Modular Router With Base Power Switch

• US 20100206430A1
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Credo Technology Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Pozgay, David, Stevens, James B., Krondorfer, Harald, Schreiner, Jeff, Ren, Charlie, Brown, Deborah, Gonzalez, Arturo, Higashi, Erick, Truesdale, Tim, Feldman, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 144/136.950
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 9/0028 the guide means being fixed only on the machine
• CPC Class Codes: B27C 5/10 Portable hand-operated wood-milling machines; Routers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306608 End mill [e.g., router, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/307952 Linear adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/308624 with limit means to aid in positioning of cutter bit or work [e.g., gauge, stop, etc.]

Abstract

A routing machine comprises a base unit and a motor unit releasably connected to the base unit. The base unit includes a handle and a first electrical connector. The motor unit includes an electric motor, motor control circuitry configured to energize or de-energize the electric motor, and a second electrical connector connected to the motor control circuitry. The second electrical connector is configured to engage the first electrical connector when the motor unit is properly seated on the base unit. An electric switch is positioned on the base unit. The motor control circuitry is configured to deliver electric power to the electric motor when the switch is in an on position. The motor control circuitry is configured to not provide electric power to the electric motor when the switch is in an off position.

Claims

1. A power tool comprising:

a base unit including a handle and a first electrical connector;

a motor unit releasably connected to the base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor and a second electrical connector, the second electrical connector configured to engage the first electrical connector when the motor unit is connected to the base unit; and

a switch positioned on the base unit, wherein electric power is delivered to the electric motor when the switch is in an on position and wherein electric power is not provided to the electric motor when the switch is in an off position.

2. The power tool of claim 1 wherein an electrical power cord configured for connection to an electrical wall outlet is connected to the motor unit.

3. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises an electrical switch actuated by a trigger positioned on the handle of the base unit.

4. The power tool of claim 3 further comprising a trigger lock positioned on the handle, the trigger lock configured to lock the switch in the on position.

5. The power tool of claim 4 further comprising a sensor configured to determine if the switch is in the on position or the off position when the motor unit is initially connected to the base unit, the power tool configured to prevent delivery of electrical power to the electric motor if the switch is in the on position when the motor unit is initially connected to the base unit.

6. The power tool of claim 5 wherein electrical power is provided to the electric motor once the switch is moved to the off position and then back to the on position after the sensor detects that the switch is in the on position when the motor unit is initially connected to the base unit.

7. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the base unit is a plunge base such that the power tool operates as a plunge base router.

8. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the base unit is a fixed base such that the power tool operates as a fixed base router.

9. The power tool of claim 8 wherein the fixed base is secured to a router table.

10. A routing machine comprising:

a base unit including a handle;

a motor unit configured to be releasably connected to on the base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor;

a power circuit configured to deliver electrical power to the electric motor;

a switch positioned on the base unit, the switch movable between an on position and an off position; and

a motor control circuit configured to control the power circuit, the motor control circuit configured to determine whether the switch is in the on position when the motor unit is connected to the base unit and open the power circuit if the switch is in the on position.

11. The routing machine of claim 10 wherein the base unit includes a first electrical connector and the motor unit includes a second electrical connector and wherein an electrical connection is established between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector when the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit.

12. The routing machine of claim 10 wherein an electrical power cord configured for connection to an electrical wall outlet is connected to the motor unit.

13. The routing machine of claim 10 wherein the switch is positioned on the handle of the base unit.

14. The routing machine of claim 13 further comprising a lock on the handle configured to lock the switch in the on position.

15. The routing machine of claim 14 further comprising a sensor on the base unit configured to determine if the switch is in the on position or the off position when the motor unit is initially connected to the base unit, the routing machine configured to prevent delivery of electrical power to the electric motor if the switch is in the on position when the motor unit is initially connected to the base unit.

16. The routing machine of claim 15 wherein electrical power is provided to the electric motor once the switch is moved to the off position and then back to the on position after the sensor detects that the switch is in the on position when the motor unit is initially connected to the base unit.

17. The routing machine of claim 10 wherein the base unit is a plunge base.

18. The routing machine of claim 10 wherein the base unit is a first base unit and the routing machine also comprises a second base unit, wherein the motor unit may be selectively connected to the first base unit or the second base unit, and wherein the first base unit is a plunge base and the second base unit is a fixed base.

19. A routing machine comprising:

a base unit including a handle and a first electrical connector;

a motor unit releasably connected to the base unit, the motor unit including an electric motor, motor control circuitry configured to energize or de-energize the electric motor, and a second electrical connector connected to the motor control circuitry, the second electrical connector configured to engage the first electrical connector when the motor unit is properly connected to the base unit; and

an switch positioned on the base unit, wherein the motor control circuitry is configured to deliver electric power to the electric motor when the switch is in an on position and wherein motor control circuitry is configured to not provide electric power to the electric motor when the switch is in an off position;

wherein the motor control circuitry is further configured to determine whether the switch is in the on position at an initial connection time, the initial connection time being a moment when the motor unit is supplied with electrical power and properly connected to the base unit.

20. The routing machine of claim 19 wherein electrical power is provided to the electric motor once the switch is moved to the off position and then back to the on position if the motor circuitry detects that the switch is in the on position at the initial connection time.