U.S. patent application number 16/666501 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-27 for dust collection device for electric power tool, electric power tool, and dust collection system.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAKITA CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is MAKITA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Masanori FURUSAWA, Keita MORI.
Application Number | 20200061764 16/666501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60889983 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-27 |
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20200061764/US20200061764A1-20200227-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200061764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FURUSAWA; Masanori ; et
al. |
February 27, 2020 |
DUST COLLECTION DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC POWER TOOL, ELECTRIC POWER
TOOL, AND DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM
Abstract
A dust collection device for an electric power tool includes a
main body case that includes an air exhaust port and is attachable
to a hammer drill, a dust box provided therein with a filter, and a
tubular sliding portion that has a base end connected to a
connection port provided on the main body case, that includes a
suction port at its front end, and that is slidable in a front-rear
direction, and includes therein a dust collection path formed to
pass from the suction port through the filter to the air exhaust
port. The connection port is provided on a side surface of the main
body case, and connected to a flexible hose serving as a base end
of the sliding portion, and a side surface of the dust box is
provided with an inlet port communicating with the connection
port.
Inventors: |
FURUSAWA; Masanori;
(Anjo-shi, JP) ; MORI; Keita; (Anjo-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAKITA CORPORATION |
Anjo-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAKITA CORPORATION
Anjo-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
60889983 |
Appl. No.: |
16/666501 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15608012 |
May 30, 2017 |
10493577 |
|
|
16666501 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B 2270/30 20130101;
B23Q 11/0046 20130101; B25F 5/02 20130101; B23Q 11/0071 20130101;
B23B 47/34 20130101; B23B 2270/62 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B23Q 11/00 20060101
B23Q011/00; B25F 5/02 20060101 B25F005/02; B23B 47/34 20060101
B23B047/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2016 |
JP |
2016-143597 |
Jul 21, 2016 |
JP |
2016-143598 |
Jul 21, 2016 |
JP |
2016-143599 |
Jul 21, 2016 |
JP |
2016-143600 |
Claims
1. A dust collection device for an electric power tool comprising:
a main body case that (1) includes an air exhaust port, (2) is
attachable to the electric power tool, (3) houses a motor, a dust
collection fan and wiring for the motor, (4) has a connection port,
(5) includes a motor chamber, and (6) has an internal partition; a
dust box that houses a filter; and a tubular sliding portion that
(1) has a base end and a front end, (2) is slidable in a front-rear
direction, and (3) includes a suction port at the front end;
wherein: the base end is connected to the connection port; the
motor is housed in the motor chamber; a dust collection route is
internally formed in the dust collection device such that the dust
collection route starts at the suction port, passes through the
filter, passes through the motor chamber after passing through the
filter, and ends at the air exhaust port; and the internal
partition is positioned to inhibit air in the dust collection route
from contacting the wiring.
2. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 1, wherein the motor includes an output shaft and the
motor is positioned in the main body case such that the output
shaft extends in the front-rear direction.
3. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 1, wherein: the dust box is below the main body case; and
the motor is above the dust box.
4. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 2, wherein: the dust box is below the main body case; and
the motor is above the dust box.
5. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 1, wherein: the main body case is comprised of right and
left half-split cases having ribs inside the cases; and the
internal partition is formed by butting the ribs.
6. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 2, wherein: the main body case is comprised of right and
left half-split cases having ribs inside the cases; and the
internal partition is formed by butting the ribs.
7. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 4, wherein: the main body case is comprised of right and
left half-split cases having ribs inside the cases; and the
internal partition is formed by butting the ribs.
8. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 1, further comprising a controller that (1) controls the
motor and (2) is located behind the motor.
9. The dust collection device for an electric power tool according
to claim 2, further comprising a controller that (1) controls the
motor and (2) is located behind the motor.
10. An electric power tool comprising the dust collection device
for an electric power tool according to claim 1.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/608,012 filed May 30, 2017, which claims the benefit of Japanese
Patent Application Numbers 2016-143597, 2016-143598, 2016-143599,
2016-143600 filed on Jul. 21, 2016, the entirety of which is
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a dust collection device
for an electric power tool to be attached to an electric power
tool, such as an electric drill or a hammer drill, to an electric
power tool equipped with the dust collection device for an electric
power tool, and to a dust collection system including the electric
power tool and the dust collection device for an electric power
tool.
Related Art
[0003] An electric power tool, such as an electric drill or a
hammer drill, is equipped with a dust collection device that
collects dust produced from material being processed during, for
example, a drilling operation. A device disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application Publication No. 2011-212833 (JP 2011-212833 A)
is known as such a dust collection device for an electric power
tool. A dust collection attachment (dust collection device)
disclosed therein is configured such that an L-shaped casing is
equipped with a dust box on its front surface and a sliding portion
facing forward is attached to its upper portion. The sliding
portion, which has a suction port at the front end thereof, extends
and contracts in the front-rear direction. A dust collection fan
and a motor are provided in a lower rear portion of the casing.
Terminals are provided between a front surface of the electric
power tool, such as the hammer drill, and a rear surface of the
casing. The terminals are electrically coupled to each other in the
state where the electric power tool and the casing are attached to
each other so that power supply for the motor is obtained from the
hammer drill as soon as the dust collection attachment is
attached.
[0004] In the conventional dust collection attachment described
above, an inlet port of the dust box is open rearward on the upper
side of a filter, and is connected to the sliding portion through a
U-shaped duct. As the sliding portion projects rearward at an upper
portion of the casing, the shape of the housing of the attachable
electric power tool is limited. Further, the dust suctioned from
the inlet port of the dust box is directly accumulated in an upper
portion of the filter. Consequently, the filter is likely to be
clogged.
[0005] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a
dust collection device for an electric power tool, an electric
power tool, and a dust collection system in which the sliding
portion does not become an obstacle, and the filter is hardly
clogged.
SUMMARY
[0006] To achieve the object described above, according to a first
aspect of the present invention, a dust collection device for an
electric power tool includes a main body case, a dust box in which
a filter is provided, and a tubular sliding portion. The main body
case includes an air exhaust port and is attachable to an electric
power tool. The tubular sliding portion slidable in a front-rear
direction has a base end to which a connection port provided on the
main body case is connected, and further has a suction port at its
front end. A dust collection path is formed in the dust collection
device to extend from the suction port through the filter to the
air exhaust port. The connection port is provided on a side surface
of the main body case, and connected to the base end of the sliding
portion. The side surface of the dust box is provided with an inlet
port communicating with the connection port.
[0007] The connection port is preferably disposed on an upper half
side in a central portion in the front-rear direction of the dust
box.
[0008] The sliding portion is preferably disposed in a position
offset in the right-left direction toward the side surface of the
main body case provided with the connection port, and a hose
serving as a base end is preferably connected to the connection
port.
[0009] A light-emitting member configured to emit light forward is
preferably provided on a front surface of the main body case.
[0010] The light-emitting member is preferably disposed at a center
in the right-left direction of the front surface of the main body
case.
[0011] The hose is preferably connected to the connection port from
a direction intersecting with the connection port.
[0012] The connection port preferably opens rearward, and the hose
is preferably connected to the connection port from behind.
[0013] The connection port is preferably provided with an L-shaped
tubular elbow that opens rearward, and the hose is preferably
connected to the connection port from behind through the elbow.
[0014] A predetermined distance is preferably set between the inlet
port and the filter in the dust box, and a wall is preferably
provided to a side surface of the filter, which faces the inlet
port.
[0015] An O-ring is preferably disposed between the connection port
and the inlet port.
[0016] An accommodating recess configured to accommodate the dust
box is preferably formed on the main body case so as to open
forward, and the dust box is preferably attachable to and
detachable from the accommodating recess at the front.
[0017] A motor and a dust collection fan are preferably
accommodated in the main body case, and the main body case is
preferably provided therein with a partitioning portion
partitioning a flow path of an air flow passing through an
accommodating chamber for the motor from wiring in the main body
case to inhibit contact between the air flow and the wiring.
[0018] The main body case is preferably formed by assembling a pair
of right and left half-split cases, and the partitioning portion is
preferably formed by butting ribs provided in an erect manner on
respective inner surfaces of the half-split cases to each
other.
[0019] To achieve the object described above, according to a second
aspect of the present invention, an electric power tool includes
the dust collection device for an electric power tool according to
the first aspect attached to the electric power tool.
[0020] To achieve the object described above, according to a third
aspect of the present invention, a dust collection system includes
an electric power tool and the dust collection device for an
electric power tool according to the first aspect of the present
invention. In the system, the electric power tool is provided, on
an outer surface of a housing, with a guide groove for attaching
the dust collection device. In the housing, an electric power tool
side terminal exposed through a plug-in port and a shutter member
are disposed. The shutter member is configured to close the plug-in
port when the dust collection device for an electric power tool is
not attached. The dust collection device for an electric power tool
according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the
main body case in which a rail portion and a dust collection side
terminal are provided. The rail portion is attached to the housing
by fitting with the guide groove. The dust collection side terminal
is electrically coupled to the electric power tool side terminal by
being inserted from the plug-in port when the dust collection
device is attached to the housing.
[0021] The shutter member is provided with a coupling portion
configured to project into the guide groove in a close position of
the plug-in port. The rail portion is configured to engage with the
coupling portion and to move the shutter member to an open position
of the plug-in port when the rail portion of the main body case
fits with the guide groove of the housing.
[0022] According to the present invention, the base end of the
sliding portion is provided on the side surface of the dust box,
and the inlet port of the dust box is provided on the connection
port side. Thus, the sliding portion does not become an obstacle by
projecting rearward, and the shape of the housing of the electric
power tool is less likely to be limited. Since the dust is
suctioned from the side surface of the dust box, the filter is less
likely to be clogged.
[0023] When the connection port is disposed on the upper half side
in the central portion in the front-rear direction of the dust box,
the dust is hardly stuck even if the connection port is provided at
the side surface.
[0024] When the sliding portion is disposed in the position offset
toward the side surface on the connection port side, the sliding
portion that has moved back does not interfere with the electric
power tool, so that the slide stroke can be set to a large
value.
[0025] When the hose is connected from the direction intersecting
with the connection port, the amount of projection can be reduced
even if the sliding portion is offset in the right-left
direction.
[0026] When the connection port opens rearward, and the hose is
connected from behind, the sliding portion that slides forward and
rearward can be connected to the connection port without
difficulty.
[0027] When the predetermined distance is set between the inlet
port and the filter of the dust box, and the wall is provided to
the side surface of the filter, the dust having entered through the
inlet port does not come into direct contact with the side surface
of the filter. Thus, the side surface of the filter facing the
inlet port is prevented from being clogged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of a dust
collection system.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the dust
collection system.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an A-A line enlarged sectional view of a main body
housing alone in
[0031] FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from a front upper side of a
dust collection device for an electric power tool.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from a front lower side of the
dust collection device for an electric power tool.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view of the dust collection device for an
electric power tool.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a B-B line sectional view of FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a C-C line sectional view of FIG. 7.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a D-D line sectional view of FIG. 7.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an E-E line sectional view of FIG. 8.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an attaching
operation of a dust box to a main body case.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the attaching
operation of the dust box to the main body case.
[0041] FIG. 13 is a side explanatory view illustrating an attaching
operation of the dust collection device for an electric power tool
to a hammer drill.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a side explanatory view of the dust collection
system in which a shielding plate is provided at a female connector
of the hammer drill (the dust collection device for an electric
power tool is being attached).
[0043] FIG. 15 is a side explanatory view of the dust collection
system in which the shielding plate is provided at the female
connector of the hammer drill (the dust collection device for an
electric power tool has been attached).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] The following describes an embodiment of the present
invention based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view from
the front, FIG. 2 is a central vertical sectional view, and FIG. 3
is an A-A line enlarged sectional view of a main body housing
alone, each illustrating an example of a dust collection system S
in which a dust collection device for an electric power tool
(hereinafter, simply called a "dust collection device") is attached
to a hammer drill serving as an electric power tool.
[0045] Description of Hammer Drill
[0046] A hammer drill 1 is configured such that a tapered
cylindrical front housing 5 accommodating a tool holder 6 and a
rotatable intermediate shaft 7 is provided so as to project forward
at a front upper portion of a main body housing 2. The main body
housing 2 is formed by screwing together left and right half-split
housings 2a and 2b. The front housing 5 accommodates a brushless
motor 3, for example. A handle 8 accommodating a switch 9 provided
with a trigger 10 is disposed at a rear upper portion of the main
body housing 2. A battery pack 11 is slidingly attached to a rear
lower portion of the main body housing 2 from the rear and serves
as a power source. An electric power tool side controller 12 is
accommodated above the battery pack 11.
[0047] The brushless motor 3 is accommodated in the main body
housing 2 in a tilted attitude with a rotating shaft 4 directed
upward and obliquely rearward. A first gear 13, which is provided
at a distal end of the rotating shaft 4, projects into the front
housing 5 and meshes with a second gear 14 provided on the
intermediate shaft 7. A centrifugal fan 15, which is fixed to the
rotating shaft 4, rotates to suction external air from electric
power tool side air intake ports 16 formed in the right and left
side surfaces of the main body housing 2 below the brushless motor
3. The air is exhausted from electric power tool side air exhaust
ports 17 (FIG. 13) formed in the right and left side surfaces of
the main body housing 2 outside the centrifugal fan 15, whereby an
air flow is generated to cool the brushless motor 3.
[0048] The intermediate shaft 7 is provided with a rotatable boss
sleeve 18, a clutch 19, and a third gear 20 in front of the second
gear 14. The boss sleeve 18 is formed separately from the
intermediate shaft 7. The clutch 19 rotates in an integrated manner
with the intermediate shaft 7 and is slidable forward and rearward.
The third gear 20 is slidable forward and rearward to be disengaged
from the intermediate shaft 7 in a forward-moved position and
engaged with the intermediate shaft 7 to rotate in an integrated
manner therewith in a rearward-moved position. The clutch 19 moves
forward and rearward in conjunction with the tool holder 6 via a
locking plate 21 provided on the tool holder 6, and engages with
the boss sleeve 18 in the rearward sliding position.
[0049] The front housing 5 holds therein an inner housing 22 that
supports the rear ends of the tool holder 6 and the intermediate
shaft 7. The tool holder 6 is urged by a coil spring 23 provided
between the tool holder 6 and the inner housing 22 so as to project
toward the forward-moved position. A fourth gear 24 engaging with
the third gear 20 of the intermediate shaft 7 is provided on the
outer circumference of the tool holder 6. A piston cylinder 25 is
arranged inside the tool holder 6 so as to be movable forward and
rearward. The rear end of the piston cylinder 25 is connected to an
arm 26 provided on the boss sleeve 18. A striker 28 is accommodated
in the piston cylinder 25 so as to be capable of reciprocating
forward and rearward with an air chamber 27 interposed
therebetween. An impact bolt 29 is accommodated in front of the
striker 28, and is abuttable on the rear end of a bit (not
illustrated) inserted in the front end of the tool holder 6. An
operation sleeve 30 for attaching and detaching the bit is provided
at the front end of the tool holder 6. A side handle 31 is provided
at the front end of the front housing 5 behind the operation sleeve
30.
[0050] A left side surface of the front housing 5 is provided with
a mode switching lever 32. The mode switching lever 32 is rotated
to select a drill mode, a hammer drill mode, or a hammer mode. In
the drill mode, the tool holder 6 is restricted from moving
rearward to maintain the clutch 19 in the forward-moved position
apart from the boss sleeve 18, and the third gear 20 is connected
to the intermediate shaft 7. In the hammer drill mode, the tool
holder 6 is not restricted from moving rearward so as to be movable
to the rearward-moved position together with the clutch 19, and the
clutch 19 that has moved engages with the boss sleeve 18. In the
hammer mode, the tool holder 6 is not restricted from moving
rearward so as to be movable to the rearward-moved position
together with the clutch 19, and the third gear 20 moves forward so
as not to transmit the rotation of the intermediate shaft 7. That
is, in the drill mode, only the tool holder 6 is rotated by drive
of the brushless motor 3. In the hammer drill mode, the boss sleeve
18, in addition to the tool holder 6, is rotated and reciprocates
the piston cylinder 25, and the striker 28 strikes the impact bolt
29. In the hammer mode, only the boss sleeve 18 rotates, and the
impact bolt 29 is struck.
[0051] A front lower portion of the main body housing 2 in front of
a battery pack 11 serves as a connecting portion 33 to which a dust
collection device 50 is connected. The connecting portion 33
includes a female connector 34 that is provided with three female
terminals 35 for power supply and for communication arranged in the
right-left direction and that has an opening facing downward. A
quadrangular plug-in port 36 is formed in an opening manner in a
lower surface of the connecting portion 33 below the female
connector 34. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a support pin 37 is
connected in an integrated manner to an upper left side surface of
the female connector 34. A tubular portion 38 coaxial with the
support pin 37 is formed on an upper right side surface of the
female connector 34.
[0052] The support pin 37 is rotatably supported by a receiving
recess 39 formed on an inner surface of the half-split housing 2a.
A boss 40 provided so as to project from the half-split housing 2b
is inserted in the tubular portion 38. The female connector 34 is
swingable about the support pin 37 and the boss 40 between a
downward position where the opening is located directly above the
plug-in port 36 and a tilted position where the opening is tilted
so as to be separated rearward from the plug-in port 36 so that the
female connector 34 abuts on a stopper 41 in the connecting portion
33. A torsion spring 42 is wound about the support pin 37 with one
end locked on the inner surface of the half-split housing 2a and
the other end locked at the female connector 34, and urges the
female connector 34 toward the tilted position.
[0053] The lower end of the female connector 34 is provided with a
shutter member 43 in an integrated manner. In a closing position,
the shutter member 43 is located directly above the plug-in port 36
to close the plug-in port 36 from inside when the female connector
34 is in the tilted position. In an open position, the shutter
member 43 retreats from directly above the plug-in port 36 when the
female connector 34 is in the downward position. A pair of guide
grooves 44, 44 are provided to extend in the upper-lower direction
on the right and left side surfaces of the connecting portion 33 in
front of the support pin 37. A through-hole 45 is formed in a
rear-side inner surface of the left-side guide groove 44. When the
female connector 34 is in the tilted position (when the shutter
member 43 is in the closing position), a coupling piece 46, which
is provided so as to radially protrude from the support pin 37,
projects from the through-hole 45. Furthermore, a locking recess 47
open downward is formed behind the plug-in port 36, and an engaging
pawl 48 is provided facing forward at the lower end on a rear-side
inner surface of the locking recess 47. A leaf spring 49 having a
U-shape in the side view is accommodated in a manner winding around
a screw boss from below behind the engaging pawl 48. The rear end
of the leaf spring 49 protrudes from a rear surface of the
connecting portion 33. The leaf spring 49 elastically presses a
front surface of the battery pack 11 having been attached so as to
prevent it from rattling in the attached state.
[0054] Description of Dust Collection Device
[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, the dust collection device
50 includes a main body case 51, a dust box 52, and a tubular
sliding portion 53. The main body case 51 formed by screwing
together left and right half-split cases 51a and 51b is attached to
the hammer drill 1. The dust box 52 is detachably attached to the
main body case 51 and accumulates the dust. The tubular sliding
portion 53, which is connected into the main body case 51, guides
the dust suctioned from a processed position into the dust box 52.
First, the main body case 51 having a box shape includes a front
plate portion 54, a rear plate portion 55, an upper plate portion
56, a lower plate portion 57, and right and left side plate
portions 58, 58. A lower portion of the main body case 51 has an
accommodating recess 59 that is formed so as to be recessed
rearward except the side plate portions 58, 58 to accommodate the
dust box 52. The lower portion of the main body case 51 also
includes a connecting projection 60 that is formed so as to project
rearward together with the side plate portions 58, 58 and that is
connected to the connecting portion 33 of the hammer drill 1.
[0056] The accommodating recess 59 is a space surrounded by a
partition plate 61, a bottom plate 62, and the right and left side
plate portions 58, 58. The partition plate 61 bends rearward from
the lower end of the front plate portion 54 and partitions the
interior of the main body case 51 from the accommodating recess 59
to form an accommodating chamber 61a for a direct-current (DC)
motor 88 on the upper side. The bottom plate 62 bends downward from
the rear end of the partition plate 61 and connects to the lower
plate portion 57. A recess 63 having a dust collection side air
intake port 64 at the center is formed in the partition plate 61. A
resin ring 65 and a resin upper ring 66 are coaxially held in the
recess 63 below the dust collection side air intake port 64. The
upper ring 66 projecting below the lower surface of the partition
plate 61 has a center hole to be covered with a mesh 67 in a
tensioned state.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the left side of the side plate
portions 58 is provided with a connection port 68 including a
ring-like raised portion 69 around the circumference on the outer
surface side thereof. A lateral-side ring 70 made of a resin is
attached from inside in a fitting manner to the connection port 68.
An undercut portion 71 whose lower end projects below the partition
plate 61 is provided in a recessed manner in the center of the
front plate portion 54 at the front end of the partition plate 61.
The lower plate portion 57 projects forward over the bottom plate
62. A support shaft 72 using a screw boss is formed in the
right-left direction at the front end of the lower plate portion
57.
[0058] A fitting recess 73 fittable with the connecting portion 33
of the hammer drill 1 is formed between the right and left side
plate portions 58, 58 above the connecting projection 60. The upper
surface of the connecting projection 60, which serves as the bottom
of the fitting recess 73, is provided with a male connector 74
projecting upward. The male connector 74 includes three male
terminals 75 arranged in the right-left direction corresponding to
the female terminals 35 of the hammer drill 1. The connecting
projection 60 is provided therein with a hook plate 76. The hook
plate 76 has a lower end that is supported by a shaft 77 extending
in the right-left direction so as to be rotatable forward and
rearward. The hook plate 76 is provided at the upper end with a
rearward hook portion 78 projecting into the fitting recess 73
through a through-hole 79 formed in the rear plate portion 55. The
hook plate 76 is swingable forward and rearward by an amount of the
front-rear width of the through-hole 79. The hook plate 76 is urged
toward a rearward swing position in a way that a release button 80
is pressed rearward by a coil spring 82 provided in the connecting
projection 60. The release button 80 is positioned above the shaft
77 and exposed from a window 81 provided in the rear plate portion
55. A cover portion 83 covers the through-hole 79. A leaf spring 84
curving upward is held behind the hook plate 76.
[0059] Upward rail portions 85, 85 facing each other are formed on
the inner surfaces of the right and left side plate portions 58, 58
in front of the male connector 74. The rail portions 85, 85 are
provided in positions that fit with the guide grooves 44, 44 in the
state where the connecting portion 33 is connected. The guide
grooves 44, 44 are provided on the side surfaces of the connecting
portion 33 of the hammer drill 1. Furthermore, a recessed surface
portion 86 matching a lower surface shape of the front housing 5 of
the hammer drill 1 is formed on the upper surface of the upper
plate portion 56. The front end of the recessed surface portion 86
is provided with an abutting piece 87 projecting upward. The an
abutting piece 87 abuts on a front end surface 5a of the front
housing 5 in the state where the front housing 5 is placed on the
recessed surface portion 86, the front end surface 5a extending in
the upper-lower direction.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 8, at the center in the right-left
direction in the main body case 51 above the partition plate 61,
the DC motor 88 is accommodated in a forward-facing attitude with
an output shaft 89 directed forward by a pair of upper and lower
holding ribs 90, 90. The upper and lower holding ribs 90, 90 are
provided in a mutually facing manner so as to project from the
inner surfaces of the left and right half-split cases 51a and 51b
via rubber pins 91, 91 held at the distal ends of the holding ribs
90, 90. A dust collection fan 92 serving as a centrifugal fan is
fixed to the output shaft 89. A plurality of dust collection side
air exhaust ports 93, 93 are formed in the right side plate portion
58 outside the dust collection fan 92. A baffle plate 94 is
provided between the DC motor 88 and the dust collection fan 92,
and guides air from the central side to the outer circumferential
side. A circular rib 95 is provided in a projecting manner in the
front plate portion 54, and holds a bearing 96 for the output shaft
89.
[0061] A light-emitting diode (LED) 97 is provided at the center in
the right-left direction of the front plate portion 54 above the
circular rib 95. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the LED 97 is
mounted on a substrate 98, and accommodated facing forward together
with the substrate 98 in a holding tube 99 provided so as to
project obliquely upward from the front plate portion 54. A lens
100 is provided at the front end of the holding tube 99 in front of
the LED 97 so as to be capable of emitting light of the LED 97
obliquely in a front upper direction.
[0062] Furthermore, a dust collection side controller 101 is
vertically accommodated in the accommodating chamber 61a so as to
extend in the right-left direction behind the DC motor 88. Lead
wires 75a from the male terminals 75, lead wires 88a, 88a from
positive and negative terminals of the DC motor 88, and lead wires
98a from the substrate 98 are connected to the dust collection side
controller 101. A square U-shaped inner rib 102 is provided in an
erect manner in the left half-split case 51a. The inner rib 102 is
designed to rise from the partition plate 61 at a predetermined
distance inside the front plate portion 54, extend upward along the
front plate portion 54 except at the circular rib 95, then extend
rearward along the upper plate portion 56 at a predetermined
distance inside the upper plate portion 56, extend downward in
front of the dust collection side controller 101 through the rear
end of the DC motor 88, and connect to the partition plate 61. As
illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a semicircular cutout 103 is formed
on the inner rib 102 in a position through which the DC motor 88
passes.
[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 13, a front vertical rib 104 is
provided in an erect manner in a position in the right half-split
case 51b facing the front side of the inner rib 102. The front
vertical rib 104 is designed to rise from the partition plate 61 at
a predetermined distance inside the front plate portion 54, extend
upward along the front plate portion 54 except at the circular rib
95, and connect to the upper plate portion 56. A rear vertical rib
105 is provided in an erect manner in a position facing the rear
side of the inner rib 102. The rear vertical rib 105 is designed to
rise from the partition plate 61, and connect to the upper plate
portion 56 through the rear end of the DC motor 88. A semicircular
cutout 106 is also formed on the rear vertical rib 105 in a
position through which the DC motor 88 passes.
[0064] The inner rib 102, the front vertical rib 104, and the rear
vertical rib 105 define an air intake chamber 107 that encloses the
DC motor 88 and the dust collection fan 92 in front of the dust
collection side controller 101 in the accommodating chamber 61a.
The DC motor 88 is fitted in the cutouts 103 and 106 provided on
the inner rib 102 and the rear vertical rib 105. In the fitting,
only the rear end of the DC motor 88 having terminals projects
rearward of the air intake chamber 107, and the lead wires 88a, 88a
are directly connected to the dust collection side controller 101.
The lead wires 98a of the substrate 98, which are routed along the
inner rib 102 outside the air intake chamber 107 in the half-split
case 51a, are connected to the dust collection side controller 101.
The lead wires 75a of the male terminals 75, which are routed
upward through a space between the rear plate portion 55 and the
bottom plate 62, are connected to the dust collection side
controller 101.
[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the sliding portion 53
includes an outer pipe 109, an inner pipe 110, a nozzle pipe 111,
and a flexible hose 112. The outer pipe 109 is held so as to be
slidable in the front-rear direction by a tubular holder 108
provided in a projecting manner at a left upper portion of the main
body case 51. The inner pipe 110 is loosely inserted from front
into the outer pipe 109 coaxially therewith. The nozzle pipe 111 is
connected at a right angle to the front end of the inner pipe 110.
The flexible hose 112 is connected between the inner pipe 110 and
the main body case 51. The left side plate portion 58 of the main
body case 51 is provided with an L-shaped tubular elbow 113 below
the holder 108. The elbow 113 opening rearward communicates with
the connection port 68. The flexible hose 112 is connected to the
inner pipe 110 from behind at the upper end thereof, and connected
to the elbow 113 from behind through a joint 114 at the lower end
thereof.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a side surface of the outer pipe
109, which faces the main body case 51, is provided with a
plurality of projections 115 arranged at even intervals in parallel
with the axial direction. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the main body
case 51 is provided therein with an L-shaped locking member 116
including an upward piece 117 and a sideward piece 119. The upward
piece 117 has a locking tooth 118 lockable to any of the
projections 115 at the upper end thereof. The sideward piece 119
projects outward below the holder 108 and is exposed from a lower
window 120 of the main body case 51. The locking member 116 is
supported at a connecting portion between the upward piece 117 and
the sideward piece 119 by a connection shaft 121 so as to be
swingable rightward and leftward. The connection shaft 121 extends
in the front-rear direction and is supported below the holder 108.
The locking member 116 is urged toward a locking position where the
locking tooth 118 is locked to the projection 115 by a coil spring
122. The coil spring 122 is provided between the locking tooth 118
and a receiving portion 123 that is positioned on the right side
thereof and provided in the main body case 51.
[0067] In the locking position, when the sideward piece 119 is
operated upward to be pushed in, the locking member 116 is rotated
to separate the locking tooth 118 from the projection 115.
Accordingly, the outer pipe 109 is allowed to slide in the
front-rear direction within a range between a position where a
front stopper 124 abuts on the front end of the holder 108 and a
position where a rear stopper 125 abuts on the rear end of the
holder 108. The front stopper 124 is provided on the outer
circumference at the front end of the outer pipe 109. The rear
stopper 125 is inserted to be attached to the rear end of the outer
pipe 109. After the sideward piece 119 is released from the push-in
state in any sliding position, the locking tooth 118 of the upward
piece 117 that is returned to the locking position is locked to any
of the projections 115, so that the sliding of the outer pipe 109
is locked.
[0068] A thick-walled portion 126 is formed on the front end side
of the outer pipe 109. The thick-walled portion 126 has an inside
diameter smaller than that of the rear side of the outer pipe 109,
the inside diameter being the width across flats of a fitting hole
127. The inner pipe 110 passes through the thick-walled portion 126
so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction while being
restricted in rotation by having an outer shape fitting with the
fitting hole 127. The inner pipe 110 is provided with a ring-shaped
stopper 128 on the outer circumference at the rear end thereof. The
inner pipe 110 is sheathed with a coil spring 129 between the
ring-shaped stopper 128 and the rear stopper 125 provided at the
outer pipe 109. As a result, the inner pipe 110 is urged so as to
project toward a forward-moved position where the stopper 128 abuts
on the thick-walled portion 126 of the outer pipe 109 in the normal
state.
[0069] The nozzle pipe 111 is provided with a tubular suction port
130 opening in the front-rear direction at the upper end thereof.
The nozzle pipe 111 is obliquely connected to the inner pipe 110 so
that the suction port 130 is located at the center in the
right-left direction of the main body case 51 on the front upper
side thereof. The suction port 130 is provided with a ring-shaped
rubber seal 131 at the front opening thereof, and with a rubber cap
132, which has a through-hole 133 for the bit, at the rear opening
thereof. The flexible hose 112 is connected to the rear end of the
inner pipe 110 in the outer pipe 109, extends out rearward, then
makes a U-turn to extend forward, and is connected from behind to
the rearward opening of the elbow 113 through the joint 114. The
elbow 113 is attached in a fitting manner to the raised portion 69
of the connection port 68 formed on one of the side plate portion
58 of the main body case 51. An O-ring 134 is interposed between
the elbow 113 and the lateral-side ring 70. As illustrated in FIG.
10, the connection port 68 is located on the upper half side in the
central portion in the front-rear direction of the dust box 52.
[0070] The dust box 52 includes a quadrangular box-like main box
135 that opens at the upper surface and the rear surface, the upper
surface being closed with a cap 136. A circular projection 137
having an outlet port 138 at the center is formed on the upper
surface of the cap 136. Thin-walled portions 139, 139, which are
fitted with the right and left side plate portions 58, 58 of the
main body case 51, are formed on the rear side on the right and
left side surfaces of the main box 135. The left thin-walled
portion 139 is pierced with an inlet port 140 corresponding to the
connection port 68. The rear surface of the main box 135 is closed
with a lid 141 that is hinged at the lower end thereof. The upper
end of the lid 141 is provided with a pair of right and left
locking pieces 142, 142 that are elastically locked to the upper
surface of the cap 136. Thus, the lid 141 can be opened and closed
by engagement and disengagement of the locking pieces 142, 142.
[0071] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the upper
surface of the cap 136 is provided with an operation piece 143 in
front of the circular projection 137. The operation piece 143 has a
bifurcated rear end held on the cap 136, and a front end serving as
a finger-operated tab 144 projecting forward above the cap 136. The
upper surface of the finger-operated tab 144 is provided with a
locking projection 145 facing upward in a projecting manner. The
locking projection 145 is locked from inside to the lower end of
the undercut portion 71 of the dust collection device 50 while the
dust box 52 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 59. A
groove 146, which extends in the right-left direction on the rear
side of the lower surface of the main box 135, fits with the
support shaft 72 of the main body case 51 while the dust box 52 is
accommodated in the accommodating recess 59.
[0072] A filter 147 made of paper is provided in the main box 135.
As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the paper is folded in the
right-left direction whose upper end is bonded to a quadrangular
frame 148. Walls 149, 149 are provided on the right and left sides
of the frame 148 to interpose the filter 147 between the right and
left sides thereof. Both the front and rear ends of each of the
walls 149 are bent inward so as to surround the corners of the
filter 147. The walls 149 and the frame 148 of the filter 147 are
locked from above to receiving step portions 150 provided in the
vicinity of the upper surface opening of the main box 135, so that
the cap 136 is attached to the main box 135. As a result, the
filter 147 and the walls 149 are placed in a hanging state in the
main box 135. In this state, the left wall 149 faces the inlet port
140 at a location apart therefrom, and the right wall 149 and the
front and rear surfaces of the filter 147 are also located apart
from the inner surface of the main box 135 and the inner surface of
the lid 141. Thus, a tubular space is continuously formed around
the filter 147. The space below the filter 147 serves as a dust
collection chamber D.
[0073] To attach the dust box 52 to the main body case 51, the dust
box 52 is inserted from below the accommodating recess 59 of the
main body case 51 such that the dust box 52 is placed in a tilted
attitude in which the lid 141 is located on the rear side and the
hinge is located on the upper side, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The
groove 146 is fitted with the support shaft 72, as illustrated in
FIG. 12. Then, in that state, the dust box 52 is rotated about the
support shaft 72 and pushed into the accommodating recess 59 while
the front side of the dust box 52 is lifted up. As a result, the
locking projection 145 provided at the finger-operated tab 144 of
the operation piece 143 is locked to the lower end of the undercut
portion 71 of the main body case 51, and the attachment is
completed. In this attached state, the circular projection 137
provided on the upper surface of the cap 136 abuts on the upper
ring 66 of the partition plate 61 of the main body case 51, so that
the outlet port 138 communicates with the dust collection side air
intake port 64. At the same time, the inlet port 140 provided on
the side surface abuts on the lateral-side ring 70 of the side
plate portion 58 of the main body case 51 to communicate with the
connection port 68.
[0074] With this configuration, a dust collection path is formed in
the dust collection device 50 as follows. First, the air suctioned
from the suction port 130 of the nozzle pipe 111 passes through the
flexible hose 112 via the inner pipe 110, and reaches the inside of
the dust box 52 from the connection port 68 and the inlet port 140
through the elbow 113. After passing through the filter 147, the
air enters the air intake chamber 107 from the outlet port 138 and
the dust collection side air intake port 64, and is exhausted from
the dust collection side air exhaust ports 93.
[0075] When the dust box 52 is detached from the main case 51, in a
sequence opposite to that of the procedure described above. The
finger-operated tab 144 of the operation piece 143 is pushed down
so that the locking projection 145 is unlocked from the lower end
of the undercut portion 71 of the main body case 51. Accordingly,
in that state, it is only necessary to rotate the dust box 52 about
the support shaft 72 by pushing down the front side of the dust box
52, to disengage the groove 146 from the support shaft 72, and to
take out the dust box 52 forward.
[0076] Attachment of Dust Collection Device to Hammer Drill
[0077] In the case of the hammer drill 1 and the dust collection
device 50 configured as described above. The dust collection device
50 equipped with the dust box 52 is attached to the hammer drill 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the connecting portion 33 of the hammer
drill 1 is placed in a state of abutting on the rear plate portion
55 in the fitting recess 73 of the main body case 51. In this
state, the main body case 51 is slid upward (or the hammer drill 1
is slid downward), and thus the rail portions 85, 85 provided
inside the side plate portions 58, 58 are relatively inserted into
the guide grooves 44, 44 provided on the right and left sides of
the connecting portion 33, as described above. As the left rail
portion 85 abuts on and pushes up the coupling piece 46, the female
connector 34 is rotated via the support pin 37 to the downward
position, and the shutter member 43 retreats from the plug-in port
36 to the open position. Then, the male connector 74 of the main
body case 51 enters the female connector 34 through the opening
thereof, and the male terminals 75 are electrically coupled to the
female terminals 35.
[0078] Along with the entrance of the male connector 74, the hook
plate 76 located behind also enters the locking recess 47, and
locks the hook portion 78 to the engaging pawl 48 so that the
connecting projection 60 is connected to the connecting portion 33,
as illustrated in FIG. 2. At this time, the leaf spring 84 of the
connecting projection 60 elastically presses the lower surface of
the connecting portion 33 to restrain rattling in the upper-lower
direction.
[0079] The front housing 5 fits with the recessed surface portion
86 on the upper surface of the main body case 51. The abutting
piece 87 abuts on the front surface of the front housing 5, thus
restraining the rattling in the front-rear direction. In this
attached state, the sliding portion 53 is located on the left side
of the main body housing 2 of the hammer drill 1, the suction port
130 of the nozzle pipe 111 is located in front of the operation
sleeve 30, and the attached bit is located coaxially with the
center of the suction port 130.
[0080] The sliding position of the outer pipe 109 in the holder 108
is adjusted so that the distal end of the bit is located at the
suction port 130 that is urged in a projecting manner together with
the inner pipe 110. Then, the suction port 130 is brought into
contact with a surface to be processed. Subsequently, the trigger
10 of the hammer drill 1 is pushed to turn the switch 9 on, and the
brushless motor 3 is driven to rotate the rotating shaft 4. At this
time, if the drill mode or the hammer drill mode is selected by the
mode switching lever 32, the bit rotates to drill into the surface
to be processed. As the drilling progresses, the bit penetrates the
suction port 130, and the inner pipe 110 relatively moves back from
the outer pipe 109 together with the flexible hose 112 against the
urging of the coil spring 129. However, since the inner pipe 110
and the flexible hose 112 are held in the penetrating state by the
holder 108 disposed on the left side of the hammer drill 1, the
inner pipe 110 and the flexible hose 112 that have moved back do
not interfere with the hammer drill 1, and can slide without any
problem on the left side of the hammer drill 1.
[0081] Illumination and Dust Collecting Operation
[0082] Along with the ON-operation of the trigger 10, power supply
and drive commands are issued to the dust collection side
controller 101 that is electrically coupled to the electric power
tool side controller 12 through the female terminals 35 and the
male terminals 75. As a result, the dust collection side controller
101 supplies a current to the substrate 98 to light up the LED 97,
and also supplies a current to the DC motor 88. The lighting up of
LED 97 causes light to be emitted toward the front of the suction
port 130 through the lens 100, so that the part to be processed is
illuminated. In this case, since the LED 97 is provided at the
center in the right-left direction of the main body case 51, the
illumination can be appropriately performed from a position
directly facing the part to be processed.
[0083] When the dust collection fan 92 is rotated together with the
output shaft 89 by the driving of the DC motor 88, a suction force
is generated in the suction port 130 of the dust collection device
50. Accordingly, the air carrying the dust produced during the
processing is suctioned from the suction port 130. The suctioned
air passes through the dust collection path described above, that
is, passes through the filter 147 and the air intake chamber 107
and is exhausted from the dust collection side air exhaust ports
93, whereby the dust is captured by the filter 147 and accumulated
in the dust collection chamber D of the main box 135. At this time,
the clearance is formed on the front, rear, right, and left sides
of the filter 147 in the main box 135 as described above, so that
the dust entering the filter 147 from any direction is less likely
to cause clogging. Further, the air having passed through the
filter 147 flows into the air intake chamber 107, and cools the DC
motor 88. The lead wires 88a of the DC motor 88 and the lead wires
98a of the substrate 98 are positioned in an area partitioned by
the inner rib 102 and the front and rear vertical ribs 104 and 105,
and wired outside the air intake chamber 107. As a result, the air
flow does not come into contact with the lead wires 88a and
98a.
[0084] When the trigger 10 is released from the push-in state to
turn the switch 9 off, the rotating shaft 4 of the brushless motor
3 stops rotating, and a stop command is issued to the dust
collection side controller 101. The dust collection side controller
101, however, continues, using a delay circuit, to supply the power
to the DC motor 88 and the LED 97 for a predetermined time from
when the stop command is received. As a result, the rotation the
dust collection fan 92 allows collection of the dust remaining in
the inner pipe 110 and the flexible hose 112 into the dust box 52.
Further, afterglow of the LED 97 can be used for illumination for
another operation, such as checking of the next working position or
cleanup.
[0085] Detachment of Dust Collection Device and Discharge of
Dust
[0086] To detach the dust collection device 50 after the end of the
operation, the release button 80 is pushed in to swing forward the
hook plate 76 in order to release the locking between the hook
portion 78 and the engaging pawl 48. In that state, the dust
collection device 50 is slid downward, so that the male connector
74 moves away from the female connector 34 to be pulled out of the
plug-in port 36. At the same time, the rail portions 85, 85 are
pulled out of the guide grooves 44, 44 to release the pressing
force to the coupling piece 46. Accordingly, the female connector
34 returns to the rearward tilted position, and the shutter member
43 closes the plug-in port 36. As a result, the dust collection
device 50 can be detached from the hammer drill 1.
[0087] To discharge the dust from the dust box 52, the dust box 52
is detached from the front of the main body case 51 as described
above. Then, the locking pieces 142, 142 of the lid 141 are
disengaged from the upper surface of the cap 136, and the lid 141
is rotated to open the rear surface of the main box 135. As a
result, the dust accumulated in the dust collection chamber D of
the main box 135 can be discharged from the opening on the rear
side. At this time, since the lid 141 can be easily opened and
closed by engagement and disengagement of the locking pieces 142,
142, the dust can be easily discarded. Cleaning and replacement of
the filter 147 are enabled by detaching the cap 136 from the main
box 135.
[0088] Effects of the Invention Related to Light-Emitting
Member
[0089] As described above, with the dust collection device 50 and
the hammer drill 1 of the embodiment described above, the sliding
portion 53 is disposed in a position offset leftward from the
center in the right-left direction of the main body case 51, and
the LED 97 emitting light forward is provided on the front surface
of the main body case 51. As a result, the working position and the
bit position can be appropriately irradiated before and during the
operation regardless of the sliding portion 53. Particularly in
this-embodiment, since the LED 97 is disposed at the center in the
right-left direction of the main body case 51, even the single LED
97 can surely perform the irradiation by directly facing the
working position.
[0090] Since the power of the LED 97 is supplied from the hammer
drill 1, a reasonable configuration is obtained in which the
battery pack 11 of the hammer drill 1 is used as the power source
of the LED 97. Furthermore, since the LED 97 is turned on and off
in conjunction with the on/off operation of the trigger 10 provided
on the hammer drill 1, the illumination is automatically performed
and stopped in accordance with the use state of the hammer drill 1,
whereby the operability is enhanced. Since the LED 97 is turned off
after the predetermined time has elapsed after the off operation of
the trigger 10, the afterglow of the LED 97 can be used for the
other operation immediately after the use of the hammer drill
1.
[0091] The position of the LED need not be exactly at the center in
the right-left direction, and may be slightly offset right or left.
The position in the upper-lower direction is also not limited to
that of the embodiment described above, and can be modified as
appropriate. The LED may be arranged such that its angle is
adjustable in the upper-lower direction and the right-left
direction. Furthermore, more than one LED may be provided, and, for
example, a light emitter other than the LED or a laser pointer can
be employed as the light-emitting member. The afterglow function of
the light-emitting member can be omitted such that the
light-emitting member is turned off at the same time as the off
operation of the trigger.
[0092] Effects of the Invention Related to Connection of Sliding
Portion
[0093] As described above, with the dust collection device 50 and
the hammer drill 1 of the embodiment described above, the
connection port 68, which is provided on the left side of the main
body case 51, is connected to the base end of the sliding portion
53. The inlet port 140 communicating with the connection port 68 is
provided on the left side surface of the dust box 52. As a result,
the sliding portion 53 does not become an obstacle by projecting
rearward, and the shape of the main body housing 2 of the hammer
drill 1 is less likely to be limited. Since the dust is suctioned
from the side surface of the dust box 52, the filter 147 is hardly
clogged.
[0094] In particular in this case, since the connection port 68 is
disposed on the upper half side in the central portion in the
front-rear direction of the dust box 52, the dust is hardly stuck
although the connection port 68 is provided at the side surface.
Since the sliding portion 53 is disposed in the position offset
toward the left side surface provided with the connection port 68
to which the flexible hose 112 serving as a base end is connected,
the inner pipe 110 that has moved back does not interfere with the
hammer drill 1, so that the slide stroke can be set to a large
value. Furthermore, since the flexible hose 112 is connected to the
connection port 68 from a direction intersecting with the
connection port 68, the amount of projection can be reduced
although the sliding portion 53 is offset leftward.
[0095] Since the connection port 68 opening rearward through the
elbow 113 is connected to the flexible hose 112 from behind, the
sliding portion 53 that slides forward and rearward can be
connected to the connection port 68 without difficulty.
Furthermore, since a predetermined distance is set between the
inlet port 140 and the filter 147 in the dust box 52, and the wall
149 is provided to the side surface of the filter 147 facing the
inlet port 140. Accordingly, the dust having entered through the
inlet port 140 does not come into direct contact with the side
surface of the filter 147. The side surface of the filter 147
facing the inlet port 140 is prevented from being clogged.
[0096] The right-left position of the sliding portion may be
reversed from that of the embodiment described above. The positions
of the holder, the connection port, and the inlet port of the dust
box may be changed to the right side surface side, accordingly. The
position of the connection port in the main body case can also be
moved in the upper-lower direction and/or the front-rear direction.
The flexible hose is not limited to being connected from behind.
The elbow may open obliquely rearward and downward, or downward,
and the flexible hose may be connected obliquely from behind and
below, or from below.
[0097] Effects of the Invention Related to Protection of Lead
Wires
[0098] As described above, with the dust collection device 50 and
the hammer drill 1 of the embodiment described above, the main body
case 51 is provided therein with the partitioning portions (the
inner rib 102, the front vertical rib 104, and the rear vertical
rib 105). The partitioning portions inhibit the contact between the
air flow and the wiring by partitioning the flow path of the air
flow passing through the accommodating chamber 61a for the DC motor
88 from the wiring (the lead wires 75a, 88a, and 98a) in the main
body case 51. As a result, a risk of damage to the wiring caused by
the air flow cooling the DC motor 88 can be reduced. In particular
in this case, since the DC motor 88 is accommodated in the main
body case 51 in the attitude in which the output shaft 89 extends
in the front-rear direction, the flow path of the air flow can be
easily partitioned from the wiring in the accommodating chamber
61a.
[0099] Since the dust box 52 is disposed below the main body case
51, and the DC motor 88 is accommodated above the dust box 52, the
main body case 51 has a compact shape with reduced front-rear and
upper-lower dimensions. Furthermore, the main body case 51 is
formed by assembling the pair of left and right half-split cases
51a and 51b. The partitioning portions are formed by butting the
inner rib 102 to the front and rear ribs 104 and 105, the inner rib
102 and the front and rear ribs 104 and 105 being provided in an
erect manner on the inner surfaces of the half-split cases 51a and
51b, respectively. As a result, a reasonable configuration is
obtained in which the partitioning portions are formed as the
half-split cases 51a and 51b are assembled. Since the dust
collection side controller 101 is disposed behind the accommodating
chamber 61a for the DC motor 88 in the main body case 51, the lead
wires 88a between the dust collection side controller 101 and the
DC motor 88 can be wired at the shortest distance.
[0100] The inner rib and the front and rear vertical ribs may be
provided in the half-split cases with the right-left relation
reversed. Instead of using the front and rear vertical ribs on one
of the half-split cases, the inner rib can be provided in each of
the right and left half-split cases to partition the air intake
chamber. Furthermore, the DC motor is not limited to being
accommodated above the dust box, but may be accommodated behind the
dust box as long as the air flow can be partitioned from the
wiring, and may be accommodated in the upper-lower direction
instead of in the front-rear direction.
[0101] Effects of the Invention Related to Dust Collection
System
[0102] As described above, with the dust collection system S of the
embodiment described above, the coupling piece 46, which is
integrally provided on the shutter member 43 in the hammer drill 1,
projects into the guide groove 44 in the close position of the
plug-in port 36. When the rail portion 85 of the main body case 51
fits with the guide groove 44 of the main body housing 2, the rail
portion 85 moves the shutter member 43 to the open position of the
plug-in port 36 by engaging with the coupling piece 46 of the
shutter member 43. Consequently, a reasonable structure is obtained
in which the rail portion 85 for connection of the dust collection
device 50 is used also for moving the shutter member 43. As a
result, the connection and the electrical coupling between the
hammer drill 1 and the dust collection device 50 can be achieved
with a simple structure with a small number of components.
[0103] Particularly in this case, the guide groove 44 and the rail
portion 85 are formed to extend in the upper-lower direction, so
that the dust collection device 50 can be easily attached to and
detached from the hammer drill 1. Since the shutter member 43 is
rotatable between the open position and the close position of the
plug-in port 36 and rotatably urged toward the close position by
the torsion spring 42, the space for the shutter member 43 can be
saved. Furthermore, when the main body case 51 is attached from
below to the main body housing 2, the engaging pawl 48 provided on
lower surface of the main body housing 2 and the hook plate 76
provided on the upper surface of the main body case 51 engage with
each other in the attached state. Due to the engagement of the
engaging pawl 48 and the hook plate 76, the main body housing 2 and
the main body case 51 can be reliably connected together via the
upper and lower mating surfaces thereof.
[0104] Since the hook plate 76 can be operated to a position for
release from the engaging pawl 48 by one release button 80 provided
at the main body case 51, the dust collection device 50 can be
easily detached. The front end surface 5a and the abutting piece 87
are provided on the outer surface of the front housing 5 and the
upper surface of the main body case 51, respectively. The front end
surface 5a and the abutting piece 87 restricts the movement in the
front-rear direction in the attached state of the main body case 51
by abutting each other, and thus the dust collection device 50 can
be attached so as to be free from the rattling.
[0105] In the embodiment described above, the coupling piece is
provided at the support pin that is a separate body from the female
connector provided with the shutter member. The coupling piece may,
however, be provided in an integrated manner with the shutter
member. The present invention is not limited to the case where the
female connector and the shutter member are provided in an
integrated manner. The female connector and the shutter member may
be configured such that the female connector is fixed in the
downward position, and only the shutter member as a separate body
is movable relative to the plug-in port. The shutter member may
move linearly instead of rotationally.
[0106] Furthermore, the guide groove and the rail portion may be
formed to extend in the front-rear direction instead of in the
upper-lower direction, so that the dust collection device may be
attached from the front of the hammer drill. In this case, the
front surface of the main body housing and the rear surface of the
main body case serve as mating surfaces provided with engaging
portions.
[0107] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, a shielding plate 34a
projecting rearward in the downward position is connected in an
integrated manner with a rear portion of the upper end of the
female connector 34. In this state, the shielding plate 34a may
project rearward between the electric power tool side air intake
ports 16 located above and the stopper 41 when the dust collection
device 50 is attached. When the shielding plate 34a described above
is provided, the upper side of the connecting portion between the
female connector 34 and the male connector 74 is covered by the
shielding plate 34a. As a result, foreign matter, such as water,
that has entered from the electric power tool side air intake ports
16, 16 can be prevented from entering the connecting portion.
[0108] In any aspect of the present invention, the configuration of
the hammer drill may be such that the motor is laterally mounted,
and/or is an alternating-current (AC) motor, instead of the DC
motor, using a commercial power supply as the power source. The
present invention may be applied not only to the hammer drill, but
also to other electric power tools, such as electric drills, as
long as the dust collection device is attachable thereto.
[0109] It is explicitly stated that all features disclosed in the
description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed
separately and independently from each other for the purpose of
original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting the
claimed invention independent of the composition of the features in
the embodiments and/or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all
value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every
possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose
of original disclosure as well as for the purpose of restricting
the claimed invention, in particular as limits of value ranges.
* * * * *