Abrasive segments for tool inserts using pictograms

Abstract

An abrasive segment (72) configured to be connected to a tool insert for cutting, drilling or grinding, the tool insert being configured to be connected to a power tool performing an operation by rotating the tool insert about an axis of rotation, the abrasive segment (72) including a segment body (74) composed of a bond matrix material and a plurality of superabrasive particles, the segment body including a first side face (77) extending along a length direction of the segment body on a first side (78), and a second side face (79) extending along the length direction of the segment body on a second side (80) opposite to the first side (78), wherein the plurality of superabrasive particles is arranged according to a particle pattern that is predefined and the abrasive segment (72) includes in one or both of the first side face (77) and second side face (79) at least one pictogram (81) recessed with a non-zero offset to the respective first side face (77) or second side face, the pictogram (81) indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment (72) and / or how to use the tool insert.

Description

[0001] 2023P00234EP

[0002] HILTI Aktiengesellschaft in Schaan

[0003] Principality of Liechtenstein

[0004] Abrasive segments for tool inserts using pictograms

[0005] The present invention relates to an abrasive segment according to the definition of claim 1 and to a tool insert for cutting, drilling or grinding applications including at least one abrasive segment.

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] US 2023 / 0278259 A1 discloses an abrasive segment for a tool insert for cutting applications. The tool insert includes a base body that is disk-shaped, and a plurality of abrasive segments arranged at the perimeter of the base body and fixedly connected to the base body. The abrasive segments are optimized for cutting applications and are composed of a bond matrix material and a plurality of superabrasive particles arranged in the bond matrix material.

[0008] The abrasive segments comprise a segment body including a first side face and a second side face opposite to the first side face, the first and second side faces extending along a length direction of the segment body and a plurality of protrusions extends laterally from the first and second side faces. The protrusions will make contact in lateral direction with the workpiece or underground to be cut and will reduce lateral friction forces acting on the abrasive segment.

[0009] The abrasive segments can further comprise a longitudinal wear indicator groove extending in the cutting direction and facing laterally with respect to the cutting direction and / or a lateral wear indicator groove formed in one or both of the side faces and facing laterally with respect to the cutting direction. The longitudinal wear indicator groove and / or lateral wear indicator groove are indicative of a level of longitudinal wear respectively lateral wear, provide a visual indication of the level of longitudinal wear respectively lateral wear for an operator, and the operator can therefore easily detect when it is time to replace the saw blade. But the longitudinal wear indicator groove and lateral wear indicator groove do not indicate to the operator if the abrasive segment or the tool insert is suitable for his application.

[0010] WO 2014 / 005079 A1 discloses a tool insert including a base body and a plurality of abrasive segments arranged at the perimeter of the base body and fixedly connected to the base body, the tool insert can be a cutting tool, a drilling tool, or a grinding tool. The abrasive segments include a segment body composed of a bond matrix material and a plurality of superabrasive particles that are statistically arranged in the bond matrix material. The segment body includes a first side face and a second side face opposite to the first side face, the first and second side faces extending along a length direction of the segment body.

[0011] The abrasive segments are characterized by first indicia formed in the first side faces and by second indicia formed in the second side faces, wherein the first and second indicia are arranged with a lateral offset with respect to each other. The first and second indicia may include a company name, a product name, a product identifier, a company logo, a product logo, a design, or a combination thereof. But the first and second indicia do not indicate to the operator if the abrasive segment or the tool insert is suitable for his application.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] Therefore, what is desired is an abrasive segment that indicates to an operator how to use the abrasive segment and / or how to use the tool insert.

[0014] These objectives are achieved by realizing the features of the independent claims. Features which further develop the invention in an advantageous manner are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an abrasive segment including a segment body composed of a bond matrix material and a plurality of superabrasive particles, the segment body having a first side face and second side face, characterized in that the plurality of superabrasive particles is arranged according to a particle pattern that is predefined and the abrasive segment includes in one or both of the first side face and second side face at least one pictogram recessed with a non-zero offset to the respective first side face or second side face, the pictogram indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment and / or how to use the tool insert.

[0016] The abrasive segment according to the present invention indicates by the pictogram to an operator how to use the abrasive segment and / or how to use the tool insert. By arranging the pictogram on the abrasive segment, the operator is informed about the proper use of the abrasive segment and also of used tool inserts and tool inserts with changeable parts, such as core bits with a change module or tool inserts with replaceable abrasive segments. By using a pictogram that is recessed with a non-zero offset to the first side face or second side face, contact of the pictogram with the workpiece or underground to be processed and lateral friction forces acting on the pictogram are reduced. The pictogram can be selected from symbols indicating critical applications that should be considered by the operator, such as battery-operated or mains-operated applications, wet or dry applications, hand-held or rig-based applications, or micro-hammering applications. Those symbols are well-known worldwide by operators using power tools for cutting, drilling, or grinding applications.

[0017] Preferably, the abrasive segment includes in one or both of the first side face and second side faces a recessed portion and the at least one pictogram is arranged in the recessed portion and protrudes with respect to a surface of the recessed portion. By arranging the pictogram in the recessed portion of the abrasive segment, the operator is informed about the proper use of the abrasive segment and also of used tool inserts and tool inserts with changeable parts, such as core bits with a change module or tool inserts with replaceable abrasive segments.

[0018] Abrasive segments having recessed portions in their side faces are known as "meander segments" and the recessed portions are called "meander". Arranging the pictogram in a recessed portion and protruding with respect to a surface of the recessed portion enables the use of the pictogram with less impact on the particle pattern of the superabrasive particles, the form of the meander and its impact on the distribution of the superabrasive particles is usually considered in the form of the particle pattern.

[0019] Preferably, the pictogram is a particle-free area of the abrasive segment. A particle-free area does not contain superabrasive particles of the particle pattern, it only contains bond matrix material. By arranging the pictogram in a particle-free area of the abrasive segment, the pictogram has no or at least only small impact on the particle pattern of the superabrasive particles. The distribution of the superabrasive particles in the particle pattern is typically adapted to the workpiece or the underground to be processed and the performance or lifetime of the abrasive segment. With no or only small impact on the particle pattern, the abrasive segment can perform during processing as planned with respect to performance and / or lifetime.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the pictogram is selected from a symbol to indicate a battery-operated application, a symbol to indicate a mains-operated application, a symbol to indicate a wet application, a symbol to indicate a dry application, a symbol to indicate a hand-held application, a symbol to indicate a rig-based application, and a symbol to indicate a micro-hammering application. Those symbols are well-known worldwide by operators using power tools for cutting, drilling, or grinding applications.

[0021] Tool inserts for cutting, drilling, or grinding applications can be restricted to battery-operated application (cordless) or mains-operated application (corded), to wet application or dry application, to hand-held application, rig-based application or application with a feed motor, or tool inserts can be restricted to micro-hammering application.

[0022] Power tools configured for only battery-operated application and / or only hand-held application often provide less power than power tools configured for mains-operated application and / or rig-based application. In case that a tool insert that is provided for only battery-operated and / or only hand-held application is used for a mains-operated and / or rig-based application, the higher power level of the power tools can decrease the lifetime of the tool insert and increase the risk of damaging the tool insert.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool insert for cutting, drilling or grinding configured to be connected to a power tool performing an operation by rotating the tool insert about an axis of rotation, the tool insert comprising a base body and at least one abrasive segment according to the present invention.

[0024] Tool inserts for cutting, drilling, or grinding applications can be restricted to specific applications and the proper use of the tool inserts is important to reach the performance and / or lifetime of the tool insert. By using at least one abrasive segment according to the present invention, an operator is informed about the proper use of the tool insert and also about the proper use of used tool inserts and tool inserts with changeable parts, such as core bits with a change module or tool inserts with replaceable abrasive segments. Using symbols as pictograms that are well-known worldwide by operators using power tools for cutting, drilling, or grinding applications can increase the risk of incorrect use.

[0025] In a preferred version, the base body is cylindrically shaped and includes a first shaft section and a second shaft section configured to be connected in a releasable manner to the first shaft section, wherein the first shaft section includes the at least one abrasive segment. By using an abrasive segment according to the present invention, the operator is aware how to use the first shaft section (change module) of the tool insert (core bit).

[0026] Preferably, the at least one abrasive segment includes a first type of abrasive segment and a second type of abrasive segment. Using more than one abrasive segment having a pictogram to indicate how to use the tool insert allows to specify the proper use in more detail, such as a battery-operated application and a dry application, or a battery-operated application and a hand-held application.

[0027] Brief Description of the drawings

[0028] The aspects of the invention are described or explained in more detail below, purely by way of example, with reference to working examples shown schematically in the drawing. Identical elements are labelled with the same reference numerals in the figures. The described embodiments are generally not shown true in scale, and they are also not to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Specifically,

[0029] FIGS. 1A, B show how tool inserts for cutting applications (FIG. 1A) and tool inserts for drilling applications (FIG. 1B) are stored after use,

[0030] FIGS. 2A, B show a power tool for cutting applications formed as cut-off saw that is connected to a tool insert for cutting in a connected state (FIG. 2A) and in an unconnected state (FIG. 2B) of the tool insert,

[0031] FIGS. 3A, B show a power tool for drilling applications formed as core drill that is connected to a tool insert for drilling in a connected state (FIG. 3A) and in an unconnected state (FIG. 3B) of the tool insert,

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a tool insert according to the present invention, the tool insert being provided for cutting applications and including a diskshaped base body and a plurality of abrasive segments according to the present invention,

[0033] FIGS. 5A-D show the abrasive segment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 4 in a first view on a first side face (FIG. 5A), in a second view on a second side face (FIG. 5B), in a top view (FIG. 50) and in a detailed view (FIG. 5D),

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a tool insert according to the present invention, the tool insert being provided for drilling applications and including a cylindrically shaped base body and a plurality of abrasive segments according to the present invention,

[0035] FIGS. 7A-D show the abrasive segment according to the present invention shown in FIG. 6 in a first view on a first side face (FIG. 7A), in a second view on a second side face (FIG. 7B), in a top view (FIG. 70) and in a detailed view (FIG. 7D),

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a tool insert according to the present invention, the tool insert being provided for drilling applications and including a two-part drill shaft and a plurality of abrasive segments shown in FIG. 7,

[0037] FIG. 9 shows seven symbols that can be used as pictograms to indicate the application of the abrasive segment, and / or the tool insert.

[0038] Detailed Description Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the technology disclosed herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology disclosed herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0039] The term "power tool" refers to mains-operated (corded) power tools, battery-operated (cordless) power tools, and any other type of power tools, such as gas- or petrol-driven power tools, and the term "tool insert" refers to all types of tool inserts that are configured to be connected to a power tool.

[0040] Power tools for cutting applications include amongst others cut-off saws, cutters, slitting tools, angle grinders, bench saws, miter saws, floor saws, and wall saws, power tools for drilling applications include amongst others handheld core drills, rig-base core drills, core drills with feed motor, drill drivers, and rotary hammers, and power tools for grinding applications include amongst others ...

[0041] The power tools for cutting, drilling, or grinding applications can differ in their application. The tool insert can be restricted to a battery-operated application (cordless) or a mains-operated application (corded), or to a wet application or a dry application, or to a hand-held application, a rig-based application or an application with a feed motor, or the tool insert can be restricted to a micro-hammering application.

[0042] All tool inserts for cutting applications are composed of a base body that is disk-shaped, and a plurality of abrasive segments arranged at the perimeter of the base body and fixedly connected to the base body. In order to connect the tool inserts for cutting applications to a power tool for cutting applications, the tool inserts further include an arbor hole that can be connected to a tool fitting of the power tool.

[0043] All tool inserts for drilling applications are composed of a base body that is cylindrically shaped, and a plurality of abrasive segments arranged at the perimeter of the base body and fixedly connected to the base body. In order to connect the tool inserts for drilling applications to a power tool for drilling applications, the tool inserts further include a connection end that can be connected to a tool fitting of the power tool.

[0044] All tool inserts for grinding applications are composed of a base body that is ... , and a plurality of abrasive segments arranged at the base body and fixedly connected to the base body. In order to connect the tool inserts for grinding applications to a power tool for grinding applications, the tool inserts further include an arbor hole that can be connected to a tool fitting of the power tool.

[0045] FIGS. 1A, B show how tool inserts for cutting applications (FIG. 1A) and tool inserts for drilling applications (FIG. 1B) are stored after use. Typically, the tool inserts are not stored in their packaging and the technical information on the packaging is not available.

[0046] FIG. 1 A shows four tool inserts for cutting applications formed as saw blades configured to be connected to a wall saw. Even though technical information is provided on the diskshaped base body of the saw blades, the technical information is not visible for the operator, except for the smallest saw blade.

[0047] FIG. 1B shows a plurality of tool inserts for drilling applications formed as core bits configured to be connected to a core drill. In order to avoid that the drilling elements are damaged during storing, the core bits are stored in an orientation that the drilling elements are visible for the operator.

[0048] FIGS. 2A, B show a power tool 10 and a tool insert 11 that is connected to the power tool 10. The power tool 10 is a handheld battery-operated cut-off saw that is designed for cutting applications (indoor and outdoor, wet and dry) of mineral or metallic construction materials and asphalt with abrasive cut-off wheels or diamond cut-off wheels.

[0049] The tool insert is provided as tool insert for cutting applications and formed as cutting disk. Tool inserts for cutting applications include all disk-shaped tool inserts designed for cutting applications, such as diamond cut-off wheels in accordance with EN 13236, abrasive cut-off wheels, and bonded reinforced cut-off wheels in accordance with ISO 603-15 and ISO 603-16.

[0050] The cut-off saw 10 comprises a motor housing 12 with an electric motor (not shown), a battery pack 13, and a guard 14. The cutting disk 11 is surrounded by the guard 14, which serves to protect the operator from flying dust particles and reduces the risk of injury posed by the operator reaching into the rotating cutting disk 11. For operating the cut-off saw 10, the cut-off saw 10 must be hold securely with both hands on the defined grips, a main grip 15 and a front grip 16.

[0051] FIG. 2A shows the cut-off saw 10 with the cutting disk 11 connected to the power tool, and FIG. 2B shows in detail how the cutting disk 11 can be connected to the cut-off saw 10. The cutting disk 11 is connected to the cut-off saw 10 via a mounting flange 17, a clamping flange 18, and a securing screw 19. The cutting disk 11 is positioned flush and centered on the mounting flange 17, wherein the direction of rotation of the cutting disk 11 must match a direction-of-rotation arrow 21. The clamping flange 18 is positioned flush and centered and the securing screw 19 can be installed with an assembly tool.

[0052] The cutting disk 11 is a one-part cutting disk including a base body 22 and a plurality of abrasive segments formed as cutting elements 23 connected to the base body 22. To generate a slit-shaped cut in a workpiece or an underground, the cutting disk 11 is rotated by the power tool 10 about an axis of rotation 24 and moved along a cutting direction 25 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 24. During rotating the cutting disk 11 about the axis of rotation 24, the cutting elements 23 generate the slit-shaped cut.

[0053] FIGS. 3A, B show a power tool 30 and a tool insert 31 that is connected to the power tool 30. The power tool 30 is a core drill that is designed for core drilling applications (wet and dry drilling, hand-guided and rig-based drilling) of base materials, such as concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt, and masonry.

[0054] Typical core drilling applications are rig-based wet drilling in concrete for pipe penetrations, cable trays and ducts and for the installation of railings and barriers, hand-guided wet drilling for setting large-diameter anchors and reinforcing bars, and hand-guided dry drilling for pipe penetrations in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning installations and for chimney and store installations.

[0055] The core drill 30 includes a motor housing 32 with an electric motor (not shown), a gear housing 33 with a gear (not shown), a power cord 34 for powering the core drill, and a tool fitting 35. In the exemplary version of FIG. 3, the core drill 30 is a corded power tool that is powered via the power cord 34 by a supply network or by a generator or transformer. Alternatively, the power tool 30 can be a cordless power tool that is powered by at least one battery pack.

[0056] For hand-held core drilling applications, the core drill 30 must be held securely with both hands on defined handles, a main handle 36 and a side handle 37, and for rig-based core drilling applications, the core drill 30 must be connected to a carriage of a drill stand. For wet drilling applications, the core drill 30 is provided to be used in combination with a water management device that is connected via a port 38 to the core drill 10.

[0057] FIG. 3A shows the core drill 30 with the tool insert 31 connected to the power tool 30, and FIG. 3B shows in detail how the tool insert 31 can be connected to the core drill 30. The tool insert 31 is a two-part core bit including a base body formed as drill shaft 41, a plurality of drilling elements 42 connected to the drill shaft 41, and a connection end 43 configured to be connected to a tool fitting, such as the tool fitting 35 of the power tool 30 In the exemplary version of FIG. 3, the connection end 43 is a two-part element including a first part connected to the drill shaft 41 and an adapter that is connected in a releasable manner via a threaded connection to the first part. The first part is a female part with a hexagonal inner cone, and the second part is an adapter including a male part with a hexagonal outer cone and a customized end, such as a Bl plus or BL end. By using an adapter, the tool insert 31 can be connected to different types of power tools.

[0058] To generate a borehole in a workpiece or an underground, the tool insert 31 is rotated by the power tool 30 about an axis of rotation 44 and moved along a length direction 45 that is parallel to the axis of rotation 44. During rotating the tool insert 31 about the axis of rotation 44, the drilling elements 42 generate a ring-shaped cut. The diameter of that ring-shaped cut is defined as borehole diameter and the inner remaining part of the workpiece or underground is defined as core sample.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a tool insert 50 according to the present invention configured to be connected to a power tool, such as the cut-off saw 10 shown in FIGS. 2A, B. The tool insert 50 is provided for cutting applications and can substitute the tool insert 11 of the cut-off saw 10.

[0060] The tool insert 50 is a one-part cutting disk including a base body 51 , a plurality of abrasive segments formed as cutting elements 52 connected to the base body 51 , and an arbor hole 53 configured to be connected to a power tool, such as the cut-off saw 10. The cutting elements 52 are equi-angularly arranged at the circumference and connected to the base body 51 by welding or brazing. Alternatively, the cutting elements 52 may be connected to the base body 51 in a releasable manner, such as screwing.

[0061] In the exemplary version of FIG. 4, the cutting disk 50 includes a plurality of abrasive segments 52 according to the present invention that are identical. Alternatively, the cutting disk 50 may include at least one abrasive segment 52 according to the present invention including at least one pictogram and additional abrasive segments that differ from the abrasive segment 52 and do not include any pictogram, or the cutting disk 50 may include a first type of abrasive segments according to the present invention including a first type of pictogram, e.g. a battery symbol to indicate a battery-operated application of the cutting disk 50, and a second type of abrasive segments according to the present invention including a second type of pictogram, e.g. a hand symbol to indicate a hand-held application of the cutting disk 50.

[0062] In the exemplary version of FIG. 4, the arbor hole 53 comprises a generally circular form. The arbor hole 53 does not need to be generally circular, it may be hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, or indeed have any number of circumferentially extending sides. The arbor hole 53 is configured to be connected to the power tool, such as the cut-off-saw 10, and the form of the arbor hole 53 is adapted to a spindle of the power tool 10.

[0063] FIGS. 5A-D show the abrasive segment 52 according to the present invention shown in FIG.

[0064] 4 in different views. FIGS. 5A, B show a first view on a first side face of the abrasive segment 52 (FIG. 5A) and in a second view on a second side face of the abrasive segment 52 (FIG.

[0065] 5B), FIG. 5C shows a top view of the abrasive segment 52 and FIG. 5D show a detail of the top view of FIG. 5C.

[0066] The abrasive segment 52 comprises a segment body 54 composed of a bond matrix material 55 and a plurality of superabrasive particles 56 that is arranged according to a predefined particle pattern. The segment body includes a first side face 57 extending along a length direction L of the segment body on a first side 58, and a second side face 59 extending along the length direction L of the segment body on a second side 60 opposite to the first side 58.

[0067] The abrasive segment 52 includes in the first side face 57 two pictograms 61, 62 indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment 52 and / or how to use the tool insert 50 and in the second side face two pictograms 63, 64 indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment 52 and / or how to use the tool insert 50. In the exemplary version of FIG. 5, the pictograms 61 , 63 are formed as drop symbols to indicate a wet application of the tool insert 50, and the pictograms 62, 64 are formed as hand symbols to indicate a hand-held application of the tool insert 50.

[0068] Power tools configured for hand-held application often provide less power than power tools configured for rig-based application or feed motorized application, and the tool inserts are adapted to the power level of the power tools. In case that a tool insert that is provided for only hand-held application is used for a rig-based or feed motorized application, the higher power level of the power tool can decrease the lifetime of the tool insert and increase the risk of damaging the tool insert.

[0069] The pictograms 61, 62 are recessed with a non-zero offset Ai to the first side face 57 and the pictograms 63, 64 are recessed with a non-zero offset A2 to the second side face 59. By using pictograms that are recessed with non-zero offset to the first side face 57 and second side face 59, contact of the pictograms with the workpiece or underground to be processed and lateral friction forces acting on the pictogram are reduced.

[0070] The abrasive segment 52 includes four recessed portions 65 arranged in the first and second side faces 57, 59. Two of the recessed portions 65 are arranged in the first side face 57 and two of the recessed portions 65 are arranged in the second side face 59, wherein the recessed portions 65 arranged in the second side face 59 are shifted in the length direction L with respect to the recessed portions 65 arranged in the first side face 57.

[0071] The four pictograms 61, 62, 63, 64 are arranged in the recessed portions 65 and protrude with respect to a surface 66 of the respective recessed portion 65. Arranging the pictograms in the recessed portions 65 and protruding with respect to the surface 66 of the recessed portions 65 enables the use of the pictograms with less impact on the particle pattern of the superabrasive particles 56. The form of the recessed portion 65 and its impact on the distribution of the superabrasive particles 56 is considered in the particle pattern.

[0072] The pictograms 61, 62, 63, 64 are particle-free areas of the abrasive segment 52 and do not contain superabrasive particles of the particle pattern. By arranging the pictograms in particle-free areas of the abrasive segment 52, the pictograms have no or at least only small impact on the particle pattern of the superabrasive particles 56. The distribution of the superabrasive particles in the particle pattern is typically adapted to the workpiece or the underground to be processed and the performance or lifetime of the abrasive segment 52. With no or only small impact on the particle pattern, the abrasive segment 52 can perform during processing as planned with respect to performance and / or lifetime.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a tool insert 70 according to the present invention configured to be connected to a power tool, such as the core drill shown 30 in FIG. 3. The tool insert 70 is provided for drilling applications and can substitute the tool insert 31 of the core drill 30.

[0074] The tool insert 70 is a one-part core bit including a base body formed as drill shaft 71, a plurality of abrasive segments formed as drilling elements 72 connected to the drill shaft 71, and a connection end 73 configured to be connected to a tool fitting of a power tool, such as the tool fitting 35 of the core drill 30. In the exemplary version, the core bit 70 is a one-part core bit including a one-part drill shaft 71 and the drilling elements 72 are fixedly connected to an end face of the drill shaft 71. Alternatively, the core bit may comprise a two-part drill shaft including a change module and a barrel, which can be connected in a releasable manner to each other.

[0075] In the exemplary version of FIG. 6, the drilling elements 72 are equi-angularly arranged at the circumference and connected to the drill shaft 71 by welding or brazing. Alternatively, the drilling elements 72 may be connected to the drill shaft 71 in a releasable manner, such as screwing.

[0076] In the exemplary version of FIG. 6, the core bit 70 includes a plurality of abrasive segments 72 according to the present invention that are identical. Alternatively, the core bit 70 may include at least one abrasive segment 72 according to the present invention including at least one pictogram and additional abrasive segments that differ from the abrasive segment 72 and do not include any pictogram, or the core bit 70 may include a first type of abrasive segments according to the present invention including a first type of pictogram, e.g. a battery symbol to indicate a battery-operated application of the core bit, and a second type of abrasive segments according to the present invention including a second type of pictogram, e.g. a strikethrough drop symbol to indicate a dry application of the core bit.

[0077] FIGS. 7A-D show the abrasive segment 72 according to the present invention shown in FIG.

[0078] 6. FIGS. 7A, B show a first view on a first side face of the abrasive segment 72 (FIG. 7A) and in a second view on a second side face of the abrasive segment 72 (FIG. 7B), FIG. 70 shows a top view of the abrasive segment 72 and FIG. 5D show a detail of the top view of FIG. 7C.

[0079] The abrasive segment 72 comprises a segment body 74 composed of a bond matrix material 75 and a plurality of superabrasive particles 76 that is arranged according to a predefined particle pattern. The segment body includes a first side face 77 extending along a length direction L of the segment body on a first side 78, and a second side face 79 extending along the length direction L of the segment body on a second side 80 opposite to the first side 78.

[0080] The abrasive segment 72 includes in the first side face a pictogram 81 indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment 72 and / or how to use the tool insert 70. In the exemplary version of FIG. 7, the pictogram 81 is formed as battery symbol to indicate a battery-operated application of the tool insert 70.

[0081] Battery-operated power tools often provide less power than mains-operated power tools and the tool inserts are adapted to the power level of the power tools. In case that a tool insert that is provided for battery-operated power tool is used with mains-operated power tools, the higher power level of the power tool can decrease the lifetime of the tool insert and increase the risk of damaging the tool insert.

[0082] The pictogram 81 is recessed with a non-zero offset Ai to the first side face 77. By using a pictogram that is recessed with a non-zero offset to the first side face 77, contact of the pictogram with the workpiece or underground to be processed and lateral friction forces acting on the pictogram is reduced.

[0083] The abrasive segment 72 includes three recessed portions 85 arranged in the first and second side faces 77, 79. One of the recessed portions 85 is arranged in the first side face 77 and two of the recessed portions 85 are arranged in the second side face 79, wherein the recessed portions 85 arranged in the second side face 79 are shifted in the length direction L with respect to the recessed portion 85 arranged in the first side face 77.

[0084] The pictogram 81 is arranged in the recessed portion 85 at the first side face 77 and protrudes with respect to a surface 86 of the recessed portion 65. Arranging the pictogram in the recessed portion 85 and protruding with respect to the surface 86 of the recessed portion 85 enables the use of a pictogram with less impact on the particle pattern of the superabrasive particles 76. The form of the recessed portion 85 and its impact on the distribution of the superabrasive particles 76 is considered in the particle pattern.

[0085] The pictogram 81 is a particle-free area of the abrasive segment 72. By arranging the pictogram 81 in a particle-free area of the abrasive segment 72, the pictogram 81 has no or at least only small impact on the particle pattern of the superabrasive particles 76. The distribution of the superabrasive particles in the particle pattern is typically adapted to the workpiece or the underground to be processed and the performance or lifetime of the abrasive segment 72. With no or only small impact on the particle pattern, the abrasive segment 72 can perform during processing as planned with respect to performance and / or lifetime.

[0086] FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a tool insert 90 according to the present invention, the tool insert 90 being provided for drilling applications and including a two-part drill shaft and a plurality of the abrasive segments shown in FIG. 7.

[0087] The tool insert 90 is a core bit including a base body formed as drill shaft 91, a plurality of the abrasive segments formed as drilling elements 72, and a connection end 93 configured to be connected to a tool fitting of a power tool, such as the tool fitting 35 of the core drill 30.

[0088] The drill shaft 91 is formed as two-part drill shaft and includes a first shaft section 94 and a second shaft section 95, the first and second shaft sections 94, 95 being connectable in a releasable manner. The first shaft section 94 is connected to the drilling elements 72 and called as change module, and the second shaft section 95 is connected to the connection end 93 and called as barrel.

[0089] The change module 94 need to be replaced more often than the barrel 95. The two-part drill shaft 91 allows to replace a worn-out change module by a new change module without replacing the barrel 95. The drilling elements 72 include in the first side faces the pictograms 81 that are formed as battery symbols to indicate a battery-operated application of the change module 94, the operator knows how to use the change module 94.

[0090] In the exemplary version of FIG. 8, the core bit 90 includes a plurality of abrasive segments 72 that are identical. Alternatively, the core bit 90 may include at least one abrasive segment 72 according to the present invention including at least one pictogram and additional abrasive segments that differ from the abrasive segment 72 and do not include any pictogram, or the core bit 90 may include a first type of abrasive segments according to the present invention including a first type of pictogram, e.g. a battery symbol to indicate a battery-operated application of the core bit, and a second type of abrasive segments according to the present invention including a second type of pictogram, e.g. a strikethrough drop symbol to indicate a dry application of the core bit.

[0091] FIG. 9 shows seven pictograms that can be arranged on an abrasive segment according to the present invention indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment and / or how to use the tool insert.

[0092] Pictograms are well-known worldwide by operators using power tools to inform about the use of tool inserts and restrictions for the tool inserts; they are placed on packaging material and on the base body of the tool inserts. As shown in FIGS. 1A, B tool inserts are usually not stored in their packaging material and the base body of the tool inserts is not visible, the pictograms can be hidden by other tool inserts, or they can be worn off due to lateral friction.

[0093] By arranging the pictogram on the abrasive segment, the operator is informed about the proper use of the abrasive segment and also used tool inserts and tool inserts with changeable parts, such as core bits with a change module shown in FIG. 8 or tool inserts with replaceable abrasive segments.

[0094] A battery symbol 101 can be used as pictogram to indicate a battery-operated application of a tool insert and a plug symbol 102 can be used as pictogram to indicate a mains-operated application of a tool insert. Battery-operated power tools often provide less power than mains-operated power tools and the tool inserts are adapted to the power level of the power tools. In case that a tool insert that is provided for battery-operated power tool is used with mains-operated power tools, the higher power level of the power tool can decrease the lifetime of the tool insert and increase the risk of damaging the tool insert.

[0095] A drop symbol 103 can be used as pictogram to indicate a wet application of a tool insert, and a strikethrough drop symbol 104 can be used as pictogram to indicate a dry application of a tool insert. Tool inserts configured for wet only application are not allowed to use for dry application and tool inserts configured for dry only application are not allowed to use for wet application. Some tool inserts are configured for dry and wet applications. A hand symbol 105 can be used to indicate a hand-held application of a tool insert, and a hand wheel symbol 106 to indicate a rig-based application of a tool insert. Power tools configured for only hand-held application often provide less power than power tools configured for rig-based application or feed motorized application, and the tool inserts are adapted to the power level of the power tools. In case that a tool insert that is provided for only hand-held application is used for a rig-based or feed motorized application, the higher power level of the power tools can decrease the lifetime of the tool insert and increase the risk of damaging the tool insert.

[0096] A hammer symbol 107 can be used as pictogram to indicate a micro-hammering application of a tool insert. Tool inserts for micro-hammering application are specified for micro-hammering application, and they should not be used for conventional drilling applications. Since the micro-hammering application is the exceptional case, it is preferred to indicate tool inserts explicitly that are configured for micro-hammering applications.

Claims

Claims1. An abrasive segment (52; 72) configured to be connected to a tool insert (50; 70; 90) for cutting, drilling or grinding, the tool insert (50; 70; 90) being configured to be connected to a power tool (10; 30) performing an operation by rotating the tool insert (50; 70; 90) about an axis of rotation (24; 44), the abrasive segment (52; 72) including a segment body (54; 74) composed of a bond matrix material (55; 75) and a plurality of superabrasive particles (56; 76), the segment body including:■ a first side face (57; 77) extending along a length direction (L) of the segment body on a first side (58; 78), and■ a second side face (59; 79) extending along the length direction (L) of the segment body on a second side (60; 80) opposite to the first side (58; 78),characterized in that the plurality of superabrasive particles is arranged according to a particle pattern that is predefined and the abrasive segment (52; 72) includes in one or both of the first side face (57; 77) and second side face (59; 79) at least one pictogram (61, 62, 63, 64; 81) recessed with a non-zero offset (Ai, A2) to the respective first side face (57; 77) or second side face (59), the pictogram indicating to an operator how to use the abrasive segment (52; 72) and / or how to use the tool insert (50; 70; 90).

2. The abrasive segment of claim 1 , wherein the abrasive segment (52; 72) includes in one or both of the first side face (57; 77) and second side face (59; 79) a recessed portion (65; 85) and the at least one pictogram (61, 62, 63, 64; 81) is arranged in the recessed portion (65; 85) and protrudes with respect to a surface (66; 86) of the recessed portion (65; 85).

3. The abrasive segment of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the pictogram (61, 62, 63, 64;81) is a particle-free area of the abrasive segment (52; 72).

4. The abrasive segment of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pictogram (61, 62, 63, 64;81) is selected from a symbol (101) to indicate a battery-operated application, a symbol (102) to indicate a mains-operated application, a symbol (103) to indicate a wet application, a symbol (104) to indicate a dry application, a symbol (105) to indicate a hand-held application, a symbol (106) to indicate a rig-based application, and a symbol (107) to indicate a micro-hammering application.

5. A tool insert (50; 70; 90) for cutting, drilling or grinding configured to be connected to a power tool (10; 30) performing an operation by rotating the tool insert (50; 70; 90) about an axis of rotation (24; 44), the tool insert (50; 70; 90) comprising a base body (51; 71; 91) and at least one abrasive segment (52; 72) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The tool insert of claim 5, wherein the base body (91) is cylindrically shaped and includes a first shaft section (94) and a second shaft section (95) configured to be connected in a releasable manner to the first shaft section (94), wherein the first shaft section (94) includes the at least one abrasive segment (72).

7. The tool insert of any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the at least one abrasive segment in- eludes a first type of abrasive segment and a second type of abrasive segment.

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