EP2286970A1 - Machine outil et procédé de retour d'informations à l'utilsateur - Google Patents

Machine outil et procédé de retour d'informations à l'utilsateur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2286970A1
EP2286970A1 EP09168086A EP09168086A EP2286970A1 EP 2286970 A1 EP2286970 A1 EP 2286970A1 EP 09168086 A EP09168086 A EP 09168086A EP 09168086 A EP09168086 A EP 09168086A EP 2286970 A1 EP2286970 A1 EP 2286970A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
power tool
user feedback
feedback signal
tool according
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09168086A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Robert Beadman
Peter Heywood
Andy Barber
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch GmbH filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority to EP09168086A priority Critical patent/EP2286970A1/fr
Publication of EP2286970A1 publication Critical patent/EP2286970A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27G—ACCESSORY MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS; TOOLS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS; SAFETY DEVICES FOR WOOD WORKING MACHINES OR TOOLS
    • B27G19/00—Safety guards or devices specially adapted for wood saws; Auxiliary devices facilitating proper operation of wood saws
    • B27G19/003—Safety guards or devices specially adapted for wood saws; Auxiliary devices facilitating proper operation of wood saws for chain saws

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for providing feedback to a user of a power tool.
  • a power tool having means for indicating to the user that a safety element is positioned so that the power tool is not operational and a method for communicating this information to the user.
  • US Patent No. 3,991,469 discloses a chain saw having a safety braking means comprising a swinging sensing arm that is positioned adjacent the user gripping handle specifically so that it will be engaged automatically under conditions of kickback.
  • a flexible brake band has one end anchored to the tool housing and the other coupled with the swinging sensing arm, so that swinging of the safety arm brings the brake band into frictional braking relationship with the chain rotation means, thereby quickly stopping the chain.
  • biasing means retain the swinging arm in a forward "braking" position.
  • a power tool having a user feedback system which may be, for example, a chain saw.
  • the power tool has a trigger for activating the tool and a safety element that is inactive in a first position and which is operable to stop the tool from functioning in a second position.
  • the power tool overcomes the problems with the prior art by providing a user feedback signal when the trigger is activated and the safety element is in the second position. In this advantageous arrangement, the user is less likely to believe that the tool has malfunctioned.
  • the user feedback signal may be selected from a set including many different sensory modalities, including an audible signal, a visual signal, or a tactile signal.
  • the tool takes advantage of the fact that users are able to respond to a variety of different senses.
  • the user feedback signal may alternatively be provided as a combination of at least two sensory modalities. This has the advantage of providing feedback even to users may be less sensitive to audible, visual, or tactile stimuli. It is also clear that the more modalities are provided, the more salient the feedback signal will be to the user and quite possibly the more likely it will be understood.
  • the feedback signal does not communicate what corrective actions are necessary, the feedback signal may create even more confusion for the user. Therefore it is advantageous if the user feedback signal provides descriptive information regarding actions that will restore tool functionality. In the case of a tactile feedback signal, this is not possible with the exception of a Morse code-type coding scheme that would not be interpretable by most users. Tactile feedback is therefore preferably not provided alone, but instead in combination with other sensory feedback, wherein the tactile feedback alerts the user and the other user feedback may provide descriptive information.
  • One way to make the signal more salient to the user is for the user feedback signal to increase in intensity for at least a period of time after being activated. Therefore a user with hearing loss, impaired vision or deficits in tactile sensation due to wearing gloves, for example, has a greater chance of receiving and responding to the user feedback signal.
  • the user feedback signal is presented for a fixed period of time if the trigger remains activated and the safety element remains in the second position. This will preserve battery life for example, if there is no response to the user feedback signal, or if, for example, the trigger becomes activated during storage while the tool is inoperable. If the user is not attempting to operate the tool, he will be less likely to notice the user feedback signal, so it would be advantageous to terminate the signal after a period of time.
  • a microcontroller is provided within the power tool for determining whether to provide the user feedback signal. There are cost and design advantages if the same microcontroller that controls the user feedback system can also be used to monitor the operational state of a battery pack and/or control the timing of an electrically commutated motor.
  • Such a user feedback signal is most useful if the safety element is not provided with independent means for returning to the first position and therefore requires a distinct action from the user to return it from the second position to the first position, for example so as to overcome a defined operating load or bias.
  • the user feedback system is useful for safety elements that activate mechanical means, electrical means, or a combination of the two for stopping the tool from functioning. Any of these means may give the user the impression that the tool has malfunctioned and therefore it would be advantageous to provide a user feedback signal as described herein.
  • the user feedback system is particularly well-suited for incorporation into a chain saw which has a cutting chain and a motor for driving the cutting chain.
  • a chain saw is often configured with one or more safety elements for stopping the motor from driving the cutting chain.
  • a method for providing feedback to the user of a power tool wherein the activity state of a trigger for activating the tool is determined, the position of a safety element that is inactive in a first position and is operable to stop the tool from functioning in a second position is determined, and a user feedback signal is provided only if the trigger is active and the safety element is in the second position.
  • a power tool 10 in particular a hand-held chain saw, is provided with multiple user gripping surfaces including a rear handle 12 as well as a front handle 14 which is contiguous with a side handle 16 as shown in Fig. 1 .
  • a trigger 18 for activating tool 10 is integrated into rear handle 12 and a chain brake lever 20 is positioned immediately forward of front handle 14.
  • chain brake lever 20 is in a first position shown in Fig. 1 .
  • a user gripping front handle 14 will be likely to pivot chain brake lever 20 in direction 22 in the event of kickback condition so that lever 20 takes on the second position shown in Fig. 2 .
  • a motor 26 which is preferably an electronically commutated brushless motor, for driving the rotation of cutting chain 28.
  • Power is provided to motor 26 by a removable lithium ion-based battery pack 30, but power might alternatively be provided via an electrical cord for providing AC power or by a combustion engine powered by gasoline or other fuels.
  • Chain brake lever 20 is coupled via coupling means 32 to braking means 34 for rapidly halting the rotary drive, such that cutting chain 28 is stopped from rotating during, for example, conditions of kickback.
  • Chain brake lever 20 is held in the first position by reversible latching means 36 which unlatch when a force acts on chain brake lever 20 generally in direction 22.
  • biasing means 38 accelerate the movement of chain brake lever 20 into the second position, this action activating braking means 34.
  • latching means 36 are restored and biasing means 38 are preloaded so that the safety system is reset.
  • Coupling means 32, braking means 34, latching means 36, and biasing means 38 are shown schematically in Fig. 2 and are not described in detail since several alternatives for achieving this function are well-known by those skilled in the art.
  • one set of means including a flexible brake band, a latch lever, and a spring is disclosed in EP 1 066 933 A1 .
  • the user feedback system described herein will be applicable to any safety system requiring a distinct action from the user to return a safety element to an operative position, for example to overcome a defined operating load or bias.
  • chain brake lever 20 may be retained in its second position without ongoing bias from biasing means.
  • Tool 10 is provided with electronics for ascertaining certain aspects of its functional state.
  • Micro switches 40 and 42 are coupled with chain brake lever 20 and trigger 18, respectively. These switches are connected to a microcontroller 44 which assesses the status of each micro switch.
  • the same microcontroller 44 can preferably also be used for controlling the timing of electronically commutated motor 26 and/or still more additional functions such as monitoring the voltage or temperature state of battery pack 30.
  • microcontroller 44 determines that chain brake lever 20 is in the second position and trigger 18 is depressed (the position shown in Fig. 2 ), it sends a signal to one or more output devices for providing user feedback.
  • the output device may be an audio device 46 as in Fig. 2 .
  • Audio device 46 incorporates a speaker 48 and may provide user feedback with an alarm signal, such as a tone or buzzer, which may be repeated or provided consistently.
  • audio device 46 may be comparable to a conventional MP3-player and further include sufficient memory to store an audio message data file which when played by audio device 46 informs the user that chain brake lever 20 needs to be returned to the first position in order to further operate tool 10.
  • Preferably audio device 46 is configured to simply repeat the audible signal as long as microcontroller 44 determines that the operational states of chain brake lever 20 and trigger 18 have not changed.
  • audio device 46 could be configured to increase the intensity of the audio signal or message over a defined period of time until it reaches a maximum volume. In other configurations, audio device 46 could be configured to play the audio signal or message only a certain number of times or for a fixed period of time before ceasing to provide further signals or messages even when microcontroller 44 has determined that there is no change in the operational states of chain brake lever 20 and trigger 18.
  • the first category uses the visual modality to provide feedback to the user.
  • display device 50 could be simply a plastic panel that is lit by a light source under the prescribed conditions. It could be a simple device such as a monochrome numerical-type LCD display typical of a digital watch. It could be a relatively complicated device such as a color LCD display capable of displaying motion video.
  • the user feedback message could be simply a text message informing the user that chain brake lever 20 needs to be returned to the first position in order to further operate tool 10. More preferably it could be a combination of text and visual messages depicting chain brake lever 20 along with indications of how it should be returned to its first position in order to operate tool 10.
  • display device 50 can alternatively be configured to present these visual messages in a manner that increases in intensity over a defined period of time, for example by increasing the brightness of the device.
  • the display device could cause the signal to flash on and off in order to better grab the attention of the user.
  • display device 50 could be configured to display the visual message only for a predetermined period of time even when microcontroller 44 has determined that there is no change in the operational states of chain brake lever 20 and trigger 18.
  • Speaker 48 or display device 50 might be positioned anywhere on the tool although they are preferably positioned in a direction facing the expected position of the user when the user is attempting to operate tool 10.
  • a tactile output device 52 is schematically shown positioned within handle 12 in Fig. 3 . It may be for example a vibrating element such as the type used in a conventional video game controller with "force feedback". Under the conditions previously described, tactile output device 52 can be configured to provide a consistent tactile stimulus or one that is increasing in intensity for a period of time. It may also be configured to provide the tactile stimulus only for a defined period of time even when microcontroller 44 has determined that there is no change in the operational states of chain brake lever 20 and trigger 18.
  • a tool 10 provided with the features described herein can be the basis for implementing a method for providing feedback to the user of a power tool.
  • the position of trigger 18 is determined via input from micro switch 42 to microcontroller 44 and the position of chain brake lever 20 is comparably determined via micro switch 40.
  • a user feedback signal is provided by one or more of audio device 44, display device 50, and tactile device 52 if trigger 18 is depressed and chain brake lever 20 is in the second position.
  • the device and methods described herein applied in the illustrated examples to a chain saw may be also applied to any sorts of power tool, including drills, saws or grinders, whether hand-held or not, that incorporate a safety system that renders the power tool non-operational without certain actions taken by the user.
  • benchtop tools such a table saw may be provided with a safety system for rapidly applying brakes or retracting a saw blade to avoid injury.
  • Brakes comprise just one example of a safety system.
  • the invention is useful for any sort of power tool that, for example, cuts off power to the motor as part of a safety system.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Sawing (AREA)
EP09168086A 2009-08-18 2009-08-18 Machine outil et procédé de retour d'informations à l'utilsateur Withdrawn EP2286970A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09168086A EP2286970A1 (fr) 2009-08-18 2009-08-18 Machine outil et procédé de retour d'informations à l'utilsateur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09168086A EP2286970A1 (fr) 2009-08-18 2009-08-18 Machine outil et procédé de retour d'informations à l'utilsateur

Publications (1)

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EP2286970A1 true EP2286970A1 (fr) 2011-02-23

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EP09168086A Withdrawn EP2286970A1 (fr) 2009-08-18 2009-08-18 Machine outil et procédé de retour d'informations à l'utilsateur

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EP (1) EP2286970A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140310965A1 (en) * 2008-07-14 2014-10-23 Husqvarna Ab Hand guard for chainsaw
GB2516558A (en) * 2013-06-28 2015-01-28 Bosch Gmbh Robert Hand-held power tool housing apparatus
WO2015097571A1 (fr) * 2013-12-23 2015-07-02 Josef Häringer Dispositif pour modifier la position angulaire entre deux éléments
US20150251258A1 (en) * 2012-12-03 2015-09-10 Changzhou Globe Co., Ltd. Brush-less Chainsaw
US20180200917A1 (en) * 2015-07-13 2018-07-19 Makita Corporation Chainsaw
US20190381687A1 (en) * 2014-07-22 2019-12-19 Makita Corporation Electric chainsaw
CN114193557A (zh) * 2020-09-02 2022-03-18 南京德朔实业有限公司 链锯

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3991469A (en) 1974-10-15 1976-11-16 Mcculloch Corporation Safety braking mechanism for a portable chain saw
US4782593A (en) * 1986-03-06 1988-11-08 Metabowerke Gmbh & Co. Chain saw with a stopping device
DE29622144U1 (de) * 1996-12-20 1997-03-20 Hartfiel, Jörg, 64823 Groß-Umstadt Kettensäge
EP1066933A2 (fr) 1999-07-07 2001-01-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Scie à chaíne à dispositif pour freiner la chaíne coupante
US6213370B1 (en) * 1995-05-23 2001-04-10 Applied Tool Development Corporation Internal combustion powered tool
US20040211808A1 (en) * 2003-01-21 2004-10-28 Ulrich Rosenbaum Hand-held power tool
US20050000998A1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2005-01-06 Mario Grazioli Hand-held working tool
US20050073398A1 (en) * 2003-09-23 2005-04-07 Sayman Robert Anthony Warning algorithms for vehicle driveline failures
US6878888B1 (en) * 2004-03-24 2005-04-12 Jenn Peng Industrial Co., Ltd. Safety device for activating electric tools
EP1749626A1 (fr) 2005-08-02 2007-02-07 Robert Bosch GmbH Améliorations relatives à des scies à chaîne
US20080079590A1 (en) * 2006-10-03 2008-04-03 Stork Townsend Inc. Method and means for controlling the operation of a machine based upon the wearing of a sensor by a machine operator

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3991469A (en) 1974-10-15 1976-11-16 Mcculloch Corporation Safety braking mechanism for a portable chain saw
US4782593A (en) * 1986-03-06 1988-11-08 Metabowerke Gmbh & Co. Chain saw with a stopping device
US6213370B1 (en) * 1995-05-23 2001-04-10 Applied Tool Development Corporation Internal combustion powered tool
DE29622144U1 (de) * 1996-12-20 1997-03-20 Hartfiel, Jörg, 64823 Groß-Umstadt Kettensäge
EP1066933A2 (fr) 1999-07-07 2001-01-10 Robert Bosch Gmbh Scie à chaíne à dispositif pour freiner la chaíne coupante
US20040211808A1 (en) * 2003-01-21 2004-10-28 Ulrich Rosenbaum Hand-held power tool
US20050000998A1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2005-01-06 Mario Grazioli Hand-held working tool
US20050073398A1 (en) * 2003-09-23 2005-04-07 Sayman Robert Anthony Warning algorithms for vehicle driveline failures
US6878888B1 (en) * 2004-03-24 2005-04-12 Jenn Peng Industrial Co., Ltd. Safety device for activating electric tools
EP1749626A1 (fr) 2005-08-02 2007-02-07 Robert Bosch GmbH Améliorations relatives à des scies à chaîne
US20080079590A1 (en) * 2006-10-03 2008-04-03 Stork Townsend Inc. Method and means for controlling the operation of a machine based upon the wearing of a sensor by a machine operator

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140310965A1 (en) * 2008-07-14 2014-10-23 Husqvarna Ab Hand guard for chainsaw
US20150251258A1 (en) * 2012-12-03 2015-09-10 Changzhou Globe Co., Ltd. Brush-less Chainsaw
GB2516558A (en) * 2013-06-28 2015-01-28 Bosch Gmbh Robert Hand-held power tool housing apparatus
GB2516558B (en) * 2013-06-28 2017-08-30 Bosch Gmbh Robert Hand-held power tool housing apparatus
WO2015097571A1 (fr) * 2013-12-23 2015-07-02 Josef Häringer Dispositif pour modifier la position angulaire entre deux éléments
US20190381687A1 (en) * 2014-07-22 2019-12-19 Makita Corporation Electric chainsaw
US10981291B2 (en) * 2014-07-22 2021-04-20 Makita Corporation Electric chainsaw
US20180200917A1 (en) * 2015-07-13 2018-07-19 Makita Corporation Chainsaw
US10695943B2 (en) * 2015-07-13 2020-06-30 Makita Corporation Chainsaw
US11446841B2 (en) 2015-07-13 2022-09-20 Makita Corporation Chainsaw
CN114193557A (zh) * 2020-09-02 2022-03-18 南京德朔实业有限公司 链锯
CN114193557B (zh) * 2020-09-02 2023-04-07 南京泉峰科技有限公司 链锯

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