Electric work machine

Abstract

To provide an electric work machine having a high degree of usability for decelerating or stopping a motor.SOLUTION: An electric work machine includes a motor, a first operation unit, a second operation unit, and a control circuit. The control circuit rotates the motor based on a situation where a first drive operation is conducted in the first operation unit and a second drive operation is conducted in the second operation unit. The control circuit executes first stop control for stopping the motor based on a situation where a first stop operation is conducted in the first operation unit when the motor is rotated. The control circuit executes second stop control which is different from the first stop control and executed to stop the motor based on a situation where the second stop operation is conducted in the second operation unit when the motor is rotated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for controlling a motor in a power working machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lawn mower equipped with a trigger switch. In this lawn mower, when the user turns on the trigger switch, the motor rotates. When the trigger switch is turned off during the rotation of the motor, predetermined control for stopping the motor (hereinafter referred to as "stop control") is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Performing the same stop control regardless of the usage situation of the lawn mower is not necessarily user-friendly. The same applies to various power working machines other than lawn mowers. One aspect of the present disclosure provides a power working machine with a good usability when decelerating or stopping a motor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a power working machine including a motor, a first operation unit, a second operation unit, and a control circuit. The first operation unit is configured such that a first driving operation and a first stopping operation can be selectively performed manually. The second operation unit is configured such that a second driving operation and a second stopping operation can be selectively performed manually.

[0006] The control circuit executes drive control for rotating the motor based on the fact that a first drive operation is being performed on the first operation unit and a second drive operation is being performed on the second operation unit. The control circuit executes first stop control for stopping the motor based on the fact that a first stop operation has been performed on the first operation unit while the motor is rotating. The control circuit executes second stop control for stopping the motor based on the fact that a second stop operation has been performed on the second operation unit while the motor is rotating. The second stop control is different from the first stop control.

[0007] In the power working machine configured as described above, the user can decelerate (and thus stop) the motor by performing at least one of performing a first stop operation on the first operation unit and performing a second stop operation on the second operation unit. Moreover, the first stop control performed by the first stop operation is different from the second stop control performed by the second stop operation. Therefore, the user can appropriately use the first stop operation or the second stop operation according to, for example, the operating status or usage status of the power working machine when decelerating or stopping the motor. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a power working machine with a good feeling of use when decelerating or stopping the motor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [1. Summary of Embodiment] An embodiment may provide a power working machine having at least any one of the following features 1 to 7. · Feature 1: Motor. · Feature 2: A first operation unit configured such that a first drive operation and a first stop operation can be selectively performed manually. · Feature 3: A second operation unit configured such that a second drive operation and a second stop operation can be selectively performed manually. · Feature 4: Control circuit. · Feature 5: Based on the first drive operation being performed on the first operation unit and the second drive operation being performed on the second operation unit, the control circuit executes drive control for rotating the motor. · Feature 6: When the control circuit is rotating the motor, based on the first stop operation being performed on the first operation unit, the control circuit executes first stop control. The first stop control is control for stopping the motor. · Feature 7: When the control circuit is rotating the motor, based on the second stop operation being performed on the second operation unit, the control circuit executes second stop control. The second stop control is control for stopping the motor. The second stop control is different from the first stop control.

[0010] The second operation unit may be independent of the first operation unit. That is, the first and second operation units may be provided separately from each other. A power working machine having at least features 1 to 7 can improve the feeling of use when decelerating or stopping the motor.

[0011] An embodiment may, in addition to, or instead of, at least any one of the above-described features 1 to 7, also have at least any one of the following features 8 to 9. · Feature 8: When the first stop operation is performed while the motor is rotating at a predetermined rotational speed, the first stop control includes decelerating the motor at a first deceleration rate on average after the first stop operation is performed so that the motor stops. · Feature 9: When the second stop operation is performed while the motor is rotating at the predetermined rotational speed, the second stop control includes decelerating the motor at a second deceleration rate on average after the second stop operation is performed so that the motor stops. The second deceleration rate is different from the first deceleration rate.

[0012] In other words, when the motor is rotating at the predetermined rotational speed, the time required until stopping is different between the case where the first stop operation is performed and the case where the second stop operation is performed. The first deceleration rate may correspond to, for example, the predetermined rotational speed divided by the time required from when the first stop operation is performed until the motor stops. The second deceleration rate may correspond to, for example, the predetermined rotational speed divided by the time required from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops. The deceleration rate of the motor may change in any way or may be maintained constant from when the first stop operation is performed until the motor stops. The same applies to the deceleration rate from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops.

[0013] In the power working machine having at least Features 1 to 9, the user can select the degree of deceleration when decelerating or stopping the motor. The embodiment having Features 8 and 9 may further have the following Feature 10. · Feature 10: The first deceleration rate is smaller than the second deceleration rate.

[0014] In the electric working machine having at least features 1 to 10, the user can adopt the following usage modes. For example, a scene is assumed where a usage mode of temporarily stopping the drive control and then executing the drive control again while the motor is still running is desired. In such a scene, the user may execute the first stop control by performing the first stop operation on the first operation unit. For example, in a scene where it is desired to quickly stop the motor, the user may execute the second stop control by performing the second stop operation on the second operation unit.

[0015] An embodiment may have the following features 8a and 9a in place of or in addition to the above features 8 and 9. · Feature 8a: When the first stop operation is performed while the motor is rotating at a predetermined rotational speed, the first stop control includes decelerating the motor so that the motor decelerates at an average first initial deceleration rate until a first deceleration time elapses after the first stop operation is performed. · Feature 9a: When the second stop operation is performed while the motor is rotating at the predetermined rotational speed, the second stop control includes decelerating the motor so that the motor decelerates at an average second initial deceleration rate until the first deceleration time elapses after the second stop operation is performed. The second initial deceleration rate is different from the first initial deceleration rate.

[0016] The first deceleration time is shorter than the time from when the first stop operation is performed until the motor stops, and is also shorter than the time from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops. That is, when the first stop operation is performed or when the second stop operation is performed, the motor is still rotating at the time when the first deceleration time has elapsed.

[0017] The first initial deceleration rate may be smaller than the second initial deceleration rate. An embodiment may have at least one of the following features 11 to 12 in addition to or in place of at least one of the above features 1 to 10. · Feature 11: The first stop control includes rotating the motor coastingly from when the first stop operation is performed until the elapse of a first period of time, and applying a braking force to the motor to decelerate it after the elapse of the first period of time. · Feature 12: The second stop control includes rotating the motor coastingly from when the second stop operation is performed until the elapse of a second period of time shorter than the first period of time, and applying a braking force to the motor to decelerate it after the elapse of the second period of time.

[0018] An electric working machine having at least Features 1 to 7, 10 to 12 can easily achieve desired first and second stop controls by providing a difference in the coasting rotation time. In an embodiment, in either the first stop control or the second stop control, a braking force may be applied to the motor without the motor rotating coastingly. In this case, the braking force in the first stop control may be smaller than the braking force in the second stop control.

[0019] In an embodiment, while having the above Feature 11, in the second stop control, a braking force may be applied to the motor without the motor rotating coastingly. In an embodiment, in the first stop control, the motor may be stopped by continuing to rotate the motor coastingly without applying a braking force to the motor. In this case, in the second stop control, a braking force may be applied to the motor after rotating the motor coastingly for a predetermined period of time.

[0020] An embodiment may include, in addition to, or instead of, at least any one of the above Features 1 to 12, at least any one of the following Features 13 to 14. · Feature 13: The second stop control includes stopping the motor according to a control profile for stopping the motor. ·Feature 14: The control profile depends on the actual operating speed. The actual operating speed is the actual rotational speed of the motor when the second stop operation is performed at the second operation unit.

[0021] The control profile is the procedure (in other words, the process or control content) for stopping the motor that the control circuit executes from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops. In such a power working machine, when the second stop operation is performed, the degree of deceleration of the motor can be varied according to the actual operating speed.

[0022] An embodiment having the above Features 13 and 14 may further include at least one of the following Features 15 to 16. ·Feature 15: The control profile includes decelerating the motor so that when the actual operating speed is equal to or higher than the threshold speed, the motor decelerates at an average third deceleration rate from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops. ·Feature 16: The control profile includes decelerating the motor so that when the actual operating speed is less than the threshold speed, the motor decelerates at an average fourth deceleration rate greater than the third deceleration rate from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops.

[0023] The above Features 15 and 16 can be paraphrased as follows. That is, the control profile is set such that the average deceleration rate from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops is greater when the actual operating speed is less than the threshold speed than when the actual operating speed is equal to or higher than the threshold speed.

[0024] In a power working machine having at least Features 1 to 7 and 13 to 16, when the second stop operation is performed, the degree of deceleration of the motor can be varied according to whether the actual operating speed is equal to or higher than the threshold speed.

[0025] In certain embodiments, instead of or in addition to the above features 15 and 16, the following features 15a and 16a may be provided. · Feature 15a: The control profile includes decelerating the motor such that when the actual speed during operation is greater than or equal to the threshold speed, the motor decelerates at an average third initial deceleration rate from when the second stop operation is performed until the second deceleration time has elapsed. · Feature 16a: The control profile includes decelerating the motor such that when the actual speed during operation is less than the threshold speed, the motor decelerates at an average fourth initial deceleration rate greater than the third initial deceleration rate from when the second stop operation is performed until the second deceleration time has elapsed.

[0026] The second deceleration time is shorter than the time from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops. That is, at the time when the second deceleration time has elapsed since the second stop operation was performed, the motor is still rotating.

[0027] Embodiments having the above features 13 and 14, and embodiments having the above features 15 and 16 may further include at least any one of the following features 17 to 18. · Feature 17: The control profile includes rotating the motor coasting from when the second stop operation is performed until a specified time has elapsed when the actual speed during operation is greater than or equal to the threshold speed, and applying a braking force to the motor to decelerate it after the specified time has elapsed. · Feature 18: The control profile includes applying a braking force to the motor to decelerate it without rotating the motor coasting when the actual speed during operation is less than the threshold speed.

[0028] The specified time may be the same as the second time. In an electric working machine having at least features 1 to 7, 13 to 14, and 17 to 18, it is possible to easily vary the degree of deceleration of the motor according to the actual speed during operation.

[0029] In one embodiment, instead of the above-described features 17 to 18, it may include at least any one of the following features 19 to 20. · Feature 19: When the actual speed during the operation is equal to or higher than the threshold speed, the control profile rotates the motor by inertia until a first specified time elapses after the second stop operation is performed, and after the elapse of the first specified time, applies a braking force to the motor to decelerate it. · Feature 20: When the actual speed during the operation is less than the threshold speed, the control profile rotates the motor by inertia until a second specified time elapses after the second stop operation is performed, and after the elapse of the second specified time, applies a braking force to the motor to decelerate it. The second specified time is shorter than the first specified time.

[0030] In a power working machine including at least features 1 to 7, 13 to 14, 19 to 20, it is possible to easily realize making the degree of deceleration of the motor different according to the actual speed during the operation.

[0031] In one embodiment, in addition to or instead of at least any one of the above-described features 1 to 20, it may include at least any one of the following features 21 to 23. · Feature 21: The second operation unit is configured to be manually moved within a movement range including a first region and a second region. · Feature 22: The movement of the second operation unit to the first region corresponds to the second drive operation. · Feature 23: The movement of the second operation unit to the second region corresponds to the second stop operation.

[0032] In a power working machine including at least features 1 to 7, 21 to 23, the second drive operation and the second stop operation of the second operation unit can be easily performed. In one embodiment, in addition to or instead of at least any one of the above-described features 1 to 23, it may include the following feature 24. ·Feature 24: The drive control includes setting a target rotation speed according to the position of the second operation unit in the first region when the second operation unit is within the first region, and rotating the motor at the set target rotation speed.

[0033] In the power working machine having at least Features 1 to 7, 21 to 24, the rotation speed of the motor can be easily adjusted by moving the second operation unit within the first region.

[0034] An embodiment may include, in addition to, or instead of, at least any one of the above-described Features 1 to 24, at least any one of the following Features 25 to 27. ·Feature 25: The movement range further includes a third region. ·Feature 26: The movement of the second operation unit to the third region corresponds to the second drive operation. ·Feature 27: The drive control includes setting a target rotation speed according to the magnitude of the load received by the motor when the second operation unit is within the third region, and rotating the motor at the set target rotation speed.

[0035] In the power working machine having at least Features 1 to 7, 21 to 23, 25 to 27, a plurality of different control methods (specifically, the control method corresponding to the first region and the control method corresponding to the third region) can be easily and alternatively selected using the second operation unit.

[0036] The embodiment having the above-described Features 15 and 16, the embodiment having the above-described Features 17 - 18, and the embodiment having the above-described Features 19 - 20 may further include the above-described Features 21 - 23 and the following Feature 28. ·Feature 28: The drive control includes setting a target rotation speed to decrease as it approaches the second region during the process of moving the second operation unit within the first region, and rotating the motor at the set target rotation speed.

[0037] In a power working machine having at least features 1 to 7, 13 to 16, 21 - 23, and 28, when the user brings the second operation part closer to the second area within the first area, the rotational speed of the motor decreases. Then, when the second operation part enters the second area in a state where it has decreased to a certain extent (for example, a state where the actual speed during the operation is less than the threshold speed), the motor is decelerated at a relatively large deceleration rate. That is, it can be estimated that the deceleration at that large deceleration rate starts at or near the boundary between the first area and the second area. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the boundary between the first area and the second area, for example, by slowly moving the second operation part toward the second area within the first area. If the boundary can be appropriately recognized, the user can rotate the motor at the lowest possible rotational speed by moving the second operation part little by little from the recognized boundary to the first area side. That is, the power working machine having at least features 1 to 7, 13 to 16, 21 - 23, and 28 is particularly useful for a user who desires to rotate the motor at the lowest possible rotational speed.

[0038] In a certain embodiment, in addition to, or instead of, at least any one of the above-described features 1 to 28, it may also have the following feature 29, or features 29 and 30. · Feature 29: The first operation part includes a trigger. · Feature 30: The first drive operation includes the trigger being moved a certain length or more from the initial position.

[0039] The second operation part may include a lever configured to be movable along an arc-shaped movement path at its tip. The power working machine may include a grip configured to be held by one hand of the user of the power working machine. In this case, the first operation part and the second operation part may be arranged so as to be operable simultaneously by the one hand holding the grip in the vicinity of or on the grip.

[0040] Examples of the electric power tool are various on-site electric devices used at work sites such as DIY, manufacturing, gardening, and construction, and configured to be driven by a battery. Specifically, they include electric tools for masonry, metalworking, and woodworking, gardening machines, and more specifically, an electric brush cutter (or an electric lawn mower), an electric lawn mower, an electric lawn clipper, an electric hedge trimmer, an electric hammer, an electric hammer drill, an electric drill, an electric driver, an electric wrench, an electric grinder, an electric saw, an electric reciprocating saw, an electric jigsaw, an electric cutter, an electric chainsaw, an electric planer, an electric cleaner, an electric sprayer, an electric spreader, an electric dust collector, a battery-driven handcart, a battery-driven bicycle, and a fan vest.

[0041] In one embodiment, the control circuit may be integrated into a single electronic unit, a single electronic device, or a single circuit board. In one embodiment, the control circuit may be a combination of two or more electronic circuits, two or more electronic units, or two or more electronic devices individually provided within the electric power tool.

[0042] In one embodiment, the control circuit may include a microcomputer (or a microcontroller, or a microprocessor), wiring logic, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific standard product (ASSP), a programmable logic device (such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)), discrete electronic components, and / or a combination thereof.

[0043] Examples of the motor include a brushless motor (or a brushless DC motor), a brushed DC motor, an AC motor, and a stepper motor. In one embodiment, the above features 1 to 30 may be combined in any manner.

[0044] In one embodiment, any one of the above features 1 to 30 may be excluded. [2. Specific exemplary embodiments] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0045] [2-1. Embodiment] (2-1-1) Outline of the Electric Working Machine The electric working machine 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of a lawn mower. The electric working machine 1 includes a main pipe 2. The main pipe 2 has a long and hollow rod-like shape.

[0046] The electric working machine 1 includes a control unit 3. The control unit 3 is provided at the rear end of the main pipe 2. The control unit 3 is in the form of a hollow housing. The control unit 3 includes a battery mounting portion at its rear end. A battery pack 100 is detachably mounted on the battery mounting portion. The control unit 3 houses a controller 40 and a motor 60 (see FIG. 5) described later.

[0047] The battery pack 100 includes a battery 100a (see FIG. 5). The battery 100a can supply electric power (hereinafter referred to as "battery power") to each part in the control unit 3. The battery 100a may be, for example, in the form of a rechargeable secondary battery.

[0048] The electric working machine 1 includes a drive unit 4. The drive unit 4 is provided at the front end of the main pipe 2. The drive unit 4 houses a gear mechanism. The main pipe 2 houses a driving force transmission shaft (not shown). The driving force transmission shaft is connected to the motor 60 and the gear mechanism, and transmits the rotational force of the motor 60 (specifically, the rotor of the motor 60) to the gear mechanism.

[0049] The gear mechanism includes an output shaft (not shown). A cutting blade 5 is detachably mounted on the output shaft. The cutting blade 5 is used to cut the object to be cut. The object to be cut includes, for example, grass and small-diameter trees. The cutting blade 5 of the present embodiment has a substantially disc-shaped shape, and a saw blade is provided along the outer circumference. When the motor 60 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the output shaft through the gear mechanism. Thereby, the output shaft and the cutting blade 5 rotate integrally.

[0050] The electric working machine 1 includes a cover 6. The cover 6 is provided near the front end of the main pipe 2. The cover 6 suppresses an object (for example, an object to be cut) around the cutting blade 5 from flying toward the user of the electric working machine 1 due to the rotation of the cutting blade 5.

[0051] The electric working machine 1 includes a handle 7. The handle 7 has a U-shaped configuration. The handle 7 is connected to the main pipe 2 near an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the main pipe 2. A right grip 8 is provided at the first end of the handle 7, and a left grip 9 is provided at the second end of the handle 7. The right grip 8 is gripped by the user's right hand, and the left grip 9 is gripped by the user's left hand.

[0052] The electric working machine 1 includes an operation unit 12. The operation unit 12 is provided at the tip of the right grip 8. The electric working machine 1 includes a lock-off switch 10 and a trigger 11.

[0053] The trigger 11 is provided on the tip side and the front side of the right grip 8. The trigger 11 is manually operated by the user to instruct the drive (i.e., rotation) or stop of the motor 60. When the user holds the right grip 8 with the right hand, the user can push the trigger 11 backward (i.e., toward the right grip 8 side) with a finger (for example, the index finger) of the right hand.

[0054] The trigger 11 is biased forward of the right grip 8 by a first elastic body (not shown). Therefore, the trigger 11 is in an initial position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 during normal times when not touched by the user.

[0055] The lock-off switch 10 is provided on the tip side and the rear side of the right grip 8. The lock-off switch 10 mechanically permits, or suppresses or blocks the trigger 11 from moving backward from the initial position.

[0056] The lock-off switch 10 is biased rearward of the right grip 8 by a second elastic body (not shown). Therefore, the lock-off switch 10 is in its initial position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 during normal times when not touched by the user.

[0057] The lock-off switch 10 in the initial position suppresses or prevents the trigger 11 from moving rearward from the initial position. More specifically, the lock-off switch 10 in the initial position prevents the trigger switch 21 (see FIG. 5) from being turned on. The trigger switch 21 is turned on or off in conjunction with the trigger 11. When the trigger 11 is in the initial position, the trigger switch 21 is off. The trigger switch 21 is housed in the operation unit 12.

[0058] When the user grips the right grip 8 with the right hand, the lock-off switch 10 is pushed forward (i.e., toward the right grip 8 side) by the right hand (specifically, for example, the palm or around the base of the thumb). As a result, the lock-off switch 10 moves forward from the initial position against the elastic force of the second elastic body.

[0059] When the lock-off switch 10 is moved forward, the movement of the trigger 11 is permitted. That is, when the lock-off switch 10 is moved forward and the trigger 11 is pushed, the trigger 11 moves rearward from the initial position against the elastic force of the first elastic body. When the trigger 11 moves rearward from the initial position by a certain length or more, the trigger switch 21 is turned on. The certain length may be zero.

[0060] (2-1-2) Operation unit With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the specific configuration of the operation unit 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 12 includes an operation panel 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 13 includes a main power switch 14a. The main power switch 14a is pressed by the user. The main power switch 14a outputs a main power signal while the main power switch 14a is being pressed. The main power switch 14a is pressed by the user to set the main power state of the power working machine 1 to on or off.

[0061] The "main power state" means whether the controller 40 (see FIG. 5) described later is operable, more specifically, whether the control circuit 41 described later is operable. When the main power state is on, various operations of the power working machine 1 become possible. When the main power state is off, the power working machine 1 does not operate.

[0062] In the power working machine 1 of the present embodiment, a set rotation direction and an operation mode are respectively set. The set rotation direction is alternatively set to either forward rotation or reverse rotation. The operation mode is alternatively set to any one of a manual shift mode, a stop mode, and an automatic shift mode.

[0063] The main power switch 14a is further operated by the user to set the set rotation direction. In the initial state immediately after the main power state is switched to on, the set rotation direction is set to forward rotation. While the main power state is on, each time the main power switch 14a is pressed in the first mode, the set rotation direction alternates. When the main power switch 14a is pressed in the second mode while the main power state is on, the main power state is switched to off.

[0064] The first and second modes may be any modes. In the present embodiment, the first mode is a short press, and the second mode is a long press. A long press means pressing and holding for a certain period of time or more. A short press means releasing before a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of pressing.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 13 includes a first display unit 14b. The first display unit 14b of the present embodiment includes a first LED. When the main power supply state is set to off, the first display unit 14b turns off (i.e., the first LED turns off). When the main power supply state is set to on, the first display unit 14b turns on.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 13 includes a second display unit 14c. The second display unit 14c of the present embodiment includes a second LED. When the operation mode is set to the automatic transmission mode, the second display unit 14c turns on (i.e., the second LED turns on). When the set rotation direction is set to reverse, the first display unit 14b and the second display unit 14c blink.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the operation unit 12 includes a lever 16. The lever 16 is rotatable about a rotation axis 160. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the lever 16 is movable (i.e., rotatable) between a first position P1 and a fourth position P4 in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the operation unit 12 includes a stopper 17. In the present embodiment, when the lever 16 reaches the fourth position P4, the lever 16 abuts against the stopper 17.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 16 includes a shaft portion 16a and a tip portion 16b. The aforementioned rotation axis 160 is an imaginary axis that penetrates near the first end of the shaft portion 16a. The length direction of the shaft portion 16a is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis 160. The tip portion 16b is provided at the second end of the shaft portion 16a.

[0069] The tip portion 16b is touched by the user when the user moves the lever 16. Basically, the user can move the lever 16 by applying a load in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2 to the tip portion 16b, for example, by the user's thumb.

[0070] With such a configuration, the tip 16b moves along an arcuate movement path Y (see FIG. 4). The movement path Y is on an arc having a radius from the rotation axis 160 to the tip of the lever 16. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are along the arc. The first end of the movement path Y corresponds to the first position P1, and the second end of the movement path Y corresponds to the fourth position P4.

[0071] When the lever 16 at the first position P1 is pushed by the user in the second direction D2, the lever 16 reaches the fourth position P4 via the second position P2 and the third position P3. When the lever 16 at the fourth position P4 is pushed by the user in the first direction D1, the lever 16 reaches the first position P1 via the third position P3 and the second position P2.

[0072] The movement range of the lever 16 includes a first region R1, a second region R2, and a third region R3. The first region R1 is between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The second region R2 is between the second position P2 and the third position P3. The third region R3 is between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4. Therefore, when the lever 16 is moved from the first region R1 to the third region R3 (or vice versa), the lever 16 passes through the second region R2.

[0073] The operation unit 12 houses a reverse switch 22 and a shift signal output unit 23 (see FIG. 7) described later. The reverse switch 22 is turned on or off according to the position of the lever 16. The shift signal output unit 23 outputs a shift signal according to the position of the lever 16.

[0074] The user can operate the trigger 11 and the lever 16 simultaneously by touching them with one hand (for example, the right hand) while gripping the right grip 8 with the same hand. Specifically, the user can move the lever 16 with the thumb while moving the trigger 11 with the index finger, for example.

[0075] (2-1-3) Electrical Configuration Referring to FIG. 5, the electrical configuration of the electric working machine 1 will be described. The electric working machine 1 includes a motor 60 and a controller 40. When the battery pack 100 is mounted on the battery mounting portion, the battery 100a is electrically connected to the controller 40 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0076] In this embodiment, the motor 60 is in the form of a brushless motor. The motor 60 includes terminals 60a, 60b, and 60c. The terminals 60a, 60b, and 60c are electrically connected to the controller 40 (specifically, to the drive circuit 45 described later in detail). Inside the motor 60, there are three windings (not shown) that are delta-connected or star-connected to each other and each corresponds to one of the three phases. The three windings are electrically connected to the terminals 60a, 60b, and 60c. The motor 60 is supplied with three-phase power from the controller 40 via the terminals 60a, 60b, and 60c, and thereby rotates.

[0077] The controller 40 includes a control circuit 41. The control circuit 41 of this embodiment includes a microcomputer including a CPU 41a and a memory 41b. The memory 41b includes semiconductor memories such as, for example, ROM, RAM, NVRAM, and flash memory. The control circuit 41 (specifically, the CPU 41a) realizes various functions by executing the programs stored in the memory 41b. Also, the control circuit 41 stores the temporary data generated according to various functions in the memory 41b.

[0078] Some or all of the various functions realized by the control circuit 41 may be achieved by the execution of programs (that is, by software processing), or may be achieved by one or a plurality of hardware. For example, instead of or in addition to the microcomputer, the control circuit 41 may include a logic circuit including a plurality of electronic components, may include an application-specific integrated circuit such as ASIC and / or ASSP, or may include a programmable logic device such as FPGA that can construct any logic circuit.

[0079] The controller 40 includes a power control circuit 42 and a regulator 43. The power control circuit 42 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery 100a, and DC battery power is input from the battery 100a. The power control circuit 42 controls the supply of battery power to the regulator 43. When the regulator 43 is supplied with battery power from the power control circuit 42, it generates a DC control voltage from the battery power and outputs the control voltage to each part within the controller 40.

[0080] When the battery pack 100 is mounted on the battery mounting part, the main power supply state of the controller 40 (in other words, the main power supply state of the control circuit 41) is off. That is, at this point, the control voltage is not yet supplied to the control circuit 41, and the control circuit 41 does not start up.

[0081] The control circuit 41 is electrically connected to the main power switch 14a. After the battery pack 100 is mounted and the main power switch 14a is pressed, a main power signal is input from the main power switch 14a to the power control circuit 42 and the control circuit 41. When the power control circuit 42 receives the main power signal, it supplies battery power to the regulator 43. Thereby, a control voltage is supplied from the regulator 43 to the control circuit 41, and the control circuit 41 starts up.

[0082] When the control circuit 41 starts up, it sets the main power supply state to on and continuously outputs a power holding signal to the power control circuit 42. The power control circuit 42 supplies the battery voltage to the regulator 43 while the power holding signal is being input.

[0083] When the main power switch 14a is long-pressed while the main power supply state is on, the control circuit 41 performs the necessary processing to stop its own operation, sets the main power supply state to off, and stops the power holding signal. While the main power supply state is on, each time the main power switch 14a is short-pressed, the control circuit 41 alternately switches the set rotation direction to a direction different from the currently set direction between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

[0084] When the input of the power supply holding signal stops, the power supply control circuit 42 stops supplying battery power to the regulator 43. As a result, the regulator 43 no longer generates a control voltage, and the operation of the control circuit 41 stops. Note that the on and off states of the main power supply can be defined in any way. For example, the period during which the control voltage is supplied to the control circuit 41 and the control circuit 41 is activated can be defined as the on state of the main power supply, and the period during which the control voltage is not supplied to the control circuit 41 and the control circuit 41 has stopped operating can be defined as the off state of the main power supply.

[0085] The controller 40 includes a gate circuit 44 and a drive circuit 45. The gate circuit 44 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery 100a and receives battery power. The drive circuit 45 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery 100a via the cutoff switch 49 and receives battery power via the cutoff switch 49.

[0086] The drive circuit 45 of the present embodiment is in the form of a three-phase full-bridge circuit. That is, the drive circuit 45 includes three switching elements on the high side and three switching elements on the low side. Each switching element and the cutoff switch 49 are, for example, in the form of a semiconductor switching element, and more specifically, in the form of a MOSFET, for example.

[0087] The control circuit 41 outputs a switch control signal and a motor control signal to the gate circuit 44. The switch control signal controls the cutoff switch 49. The motor control signal controls the drive circuit 45 to thereby control the rotation of the motor 60. The motor control signal includes six switch control signals corresponding to the six switching elements in the drive circuit 45. In the present embodiment, the six switch control signals can be, for example, in the form of pulse width modulation signals (PWM signals).

[0088] When the switch control signal indicates that the cutoff switch 49 is on, the gate circuit 44 outputs a switch drive signal for turning on the cutoff switch 49 to the cutoff switch 49. Thereby, the cutoff switch 49 turns on. Based on the motor control signal, the gate circuit 44 outputs a motor drive signal for turning on or off each switching element in the drive circuit 45 to each of the switching elements. The gate circuit 44 generates these switch drive signals and motor drive signals from battery power.

[0089] When driving the motor 60, the control circuit 41 turns on the cutoff switch 49 and drives the drive circuit 45 via the gate circuit 44 by the switch control signal and the motor control signal. Thereby, the motor 60 is driven.

[0090] The drive circuit 45 operates according to the motor control signal from the control circuit 41 (specifically, according to the motor drive signal from the gate circuit 44). When a motor control signal for driving the motor 60 is output, the drive circuit 45 generates three-phase power according to the motor control signal and supplies it to the motor 60.

[0091] The controller 40 includes a battery voltage detection unit 24. The battery voltage detection unit 24 detects a battery voltage value and outputs a voltage signal indicating the detected battery voltage value to the control circuit 41. The battery voltage value corresponds to the magnitude of the output voltage of the battery pack 100.

[0092] The controller 40 includes a current detection circuit 46. The current detection circuit 46 detects a battery current value and outputs a current signal indicating the detected battery current value to the control circuit 41. The battery current value corresponds to the magnitude of the current supplied from the battery pack 100 to the drive circuit 45 (and thus to the motor 60).

[0093] The controller 40 includes a temperature detection circuit 47. The temperature detection circuit 47 detects the circuit temperature of the controller 40 and outputs a temperature signal indicating the detected circuit temperature to the control circuit 41. The controller 40 includes a position detection circuit 48. The position detection circuit 48 is electrically connected to the terminals 60a, 60b, 60c of the motor 60. The position detection circuit 48 takes in the induced voltages generated at these terminals 60a, 60b, 60c as the motor 60 rotates from each of the terminals 60a, 60b, 60c. Then, based on each of the taken-in induced voltages, it outputs a position detection signal corresponding to the rotational position of the motor 60 to the control circuit 41. Specifically, the position detection circuit 48 detects the timing (zero-crossing point) at which the value of each induced voltage crosses the reference voltage value during the process of its change. The position detection signal indicates the detected zero-crossing point. The control circuit 41 detects the rotational position and rotational speed of the motor 60 based on each of the input position detection signals (i.e., based on each zero-crossing point). Note that the method of detecting the rotational position and rotational speed based on the induced voltage generated from a rotating brushless motor as described above is well-known as one of the core technologies in so-called sensorless drive in a brushless motor.

[0094] When the drive requirements are met while the set rotation direction is set to forward rotation, the control circuit 41 rotates the motor 60 forward. When the motor 60 rotates forward, the cutting blade 5 rotates in the cutting direction. The cutting direction is the rotational direction in which it is possible to cut the object to be cut.

[0095] On the other hand, when the trigger 11 is moved while the set rotation direction is set to reverse rotation, the control circuit 41 reverses the motor 60 for a certain period of time. When the motor 60 rotates in reverse, the cutting blade 5 rotates in the picking-up direction. The picking-up direction is opposite to the cutting direction. By rotating the cutting blade 5 in the picking-up direction, it is possible to remove the object to be cut that has become stuck to the cutting blade 5 during rotation in the cutting direction from the cutting blade 5.

[0096] When the control circuit 41 reverses the motor 60 for a certain period of time based on the set rotation direction being set to reverse rotation, it returns the set rotation direction to forward rotation. The control circuit 41 is electrically connected to the trigger switch 21. While the trigger switch 21 is on, a first signal is input from the trigger switch 21 to the control circuit 41. The first signal indicates that the trigger switch 21 is on (and thus the trigger 11 has been moved from the initial position by a certain length or more).

[0097] The control circuit 41 is electrically connected to the reverse switch 22 and the shift signal output unit 23. While the reverse switch 22 is on, a second signal is input from the reverse switch 22 to the control circuit 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the reverse switch 22 is turned off when the lever 16 is in the third region R3, and is turned on when the lever 16 is in the first region R1 or the second region R2. The second signal indicates that the reverse switch 22 is on (and thus the lever 16 is in the first region R1 or the second region R2).

[0098] The shift signal output unit 23 has a voltage corresponding to the position of the lever 16. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lever 16 is between a predetermined position within the second region R2 and the fourth position P4, the shift signal has a substantially constant voltage value close to 0 [V]. When the lever 16 is moved in the first direction D1 from the predetermined position, the voltage value of the shift signal gradually increases as it moves.

[0099] In the present embodiment, when the lever 16 reaches the predetermined maximum speed reach position Pc, the increase in the shift signal stops. Even if the lever 16 is further moved in the first direction D1 from the maximum speed reach position Pc, the voltage value of the shift signal remains constant. Note that the maximum speed reach position Pc may be set anywhere on the first direction D1 side of the second position P2. Alternatively, the maximum speed reach position Pc may not be set. In other words, the maximum speed reach position Pc may coincide with the first position P1. In this case, the voltage value of the shift signal gradually increases until the lever 16 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0100] In this embodiment, the voltage value of the shift signal increases linearly. However, the shift signal may increase in any manner. For example, it may increase non-linearly. More specifically, the shift signal may increase stepwise, for example.

[0101] The control circuit 41 is electrically connected to the first display unit 14b and the second display unit 14c. The control circuit 41 controls the first display unit 14b and the second display unit 14c individually. Specifically, as described above, the first LED and the second LED are individually turned on, blinked, or turned off according to the state of the power-operated work machine 1.

[0102] (2-1-4) Operating mode The operating mode set by the control circuit 41 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 6. In this embodiment, when the set rotation direction is set to forward rotation, as shown in FIG. 6, according to the position of the lever 16, the operating mode of the control circuit 41 (and thus the operating mode of the controller 40 or the operating mode of the power-operated work machine 1) is set.

[0103] Specifically, the control circuit 41 sets the operating mode to the manual shift mode when the lever 16 is in the first region R1, sets the operating mode to the stop mode when the lever 16 is in the second region R2, and sets the operating mode to the automatic shift mode when the lever 16 is in the third region R3.

[0104] In this embodiment, the control circuit 41 determines whether the lever 16 has been moved to the first region R1 based on the voltage value of the shift signal. When the voltage value of the shift signal is smaller than the operating point G shown in FIG. 6, the control circuit 41 determines that the lever 16 is not in the first region R1. When the voltage value of the shift signal becomes equal to or greater than the operating point G, the control circuit 41 determines that the lever 16 has entered the first region R1 and sets the operating mode to the manual shift mode.

[0105] When the lever switch 22 is turned on and the voltage value of the shift signal is smaller than the operating point G, the control circuit 41 determines that the lever 16 is in the second region R2 and sets the operating mode to the stop mode.

[0106] When the reverse switch 22 is turned off, the control circuit 41 determines that the lever 16 has entered the third region R3 and sets the operation mode to the automatic transmission mode. When the driving requirements are met, the control circuit 41 executes drive control to rotate the motor 60. In this embodiment, the driving requirements are satisfied based on the fact that the trigger switch 21 is turned on and the lever 16 has been moved to the first region R1 or the third region R3 on the premise that the set rotation direction is set to forward rotation.

[0107] When the operation mode is set to the manual transmission mode (that is, when the lever 16 has been moved to the first region R1) and the trigger switch 21 is turned on, the control circuit 41 rotates the motor 60 by performing drive control according to the first control method. In other words, the control circuit 41 controls the drive circuit 45 by the aforementioned switch control signal and motor control signal so that the motor 60 rotates according to the first control method.

[0108] In this embodiment, the first control method is to control the rotation of the motor 60 so that the motor 60 rotates at a target rotation speed according to the position of the lever 16. Specifically, in the first control method, the control circuit 41 sets the target rotation speed based on the position of the lever 16 in the first region R1 (specifically, based on the voltage value of the shift signal). FIG. 6 shows an example of setting the target rotation speed in the first control method. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, as the lever 16 moves from the second position P2 to the maximum speed reach position Pc, the target rotation speed increases. When the lever 16 reaches the maximum speed reach position Pc, the target rotation speed reaches the maximum value. In other words, as the lever 16 is moved from the maximum speed reach position Pc in the second direction D2 (that is, toward the second region R2), the target rotation speed gradually decreases. In this embodiment, even when the lever 16 is further moved in the first direction D1 from the maximum speed reach position Pc, the target rotation speed is maintained at the aforementioned maximum value.

[0109] Incidentally, the target rotation speed may increase as the movement is made from the second position P2 to the first position P1. The target rotation speed may increase in any manner. For example, the target rotation speed may increase linearly or non-linearly. The target rotation speed may increase discontinuously (e.g., stepwise). There may be a mixture of a section where the target rotation speed increases continuously and a section where it increases discontinuously.

[0110] The control circuit 41 compares the rotation speed of the motor 60 (i.e., the actual rotation speed) detected based on each position detection signal from the position detection circuit 48 with the set target rotation speed. Then, the control circuit 41 generates and outputs a motor control signal so that the actual rotation speed matches the target rotation speed.

[0111] In the stop mode, the control circuit 41 stops the motor 60 regardless of the state of the trigger switch 21. When the operation mode is set to the automatic shift mode (i.e., when the lever 16 is moved to the third region R3) and the trigger switch 21 is turned on, the control circuit 41 rotates the motor 60 by performing drive control according to the second control method. In other words, the control circuit 41 controls the drive circuit 45 by the aforementioned switch control signal and motor control signal so that the motor 60 rotates according to the second control method.

[0112] The second control method is different from the first control method. The second control method controls the rotation of the motor 60 so that the motor 60 rotates at a target rotation speed according to the magnitude of the load received by the motor. Specifically, in the second control method, the magnitude of the load received by the motor 60 is detected. The load here is, for example, a force in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the motor 60 received by the rotor of the motor 60. The load on the motor 60 can change according to the situation of the cutting operation by the cutting blade 5. The state where the cutting operation is not being performed and the cutting blade 5 is idling has the smallest load. When the cutting blade 5 is applied to the cutting target and the cutting operation is performed, the load increases. The magnitude of the load may be detected in any manner. For example, the magnitude of the load may be detected based on the battery current value indicated by the current detection signal input from the current detection circuit 46.

[0113] In the second control method, the control circuit 41 sets the target rotation speed according to the magnitude of the load. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the greater the load, the greater the target rotation speed. The control circuit 41 may set the target rotation speed in any manner according to the magnitude of the load. For example, when the magnitude of the load is less than the threshold value, the control circuit 41 may set the target rotation speed to the first speed, and when the magnitude of the load is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the control circuit 41 may set the target rotation speed to the second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed. When the cutting blade 5 is idling, a target rotation speed even smaller than the first speed may be set. The target rotation speed may change continuously or stepwise according to the magnitude of the load.

[0114] As described above, when the trigger switch 21 is turned on and the lever 16 is moved to the first region R1, the control circuit 41 rotates the motor 60 according to the first control method. When the motor 60 is rotating according to the first control method, if the trigger switch 21 is turned off or the lever 16 is moved to the second position R2, the control circuit 41 performs stop control to stop the motor 60. The stop control includes first stop control and second stop control. The second stop control is different from the first stop control. The control circuit 41 executes either the first or second stop control to stop the motor 60.

[0115] Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the trigger switch 21 is turned off, the control circuit 41 executes the first stop control to stop the motor 60, and when the lever 16 is moved to the second position R2, the control circuit 41 executes the second stop control to stop the motor 60.

[0116] The first stop control has a different deceleration rate compared to the second stop control. The first stop control decelerates more slowly than the second stop control. That is, assume that the motor 60 is rotating at an arbitrary rotational speed (for example, 2000 rpm). When the trigger switch 21 is turned off at this time, the first stop control is performed, causing the motor 60 to decelerate and finally stop. In this case, the average deceleration rate from when the trigger switch 21 is turned off until the motor 60 stops is defined as the first deceleration rate. On the other hand, when the lever 16 is moved to the second position R2 while the motor 60 is rotating at the above-mentioned arbitrary rotational speed, the second stop control is performed, causing the motor 60 to decelerate and finally stop. In this case, the average deceleration rate from when the position of the lever 16 changes to the second position R2 until the motor 60 stops is defined as the second deceleration rate. At this time, the first deceleration rate is smaller than the second deceleration rate. That is, when starting the stop control from the same rotational speed, the time until the motor 60 stops is longer for the first stop control than for the second stop control.

[0117] Note that the first deceleration rate may be the average deceleration rate from when the trigger switch 21 is turned off until the first deceleration time elapses, and the second deceleration rate may be the average deceleration rate from when the position of the lever 16 changes to the second position R2 until the above-mentioned first deceleration time elapses. The first deceleration time is shorter than the time from when the trigger switch 21 is turned off until the motor 60 stops, and is also shorter than the time from when the position of the lever 16 changes to the second position R2 until the motor 60 stops.

[0118] Such first and second stop controls may be performed in any manner (in other words, according to any control profile). In this embodiment, the first and second stop controls are each realized using a freewheel and / or a brake.

[0119] Specifically, in the first stop control, the control circuit 41 rotates the motor 60 by inertia (i.e., free runs) until the first time T1 [seconds] (e.g., 2 seconds) elapses after the trigger switch 21 is turned off. That is, all six switching elements in the drive circuit 45 are turned off. Then, after the elapse of the first time T1, the control circuit 41 applies a brake (braking force) to the motor 60 to decelerate the motor 60.

[0120] The brake may be performed in such a way that a braking force can be applied to the motor 60. In this embodiment, for example, a so-called short-circuit brake is used. The short-circuit brake is performed by electrically short-circuiting any two or all of the terminals 60a, 60b, and 60c of the motor 60 via the drive circuit 45.

[0121] In the second stop control, basically, as described above, the motor 60 is decelerated so that the motor 60 stops earlier than in the first stop control. While such control is the basis, in the second stop control of this embodiment, further, according to a control profile corresponding to the actual rotational speed of the motor 60 (hereinafter referred to as "actual speed Spr during operation") at the start of the second stop control (in other words, when the position of the lever 16 changes to the second region R2), the motor 60 is stopped. The control profile is a control procedure for stopping the motor 60 that the control circuit 41 executes from the start of the second stop control until the motor 60 stops.

[0122] In this embodiment, the control profile is determined such that the lower the actual speed Spr during operation, the higher the average deceleration during a predetermined period from the start of the second stop control. The end of the predetermined period may be, for example, when the motor 60 stops, or any timing before the motor 60 stops. In the following description, as an example, the end of the predetermined period will be described as when the motor 60 stops.

[0123] More specifically, for the control profile of the present embodiment, for the sake of simplifying control, the average deceleration rate from when the second stop control is started (in other words, from when the position of the lever 16 changes to the second region R2) until the motor 60 stops is set to be greater when the actual operating speed Spr is less than the threshold speed Sp1 than when the actual operating speed Spr is greater than or equal to the threshold speed Sp1.

[0124] The more specific content of the control profile that satisfies such requirements may be determined in any way. The control profile of the present embodiment includes a free run and / or a brake. Specifically, when the actual operating speed Spr is greater than or equal to the threshold speed Sp1, the control circuit 41 rotates the motor 60 coasting until the second time T2 elapses after the second stop control is started, and after the second time T2 elapses, applies a brake to the motor 60 to decelerate the motor 60. On the other hand, when the actual operating speed Spr is less than the threshold speed Sp1, the control circuit 41 applies a brake to the motor 60 to decelerate the motor 60 without rotating the motor 60 coasting after the start of the second stop control. Alternatively, when the actual operating speed Spr is less than the threshold speed Sp1, the control circuit 41 may rotate the motor 60 coasting until the third time T3 elapses after the second stop control is started, and after the third time T3 elapses, apply a brake to the motor 60 to decelerate the motor 60. The third time T3 is shorter than the second time T2.

[0125] In the present embodiment, the braking force in the brake executed in the first stop control is the same as the braking force in the brake executed in the first stop control. However, they may be different.

[0126] In the present embodiment, the threshold speed Sp1 is greater than the minimum value of the target rotational speed set in the manual shift mode. When the lever 16 is slowly moved toward the second region R2, the actual rotational speed of the motor 60 quickly follows the target rotational speed or the vicinity thereof. In such a case, the actual rotational speed when the lever 16 reaches the boundary between the second region R2 and the first region R1 may be less than the threshold speed Sp1.

[0127] When the motor 60 is being driven in the automatic transmission mode (i.e., when the lever 16 is in the third region), if the lever 16 is moved to the second region R2, the control circuit 41 also executes the above-described second stop control.

[0128] (2-1-5) Processing of the control circuit The processing executed by the control circuit 41 (specifically, the CPU 41a) to realize the above-described various operations will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the present embodiment, for example, a program for the processing shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the memory 41b. The control circuit 41 realizes the processing shown in FIG. 7 by executing that program. Note that in FIG. 7, for the sake of simplicity and efficiency of explanation, the state of the control circuit 41 and the processing executed by the control circuit 41 are described together.

[0129] When the battery pack 100 is not attached to the battery attachment portion, the main power supply state of the control circuit 41 is set to off (state A01). At this time, the motor 60 is stopped. When the main power switch 14a is pressed in this state, a control voltage is supplied to the control circuit 41 and the control circuit 41 is activated. When activated, the control circuit 41 sets the main power supply state to on (S100). As a result, the main power supply state becomes on (A02).

[0130] When the main power supply state is set to on (A02) and the main power switch 14a is long-pressed, the control circuit 41 stops the output of the power holding signal and sets the main power supply state to off (S110). As a result, the main power supply state becomes off (A01).

[0131] When the main power supply state is set to on (A02), the trigger switch 21 is turned on, and the lever 16 is moved to the drive position, the control circuit 41 executes drive control to rotate the motor 60 (S120). The drive position here means the first region R1 and the third region R3.

[0132] During the execution of drive control, when the trigger switch 21 is turned off, the control circuit 41 executes first stop control (S130). Specifically, in the present embodiment, as described above, first, for the first time period T1, the motor 60 is allowed to run freely (S131). Then, after the elapse of the first time period T1, the control circuit 41 applies a brake to the motor 60 (S132). As a result, the motor 60 stops (A02).

[0133] After the start of the first stop control (S130), if the trigger switch 21 is turned on before the motor 60 stops, the control circuit 41 executes drive control to rotate the motor 60 (S120).

[0134] During the execution of drive control (S120), when the lever 16 is moved to the second region R2, the control circuit 41 executes second stop control (S140). Specifically, the control circuit 41 acquires the actual rotational speed at the time when the lever 16 is moved to the second region R2, that is, the actual speed Spr during operation. Then, when the actual speed Spr during operation is equal to or higher than the threshold speed Sp1, the control circuit 41 first allows the motor 60 to run freely for the second time period T2 (S141). Then, after the elapse of the second time period T2, the control circuit 41 applies a brake to the motor 60 (S142). As a result, the motor 60 stops (A02).

[0135] On the other hand, when the actual speed Spr during operation is less than the threshold speed Sp1, the control circuit 41 applies a brake to the motor 60 without allowing the motor 60 to run freely (S142). As a result, the motor 60 stops (A02). Alternatively, the control circuit 41 may first allow the motor 60 to run freely for the third time period T3 (S143) and then apply a brake to the motor 60 (S142). As described above, the third time period T3 is shorter than the second time period T2.

[0136] After the start of the second stop control (S140), if the lever 16 is moved to the drive position before the motor 60 stops, the control circuit 41 executes drive control to rotate the motor 60 (S120).

[0137] (2-1-6) Correspondence of Terms The trigger 11 is an example of the first operation unit in the overview of the embodiment. The lever 16 is an example of the second operation unit in the overview of the embodiment. The operation of the trigger 11 to turn on the trigger switch 21 is an example of the first driving operation in the overview of the embodiment. The operation of the trigger 11 to turn off the trigger switch 21 is an example of the first stop operation in the overview of the embodiment. Moving the lever 16 to the first region R1 or the third region R3 is an example of the second driving operation in the overview of the embodiment. Moving the lever 16 to the second region R2 is an example of the second stop operation in the overview of the embodiment. The second time T2 is an example of the second time, the specified time, and the first specified time in the overview of the embodiment. The third time T3 is an example of the second specified time in the overview of the embodiment.

[0138] [2-2. Other Embodiments] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications.

[0139] (2-2-1) In the above embodiment, the first stop control is realized by a combination of free run and brake. However, the first stop control may be realized by other methods. For example, deceleration may be performed using only the brake without performing a free run. The same applies to the case where the actual speed Spr during operation is equal to or higher than the threshold speed Sp1 in the second stop control. In the second stop control, when the actual speed Spr during operation is less than the threshold speed Sp1, a free run and a brake may be used in combination. In the first stop control, only a free run may be performed without using a brake.

[0140] (2-2-2) In the second stop control of the above embodiment, the control profile was switched based on the threshold speed Sp1. However, the control profile used in the second stop control may be switched in any manner according to the actual speed Spr during operation. For example, a plurality of threshold speeds may be set, and a control profile may be set such that the average deceleration gradually decreases as the actual speed Spr during operation is higher.

[0141] (2-2-3) The first region R1 (manual shift mode), the second region R2 (stop mode), and the third region R3 (automatic shift mode) may be set anywhere on the movement path Y. For example, the first region R1 may be on the second direction D2 side of the second region R2, and the third region R3 may be on the first direction D1 side of the second region R2. That is, by moving the lever 16 from the second region R2 in the first direction D1, it may switch to the automatic shift mode, and by moving the lever 16 from the second region R2 in the second direction D2, it may switch to the manual shift mode.

[0142] Also, for example, the first region R1 and the third region R3 may be adjacent to each other. That is, the lever 16 may be moved between the first region R1 and the third region R3 without passing through the second region R2.

[0143] (2-2-4) In the automatic shift mode, the target rotational speed may be set in any manner according to the load. For example, contrary to the above embodiment, the target rotational speed may decrease as the load increases. Specifically, for example, when the magnitude of the load is less than the threshold value, the target rotational speed may be set to the second speed, and when the magnitude of the load is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the target rotational speed may be set to the first speed, which is lower than the second speed.

[0144] (2-2-5) The lever 16 and the trigger 11 may be provided on the left grip 9 or in its vicinity so that they can be operated with the left hand. Alternatively, the lever 16 and the trigger 11 may be provided on separate grips.

[0145] (2-2-6) The lever 16 may be in any form. Also, the second operation unit of the present disclosure may be in a form different from that of the lever. The second operation unit may be in the form of, for example, a slide switch, a dial, or the like.

[0146] The second operation unit of the present disclosure may be provided anywhere and in any manner in the operation unit 12. The second operation unit may be provided, for example, on the surface where the operation panel 13 is provided. The second operation unit may be movable in any direction and / or within any range.

[0147] (2-2-7) The motor 60 may be provided outside the control unit 3. The motor 60 may be housed, for example, in the drive unit 4. (2-2-8) A plurality of functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by a plurality of components, or one function of one component may be realized by a plurality of components. Also, a plurality of functions of a plurality of components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by a plurality of components may be realized by one component. Further, a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of another above embodiment.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0148] 1... Electric working machine, 11... Trigger, 12... Operation unit, 13... Operation panel, 14a... Main power switch, 16... Lever, 21... Trigger switch, 22... Lever switch, 23... Shift signal output unit, 41... Control circuit, 41a... CPU, 41b... Memory, 45... Drive circuit, 60... Motor, 100... Battery pack, R1... First region, R2... Second region, R3... Third region, Y... Movement path.

Claims

1. A motor, a first operation unit configured such that a first driving operation and a first stop operation can be alternatively performed manually, a second operation unit configured such that a second driving operation and a second stop operation can be alternatively performed manually, a control circuit, which executes drive control for rotating the motor based on the first driving operation being performed on the first operation unit and the second driving operation being performed on the second operation unit, which executes first stop control for stopping the motor based on the first stop operation being performed on the first operation unit while the motor is rotating, which executes second stop control, different from the first stop control, for stopping the motor based on the second stop operation being performed on the second operation unit while the motor is rotating, a control circuit configured as described above, and an electric working machine including the same.

2. The electric working machine according to Claim 1, wherein the first stop control includes decelerating the motor at a first deceleration rate on average after the first stop operation is performed when the first stop operation is performed while the motor is rotating at a predetermined rotational speed, so that the motor stops, and the second stop control includes decelerating the motor at a second deceleration rate, different from the first deceleration rate, on average after the second stop operation is performed when the second stop operation is performed while the motor is rotating at the predetermined rotational speed, so that the motor stops. An electric working machine.

3. The electric working machine according to Claim 2, wherein the first deceleration rate is smaller than the second deceleration rate. An electric working machine.

4. The electric working machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the first stop control includes rotating the motor coastingly until a first time elapses after the first stop operation is performed, and applying a braking force to the motor to decelerate it after the first time has elapsed, and the second stop control includes rotating the motor coastingly until a second time, shorter than the first time, elapses after the second stop operation is performed, and applying a braking force to the motor to decelerate it after the second time has elapsed. An electric working machine.

5. The electric working machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, The second stop control includes stopping the motor according to a control profile for stopping the motor according to the actual rotation speed of the motor at the time of operation, which is the actual speed during operation when the second stop operation is performed at the second operation unit. Electric working machine.

6. The electric working machine according to claim 5, The control profile is set such that the average deceleration from when the second stop operation is performed until the motor stops is greater when the actual speed during operation is less than the threshold speed than when the actual speed during operation is greater than or equal to the threshold speed. Electric working machine.

7. The electric working machine according to claim 6, The control profile is When the actual speed during operation is greater than or equal to the threshold speed, the motor is rotated coasting until a specified time has elapsed after the second stop operation is performed, and after the specified time has elapsed, a braking force is applied to the motor to decelerate it; When the actual speed during operation is less than the threshold speed, the motor is decelerated by applying a braking force to the motor without rotating it coasting. An electric working machine including the above.

8. The electric working machine according to claim 6, The control profile is When the actual speed during operation is greater than or equal to the threshold speed, the motor is rotated coasting until a first specified time has elapsed after the second stop operation is performed, and after the first specified time has elapsed, a braking force is applied to the motor to decelerate it; When the actual speed during operation is less than the threshold speed, the motor is rotated coasting until a second specified time shorter than the first specified time has elapsed after the second stop operation is performed, and after the second specified time has elapsed, a braking force is applied to the motor to decelerate it. An electric working machine including the above.

9. The electric working machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, The second operation unit is configured to be manually moved within a movement range including a first region and a second region, The movement of the second operation unit to the first region corresponds to the second drive operation, The movement of the second operation unit to the second region corresponds to the second stop operation. Electric working machine.

10. The electric working machine according to claim 9, The drive control includes setting a target rotation speed according to the position of the second operation unit in the first region when the second operation unit is within the first region, and rotating the motor at the set target rotation speed. Electric working machine.

11. The electric working machine according to claim 9, wherein the moving range further includes a third region, and the movement of the second operation unit to the third region corresponds to the second driving operation, and the drive control includes setting a target rotational speed according to the magnitude of the load received by the motor when the second operation unit is within the third region, and rotating the motor at the set target rotational speed. Electric working machine.

12. The electric working machine according to claim 6, wherein the second operation unit is configured to be manually moved within a moving range including a first region and a second region, and the movement of the second operation unit to the first region corresponds to the second driving operation, and the movement of the second operation unit to the second region corresponds to the second stop operation, and the drive control sets a target rotational speed so as to decrease as the second operation unit approaches the second region during the movement of the second operation unit within the first region, and rotates the motor at the set target rotational speed. This includes Electric working machine.

13. The electric working machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first operation unit includes a trigger, and the first driving operation includes the trigger being moved a certain length or more from the initial position. Electric working machine.

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