JP2006272485A - Power tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a power tool capable of recognizing the temperature of each part with a further compact and inexpensive constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The power tool 1 is composed so that a temperature-indicating agent changing its color corresponding to temperature is included in at least either of a resin-made housing 4 and resin-made protectors 7, 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power tool such as a drill driver, an impact driver, and an oil pulse driver.

  Conventionally, a motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof, and power supply to the motor There is known an electric tool including a switch unit to be controlled, and a housing including a motor, a speed reduction mechanism unit, and a switch unit (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this type of electric tool, when electric power is supplied to rotate the motor, the motor generates heat. Therefore, in order to suppress overheating of the motor, it is common practice to provide a fan or the like to cool the motor.

The speed reduction mechanism and tool drive generate heat mainly due to mechanical friction of rotating parts such as gears, while the battery pack that supplies power to the motor, the switch and lead wires generate Joule heat. The main heat is generated.
JP 2003-2111374 A

  As described above, this type of electric tool has various heat sources. As a mechanism for cooling them, a cooling fan for a motor is used from the viewpoint of component layout, weight reduction, manufacturing cost, and the like. In such a configuration, it is difficult to cool all of the heat generation points with the cooling fan.

  Therefore, conventionally, countermeasures have been taken by reducing the amount of heat generated at the heat generation points other than the motor. That is, for the speed reduction mechanism and tool drive unit, the mechanical friction resistance is lowered by a lubricant such as grease to reduce the heat generation amount. In the battery pack, switch unit, lead wire, etc., the electric resistance is lowered to generate heat. The amount was reduced.

  However, this type of electric tool may be used for higher load work such as continuous tightening of thick screws such as coach screws and deep hole drilling with thick drills. However, there was a risk that the amount of heat generation increased and the temperature of each part approached the allowable heat resistant temperature.

  As a countermeasure against such a problem, a temperature sensor such as a thermistor may be provided in the electric tool so that the tool is forcibly stopped when a set temperature is exceeded.

  However, in that case, it is necessary to provide a temperature sensor and a protection means for each of the plurality of heat generating sections, which causes problems such as an increase in the size of the apparatus configuration and an increase in manufacturing cost.

  Then, an object of this invention is to obtain the electric tool which can recognize the temperature of each part with a more compact and cheap structure.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, and a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof. , A switch unit that controls power supply to the motor, a resin housing that includes the motor, the speed reduction mechanism unit, and the switch unit, and a drive unit that includes the tool drive unit and is fixed to the housing In an electric tool comprising a cover and a resin protector that covers the drive unit cover, at least one of the resin housing and the protector contains a temperature indicating agent that changes color according to temperature. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the temperature indicating agent has reversibility.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that at least one of the resin housing and the protector contains a plurality of temperature indicating agents having different colors corresponding to the temperature.

In the invention of claim 4, a motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, and a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof A switch part that controls power supply to the motor, a housing that contains the motor, the speed reduction mechanism part, and the switch part, a drive part cover that contains the tool drive part and is fixed to the housing, A power tool comprising a protector that covers the drive unit cover, wherein a temperature indicating tape containing a temperature indicating agent that changes color according to temperature is fixed to a surface of at least one of the housing and the protector. The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that a film for suppressing the transmission of ultraviolet rays is provided on the surface of the temperature indicating tape.

  In the invention of claim 6, a motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, and a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof A switch part that controls power supply to the motor, a housing that contains the motor, the speed reduction mechanism part, and the switch part, a drive part cover that contains the tool drive part and is fixed to the housing, In a power tool comprising a protector that covers the drive unit cover, an opening that exposes the temperature indicating tape is fixed to the surface of the drive unit cover, the temperature indicating tape containing a temperature indicating agent that changes color according to temperature. It is provided in the protector, and the peripheral portion of the temperature indicating tape is sandwiched between the drive unit cover and the protector.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature indicating agent contained in at least one of the resin housing and the protector causes the color of at least one of the resin housing and the protector to change to the temperature of each part. Since the temperature changes accordingly, it is easy to identify the heat generation part visually, and it is easy to identify the temperature of the heat generation part.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the reversible temperature indicating agent enables repeated use and long-term use, and furthermore, the color of the exothermic part returns to the color before the exotherm, thereby reducing the temperature of the exothermic part. Can be recognized.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the colors corresponding to the temperatures of the plurality of contained temperature indicating agents are different from each other, various color changes according to the temperature are provided as the mixed colors of the colors of the temperature indicating agents. The temperature can be generated, and the temperature distinguishability of the heat generating part can be improved.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the color of the temperature indicating tape provided on the surface of at least one of the housing and the protector makes it easy to identify the heat generation part visually and identifies the temperature of the heat generation part. There is an advantage that it becomes easy.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the deterioration of the color of the temperature indicating tape can be suppressed by the film that suppresses the transmission of ultraviolet rays provided on the surface of the temperature indicating tape.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the temperature indicating tape can be more reliably provided by a relatively simple configuration in which the peripheral edge portion of the temperature indicating tape is sandwiched between the drive unit cover and the protector.

  (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a side view of a power tool according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the power tool.

  The electric tool 1 transmits a motor 11 that is a driving source, a speed reduction mechanism portion 2 that decelerates the rotational power of the motor 11, and a rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism portion 2 to a tool (not shown) attached to the tip side thereof. The tool drive unit 3, the switch unit 5 that controls power supply to the motor 11, the resin housing 4 that contains the motor 11, the speed reduction mechanism unit 2 and the switch unit 5, and the housing 4 that contains the tool drive unit 3. And a protector 7 and 8 made of resin for covering the drive unit cover 6. A battery pack 9 for supplying power to the motor 11 is detachably attached to the lower end of the handle portion 4a of the housing 4. Electric components such as the battery pack 9, the motor 11, and the switch unit 5 are connected to each other via the lead wires 10.

  In such an electric tool 1, in addition to the motor 11, the speed reduction mechanism unit 2, the tool driving unit 3, the switch unit 5, the lead wire 10, the battery pack 9, the lead wire 10 and the like generate heat due to mechanical friction or Joule heat. The higher the load, the higher the amount of heat generated and the higher the temperature. Therefore, in the present embodiment, at least one of the resin housing 4 and the resin protectors 7 and 8 (all of them in the present embodiment) contains a temperature indicating agent, and when heat is generated, By discoloring the housing 4 or the protectors 7 and 8 containing the agent, the heat generation state at each of these parts can be visually recognized.

  First, when a temperature indicating agent is contained in the housing 4, the motor 4, the speed reduction mechanism unit 2, the switch unit 5, the lead wire 10, and the like are included in the housing 4. The heat generated at the site can be visually recognized as a discoloration of the housing 4. At this time, for example, the temperature indicating agent is changed to a color (abnormality-corresponding color; a color set corresponding to the abnormality; for example, yellow, red, etc.) that can determine abnormality at the heat-resistant allowable temperature of each part. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the color of the housing 4 has changed to the color corresponding to the abnormality while using the power tool 1, and can stop using the power tool 1. In addition, what is necessary is just to make it possible for a user to recognize beforehand the change of the color corresponding to temperature, and an abnormality corresponding color by describing on a surface of a pamphlet, an instruction manual, or the housing 4.

  On the other hand, the protectors 7 and 8 include a metallic drive unit cover 6 having high thermal conductivity, and the drive unit cover 6 includes the speed reduction mechanism unit 2 and the tool drive unit 3. Yes. Therefore, heat generated in the speed reduction mechanism unit 2 and the tool driving unit 3 is conducted in the driving unit cover 6 and is transmitted to the protectors 7 and 8. Therefore, when the protectors 7 and 8 contain a temperature indicating agent, the user can visually recognize the heat generated by the speed reduction mechanism unit 2 and the tool driving unit 3 as the discoloration of the protectors 7 and 8. Also in this case, the temperature indicating agent is changed to a color corresponding to the abnormality at the heat resistant allowable temperature of the speed reduction mechanism unit 2 or the tool driving unit 3. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the color of the protectors 7 and 8 has changed to the abnormality-corresponding color while using the power tool 1, and can stop using the power tool 1.

  With such a configuration, an abnormal increase in the temperature of each part of the electric power tool 1 is suppressed, so that failure of each part, deformation or damage due to heat, and the like can be avoided.

  Here, as the temperature indicating agent, it is preferable to use a reversible temperature indicating agent. By doing so, it becomes possible to use the temperature indicating agent repeatedly and for a long time, and the color of the exothermic part returns to the color before the exotherm, whereby the temperature decrease of the exothermic part can be recognized.

  Further, as the temperature indicating agent, it is preferable to use a temperature indicating agent having a so-called temperature hysteresis in which the discoloration temperature when the temperature rises and the discoloration temperature when the temperature falls are different. Consider a case in which a temperature-indicating agent that changes from red to brown at 60 ° C. when the temperature increases and a browning agent that changes from brown to red at 45 ° C. when the temperature decreases is considered. In this case, when the temperature of the housing 4 (temperature indicating agent) exceeds 60 ° C. due to heat generation during use and the user notices that the color has changed to brown, and the use is stopped, the temperature will not drop below 45 ° C. by natural cooling or the like thereafter. As long as it does not return from brown to red. On the other hand, if the discoloration temperature is the same when the temperature rises and when the temperature falls, the color returns to red when the temperature is slightly lower than 60 ° C. after the use is stopped. If it is determined that the problem has been resolved and reuse is started, the temperature will soon exceed 60 ° C. In other words, by setting the discoloration temperature at the time of temperature rise and the discoloration temperature at the time of temperature fall to different temperatures, the resumption of work is suppressed until the temperature falls to a lower temperature with a margin to the heat-resistant allowable temperature, It becomes possible to cool the heat generating portion more reliably, and the safety and work efficiency can be further improved.

  A plurality of temperature indicating agents having different colors (color change characteristics) corresponding to the temperature may be included as the temperature indicating agents. As an example, a first temperature indicator that turns red when the temperature is lower than 45 ° C. and a colorless color when the temperature is lower than 60 ° C., and a second temperature agent that turns blue when the temperature is lower than 60 ° C. and yellow when the temperature is higher. Consider the case where it is contained in an appropriate ratio. In this case, since the color of the housing 4 is a color in which the color of the first temperature indicating agent and the color of the second temperature indicating agent are mixed, in a state lower than 45 ° C., the purple color in which red and blue are mixed. In a state of 45 ° C. to 60 ° C., a blue color in which colorless and blue are mixed, and in a state higher than 60 ° C., a yellow in which colorless and yellow are mixed is obtained. As another example, a first temperature indicator that changes to red in a state lower than 45 ° C. and white in a higher state, a second temperature agent that changes to blue in a lower state than 60 ° C., and yellow in a higher state; In an appropriate ratio, in a state lower than 45 ° C., purple mixed with red and blue, and in a state of 45 ° C. to 60 ° C., light blue mixed with white and blue, When the temperature is higher than ° C., the color is light yellow in which white and yellow are mixed.

  As described above, by using a plurality of temperature indicating agents having different colors (color change characteristics) corresponding to the temperature, various color changes corresponding to the temperature can be generated as mixed colors of the respective temperature indicating agents. The temperature distinguishability of the heat generating part can be improved.

  According to the above embodiment, the color of at least one of the resin housing and the protector is changed to the temperature of each part by the temperature indicating agent contained in at least one of the resin housing and the protector. Since the temperature changes accordingly, it is easy to identify the heat generation part visually, and it is easy to identify the temperature of the heat generation part.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since a reversible temperature indicating agent is used, repeated use and long-term use are possible, and furthermore, the color of the exothermic part returns to the color before the exotherm, whereby the temperature of the exothermic part is increased. Decline can be recognized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the temperature indicating agent having temperature hysteresis is used, it is possible to more reliably cool the heat generating portion by suppressing the restart of the work until the temperature falls to a lower temperature with a margin to the allowable temperature limit. As a result, safety and work efficiency can be further improved.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since a plurality of temperature indicating agents having different colors (color change characteristics) corresponding to the temperature are mixed and used, more various colors corresponding to the temperature are used as the color mixture of each temperature indicating agent. A change can be caused, and the temperature distinguishability of the heat generating part can be improved.

  (Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a side view of an electric power tool according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electric power tool (cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3). In addition, the electric tool concerning this embodiment is provided with the component similar to the said embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  The electric power tool 1A according to the present embodiment does not contain a temperature indicating agent in the resin housing 4A or the protectors 7A, 8 but is attached by fixing the temperature indicating tape 12 on the surface of the housing 4A or the protector 7A. is there. Thus, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained by providing the temperature indicating tape 12 on the surface of the heat generating portion. In the present embodiment, the temperature indicating tape 12 is provided at a position outside the motor 11 of the housing 4A, a position outside the switch unit 5, and a position outside the tool driving unit 3 of the protector 7A. The position is not limited.

  Here, the allowable heat-resistant temperature may be different depending on the heat generation part, but in the case of the configuration of the present embodiment, the temperature indicating tape in which the color corresponding to the temperature (color change characteristic; discoloration temperature) differs depending on the heat generation part. By providing 12, the abnormal heat generation state of each part can be recognized more reliably.

  In the present embodiment, the surface of the temperature indicating tape 12 is covered with an ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 that suppresses transmission of ultraviolet rays. Thereby, deterioration of the color of the temperature indicating tape 12 due to ultraviolet rays such as sunlight can be suppressed. In this case, the protrusions 14 and 15 are further provided on the outer peripheral edges of the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13, and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 and the temperature indicating tape 12 come into contact with a wall or the like when the electric tool 1A is used. To prevent peeling. In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the protrusions 14 and 15 are raised so as to protrude outward from the surface of the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 so as to reduce the chance of contact with a wall or the like as much as possible. is there.

  (Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a drive unit cover and a protector of an electric power tool according to this embodiment. In addition, the electric tool concerning this embodiment is provided with the component similar to the said embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Moreover, the part which is not shown in figure can be set as the structure substantially the same as the electric tool concerning either of the said embodiment.

  The electric power tool according to the present embodiment attaches and fixes the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 covering the surface thereof to the surface of the drive unit cover 6B, while opening the protector 7B covering the drive unit cover 6B. By providing the portion 7a, exposing the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 from the opening 7a, and pressing the peripheral portion of the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 with the peripheral portion of the opening 7a. Further, the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet light transmission suppressing film 13 are prevented from peeling off. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet ray permeation suppression film 13 are sandwiched between the drive unit cover 6B and the protector 7B, so that the temperature indicating tape 12 and The ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 can be more reliably fixed.

  (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a side view of an electric power tool according to this embodiment. In addition, the electric tool concerning this embodiment is provided with the component similar to the said embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, the electric tool 1C according to the present embodiment is one in which the temperature indicating tape 12 is adhered and fixed to the surfaces of the housing 4C and the protectors 7A and 8. However, in the present embodiment, the cover 16 covering the periphery of the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet light transmission suppressing film 13 covering the surface thereof is attached to the housing 4C or the like using an attachment 17 such as a screw. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the above embodiment. Needless to say, a cover corresponding to the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet light transmission suppressing film 13 may be provided for the protector 7A.

  (Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a side view of a power tool according to this embodiment. In addition, the electric tool concerning this embodiment is provided with the component similar to the said embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the electric power tool 1D according to the present embodiment, the opening 4 is provided in the housing 4D and the protector 7D, and the temperature-indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet light transmission suppression film 13 covering the surface thereof are attached to and fixed to the heat generating portion inside the housing 4D and the protector 7D. Thus, the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 are exposed from the opening 20 and the peripheral portions of the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 are pressed by the peripheral portion of the opening 20, whereby the temperature indicating tape 12. And the ultraviolet transmission suppressing film 13 is prevented from peeling off. Even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the above embodiment.

  In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, it is preferable to provide the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet light transmission suppressing film 13 directly or adjacent to the heat generating portion. In the present embodiment, the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet transmission suppression film 13 are fixed to the casing surfaces of the motor 11, the speed reduction mechanism unit 2, the tool driving unit 3, and the switch unit 5, and the surface of the lead wire 10, and the housing 4D. And openings 20 (20a for the motor 11, 20b for the speed reduction mechanism 2, 20c for the tool drive 3, and 20d for the lead wire 10) at positions corresponding to those of the protector 7D. The switch portion 5 is provided with 20e), and the temperature indicating tape 12 and the ultraviolet light transmission suppressing film 13 are exposed from these openings 20. Thus, by providing the temperature indicating tape 12 directly or adjacent to the heat generating portion, an abnormal heat generation state can be recognized more reliably.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

The side view of the electric tool concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows schematic structure inside the electric tool concerning embodiment of this invention. The side view of the electric tool concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The partial cross section figure (AA sectional drawing of FIG. 3) of the electric tool concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view of the drive part cover and protector of the electric tool concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the electric tool concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the electric tool concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1C, 1D Electric tool 2 Reduction mechanism part 3 Tool drive part 4, 4A, 4C, 4D Housing 5 Switch part 6, 6B Drive part cover 7, 7A, 7B, 7D, 8 Protector 7a, 20, 20a- 20e Opening 9 Battery pack 11 Motor 12 Temperature indicating tape 13 Ultraviolet transmission suppression film

Claims (6)

A motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof, and power supply to the motor A switch part to be controlled, a resin housing that contains the motor, the speed reduction mechanism part, and the switch part, a drive part cover that contains the tool drive part and is fixed to the housing, and a resin that covers the drive part cover In an electric tool equipped with a protector made of
An electric power tool characterized in that at least one of the resin housing and the protector contains a temperature indicating agent that changes color according to temperature.   The electric tool according to claim 1, wherein the temperature indicating agent has reversibility.   The electric tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of temperature indicating agents having different colors corresponding to the temperature are contained in at least one of the resin housing and the protector. A motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof, and power supply to the motor A switch part to be controlled, a housing containing the motor, a speed reduction mechanism part, and the switch part, a drive part cover containing the tool drive part and fixed to the housing, and a protector covering the drive part cover. In the provided electric tool,
An electric power tool characterized in that a temperature indicating tape containing a temperature indicating agent that changes color according to temperature is fixed to at least one surface of the housing and the protector.   The electric tool according to claim 4, wherein a film for suppressing transmission of ultraviolet rays is provided on a surface of the temperature indicating tape. A motor that is a drive source, a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the rotational power of the motor, a tool drive that transmits the rotational power of the speed reduction mechanism to a tool attached to the tip side thereof, and power supply to the motor A switch part to be controlled, a housing containing the motor, a speed reduction mechanism part, and the switch part, a drive part cover containing the tool drive part and fixed to the housing, and a protector covering the drive part cover. In the provided electric tool,
A temperature indicating tape containing a temperature indicating agent that changes color according to temperature is fixed to the surface of the drive unit cover, and an opening for exposing the temperature indicating tape is provided in the protector, and the peripheral portion of the temperature indicating tape is provided with a drive unit cover and a protector. A power tool characterized by being held between.

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