Power tools

• US 7,896,098 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Original Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Inventors: Watanabe, Masahiro, Suzuki, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Weeks; Gloria R
• Application Number:
  US11/333,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20060118315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,869 Days
• Field of Search: 173/11, 173/2, 173/4, 173/112, 173/176, 73/120.1, 735/79, 735/87, 735/93, 814/67, 814/69, 814/79, 81463-466
• US Class Current: 173/112
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/02 with means for imparting impact to screwdriver blade or nut socket
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1405 for impact wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1475 for impact wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Power tools are taught that may include, for example, means for detecting impact sounds generated, e.g. by a hammer strikes an anvil or by oil pulse from an oil unit. The detecting means may include a receiver (30) adapted to selectively convert sound within a narrow frequency range into electric signals. Preferably, the impact sounds fall within the narrow frequency range of the receiver (30). A processor 38 may be utilized to control the motor (22) in order to stop the rotation of the hammer when a pre-determined number of impact sounds has been detected by the detecting means. In addition or in the alternative, various means for setting various operating conditions are taught, including dials 34, sound sensors 30, keypads and remote control devices 250. Further, means for performing maintenance condition status checks are taught.

Claims

1. A power tool, comprising:

a tool,

a housing,

a motor drivingly coupled to the tool, the motor being disposed within the housing,

means for generating an elevated torque coupled to the motor and the tool, wherein the generating means emits impact sounds when the elevated torque is generated,

a sensor adapted to detect impact sounds and striking sounds, the striking sounds emitted by striking the housing by an operator,

a memory storing a setting program that invokes different driving conditions based on a plurality of different predetermined number of striking sounds, said memory also storing an operating program for controlling the motor according to the driving conditions, and

a processor in communication with the motor, the sensor and the memory, the sensor communicating detected signals to the processor when the sensor detects impact sounds or striking sounds, wherein;

while the setting program is executing, the processor suspends operation of the motor, and maintains suspension of the motor until the setting program completes execution,

while the setting program is executing, the processor determines whether the sensor has detected striking sounds emitted by the housing when the operator strikes the housing when the processor receives said detected signals from the sensor,

while the setting program is executing, the processor calculates a detected number of striking sounds that were emitted by striking the housing and determines if the detected number of striking sounds corresponds to one of the predetermined number of striking sounds,

the processor executes the operating program after the setting program has executed, the operating program controlling the motor in accordance with the driving condition associated with the predetermined number of striking sounds, and

while the operating program is executing, the processor receives the detected signals from the sensor and determines that the sensor has detected the impact sounds emitted by driving the means for generating an elevated torque by the motor.

4. A power tool as in claim 1, wherein the means for generating an elevated torque comprises an oil pulse unit.

5. A power tool as in claim 4, further comprising a trigger switch for energizing the motor, wherein the setting program is started when the trigger switch is turned ON in the predetermined condition.

6. A power tool as in claim 5, wherein the means for generating an elevated torque comprises:

an anvil, and

a hammer coupled to the motor, the hammer being adapted to strike the anvil to thereby rotate the anvil and generate the elevated torque.

7. A power tool as in claim 5, wherein the means for generating an elevated torque comprises an oil pulse unit.

8. A power tool as in claim 7, further comprising a trigger switch for energizing the motor, wherein the setting program is started s when the trigger switch is turned ON in the predetermined condition.

2. A power tool as in claim wherein the means for generating an elevated torque comprises:

an anvil, and

a hammer coupled to the motor, the hammer being adapted to strike the anvil to thereby rotate the anvil and generate the elevated torque.

3. A power tool as in claim 2, further comprising means for displaying the predetermined number of striking sounds.

9. A power tool, comprising:

a tool,

a housing,

a motor drivingly coupled to the tool, the motor being disposed within the housing,

means for generating an elevated torque coupled to the motor and the tool, wherein the generating means emits impact sounds when the elevated torque is generated,

a sensor adapted to detect impact sounds and striking sounds, the striking sounds emitted by striking the housing by an operator,

a memory storing a setting program for calculating a detected number of striking sounds that were emitted by striking the housing, the setting program storing the detected number of striking sounds as a predetermined number of striking sounds, said memory also storing an auto stop program for automatically stopping the motor when the detected number of impact sounds reaches the predetermined number of impact sounds, and

a processor in communication with the motor, the sensor and the memory, the sensor communicating detected signals to the processor when the sensor detects impact sounds or striking sounds, wherein the processor;

while the setting program is executing, suspends operation of the motor, and maintains suspension of the motor until the setting program completes execution;

while the setting program is executing, determines that the sensor has detected the striking sounds emitted by the housing when the operator strikes the housing when the processor receives the detected signals from the sensor and calculates a detected number of striking sounds

while the auto stop program is executing, determines that the sensor has detected the impact sound emitted by driving the means for generating an elevated torque by the motor when the processor receives the detected signal from the sensor,

while the auto stop program is executing, calculates whether the detected number of impact sounds reaches the calculated number of striking sounds based only upon detected signals generated by the sensor.

10. A power tool as in claim 9, further comprising means for displaying the predetermined number of striking sounds.

11. A power tool, comprising:

a tool,

a housing,

a motor drivingly coupled to the tool, the motor being disposed within the housing,

means for generating an elevated torque compiled to the motor and the tool, wherein the generating means emits impact sounds when the elevated torque is generated,

a sensor adapted to detect impact sounds and striking sounds, the striking sounds emitted by striking the housing by an operator,

a memory storing a setting program that sets an operation mode, said memory also storing an operating program for controlling the motor, and

a processor in communication with the motor, the sensor and the memory, the sensor communicating detected signals to the processor when the sensor detects impact sounds or striking sounds, wherein;

when the processor receives the detected signals from the sensor while the setting program is executing, the processor determines that the sensor has detected the striking sounds emitted by the housing when the operator strikes the housing,

the processor executes the setting program to provide the operation mode based upon detected signals generated by the sensor,

the motor is suspended while the setting program is executing and remains suspended until the setting program completes execution.

the processor executes the operating program after execution of the setting program to control the motor in accordance with the operation mode selected by the setting program,

when the processor receives the detected signals from the sensor while the operating program is executing, the processor determines that the sensor has detected the impact sounds emitted by driving the means for generating an elevated torque by the motor.

12. A Power tool as in claim 11, further comprising a trigger switch For energizing the motor, wherein the setting program is started when the trigger switch is turned ON in the predetermined condition.

13. A power tool as in claim 12, wherein the processor sets the operation mode. by calculating a predetermined number of striking sounds based upon detected signals generated by the sensor.

14. A power tool as in claim 13, when the processor calculates the predetermined number of striking sounds when the trigger switch is turned Off.

15. A power tool as in claim 13, wherein the operation program is an auto stop program for automatically stopping the motor in accordance with the predetermined number of striking sounds, and wherein in the case where the auto stop program is executed, the processor (1) drives a motor and counts a number of impacts based upon detected signals generated by the sensor and (2) stops the motor based upon the calculated predetermined number of striking sounds and the counted number of impacts.

16. A power tool as in claim 15, wherein, the means for generating an elevated torque comprises:

an anvil, and

a hammer coupled to the motor, the hammer being adapted to strike the anvil to thereby rotate the anvil and generate the elevated torque.

17. A power tool as in claim 15, wherein the means for generating an elevated torque comprises an oil pulse unit.

18. A power tool as in claim 15, further comprising means for displaying the predetermined number of striking sounds.