally attached to a rotary shaft portion 292a on the main body portion 2 (battery compartment 22).

[0055] As a result, the cover 29 is configured to rotate or pivot between the first position in which the battery 6 is covered and the second position in which the cover is pivoted forward to expose the battery 6 to the outside. According to this configuration, in the first position, the cover body 291 of the cover 29 can cover the battery 6 and the electrical components arranged below the battery 6, thereby more effectively preventing adverse effects of water W on the electrical components.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the battery compartment 22 includes a connection terminal 27 disposed in front of the gap 223, the connection terminal being electrically connected to the battery 6. With this structure, it is particularly easy to protect the connection terminal 27, which is susceptible to adverse effects from water W.

[0057] In addition, as in Fig. 1, the cover body 291 of the cover 29 in the first cover position covers the area near the top surface 28 of the main body portion 2 (the front boundary between the battery compartment 22 and the battery 6), thereby effectively preventing contact of the water W with the connection terminal 27.

[0058] As in Fig. 5, the pivot point O of the cover 29 is positioned longitudinally between the connecting terminal 27 and the gap 223. With this structure, it is easy to prevent water W from entering the front boundary between the battery compartment 22 and the battery 6 even when the cover 29 is pivoted from the first position to the second position.

[0059] The cover 29 can also be used in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shown structures.

[0060] The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 each show other embodiments of the cover.

[0061] The Fig. The cover 29 shown in Fig. 6 is constructed so that it can be mounted into the battery compartment 22 by sliding the cover 29 in the vertical direction.

[0062] The Fig. The cover 29 shown in Fig. 7 includes a rotary shaft 292a at a position that matches the gap 223 in the battery compartment 22. The cover 29 is configured to pivot between the first position in which it covers the battery 6 and the second position in which it is pivoted rearward to expose the battery 6 to the outside.

[0063] Although the second embodiment, as explained above, describes a chainsaw as an example of a power tool, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Power tools may include, for example, hedge trimmers, cutters, blowers, and the like. In other words, as long as a battery is mounted in the battery compartment of the main body portion and the tool includes an electric working portion powered by electric power from this battery, any power tool may be used.

[0064] In addition, it may be provided in any of the following forms: (1) A power tool comprising: a main body portion having a battery compartment into which a battery is insertable and receivable from above, and a cover attached to the battery compartment for covering the battery stored in the battery compartment from above; an electric working portion provided at a front side of the main body portion and configured to be operated by power supplied from the battery; a front grip positioned above the main body portion and in front of the battery compartment, the front grip including a first part extending in a crossing direction intersecting a longitudinal direction and a height direction;and a rear handle connected to a rear side of the main body portion so as to extend rearwardly, wherein, when a virtual plane is defined that contacts an upper portion of the first part of the front handle and an upper portion of the rear handle, the battery stored in the battery compartment extends beyond the virtual plane; (2) The power tool according to item (1), wherein a buffer absorption space is formed between the battery and the cover covering the battery stored in the battery compartment from above. (3) A power tool according to item (1) or (2), wherein a shock-absorbing material is arranged between the cover covering the battery accommodated in the battery compartment from above and at least one of the battery and the battery compartment. (4) The power tool according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the battery compartment forms an upwardly open gap between the battery and the compartment in a state where the battery is installed; and the cover is configured to expose the gap to the outside in a state attached to the battery compartment. (5) Power tool according to point (4), wherein the cover is attached to the battery compartment in a rotatable and / or pivotable manner. (6) A power tool according to item (5), wherein the cover is constructed to be pivotable between a first position in which the battery is covered and a second position in which the cover is moved forward to expose the battery to the outside. (7) Power tool according to one of the items (4) to (6), wherein the gap is also open downwards into the battery compartment. (8) The power tool according to any one of (4) to (7), wherein the battery compartment comprises a connecting terminal arranged in front of the gap, the connecting terminal being electrically connected to the battery. (9) A power tool according to item (8), wherein the cover is pivotally mounted on the battery compartment and its pivot point is positioned in a longitudinal direction between the connection terminal and the gap. (10) The power tool according to any one of (4) to (9), wherein the cover comprises: a cover body covering the battery; and legs connected to the cover body and fixed to the battery compartment.

[0065] Of course, all of these are optional options.

[0066] Finally, while various embodiments of the present invention have been described, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments and variations thereof within the scope and spirit of the invention, and equivalents thereof, are encompassed by the claims. 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] CN 117 356 287 A

[0002]

Claims

[1] Power tool with: a main body portion having a battery compartment into which a battery is insertable and receivable from above, and a cover attached to the battery compartment for covering the battery accommodated in the battery compartment from above; an electric working section provided at a front side of the main body section and configured to be operated by power supplied from the battery; a front handle positioned above the main body portion and in front of the battery compartment, the front handle including a first part extending in a cross direction intersecting a longitudinal direction and a height direction; and a rear handle connected to a rear side of the main body portion so as to extend rearwardly, wherein when a virtual plane is defined that touches an upper area of ​​the first part of the front handle and an upper area of ​​the rear handle, the battery stored in the battery compartment protrudes beyond the virtual plane. [2] The power tool according to claim 1, wherein a buffer absorption space is formed between the battery and the cover covering the battery housed in the battery compartment from above. [3] The power tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a shock-absorbing material is disposed between the cover covering the battery housed in the battery compartment from above and the battery or the battery compartment. [4] Power tool according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery compartment, in a state in which the battery is inserted, forms a gap open upwards between the battery and the compartment; and the cover, when attached to the battery compartment, is constructed in such a way that it exposes the gap to the outside. [5] Power tool according to claim 4, wherein the cover is rotatably and / or pivotably attached to the battery compartment. [6] The power tool of claim 5, wherein the cover is configured to pivot between a first position in which the battery is covered and a second position in which the cover moves forward to expose the battery to the outside. [7] Power tool according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the gap is also open downwards into the battery compartment. [8] Power tool according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the battery compartment comprises a connection terminal arranged in front of the gap, the connection terminal being electrically connected to the battery. [9] The power tool of claim 8, wherein the cover is pivotally mounted to the battery compartment and its pivot point is positioned in a longitudinal direction between the terminal and the gap. [10] Power tool according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the cover comprises: a cover body covering the battery; and legs connected to the cover body and attached to the battery compartment.

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