JP2011067912A - Electric power tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric power tool preventing useless consumption of electric power and securely carrying out data communication between the electric power tool and an outer management device. <P>SOLUTION: The electric power tool 1a is equipped with: a motor 16; a motor control part 31a for controlling the motor 16; a switch 18 for starting up the motor control part 31a; and a radio communication device 35 for carrying out radio communication with the outside. When the operation of the switch 18 is started, the motor 16 and the radio communication device 35 are energized. When the operation of the switch 18 is finished, energization to the motor 16 is interrupted and energization to the radio communication 35 is interrupted after it is continued for a specified period T. When radio communication with the outside can not be carried out, the radio communication device 35 repeats communications for the specified period T until radio communication is enabled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric tool having a wireless communication function for wirelessly communicating work information related to work contents with an external management device.

  Conventionally, a plurality of electric power tools wirelessly transmit work information such as an identification number of each electric power tool, a tightening torque, the number of screw tightening, a work time, a remaining battery capacity, etc. to an external management device. A management system has been proposed for recording and managing screw tightening operations by each electric tool.

  In the management system disclosed in Patent Document 1, management information such as a torque setting value is transmitted from the management device to the electric tool, so that the management information is set for each electric tool, and the setting according to the work content is performed from the management device side. It can be carried out.

  In this way, for example, when the fact that the number of screws tightened in a certain work process has reached a predetermined number is transmitted from the power tool side to the management apparatus, the management apparatus determines that the work process has ended, and the next work Management information such as torque setting values in the process is sent to the power tool side, and the settings are automatically updated even if the operator does not change the settings such as torque setting values for each process. There is an advantage that the performance is improved.

  In addition, as shown in Patent Document 2, there is shown a device equipped with a wireless communication device that monitors the operating state of a motor and starts wireless communication of work information when the motor is not operating. Power is supplied to the wireless communication device.

JP 2000-334670 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-213068

  However, the electric power tool disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not show a method of supplying operating power to the wireless communication device when not in use, and power is wasted if the wireless communication device is always energized. There was a problem of doing. Further, when transmission is not possible, there is a problem that power is consumed further because transmission is performed permanently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power tool that can be energized and no longer needs to be energized to a device in the power tool that needs to be energized. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric tool that can cut off energization and prevent wasteful consumption of electric power. Moreover, it is providing the electric tool which can perform the data communication between an electric tool and a management apparatus more reliably.

  To achieve the above object, the electric tool 1a of the present invention includes a motor 16, a motor control unit 31a that controls the motor 16, a switch 18 that activates the motor control unit 31a, and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication externally. 35, when the operation of the switch 18 is started, the motor 16 and the wireless communication device 35 are energized. When the operation of the switch 18 is completed, the energization of the motor 16 is cut off and the wireless communication device 35 is turned on. This is characterized in that the energization is interrupted after T has continued for a certain period of time.

  In this way, when work such as tightening with the electric power tool 1a is finished, the operation of the switch 18 is finished, and the motor 16 that is no longer required to be driven can be prevented from being energized. In addition, since the wireless communication device 35 can be energized, the work content after the work is completed can be wirelessly communicated to the management device 2. In addition, since the energization to the wireless communication device 35 is cut off after a certain period of time T, the energization to the wireless communication device 35 that is no longer required to be driven after the wireless communication to the outside ends is switched It can be shut off after a certain period T from the end of 18 operations.

  Moreover, when the said radio | wireless communication apparatus 35 cannot carry out radio | wireless communication outside, it is preferable to repeat communication several times during the said fixed period T until radio | wireless communication is possible.

  By doing so, since the communication is repeated a plurality of times until the wireless communication can be performed outside, the wireless communication to the outside can be more reliably performed. In addition, since the communication is repeated a plurality of times within a certain period T, energization to the wireless communication device 35 is not interrupted during the communication.

  The power tool according to the present invention can continue to energize a device in a power tool that needs to be energized even after work such as tightening with the power tool is completed, and the power tool no longer needs to be energized. This device can be de-energized to prevent wasteful consumption of power.

  Further, by repeating the communication a plurality of times within a certain period, data communication between the power tool and the outside can be performed more reliably.

It is a schematic block diagram regarding the internal circuit of the electric tool and management apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows communication with the management apparatus of an electric tool same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the electric tool same as the above. It is a time chart when communication of an electric tool same as the above is completed at once. It is a time chart when communication of an electric tool same as the above is not completed at once.

  Embodiments of an electric tool according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the management system. This management system includes, for example, one or more power tools 1a, 1b, 1c,. And the management device 2. .. Between the power tools 1a, 1b, 1c... And the management device 2, work information such as the identification number, tightening torque, number of screw tightening, work time, remaining battery power, etc. Management is performed by communicating management information such as a torque setting value in the next work process.

  Since the electric tools 1a, 1b, 1c... Have the same configuration, the electric tool 1a will be described with reference to FIG.

  The electric power tool 1a is a hollow circle whose axial direction is a direction intersecting the axial direction of the grip portion 11 at one axial end (upper end) of the hollow cylindrical tube-shaped grip portion 11 formed in a size that can be gripped by hand. A cylindrical main body 12 is provided, and the grip portion 11 and the main body 12 are substantially T-shaped in a side view. Further, a battery housing part 13 is provided at the other axial end (lower end) of the grip part 11. The main body 12, the grip part 11, and the battery housing part 13 form a housing 10 for an electric tool. A battery 13a as a rechargeable battery is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion 13, and the battery accommodating portion 13 is detachably attached to the lower end portion of the grip portion 11. The battery housing part 13 may be formed integrally with the lower end part of the grip part 11.

  A metal cover portion 12a is provided on one end side (front end side) of the main body 12 in the axial direction, and a tool (bit) 14 such as a driver bit or a socket is detachably attached to the front end side. The chuck 15 is provided. The chuck 15 is driven to rotate about the axial direction of the main body 12 with a motor 16 provided on the other end side (rear end side) in the axial direction of the main body 12 as a drive source. It is transmitted to the chuck 15 via a drive transmission portion 17 built in the main body 12. A motor drive unit 32 is provided on the rear end side of the motor 16. The motor drive unit 32 receives a command from the motor control unit 31 a and excites and drives the motor 16.

  The drive transmission unit 17 includes a speed reducer 17a having a rear end connected to the motor 16, and an impact generating unit 17b connected to the front end of the speed reducer 17a. The drive transmitting unit 17 is configured to pass through the speed reducer 17a and the impact generating unit 17b. The rotational driving force of the motor 16 is decelerated and transmitted to the chuck 15. Until the predetermined load is applied to the chuck 15, the reduced rotational driving force is transmitted to the chuck 15. When a load exceeding the predetermined load is applied to the chuck 15, a striking motion is performed in the striking portion 17 b. The impact driving force is transmitted to the chuck 15 by this striking motion.

  In addition, a trigger-type switch 18 that rotates the motor 16 by a pull-in operation is provided in the front-rear direction on the front surface that is the surface on the chuck 15 side of the upper end portion of the grip portion 11. Further, in the grip portion 11, a rotation speed adjustment switch 18a that adjusts the rotation speed of the motor 16 in a stepless manner according to the amount of pulling of the trigger type switch 18 is provided with the battery 13a, the motor control section 31a, and the battery 13a. And the motor drive unit 32 are provided so as to be electrically connected to each other. When the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is switched on, a power switch 40 that is switched on in conjunction is provided to electrically connect the battery 13a and the motor control unit 31a, and the battery 13a and the wireless communication device 35. ing. Here, even when the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned off, the power switch 40 is not turned off immediately in conjunction with it, but is turned off after a certain period T has elapsed. If the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned on again before the predetermined period T has elapsed, the power switch 40 will continue to be turned on. Further, a forward / reverse selector switch 19 for switching the rotation direction of the motor 16 to forward rotation or reverse rotation is protruded from the surface of the main body 12 slightly above and behind the trigger type switch 18 in FIG. Has been. A motor control unit 31a is housed in the upper part inside the grip part 11, and an electric tool side radio control part (hereinafter referred to as tool side radio control) of the radio communication device 35 is arranged in the lower part inside the grip part 11. 31b, an electric tool side wireless communication unit (hereinafter referred to as a tool side wireless communication unit) 33, and an electric tool side storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a tool side storage unit) 34 are accommodated. The wireless communication device 35 further includes a flexible antenna line and a power tool side antenna (hereinafter referred to as a tool side antenna) 33a.

  A hook 36 is pivotally supported on the lower rear side outside the grip portion 11 via a rotation shaft 37 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. By rotating the hook 36 and inserting a waist belt, for example, into the gap between the hook 36 and the grip portion 11, the electric tool 1a can be suspended from the waist belt. Further, a loop-shaped strap 38 for preventing the fall is attached to the lower rear side of the grip portion 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric tools 1a, 1b, 1c,... Hold the tool folder 3 installed at the work place when not in use, such as when the work is interrupted or finished after a series of work. The front side portion of the main body 12 (the output side portion on which the chuck 15 is arranged) is inserted into the hole 3a so as to be inclined downward and held in the tool folder 3.

  Then, the schematic block diagram regarding the internal circuit of the electric tool 1a and the management apparatus 2 of embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated.

  The management device 2 includes a management device side radio communication unit (hereinafter referred to as a management side radio communication unit) 21, a management device side antenna (hereinafter referred to as a management side antenna) 21a, and a management device side radio control unit (hereinafter referred to as a management side radio control unit). A management-side radio control unit) 22 and a management device-side storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a management-side storage unit) 23. The management device 2 wirelessly communicates work information such as the recognition number, tightening torque, number of screw tightening, work time, remaining battery power, etc. of the power tool 1a from the tool side antenna 33a of the power tool 1a with the management device side antenna 21a. And stored in the management storage unit 23. In addition, the management-side wireless control unit 22 instructs the management-side wireless communication unit 21 to transmit management information such as a torque setting value in the next work process, and the tool of the electric tool 1a is transmitted from the management-device-side antenna 21a. It transmits toward the side antenna 33a. Here, when the management apparatus 2 receives the work information from the tool-side antenna 33a of the power tool 1a by wireless communication, the management apparatus 2 instructs the management-side radio control unit 22 to receive a reception completion signal from the management apparatus-side antenna 21a. Is transmitted toward the tool-side antenna 33a of the electric power tool 1a.

  Regarding the electric power tool 1a, when the trigger type switch 18 is pulled, the switch of the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a that electrically connects the battery 13a and the motor control unit 31a and the battery 13a and the motor drive unit 32 is turned on. Become. At this time, electric power corresponding to the amount drawn is supplied to the motor drive unit 32. When electric power starts to be supplied, the motor control unit 31a, the battery 13a and the motor control unit 31a, the battery 13a and the tool-side wireless control unit 31b of the wireless communication device 35, and the battery 13a and the tool-side wireless communication of the wireless communication device 35 A command to turn on the switch is sent to the power switch 40 that electrically connects each of the units 33. Further, the motor control unit 31 a instructs the motor drive unit 32 to forward or reverse the motor 16 based on the input signal from the forward / reverse selector switch 19 (whether the screw is tightened or loosened). send. The motor control unit 31a can also perform control based on management information data such as a torque set value in the next work process sent from the management device 2 received by the tool-side radio control unit 31b. .

  When work such as tightening with the electric tool 1a is completed and the trigger switch 18 is released, the tool-side wireless control unit 31b recognizes the electric tool 1a, the tightening torque, the number of screw tightening, the working time, the battery Data of work information such as the remaining amount is input from the motor control unit 31 a and stored in the tool-side storage unit 34. Further, the tool-side radio control unit 31 b issues a command to the tool-side radio communication unit 33 and causes the tool-side antenna 33 a to transmit the work information data toward the management device-side antenna 21 a of the management device 2. Thereafter, when a reception completion signal is received from the management device side antenna 21a of the management device 2, it is determined that the transmission is completed, and a command is issued to the tool side wireless communication unit 33 so as not to transmit the work information any more. At this time, the tool-side wireless control unit 31b receives management information such as a torque setting value in the next work process from the management device 2 to the tool-side antenna 33a separately from the reception completion signal, and stores the tool-side storage. The information is stored in the unit 34 and output to the motor control unit 31a. Here, the motor control unit 31a and the tool-side radio control unit 31b are constituted by, for example, a microcomputer.

  FIG. 4 shows a time chart when communication is completed once. When the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned on, power supply to the motor control unit 31a and the motor 16 is started, and the driving state is set. At the same time, the power switch 40 is turned ON, and power supply to the motor control unit 31a, the tool-side radio control unit 31b, and the tool-side radio communication unit 33 is started. The tool-side radio control unit 31b and the tool-side radio communication unit 33 are The drive is ready. Since the tool-side wireless control unit 31b and the tool-side wireless communication unit 33 communicate with the management device 2 after the rotation of the motor 16 is finished, the drive state (communication state) is not yet established. When the trigger type switch 18 is released and the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned OFF, the power supply to the motor control unit 31a and the motor 16 through the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is stopped, and the drive is stopped. Here, power supply to the motor control unit 31a is continued from the power switch 40, but the motor 16 is not required to be driven, so the motor control unit 31a does not control the motor 16. It is in the state, that is, the drive stop state. Even if the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned off, the power switch 40 is set to remain on for a certain period T immediately after being turned off, so that the tool side radio control unit 31b and the tool side The wireless communication unit 33 is continuously fed and can be driven. Here, in a state where the rotation of the motor 16 is stopped, the tool-side wireless control unit 31b instructs the tool-side wireless communication unit 33 to transmit the work information data from the start of rotation of the motor 16 to the stop of rotation. Since the data transmission is performed toward the management device 2, the tool side wireless control unit 31b and the tool side wireless communication unit 33 are ON. When the management-side wireless communication unit 21 of the management apparatus 2 receives the work information data, the management-side wireless communication unit 21 transmits a reception completion signal to the tool-side wireless communication unit 33. Communication is completed upon receipt of a reception completion signal from the management-side wireless communication unit 21 of the management device 2, and the tool-side wireless control unit 31b and the tool-side wireless communication unit 33 until the next rotation of the motor 16 is completed. There is no need for power supply. If the trigger type switch 18 is not pushed for a certain time T, the power switch 40 is turned off after the certain time T has elapsed, and the motor control unit 31a, the tool-side radio control unit 31b, and the tool-side radio communication unit 33 are switched to. Is stopped. If the trigger type switch 18 is pushed before the predetermined time T elapses, the power switch 40 continues to be ON.

  FIG. 5 shows a time chart when communication is not completed once. Here, the description will be made after the work content data from the tool-side wireless communication unit 33 is transmitted once. When the reception completion signal does not come from the management-side wireless communication unit 21 of the management device 2, the management-side wireless communication unit 21 of the management device 2 is in a non-driven state (non-communication state). From the tool side wireless control unit 31b, the tool side wireless communication unit 33 is instructed to transmit the data of the same work content, and this is performed a plurality of times until a reception completion signal is received from the management side wireless communication unit 21 of the management device 2. When the management-side wireless communication unit 21 of the management device 2 sends a reception completion signal, the tool-side wireless control unit 31b and the tool-side wireless communication unit 33 need to supply power until the next rotation of the motor 16 is completed. It becomes a state without. Then, after a certain period T has elapsed since the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned off, power supply to the motor control unit 31a, the tool-side radio control unit 31b, and the tool-side radio communication unit 33 is stopped. Here, a reception completion signal is received from the management-side wireless communication unit 21 of the management apparatus 2 to the tool-side wireless control unit 31b via the tool-side antenna 33a by a certain period T after the rotation speed adjustment switch 18a is turned off. Otherwise, power supply to the tool-side wireless control unit 31b and the tool-side wireless communication unit 33 is stopped, data communication fails, and the power switch is turned off.

  Here, in order to notify the administrator or the user that the data communication has failed as described above, the power tool 1a is preferably provided with notification means such as a buzzer. The notification timing is preferably notified by such notification means when the trigger type switch 18 is pressed again in a state where the reception completion signal has not been received before the elapse of the predetermined period T. In addition, when the trigger type switch 18 is not pressed again within a certain period T, it is desirable to notify by such an informing means immediately before the lapse of the certain period T. If it does in this way, when starting a new operation | work, it can prevent using the electric tool 1a of the state which is not an appropriate tightening torque.

  Since the electric tool 1a of the present invention has the above-described configuration, when work such as tightening with the electric tool 1a is finished, the operation of the switch 18 is finished, and the motor 16 that does not need to be driven is energized. It can be avoided. In addition, since the wireless communication device 35 can be energized, the work content after the work is completed can be wirelessly communicated to the management device 2. In addition, since the energization to the wireless communication device 35 is interrupted after a certain period of time T, the wireless communication to the management device 2 is completed and the energization to the wireless communication device 35 that is no longer required to be driven is performed. Can be blocked.

  Thus, the electric tool 1a of the present invention can continue energization to the device in the electric tool 1a that needs to be energized even after the work such as tightening by the electric tool 1a is completed. The device in the electric power tool 1a that is no longer needed can be de-energized, and wasteful consumption of power can be prevented.

  In addition, since the communication is repeated a plurality of times until wireless communication with the management device 2 is possible, wireless communication with the management device 2 can be performed more reliably. In order to prevent the energization of the wireless communication device 35 from being interrupted after a certain time T during the communication, the communication is set to be repeated a plurality of times within the certain period T. Yes.

  Here, if a command to turn the switch off is sent from the motor control unit 31a to the power switch 40 when the reception completion signal from the management device 2 is received by the tool side antenna 33a, the power of the battery is further increased. Can reduce wasteful consumption.

  In the present embodiment, the power tool provided with the housing 10 having the grip portion 11 and the main body 12 that are substantially T-shaped in side view has been described as an example. However, the main body 12 and the grip portion 11 are arranged in a straight line. Needless to say, the power tool may be provided with a housing having another shape such as a substantially I-shape in side view. In this embodiment, the impact driver is described as an example of the electric power tool. However, an electric power tool that exhibits other functions such as an oil pulse impact driver or a driver having no impact function may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Electric tool 2 Management apparatus 3 Tool folder 3a Holding hole 10 Housing 11 Grip part 12 Main body 12a Cover part 13 Battery accommodating part 13a Battery 14 Tool 15 Chuck 16 Motor 17 Drive transmission part 17a Reduction gear 17b Impact generating part 18 Trigger switch 18a Rotation Speed adjustment switch 19 Forward / reverse selector switch 21 Management device side radio communication unit 21a Management device side antenna 22 Management device side communication control unit 23 Management device side storage unit 31a Motor control unit 31b Electric tool side communication control unit 32 Motor drive unit 33 Electric Tool side wireless communication unit 33a Electric tool side antenna 34 Electric tool side storage unit 36 Hook hook 37 Rotating shaft 38 Band string 40 Power switch

Claims (2)

  A motor, a motor control unit that controls the motor, a switch that activates the motor control unit, and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the outside, and when the operation of the switch is started, the motor and the wireless communication device are energized. When the operation of the switch is finished, the power supply to the motor is cut off, and the power supply to the wireless communication device is cut off after continuing for a certain period.   The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device repeats communication a plurality of times during the predetermined period until wireless communication is possible when wireless communication is not possible to the outside.

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