JP2012139800A - Electric power tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve both reduction in size and cost and improvement in performance of an electric power tool by simply configuring the electric power tool having a plurality of operation modes while suppressing complexifying of a mechanical transmission mechanism.SOLUTION: The electric power tool includes: a motor 30; a mode switching lever 19 which is displaced by a user for operation mode setting; mode changing switches 37 and 38 for outputting signals corresponding to the set position of the mode switching lever 19; and a controller 31 for controlling the motor 30 by a control method corresponding to an electric signal output from an electric signal output section, among a plurality of different types of control methods. The electric power tool further includes a plurality of transmission mechanisms for transmitting the rotation drive force of the motor 30 to a tool output shaft. When the mode switching lever 19 is displaced to a certain set position, the motor 30 is controlled by the control method corresponding to the set position, and the transmission mechanism is switched to a transmission mechanism corresponding to the set position in conjunction with the displacement. Thus, a desired operation mode is achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power tool having a plurality of operation modes.

  Conventionally, as a power tool using a motor as a drive source, a tool that can be selectively operated in any of a plurality of operation modes (hereinafter also referred to as “multi-mode power tool”) is known. Yes.

  For example, Patent Document 1 is configured such that a mechanical mechanism is switched by rotating a dial type switching member, whereby at least two operation modes of a vibration mode and a drill mode can be switched. A vibration driver drill is disclosed.

  In addition to this, there are four types of operation modes, for example, drill mode, clutch mode, vibration drill mode, and impact mode, and the user can set any operation mode by sliding the mode switching lever. There is also known an electric tool constructed in (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In this electric power tool, the drill mode is an operation mode in which the rotation of the motor is directly or decelerated and transmitted to a tool output shaft such as a sleeve on which a tool bit or the like is mounted. Used in

  In the clutch mode, the rotation of the motor is transmitted as it is or decelerated to the tool output shaft, and the rotational torque of the tool output shaft (that is, the rotational torque of the tool element attached to the tool output shaft) is a predetermined value. This is an operation mode in which the rotation of the tool output shaft is stopped by releasing the mechanical connection between the motor and the tool output shaft so that the rotation of the motor is not transmitted to the tool output shaft when the set value is exceeded. This clutch mode is used in, for example, screw tightening work.

  The vibration drill mode means that the rotation of the motor is transmitted as it is or decelerated to the tool output shaft, and the tool output shaft is intermittently hit in the axial direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor. This is an operation mode that can be performed. This vibration drill mode is used, for example, in drilling a relatively hard material such as concrete or tile.

  The impact mode refers to transmitting the rotation of the motor as it is or decelerating to the tool output shaft, and applying intermittent hitting in the rotation direction to the tool output shaft based on the rotational driving force of the motor. This is an operation mode for realizing possible operation as a so-called impact driver. This impact mode is used in, for example, screw tightening work or bolt tightening work.

  As described above, the multi-mode power tool configured to be able to realize operations in a plurality of operation modes can perform various operations with the single multi-mode power tool. It is very convenient and useful for the user of the power tool.

Japanese Patent No. 3656887 Japanese Patent No. 4391921

  However, the conventional multi-mode power tool realizes switching of a plurality of operation modes only by switching of a mechanical transmission mechanism, so that the larger the number of operation modes, the larger the tool and the higher the cost. I will.

  That is, in the conventional multi-mode electric tool, a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor to the tool output shaft is prepared for each of a plurality of operation modes, and when the user slides the mode switching lever, The transmission mechanism is also switched in conjunction with the slide operation.

  On the other hand, the motor that generates the rotational driving force for rotating the tool output shaft is controlled by the same control method regardless of the operation mode. Specifically, control is performed such that the rotation speed is the number of rotations (number of rotations per unit time; rotation speed) corresponding to the pull amount of the trigger switch operated by the user, and the maximum rotation speed is obtained when the pull amount is maximum. It is generally controlled by the method.

  As described above, the conventional multi-mode power tool operates in each operation mode by switching the mechanical transmission mechanism according to the operation mode, assuming that the electric control method of the motor is the same regardless of the operation mode. It was to be realized.

  For this reason, if an electric tool having more types of operation modes is to be realized, the configuration of the mechanical mechanism becomes complicated and enlarged as a whole, for example, it is necessary to increase the number of types of transmission mechanisms. For this reason, the conventional configuration in which the operation mode is switched only by switching the mechanical transmission mechanism has been one of the barriers for achieving high performance of the multi-mode power tool.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and by realizing a power tool having a plurality of operation modes with a simple structure while suppressing the complexity of the structure of the mechanical transmission mechanism, The purpose is to achieve both miniaturization / cost reduction and high performance.

  A first aspect of the present invention made to solve the above problems is an electric tool having a plurality of operation modes, a motor for driving a tool output shaft on which a tool element is mounted, and a motor by a user An operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input for rotationally driving, a mode switching means, a rotational driving force transmitting means, an electric signal output means, and a motor control means.

  The mode switching means has one operation unit that is displaced by the user, and the operation unit is operated by displacing the operation unit to any one of a plurality of setting positions individually set for each operation mode. This is for operating the tool in any operation mode corresponding to the set position.

  The rotational driving force transmission means is for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor to the tool output shaft, and has a plurality of types of transmission mechanisms with different transmission methods, and the operation is performed in conjunction with the displacement operation of the operation unit. By switching to any transmission mechanism corresponding to the set position of the part, the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the tool output shaft via the switched transmission mechanism. That is, any one of a plurality of types of transmission mechanisms is set for each set position of the operation unit, and the motor and the tool output shaft are set for each set position of the operation unit in conjunction with the displacement operation of the operation unit. The connecting transmission mechanism is configured to switch to the transmission mechanism corresponding to the set position. Therefore, when the operation unit is displaced to a certain setting position, the rotation driving force of the motor is switched to be transmitted to the tool output shaft by the transmission mechanism corresponding to the setting position in conjunction with the displacement operation.

The electrical signal output means outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the set position of the operation unit.
Then, the motor control means sets the motor control method to a control method set in advance for the electric signal among a plurality of different control methods based on the electric signal from the electric signal output means. The motor is controlled by the set control method based on the operation content of the operation input receiving means by the user.

  In the electric power tool configured as described above, when the operation unit is displaced by the user to the set position corresponding to one of the operation modes, the rotation driving force transmission unit is configured to transmit a plurality of types of transmission mechanisms. The transmission mechanism corresponding to the set position is switched. Further, when the electric signal output means outputs an electric signal corresponding to the set position, the motor control method by the motor control means is set to a control method preset for the electric signal. Thereby, the operation in the operation mode corresponding to the set position is realized by the combination of the switched transmission mechanism and the set control method.

  As described above, the transmission mechanism and the control method necessary for realizing the desired operation mode are provided, and by combining these, the operation mode switching is realized only by switching the mechanical transmission mechanism. Compared with a tool, various operation modes equivalent to or higher than those of the conventional one can be realized while omitting or simplifying a mechanical mechanism. For this reason, it is possible to achieve both reduction in size and cost of the electric tool and higher performance.

  Note that the transmission mechanism does not have to be different for each setting position (that is, for each operation mode) of the operation unit. For example, in a plurality of operation modes, the transmission mechanism may be switched to the same transmission mechanism. .

  In addition, “a plurality of types of transmission mechanisms” does not mean only a configuration in which a plurality of transmission mechanisms different for each operation mode exist individually, but is shared by, for example, a plurality of operation modes. It may include components. In other words, as long as multiple types of different transmission methods can be realized as a result, individual transmission mechanisms are configured individually or whether some components are configured to be shared by multiple transmission mechanisms, etc. Various specific configurations and forms of each transmission mechanism are conceivable.

  The same applies to the electrical signal, and it is not always necessary to output a different electrical signal for each set position of the operation unit (that is, for each operation mode). It may be configured to be output.

  That is, the same transmission mechanism may be used in different operation modes, or the same control method may be used in different operation modes, as long as a desired operation mode can be realized as a result of a combination of the transmission mechanism and the control method. In particular, the same transmission mechanism can be shared by more operation modes, or there can be multiple transmission mechanisms that are shared by multiple operation modes. If the operation as a different operation mode is realized by reducing the number of electrical control methods, further downsizing and cost reduction can be achieved while achieving high performance.

  Various types of control methods can be considered. For example, at least within the range of the preset maximum rotation speed, the operation amount of the operation input receiving means by the user is determined. It is preferable to have basic control for rotating the motor at a corresponding rotation speed and at least one application control which is a control method different from this basic control.

  Thus, by having at least basic control and application control, simple control such as motor rotation at a rotational speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation input receiving means is performed in basic control in an appropriate operation mode. In an operation mode that is more appropriate to control and control with a control method different from the basic control, it can be controlled with application control according to the operation mode, so the motor is controlled with an appropriate control method according to the operation mode. Can be controlled.

  Various examples of application control are also conceivable. For example, a torque detection means for directly or indirectly detecting the rotational torque of the tool output shaft is provided, and at least torque detection is performed as a basic control method based on basic control. It is preferable to have an electronic clutch control for stopping the rotation of the motor when the rotational torque detected by the means exceeds a predetermined torque set value.

  As described above, the electronic clutch control is used as a control method, so that a clutch mechanism that has been realized by a mechanical mechanism in the past (when the rotational torque of the tool output shaft reaches the set value, the motor is idled to drive the rotation. The function of preventing the force from being transmitted to the tool output shaft) can be realized by electrical control. This eliminates the need for a mechanical clutch mechanism, and the power tool can be made smaller and lighter accordingly.

  And when it has electronic clutch control as a control method, you may enable it to variably set a torque setting value by a user. In other words, the torque setting value setting changing means capable of changing the torque setting value to any one of a plurality of different values according to the user's operation is provided, and the motor control means is configured such that the control method is set to electronic clutch control. The electronic clutch control is performed based on the torque setting value set by the torque setting value setting changing means. That is, the rotation of the motor is stopped when the rotational torque becomes equal to or greater than the torque set value set by the torque set value setting changing means.

  By providing the torque set value setting changing means in this way, the user can arbitrarily set and change the torque set value, and the tool element can be operated within a desired rotational torque range. Moreover, the torque setting value setting change is realized not by switching of the mechanical mechanism but by electric control of the motor performed by the motor control means, so that the torque setting value setting change can be simplified. Can be realized.

  In addition, when the torque setting value is configured to be changeable by the user, the maximum rotation speed may be set for each torque setting value. That is, the maximum rotational speed is also set for each of a plurality of torque setting values that can be set and changed by the torque setting value setting changing means. When the control method is set to electronic clutch control, the motor control means sets the torque set value set by the torque set value setting change means and the maximum set corresponding to the torque set value. Electronic clutch control is performed based on the rotation speed. That is, the motor is rotated within the range of the set maximum rotation speed, and the motor is stopped when the torque set value is exceeded.

  Thus, by setting the maximum rotation speed for each torque set value, the maximum rotation speed can be set to an appropriate value according to the torque set value. From the user's point of view, when the torque setting value is set to a desired value, the maximum rotational speed is automatically set to an appropriate value corresponding to the torque setting value. Therefore, it is possible to realize electronic clutch control with higher added value.

  Various specific methods for setting the maximum rotation speed for each torque setting value are conceivable. For example, the maximum rotation speed may be different for each torque setting value, or the same maximum rotation speed may be set for any one of a plurality of torque setting values. May be set.

  In addition, a plurality of torque setting values can be set in stages. In that case, an electric tool having an easy-to-use electronic clutch control function can be obtained by appropriately determining a setting torque width that is an interval between the torque setting values. Can be provided.

  Further, the electronic clutch control in which a plurality of torque setting values are set in stages as described above may be set only for one type, but may be set for a plurality of types of electronic clutch control. Specifically, the plurality of torque setting values are set so as to increase stepwise from the minimum value to the maximum value by a predetermined setting torque width. The application control has at least two types of electronic clutch control, and each electronic clutch control has at least a different set torque range.

  In this way, a plurality of operation modes in which electronic clutch control is used can be set for each type of electronic clutch control, and a high-performance electric tool having a more convenient electronic clutch control function is provided. Can be provided.

  Moreover, you may comprise the electric tool of this invention which has an electronic clutch control as follows. That is, the transmission mechanism includes at least a basic transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor as it is or decelerates to the tool output shaft. As the operation mode, at least the tool output shaft is rotated and the rotation torque of the tool output shaft is torque. A clutch mode is provided to stop the rotation of the motor when the set value is exceeded. When the operation unit is displaced by the user to the set position corresponding to the clutch mode, the rotational driving force transmission means is switched to the basic transmission mechanism among a plurality of types of transmission mechanisms, and the electric signal output means is set to the above setting. The electric signal corresponding to the position is output, and the motor control means sets the control method to electronic clutch control based on the electric signal, whereby the operation of the tool output shaft as the clutch mode is realized.

  In the electric tool configured as described above, a clutch mode as one of operation modes in the electric tool is realized by combining a basic transmission mechanism as a transmission mechanism and an electronic clutch control as a control method. Therefore, although the transmission mechanism is a very simple basic transmission mechanism, the electronic clutch control is performed by the motor control means, so that the same function as the clutch mode using the conventional mechanical clutch mechanism can be realized. .

  On the other hand, regarding basic control which is one of the motor control methods, one type of basic control may be set, or a plurality of types of basic control having different maximum rotation speeds may be set. And in any case, it is used for at least one kind of basic control, and comprises a maximum rotation speed setting change means capable of setting and changing the maximum rotation speed to any one of a plurality of different values by a user operation, When the control method is set to basic control using the maximum rotation speed setting change means, the motor control means performs the basic control based on the maximum rotation speed set by the maximum rotation speed setting change means. It is preferable that the rotation is performed (that is, the motor is rotated at a rotation speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation input receiving means within the range of the maximum rotation speed).

  According to the electric tool configured in this way, variable setting of the maximum rotation speed, which has been conventionally realized by a mechanical mechanism, can be realized by electrical control. In other words, an appropriate maximum rotation speed setting according to the purpose of use of the electric tool can be realized not mechanically but electrically (that is, by control by the motor control means), and a basic control function that is easy to use is provided. The provided electric tool can be realized with a simple configuration.

  In addition, a plurality of maximum rotation speeds can be set in stages, in which case an electric tool having a more convenient basic control function can be obtained by appropriately determining the speed range that is the interval between the respective maximum rotation speeds. Can be provided.

  Furthermore, the basic control in which a plurality of maximum rotation speeds are set in stages as described above may be set only for one type, but may be set for a plurality of types of basic control. Specifically, the plurality of maximum rotation speeds are set so as to increase stepwise from the minimum value to the maximum value by a predetermined speed range. At least two types of basic control using the maximum rotational speed setting changing means are set, and at least the speed ranges of the basic controls are different.

  By doing in this way, the user can select a desired basic control from a plurality of types of basic controls according to the purpose of use, and further provide an electric tool provided with a user-friendly basic control function. it can.

  Moreover, you may comprise the electric tool of this invention which has basic control as follows. That is, as a transmission mechanism, at least the rotation of the motor can be transmitted to the tool output shaft as it is or decelerated, and the tool output shaft can be intermittently hit in the rotation direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor. 1 has an impact mode in which at least the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the tool output shaft via the first rotary impact mechanism. When the operation unit is displaced by the user to the set position corresponding to the impact mode, the rotation driving force transmission means is switched to the first rotation impact mechanism among the plurality of types of transmission mechanisms, and the electric signal output means Outputs an electric signal corresponding to the set position, and the motor control means sets the control method to basic control based on the electric signal, whereby the operation of the tool output shaft as the impact mode is realized.

  In the electric tool configured as described above, an impact mode as one of operation modes of the electric tool is realized by combining the first rotary impact mechanism as the transmission mechanism and the basic control as the control method.

  In particular, when the maximum rotation speed can be set and changed by the user's operation, the setting change of the maximum rotation speed is realized by electrical control rather than by a mechanical mechanism. An impact mode having a setting change function can be realized more simply.

  Further, it is possible to appropriately determine what kind of mechanism is provided as the transmission mechanism. For example, a basic transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor as it is or at a reduced speed to the tool output shaft, The first rotation striking mechanism capable of transmitting rotation to the tool output shaft as it is or decelerating and applying intermittent striking to the tool output shaft in the rotation direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor, and rotation of the motor Or at least one of a second rotary impact mechanism capable of imparting intermittent impact in the axial direction to the tool output shaft based on the rotational driving force of the motor. It is better to have one of them.

  As described above, by providing at least one of the basic transmission mechanism, the first rotary hitting mechanism, and the second rotary hitting mechanism, it is possible to provide electric tools having various configurations according to the use of the user. it can.

  Various kinds of electrical signal output means for outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the set position of the operation unit can be specifically considered, for example, a value corresponding to the set position of the operation unit. The analog signal may be output, or a digital signal corresponding to the set position of the operation unit may be output.

  In particular, when the electric signal output unit is configured to output a digital signal, specifically, the electric signal output unit includes at least a switch unit that outputs a binary signal indicating an ON or OFF state. It is good to have one. When the operation unit is displaced to any setting position by the user, the ON or OFF state of the at least one switch means is switched to a state corresponding to the setting position. Good.

  According to the electric tool configured in this way, a digital signal corresponding to the ON or OFF state of the switch means (provided with at least one) constituting the electric signal output means is output as an electric signal to control the motor. The means can determine which control method should control the motor based on the electric signal (digital signal).

  The number of switch means can be determined as appropriate. For example, the same number as the number of control methods or the number of operation modes is provided, and which switch means is turned on (or turned off). It may be possible to determine whether the control method should be used.

  However, since a binary signal can be output by one switch means, if the number of switch means is to be suppressed as much as possible, for example, if there are two operation modes, one switch means is sufficient, for example, four operation modes. If so, two switch means are sufficient. For this reason, the number of switch means is set to be smaller than the number of operation modes of the electric tool, and different digital signals are output for each set position of the operation unit depending on the combination of the ON or OFF state of each switch means. If comprised in this way, a desired digital signal can be output by the minimum necessary number of switch means, and further miniaturization of an electric tool is attained.

  However, in the case where the same control method is configured to be shared by a plurality of operation modes, since the control method is the same for the plurality of operation modes, the digital signals to be output may be the same. Therefore, in such a case, the number of switch means can be further reduced.

  Various specific configurations of the switch means for outputting a binary signal indicating either the ON or OFF state are conceivable. For example, in either one of the ON or OFF states, the contact is in contact with the other one. In the state, it can be constituted by a contact switch in which the contact is separated. And when comprised by a contact switch in this way, based on the rotational driving force of a motor, as a transmission mechanism, it can give an intermittent hit | damage to the rotation direction or an axial direction to a tool output shaft. In a case where at least one striking mechanism is provided, it is preferable that at least one of the switch means be in a state in which the contacts are separated when the transmission mechanism is switched to the striking mechanism.

  When the operation mode is set such that a hit is applied to the tool output shaft, vibration is transmitted to the electric tool when the hit is applied. Therefore, in such an operation mode, if the contacts of the contact switch as the switch means are in contact with each other, there is a possibility that the wear of the contacts may proceed due to vibration at the time of applying the impact.

  Therefore, when operating in an operation mode in which an impact is applied, i.e., when the transmission mechanism is switched to at least one impact mechanism, at least one of the switch means should be in a state where the contacts are separated. Thus, contact wear can be prevented, and the reliability of the power tool can be improved.

  As a transmission mechanism, the rotation of the motor is transmitted as it is or decelerated to the tool output shaft, and the tool output shaft can be intermittently hit in the rotational direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor. If the transmission mechanism is switched to the first rotation impact mechanism when the rotation impact mechanism is provided, the contacts of all the switch means may be configured to be in a separated state.

  According to the electric tool configured as described above, a state in which the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the tool output shaft by the first rotary impact mechanism in which the impact is applied in the rotation direction of the tool output shaft. Then, since the contacts of all the switch means are in a separated state, it is possible to reliably prevent the progress of wear of the contact of the switch means due to the impact.

  The second aspect of the present invention made to solve the above problems is an electric tool having four types of operation modes, and the tool output shaft on which the tool element is mounted is rotated as the four types of operation modes. The drill mode to rotate, the tool output shaft to rotate, the clutch output mode to stop the rotation of the tool output shaft when the rotational torque of the tool output shaft exceeds a predetermined torque setting value, and the tool output shaft to rotate An impact mode capable of imparting an intermittent impact in the rotation direction to the tool output shaft, and a vibration drill mode capable of rotating the tool output shaft and imparting an intermittent impact in the axial direction to the tool output shaft have.

  Further, a motor as a drive source for rotating and striking the tool output shaft, a mode switching means that is operated by the user and sets the operation mode to any one of the above four operation modes, and a tool output shaft Torque detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the rotational torque of the motor and motor control means for controlling the motor.

  In the clutch mode, the function of stopping the rotation of the tool output shaft when the rotational torque of the tool output shaft exceeds the torque setting value is that the motor control means detects that the rotational torque detected by the torque detection means is torque. This is realized by stopping the rotation of the motor when the set value is exceeded.

  According to the electric tool configured in this manner, at least in the clutch mode, the rotation stop of the tool output shaft according to the rotational torque is not realized by a mechanical mechanism as in the past, but more than the torque set value. This is achieved by electrical control of the motor, such as stopping the rotation of the motor. Therefore, the mechanical mechanism can be omitted or simplified, and it is possible to achieve both reduction in size and cost of the power tool and high performance.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electric tool of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows that a transmission mechanism switches in response to the mode switching lever in an electric tool. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the ON / OFF state of a mode switching 1st switch and a mode switching 2nd switch switches in response to a mode switching lever in an electric tool. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the drive device mounted in an electric tool and which carries out drive control of the motor. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation state of the electric tool in each of four operation modes. It is explanatory drawing which shows the torque setting value which can be changed in steps by a user in a clutch mode, and the maximum rotation speed setting which can be changed in steps by a user in impact mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an operation / display panel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the torque setting value displayed on display LED in a clutch mode, and the maximum rotation speed setting displayed on display LED in an impact mode. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of main control processing executed by a controller 31. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a mode / setting determination process in S120 in the main control process of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of display processing in S130 in the main control processing of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example for outputting an analog signal as an electrical signal according to the setting position of a mode switching lever. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the alphabet as a modification of the display method by display LED. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example which consists of 16 segment LED as a modification of display LED, and the display example of the maximum rotation speed setting by the display LED. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the setting changeover switch which comprises an operation / display panel.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the power tool 10 of the present embodiment is configured as a rechargeable four-mode impact driver that can operate in four types of operation modes.

  More specifically, the electric power tool 10 includes a main body housing 14 and a battery pack 15. The main body housing 14 is formed by assembling the half housings 11 and 12, and a handle portion 13 extends below the main body housing 14. The battery pack 15 is detachably attached to the lower end of the handle portion 13.

  A motor housing portion 16 that houses a motor 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) serving as a power source for the electric tool 10 is provided at the rear of the main body housing 14. The drive force transmission part 45 (refer FIG. 2) which consists of a multiple types of transmission mechanism is accommodated.

  A sleeve 17 is provided at the front end of the main body housing 14 so that a tool bit (for example, a driver bit), which is an example of a tool element, can be attached to and detached from the front end of the transmission mechanism.

  In addition, on the upper end side of the handle portion 13 in the main body housing 14, the user operates (operates) the electric tool 10 while holding the handle portion 13 in order to operate the electric tool 10 by rotating the motor 30. A possible trigger switch 18 is provided.

  Further, a mode switching lever 19 that is slid (displaced) by a user in order to set the power tool 10 in any operation mode is provided on the upper surface side of the main body housing 14.

  The mode switching lever 19 is slidable in the left-right direction within a slide frame 20 formed on the upper surface of the main body housing 14. Further, in the left-right direction, four positions are defined in advance so as to correspond to each of the four operation modes of the power tool 10 of the present embodiment, and the user can set (slide operation) to any position. By doing so, the operation mode corresponding to the position can be set.

  In this embodiment, there are four operation modes: impact mode (rotation + rotation direction impact), drill mode (rotation only), clutch mode (rotation + electronic clutch), and vibration drill mode (rotation + axial impact). have.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front side of the slide frame 20 on the upper surface of the main body housing 14, letters and circles indicating the operation modes are formed at positions corresponding to the four operation modes, respectively. ing. Specifically, in order from the left, “impact” characters and circles indicating the setting position corresponding to the impact mode, “drill” characters and circles indicating the setting position corresponding to the drill mode, and clutch mode are supported. Letters and circles of “clutch” indicating the set position, and letters and circles of “vibration” indicating the set position corresponding to the vibration drill mode are formed.

  Then, the user slides the mode switching lever 19, and the tip of the triangular arrow formed on the upper surface of the mode switching lever 19 is aligned (set) with the circles at the four setting positions. The electric tool 10 can be operated in an operation mode corresponding to the set position.

  An operation / display panel 21 is provided on the lower end side of the handle portion 13 for changing and displaying the control set value in a predetermined operation mode. The operation / display panel 21 includes two setting changeover switches 23 and 24 (a setting changeover down switch 23 and a setting changeover switch 24) that are operated by the user to change the setting of the control setting values. And a display LED 22 for displaying a control setting value changed by the switches 23 and 24 (that is, a current control setting value).

  In addition, in the electric tool 10 of this embodiment, it is comprised so that a user can change a predetermined setting value in a clutch mode and an impact mode among four operation modes, respectively. Specifically, in the clutch mode, the torque setting value can be set in 9 stages, and in the impact mode, the maximum rotation speed (maximum rotation speed) of the motor 30 can be set in 3 stages. The details will be described later. In the present embodiment, the “rotation speed” means the rotation speed per unit time, that is, the rotation speed.

Next, an outline of a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 30 to the sleeve 17 (and hence to the tool bit) will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a driving force transmission unit 45 including three types of transmission mechanisms having different transmission methods is provided inside the electric tool 10. When the user slides the mode switching lever 19 and sets it to any one of the four setting positions, a machine for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 30 to the sleeve 17 in conjunction with the sliding operation. The typical transmission mechanism is also switched to the transmission mechanism corresponding to the set setting position among the three types of transmission mechanisms.

  In the present embodiment, as a mechanical transmission mechanism, a drill mechanism 55 that decelerates and transmits the rotation of the motor 30 to the sleeve 17, and transmits the rotation of the motor 30 while decelerating and transmitting the rotation of the motor 30 to the sleeve 17. Based on the force, the impact driver mechanism 56 that applies intermittent striking in the rotational direction to the sleeve 17 and the rotation of the motor 30 are decelerated and transmitted to the sleeve 17, and the sleeve is based on the rotational driving force of the motor 30. 17 is provided with a vibration drill mechanism 57 that applies intermittent striking in the axial direction to 17 (direction perpendicular to the rotation surface). If the tool bit is to be rotated at the same rotational speed as that of the motor 30, the rotation of the motor 30 may be transmitted to the tool bit as it is without decelerating.

  In such a configuration, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 to set to the “impact” setting position in order to set the impact mode, the driving force transmission unit 45 applies the rotational driving force of the motor 30 to the sleeve. The transmission mechanism for transmitting to 17 is also switched in conjunction with the slide operation, and switched to the impact driver mechanism 56 as shown in FIG.

  The impact driver mechanism 56 includes, for example, a spindle, a hammer, and an anvil. The spindle is rotated via a speed reduction mechanism, the hammer rotates with the spindle and is movable in the axial direction, the anvil is disposed in front of the hammer, and a tool bit is attached to the tip of the anvil. .

  More specifically, the impact driver mechanism 56 is configured as follows. That is, in the impact driver mechanism 56, when the spindle rotates with the rotation of the motor 30, the anvil rotates through the hammer, and the sleeve 17 rotates (and thus the tool bit rotates). Thereafter, when the screw tightening by the tool bit is advanced and the load on the anvil is increased, the hammer is retracted against the biasing force of the coil spring and detached from the anvil. Then, the hammer advances with the urging force of the coil spring while rotating together with the spindle and re-engages with the anvil, whereby an intermittent hit is applied to the anvil, whereby retightening can be performed. Note that such an impact driver mechanism 56 is disclosed in, for example, the above-described Patent Document 2 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-218605, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 and sets it to the “drill” or “clutch” setting position to set the drill mode or the clutch mode, the driving force transmission unit 45 drives the motor 30 to rotate. The transmission mechanism for transmitting the force to the sleeve 17 is also switched in conjunction with the sliding operation, and in either case of the drill or the clutch, it is switched to the drill mechanism 55 as shown in FIG. The drill mechanism 55 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor 30 to the sleeve 17 as it is or decelerating, and since its specific configuration is well known, its detailed description is omitted here.

  Further, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 and sets it to the “vibration” setting position to set the vibration drill mode, the driving force transmission unit 45 transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 30 to the sleeve 17. The transmission mechanism to be switched is also interlocked with the slide operation, and is switched to the vibration drill mechanism 57 as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the vibration drill mechanism 57 is configured as follows. That is, the spindle that rotates by the rotational driving force of the motor 30 is provided so as to be finely movable in the axial direction, and is urged toward the tip end side in the axial direction by an urging means such as a coil spring that is externally mounted on the spindle. Also, a first clutch that rotates integrally with the spindle is fixed to the spindle, and a second clutch is provided in the main body housing 14 so as to face the first clutch and to be freely inserted into the spindle. The clutch is fixed. The engagement of both clutches gives the spindle a striking (vibrating) motion in the axial direction. In addition, since the specific structure of such a vibration drill mechanism 57 is disclosed in, for example, the above-described Patent Document 2 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-263930, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The explanatory diagram of the transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for easily explaining conceptually and conceptually that the transmission mechanism is switched by the slide operation of the mode switching lever 19. The mechanisms 55, 56, and 57 do not exist individually.

  Actually, as described in Patent Document 2, each of the mechanisms 55, 56, and 57 is substantially configured from the rear end to the front end of the electric power tool 10 (that is, from the motor 30 to the sleeve 17). The mechanism 56 and the vibration drill mechanism 57 are arranged in this order. Each mechanism 55, 56, 57 includes a component shared by any two or all of them. Then, various mechanical connections are switched by the slide operation of the mode switching lever 19, and as a result, the rotational driving force of the motor 30 is transmitted to the sleeve 17 through the transmission path corresponding to the set position of the mode switching lever 19. The

  However, it goes without saying that the mechanisms 55, 56, and 57 may be provided individually and switched to any mechanism by the sliding operation of the mode switching lever 19.

  On the other hand, the mode switching lever 19 is more specifically formed on the slide member 50 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the mode switching lever 19 is slid, the slide member 50 also moves in the left-right direction integrally with the mode switching lever 19.

  Further, at the lower part of the slide member 50 (inside the electric power tool 10), two protrusions 51, 52 (first protrusion 51, first protrusion) are separated by a predetermined distance in the slide direction (left-right direction) of the mode switching lever 19. Two protrusions 52) are provided. Therefore, when the mode switching lever 19 is slid, the protrusions 51 and 52 also move in the left-right direction integrally with the mode switching lever 19 and the slide member 50.

  Under the protrusions 51 and 52, two mode changeover switches 37 and 38 (first mode changeover switch 37 and second mode changeover switch 38) are provided in the sliding direction (left and right direction) of the mode changeover lever 19. At a predetermined distance. The separation distance between the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 is the same as the separation distance between the protrusions 51 and 52.

  Each of the mode change-over switches 37 and 38 is a well-known contact point switch configured such that the contact point contacts or separates depending on the vertical position of the corresponding movable part (first movable part 47, second movable part 48). (Microswitch). The movable portions 47 and 48 of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 are provided so as to protrude on the upper surface side (that is, the protrusions 51 and 52 side) in the corresponding mode changeover switches.

  In a normal state, it is projected upward by a biasing force of a biasing member (not shown). At this time, the internal contacts are separated and are electrically turned off. On the other hand, when each of the movable parts 47 and 48 is pushed downward by receiving a downward load from the upper side, the internal contacts come into contact with each other to be electrically turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 are set in accordance with their positions, that is, set by the protrusions 51 and 52 that move integrally with the slide operation of the mode changeover lever 19 by the user. It is turned on or off depending on the operation mode being performed. Each mode switch 37, 38 outputs a binary signal corresponding to its own state (ON or OFF). That is, when the signal is ON, a binary signal (for example, a voltage of several V (high level); an H level signal) is output. When the signal is OFF, a binary signal (OFF) For example, 0V (low level) voltage; L level signal) is output.

  Specifically, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 and sets it to the “impact” setting position to set the impact mode, each protrusion 51 formed on the lower side of the mode switching lever 19. , 52 move in conjunction with the slide operation, and as shown in FIG. 3A, both are separated from the movable portions 47, 48 of the mode changeover switches 37, 38.

  Therefore, in the impact mode, each of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 is in an OFF state in which the contacts are separated. And from each mode changeover switch 37,38, the binary signal (L level signal) which shows that it is OFF is output. As a result, the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 output a 2-bit digital signal indicating the state of both as a whole. That is, for example, if the binary signal from the mode switching first switch 37 is the upper bit and the binary signal from the mode switching second switch 38 is the lower bit, a digital signal of “00” is output in the impact mode. It will be. And the digital signal is input into the controller 31 (refer FIG. 4) inside the electric tool 10 so that it may mention later.

  Further, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 to set to the “drill” setting position to set the drill mode, the protrusions 51 and 52 formed on the lower side of the mode switching lever 19 are also displayed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the second projection 52 comes into contact with the first movable portion 47 of the mode switching first switch 37 and is pressed as shown in FIG. 3B. .

  Therefore, in the drill mode, the mode switching first switch 37 is in an ON state in which the contact is in contact, and the mode switching second switch 38 is in an OFF state in which the contact is separated. A binary signal (H level signal) indicating ON is output from the mode switching first switch 37, and a binary signal (L level signal) indicating OFF is output from the mode switching second switch 38. Is output. As a result, a digital signal of “10” is output from the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 as a whole and input to the controller 31 (see FIG. 4).

  Further, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 to set the clutch mode and sets it to the “clutch” setting position, the protrusions 51 and 52 formed on the lower side of the mode switching lever 19 are also displayed. As shown in FIG. 3 (c), both move in conjunction with the slide operation and come into contact with the movable portions 47 and 48 of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 to press them.

  Therefore, in the clutch mode, each of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 is in an ON state in which the contacts are in contact. And from each mode changeover switch 37 and 38, the binary signal (H level signal) which shows that it is ON is output. As a result, a digital signal “11” as a whole is output from each of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 and input to the controller 31 (see FIG. 4).

  Further, when the user slides the mode switching lever 19 and sets it to the “vibration” setting position to set the vibration drill mode, the protrusions 51 and 52 formed on the lower side of the mode switching lever 19 are set. Is moved in conjunction with the slide operation, and as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the first protrusion 51 is in contact with the second movable portion 48 of the mode switching second switch 38, and is pressed. Become.

  Therefore, in the vibration drill mode, the mode switching second switch 38 is in an ON state in which the contact is in contact, and the mode switching first switch 37 is in an OFF state in which the contact is separated. Then, a binary signal (L level signal) indicating OFF is output from the mode switching first switch 37, and a binary signal (H level signal) indicating ON is output from the mode switching second switch 38. Is output. As a result, a digital signal of “01” is output from the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 as a whole and input to the controller 31 (see FIG. 4).

  As described above, the electric power tool 10 of the present embodiment is configured to generate a digital signal indicating each operation mode and input it to the controller 31 for each of the four operation modes. In addition, in order to generate a digital signal, the number of mode changeover switches 37 and 38 smaller than the number of operation modes (two in this embodiment, which is half the number of operation modes) is used. A digital signal corresponding to the operation mode is generated by combining the binary signals.

  Next, a drive device provided inside the electric power tool 10 for controlling the rotational drive of the motor 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive device is for rotating the motor 30 by supplying DC power from the battery 26 built in the battery pack 15 to the motor 30. The battery 26 has a configuration in which a plurality of secondary battery cells (not shown) that generate a predetermined DC voltage are connected in series.

  More specifically, the drive device includes a motor drive circuit 33, a gate circuit 32, a controller 31, and a regulator 36. Further, the above-described mode change-over switches 37 and 38, the operation / display panel 21, and the trigger switch 18 also constitute a drive device.

  The motor 30 of this embodiment is configured as a three-phase brushless DC motor, and terminals U, V, and W of the motor 30 are connected to the battery pack 15 (more specifically, the battery 26) via the motor drive circuit 33. It is connected to the. Each of the terminals U, V, and W is connected to any one of three coils (not shown) provided on the motor 30 in order to rotate a rotor (not shown) of the motor 30.

  The motor drive circuit 33 includes three switching elements Q1 to Q3 as so-called high-side switches that connect each of the terminals U, V, and W of the motor 30 and the positive side of the battery 26, and the terminals U, It is configured as a bridge circuit including three switching elements Q4 to Q6 as so-called low-side switches that connect each of V and W to the negative electrode side of the battery 26. The switching elements Q1 to Q6 in the present embodiment are well-known MOSFETs.

  While the gate circuit 32 is connected to the controller 31, it is connected to each gate and source of the switching elements Q1 to Q6. The gate circuit 32 turns on / off each of the switching elements Q1 to Q6 based on a control signal input from the controller 31 to the gate circuit 32 to control on / off of each of the switching elements Q1 to Q6. Is applied between the gates and sources of the switching elements Q1 to Q6 to turn on / off the switching elements Q1 to Q6.

  The regulator 36 steps down the direct current voltage (for example, 14.4 VDC) generated by the battery 26 to generate a control voltage Vcc (for example, 5 VDC) that is a predetermined direct current voltage, and includes the controller 31 for the generated control voltage Vcc. , Applied to a predetermined circuit in the driving device.

  In this embodiment, the controller 31 is configured as a so-called one-chip microcomputer as an example, and includes a memory 41, a CPU, an input / output (I / O) port, an A / D converter, a timer, and the like. ing. The memory 41 includes a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory element (for example, a flash ROM, an EEPROM, etc.), and the CPU executes various processes according to various programs stored in the memory 41.

  The controller 31 includes the mode changeover switches 37 and 38, the setting changeover switches 23 and 24 and the display LED 22 constituting the operation / display panel 21, the trigger switch 18, and a rotational position sensor provided in the motor 30. 34 and a shunt resistor 35 inserted in series in the energization path of the motor 30 are connected.

  As described above, the binary signals (H level or L level) corresponding to the set position of the mode switching lever 19 are sent from the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 to the controller 31 as 2-bit digital signals as a whole. Entered. The controller 31 determines which operation mode the electric tool 10 is set based on the input digital signal, and controls the motor 30 by a control method based on the determination result.

  In this embodiment, as the method of controlling the motor 30 by the controller 31, three types of single speed control, impact control, and electronic clutch control are set as shown in FIG. Single-speed control is used when the mode or vibration drill mode is set, impact control is used when the operation mode is set to impact mode, and electronic clutch control is used when the operation mode is set to clutch mode. Is used.

The operation state of each part in the electric power tool 10 in each operation mode will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.
When the operation mode is set to the drill mode by the slide operation of the mode switching lever 19, the transmission mechanism in the driving force transmission unit 45 is switched to the drill mechanism 55 in conjunction with the slide operation, and the mode switching first switch 37. Is turned on and the mode switching second switch 38 is turned off, and a digital signal of “10” is input to the controller 31 from each of these switches 37 and 38. As a result, the controller 31 determines that the currently set operation mode is the drill mode, and controls the motor 30 by single speed control.

The single speed control is a control method in which the motor 30 is rotated at a rotation speed corresponding to the pulling amount (operation amount) of the trigger switch 18 by the user with the preset maximum rotation number as an upper limit.
More specifically, the trigger switch 18 of the present embodiment includes a drive start switch for detecting whether or not the trigger switch 18 is pulled, and a well-known variable for detecting the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18. And a resistor (for example, a known potentiometer). When the trigger switch 18 is pulled, a signal corresponding to the pull amount is input from the trigger switch 18 to the controller 31.

  Therefore, in the single speed control, the controller 31 controls the motor 30 so that the motor 30 rotates at a rotation speed corresponding to the pull amount based on a signal input from the trigger switch 18, that is, a signal corresponding to the pull amount. Control. The controller 31 controls the rotational speed using a signal from the rotational position sensor 34. The rotational position sensor 34 of the present embodiment includes a hall element, and each time the rotational position of the rotor of the motor 30 reaches a predetermined rotational position (that is, every time the motor 30 rotates by a predetermined amount), a pulse signal is sent to the controller 31. Is configured to output.

  Therefore, the controller 31 calculates the actual rotational position and rotational speed of the motor 30 based on the pulse signal from the rotational position sensor 34, and the calculated rotational speed matches the set rotational speed determined according to the pulling amount of the trigger switch. As described above, the motor 30 is controlled via the gate circuit 32 and the motor drive circuit 33.

  More specifically, the controller 31 uses the gate circuit 32 and the motor drive circuit 33 to increase the rotation speed as the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18 increases with the set maximum rotation speed as an upper limit. The duty ratio of the voltage (drive voltage) applied to each of the 30 terminals U, V, W is set. In the present embodiment, as an example, the set rotational speed is increased in proportion to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18, and the maximum rotational speed is controlled when the pulling amount is maximum.

  Therefore, when the operation mode is set to the drill mode, the motor 30 is controlled at a single speed, and the rotation of the motor 30 by the single speed control is transmitted to the sleeve 17 via the drill mechanism 55, thereby the tool bit. Will operate as drill mode.

  When the operation mode is set to the clutch mode by the sliding operation of the mode switching lever 19, the transmission mechanism in the driving force transmission unit 45 is switched to the drill mechanism 55 in conjunction with the sliding operation, and the mode switching first The switch 37 and the mode switching second switch 38 are both turned ON, and a digital signal “11” is input to the controller 31 from each of the switches 37 and 38. Thus, the controller 31 determines that the currently set operation mode is the clutch mode, and controls the motor 30 by electronic clutch control.

  The electronic clutch control basically controls the motor 30 to rotate at the number of rotations corresponding to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18 as in the single speed control. In this control, the rotational torque (the rotational torque of the sleeve 17) is monitored, and the rotation of the motor 30 is stopped when the rotational torque exceeds a predetermined torque set value.

  In this embodiment, the rotational torque of the tool bit is not detected directly, but the rotational torque of the tool bit is detected indirectly by detecting the output torque of the motor 30. Specifically, a voltage once opposite to the ground potential side in the shunt resistor 35 provided in the energization path of the motor 30 is input to the controller 31, and the controller is input from the shunt resistor 35. Based on the voltage, the output torque of the motor 30 is detected.

  As is well known, since the output torque of the motor is proportional to the current flowing through the motor, if the value of the current flowing through the motor can be detected, the output torque of the motor can be detected, and further the rotational torque of the tool bit can be detected. . And the electric current which flows into a motor is computable from the voltage of the both ends of the shunt resistance inserted in the electricity supply path | route. Therefore, in this embodiment, a shunt resistor 35 is inserted in the energization path of the motor 30 and the voltage across the shunt resistor 35 is detected.

  The controller 31 monitors the rotational torque of the tool bit based on the detection value from the shunt resistor 35, and stops the rotation of the motor 30 when the rotational torque exceeds a predetermined torque set value.

  In other words, the clutch mode in the conventional power tool has realized the function as the clutch mode by the mechanical transmission mechanism, whereas the clutch mode in the power tool 10 of the present embodiment is about the mechanical transmission mechanism. The same drill mechanism 55 as in the drill mode is used, and the rotation of the motor 30 is simply transmitted to the tool bit as it is or decelerated.

  The characteristic operation as the clutch mode, that is, the operation of preventing the rotation of the motor 30 from being transmitted to the tool bit when the torque set value is reached (that is, stopping the rotation of the tool bit) is performed by an electric control method. Realized. That is, in the single speed control in the drill mode, the motor 30 continues to operate as long as the trigger switch 18 is pulled. In the electronic clutch control in the clutch mode, the rotational torque reaches the torque set value. The electronic clutch function is activated so as not to rotate the tool bit with a larger rotational torque. That is, even if the trigger switch 18 is pulled, the rotation of the motor 30 is stopped. Thereby, although the mechanical transmission mechanism is the drill mechanism 55, the operation equivalent to the clutch mode by the conventional mechanical mechanism is realized as the entire tool.

  Furthermore, the electronic clutch control of the present embodiment is configured such that the user can change the torque set value. That is, in the electronic clutch control of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the torque setting value ranges from torque setting value 1 (1 [N · m]) to torque setting value 9 (9 [N · m]. ]), 9 steps are set in increments of 1 [N · m], and the user can set any torque setting value. Note that the specific numerical values (1 [N · m] to 9 [N · m]) of the torque setting values are merely examples.

  In the electronic clutch control of the present embodiment, the maximum rotation speed is set individually for each of the nine torque setting values. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the maximum rotational speed is set to a predetermined rotational speed n1 with respect to the torque setting value 1, and the torque setting value is gradually increased from 2, 3, 4. The corresponding maximum rotational speed increases with the same width as n2, n3, n4..., And the maximum rotational speed becomes 9 with the maximum torque setting value 9.

  Therefore, in the electronic clutch control, when the user sets the torque setting value to any of the torque setting values 1 to 9, the controller 31 sets the maximum rotational speed set corresponding to the set torque setting value. As an upper limit, the same control as the single speed control described above is performed. If the detected rotational torque becomes equal to or greater than the torque set value while performing the same control as the single speed control as described above, even if the trigger switch 18 is pulled, the number of revolutions at that time is also considered. Regardless, the rotation of the motor 30 is forcibly stopped.

  In the electronic clutch control, the torque setting value can be set by the user through the operation / display panel 21. The configuration, operation method, display contents, etc. of the operation / display panel 21 will be described later. To do.

  Further, when the operation mode is set to the impact mode by the sliding operation of the mode switching lever 19, the transmission mechanism in the driving force transmission unit 45 is switched to the impact driver mechanism 56 in conjunction with the sliding operation, and the mode switching operation is performed. Both the 1 switch 37 and the mode switching second switch 38 are turned OFF, and a digital signal of “00” is input to the controller 31 from each of the switches 37 and 38. As a result, the controller 31 determines that the currently set operation mode is the impact mode, and controls the motor 30 by impact control.

  The impact control is basically a control method similar to the single speed control, and controls the motor 30 to rotate at a set rotational speed corresponding to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18. In contrast to the single speed control described above, the maximum speed is set to a fixed value in the single speed control, whereas in the impact control, the setting value of the maximum speed can be changed by the user. There is a point.

  That is, in the impact control of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the maximum rotation speed is a low speed that is a predetermined rotation speed N1, and a rotation speed N2 that is a predetermined amount greater than the low speed rotation speed N1. It is possible to switch and set to any one of the three stages of the medium speed and the high speed which is the rotation speed N3 which is the predetermined amount higher than the medium speed rotation speed N2. This is the same as the single-speed control described above except that the maximum rotational speed can be set and changed according to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18 with the set maximum rotational speed as the upper limit (this The rotation speed is controlled to increase (in proportion to the example).

  In the impact control, the maximum rotation speed by the user can be set by the operation / display panel 21 in the same manner as the torque setting value in the electronic clutch control. The method, display contents, etc. will be described later.

  When the operation mode is set to the vibration drill mode by the slide operation of the mode switching lever 19, the transmission mechanism in the driving force transmission unit 45 is switched to the vibration drill mechanism 57 in conjunction with the slide operation, and the mode switching is performed. The first switch 37 is turned off and the mode switching second switch 38 is turned on. A digital signal “01” is input to the controller 31 from each of the switches 37 and 38. As a result, the controller 31 determines that the currently set operation mode is the vibration drill mode, and controls the motor 30 by single speed control.

  Here, in the impact mode (impact control) and the clutch mode (electronic clutch control), the operation / display panel operated by the user to change the setting of the control setting values (torque setting value and maximum rotation speed) described above. 21 will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and as shown in FIG. 1, the operation / display panel 21 has two setting change-over switches 23 and 24 (a setting change-down switch 23 and a setting change-up switch 24) operated by the user. And a display LED 22 that displays the current value of the control setting value that can be set in the set operation mode when the currently set operation mode is the impact mode or the clutch mode.

  Each setting changeover switch 23, 24 is connected to the controller 31, and the operation content of each setting changeover switch 23, 24 is transmitted to the controller 31. Thus, when the operation mode is set to the impact mode or the clutch mode, the controller 31 displays the control setting value currently set in the operation mode on the display LED 22.

  The latest value of the control setting value that can be changed in the impact mode and the clutch mode is stored in the memory 41. The stored contents are retained even when the battery pack 15 is removed from the electric tool 10 and power is not supplied to the controller 31.

  Specifically, each of the setting changeover switches 23 and 24 has a shape as shown in FIG. 7 (and FIG. 1), and the control setting value whose setting can be changed can be increased / decreased by being pushed by the user. It is configured as follows. The setting changeover switches 23 and 24 are shared by both the impact mode and the clutch mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 (and FIG. 1), the display LED 22 is composed of a well-known 7-segment LED including a total of seven LEDs, a first LED 22a to a seventh LED 22g. The display LED 22 displays the current value of the control setting value that can be changed by the user in the set operation mode when the impact mode or the clutch mode is set.

  In other drill modes and vibration drill modes, there is no control setting value that can be changed by the user. Therefore, when any of these drill modes or vibration drill modes is set, the display LED 22 is turned off. Nothing is displayed.

  The display LED 22 is also shared in both the impact mode and the clutch mode. However, the display method of the maximum rotational speed setting value in the impact mode and the display method of the torque setting value in the clutch mode are different from each other. Therefore, by looking at the display content of the display LED 22, not only the current value of the control setting value can be known, but also the operation mode currently set can be known.

  More specifically, when the clutch mode is set, as shown in FIG. 8A, torque setting values 1 to 9 that can be set and changed in the clutch mode are displayed in Arabic numerals on the display LEDs 22, respectively. Is displayed.

  That is, when the torque setting value is set to 1, the second LED 22b and the third LED 22c are turned on, thereby displaying “1”. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the corresponding LEDs (for example, the first LED 22a, the second LED 22b, the third LED 22c, and the sixth LED 22f in the case of the torque setting value 7) are respectively displayed as shown in FIG. 8A. When lit, a numerical display indicating the corresponding torque set value is made.

  On the other hand, when the impact mode is set, the set value of the maximum rotation speed is not a numerical display as in the clutch mode, but as shown in FIG. Is displayed. That is, when the maximum number of revolutions is set to a low speed, the fourth LED 22d is turned on to express a state where one horizontal bar is displayed. When the maximum number of revolutions is set to medium speed, the second LED 22d and the seventh LED 22g are turned on to express a state in which two horizontal bars are displayed. When the maximum number of revolutions is set to high speed, the fourth LED 22d, the seventh LED 22g, and the first LED 22a are turned on, thereby expressing a state in which three horizontal bars are displayed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, each control setting value (specifically, information indicating the control setting value) in two different operation modes is displayed on the same one display LED 22, and according to the operation mode. (Ie, depending on the type of control set value), the display method on the display LED 22 is made different. The control setting values in these two operation modes can be changed by operating the same set of setting changeover switches 23 and 24.

  Therefore, for example, when changing the torque setting value in the clutch mode, if you want to change the torque setting value to a value smaller than the currently set value, press the setting switch down switch 23 to change the torque setting value to the current value. Can be changed to a value smaller by one step. For example, when the torque setting value is set to 8 (8 [N · m]) and the setting switch down switch 23 is pressed, the torque setting value is changed to 7 (7 [N · m]). Conversely, when it is desired to change the torque setting value to a value larger than the currently set value, the torque setting value can be changed to a value larger by one step than the current value by pressing the setting switch up switch 24. . For example, when the torque setting value is set to 1 (1 [N · m]) and the setting switch up switch 24 is pressed, the torque setting value is changed to 2 (2 [N · m]).

  On the other hand, when changing the setting of the maximum rotational speed in the impact mode, the setting can be changed by operating the setting changeover switches 23 and 24 in the same manner as changing the torque setting value in the clutch mode. For example, when it is desired to change the setting to a maximum rotational speed smaller than the currently set value, the maximum rotational speed can be changed to a value smaller by one step than the current value by pressing the setting switch down switch 23. it can. For example, when the setting switching down switch 23 is pressed when the medium speed is set, the setting is changed to the low speed. On the contrary, if you want to change the setting to the maximum number of rotations larger than the currently set value, press the setting switch up switch 24 to change the maximum number of rotations to a value that is one step larger than the current value. Can do. For example, when the setting switching up switch 24 is pressed when the medium speed is set, the setting is changed at a high speed.

  Note that when the currently set control setting value is the minimum value within the setting changeable range, it can be appropriately determined how to operate when the setting switch down switch 23 is pressed, For example, when the setting value is already set to the minimum value, the setting value may remain unchanged even when the setting switch down switch 23 is pressed. For example, the setting value may be set to the minimum value. When the setting switch down switch 23 is pressed in the state where it is, the maximum value may be set.

  Conversely, when the currently set value is the maximum value within the setting changeable range, the operation can be determined as appropriate when the setting switch up switch 24 is pressed, For example, if the maximum value has already been set, the setting value may remain unchanged even when the setting switch up switch 24 is pressed, or may be set to the maximum value, for example. When the setting change-up switch 24 is pressed in the state where it is, the minimum value may be set.

  In addition, when a so-called long press is performed on the setting switching down switch 23 that is held while being pressed by the user, in the present embodiment, the control set value is gradually decreased step by step at a predetermined time interval. When the value is lowered to the minimum value within the setting changeable range, the control set value is held at the minimum value even if the long press is continued. However, this is only an example, and when it is lowered to the minimum value, the next value is changed to the maximum value, and the operation of gradually decreasing one step at a time may be repeated while pressing and holding. .

  The same applies to the setting switch up switch 24. When the user presses and holds the setting switch up switch 24 for a long time, in the present embodiment, the control set value gradually increases step by step at a predetermined time interval. Then, when the value is increased to the maximum value within the setting changeable range, the control setting value is maintained at the maximum value even if the long press is continued. However, this is only an example, and when it increases to the maximum value, the next operation is changed to the minimum value and then gradually increased one step at a time. .

  In addition, the time interval when the control set value changes sequentially (decreases or increases) while the button is held down does not necessarily have to be constant. For example, the time interval at which the control set value is sequentially changed during the long press can be determined appropriately, for example, the start time may change slowly over a long time interval and gradually decrease. Can do.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the user performs a so-called double click on the setting switching down switch 23 by pressing twice within a predetermined short time, the control setting value is set to the minimum value. Conversely, when the user double-clicks the setting switching up switch 24, the control setting value is set to the maximum value.

  Next, main control processing executed by the controller 31 (specifically, executed by the CPU) to realize the various operations of the controller 31 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 31 is activated when the battery pack 15 is attached to the electric tool 10 and the control voltage Vcc is applied to the controller 31, and the main control process shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

  When the main control process is started, the controller 31 first executes an external input signal detection process in S110. This external input signal detection process is a process of receiving input of various signals and data necessary for performing various controls such as control of the motor 30 and display control of the display LED 22.

  In the present embodiment, a trigger signal that is input from the trigger switch 18 and is a signal corresponding to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18, a mode switching first switch 37 that is turned on or off by a slide operation of the mode switching lever 19, and mode switching. A binary signal (ie, a digital signal indicating an operation mode) from the second switch 38, a setting switching down switch 23 and a setting switching operated by the user to change the control setting value in the impact mode or the clutch mode. In addition to a signal from the up switch 24, various signals such as a voltage signal indicating rotational torque and a pulse signal from the rotational position sensor 34 inputted from the shunt resistor 35 are accepted. Then, the control setting value stored in the memory 41 is rewritten based on the received various signals.

  In step S120, a mode / setting determination process is executed. The specific contents of this mode / setting determination process are as shown in FIG. 10. First, in S210, it is determined whether or not the mode switching first switch 37 is OFF. If the mode switch first switch 37 is OFF, it is further determined in S220 whether or not the mode switch second switch 38 is OFF.

  If the mode switch second switch 38 is OFF, it means that the impact mode has been set. In S240, the impact mode flag is set, the display flag is set, and the process proceeds to S280. Here, the impact mode flag is a flag indicating whether or not the operation mode is set to the impact mode. Setting this flag indicates that the controller 31 is currently set to the impact mode. Can be recognized.

  The display flag is a flag for determining whether or not to display the display LED 22 on the operation / display panel 21. This flag is set in the impact mode and the clutch mode, which are modes in which the user can change the control setting value. Therefore, when the operation mode is set to the impact mode or the clutch mode and the display flag is set, the controller 31 displays the current value of the control setting value in the currently set operation mode on the display LED 22. Display. On the other hand, when the display flag is not set, the display LED 22 is not displayed.

  In other words, this display flag is set to whether or not the operation mode is set to an operation mode in which single speed control is used as a control method of the motor 30, that is, a control set value that can be set and changed by the user. It can also be said that the flag indicates whether or not the drill mode or the vibration drill mode is set.

  In S220, when it is determined that the mode switching second switch 38 is not OFF (that is, ON), the vibration drill mode is set. In S250, the vibration drill mode flag is set. The display flag is cleared and the process proceeds to S280. Here, the vibration drill mode flag is a flag indicating whether or not the operation mode is set to the vibration drill mode. By setting this flag, the controller 31 is set to the current vibration drill mode. I can recognize that.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S210 that the mode switching first switch 37 is not OFF (that is, ON), it is determined in S230 whether or not the mode switching second switch is OFF.

  If the mode switch second switch 38 is OFF in S230, the drill mode is set. In S260, the drill mode flag is set, the display flag is cleared, and the process proceeds to S280. . Here, the drill mode flag is a flag indicating whether or not the operation mode is set to the drill mode. Setting this flag indicates that the controller 31 is currently set to the drill mode. Can be recognized.

  If it is determined in S230 that the mode switch second switch 38 is not OFF (that is, ON), it means that the clutch mode has been set. Therefore, in S270, the clutch mode flag is set and the display flag is set. Is set and the process proceeds to S280. Here, the clutch mode flag is a flag indicating whether or not the operation mode is set to the clutch mode, and setting this flag indicates that the controller 31 is currently set to the clutch mode. Can be recognized.

  In S280, it is determined whether a display flag is set. If it is determined here that the display flag is set, the operation mode is set to either the impact mode or the clutch mode. In subsequent S290, it is determined whether or not the impact mode flag is set. If the impact mode flag is set, the current impact mode is set, so that the process proceeds to S300 and the motor 30 is controlled by impact control. Make various settings for control.

  Specifically, when the impact mode flag is set, the latest control setting value that is stored in the memory 41 and rewritten based on the signals from the setting changeover switches 23 and 24 in S110 is used. The maximum number of revolutions is set (low speed / medium speed / high speed) and the display LED 22 is set for display. Thereafter, if there is an operation of the change-over switches 23 and 24 on the operation panel 21, the control setting value and the setting change of the display content of the display LED 22 are accepted. Further, the target rotational speed is set according to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18. Then, after performing these various settings, the mode / setting determination process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the display process of S130 in FIG.

  If it is not determined in S290 that the impact mode flag is set, this means that the clutch mode is currently set, and thus the process proceeds to S310, and various settings for controlling the motor 30 by clutch control are performed. I do.

  Specifically, the torque that is the control setting value in the clutch mode according to the latest control setting value stored in the memory 41 and rewritten based on the signals from the setting changeover switches 23 and 24 in S110. A setting change (any one of torque setting values 1 to 9) is accepted. Then, based on the received change contents of the control setting value, the contents to be displayed on the display LED 22 (any of 1 to 9 in the case of the clutch mode) are set. Further, the target rotational speed is set according to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18. After these various settings are made, the mode / setting determination process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the display process in S130 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S280 that the display flag is not set, the operation mode is set to either the drill mode or the vibration drill mode, so the process proceeds to S320 and single speed control is performed. Various settings for controlling the motor 30 are performed.

  Specifically, a set rotational speed corresponding to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18, that is, a target rotational speed is set. In addition, display setting is performed so that nothing is displayed on the display LED 22. After these various settings are made, the mode / setting determination process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the display process in S130 of FIG.

  The specific contents of the display process in S130 are as shown in FIG. 11. First, in S410, it is determined whether or not the display flag is set. If the display flag is not set, since either the drill mode or the vibration drill mode is set and there is no control setting value to be displayed on the display LED 22, the process proceeds to S450 and the display LED 22 is turned off.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S410 that the display flag is set, it is determined in S420 whether or not the impact mode flag is set. If it is set, the current impact mode is set. In step S430, the current value of the maximum rotation speed, which is a control setting value that can be changed by the user in the impact mode, is displayed on the display LED 22. In other words, among the seven LEDs 22a to 22g constituting the display LED 22, a three-level horizontal bar display corresponding to the currently set value (low speed, medium speed, or high speed) is performed. Then, the display process is finished, and the process proceeds to the motor control process (FIG. 1) of S140.

  If it is not determined in S420 that the impact mode flag is set, this means that the clutch mode is currently set, and thus the process proceeds to S440, where the user can change the setting in the clutch mode. The current value of the torque setting value, which is a value, is displayed on the display LED 22. That is, among the seven LEDs 22a to 22g constituting the display LED 22, a numerical display corresponding to the currently set setting value (any of the torque setting values 1 to 9) is performed. Then, the display process is finished, and the process proceeds to the motor control process (FIG. 1) of S140.

  In the motor control process of S140, the rotation of the motor 30 is controlled according to the contents of various control settings (S300, S310, or S320) in the mode / setting determination process (detailed in FIG. 10) of S120. As a result, the motor 30 is controlled by a control method according to the currently set operation mode.

  As described above, the electric power tool 10 of the present embodiment has four modes as an operation mode, that is, an impact mode, a drill mode, a clutch mode, and a vibration drill mode. One of the operation modes can be set by performing a slide operation.

  In order to realize the operation in these four operation modes, the electric power tool 10 has three types of transmission mechanisms (a drill mechanism 55, an impact driver mechanism 56, and a vibration drill mechanism 57) as a mechanical transmission mechanism. The controller 31 has three types of control methods (single speed control, impact control, and electronic clutch control).

  A combination of a transmission mechanism and a control method is determined in advance for each setting position of the mode switching lever 19 (that is, for each operation mode). When the mode switching lever 19 is slid to a desired setting position, the sliding operation is performed. In conjunction with this, the transmission mechanism is switched to a transmission mechanism corresponding to the set position, and a digital signal corresponding to the set position is input to the controller 31 from each mode changeover switch 37, 38, whereby a control method of the motor 30 is achieved. Is set to the control method corresponding to the set position. In other words, the transmission mechanism is switched and the control method is set synchronously by operating one mode switching lever 19.

  As a result, the controller 31 controls the motor 30 by the set control method, and the rotation of the motor 30 is transmitted to the sleeve 17 (and thus to the tool bit) via the switched transmission mechanism. Thus, the operation in the operation mode corresponding to the set position is realized.

  Therefore, according to the electric tool 10 of the present embodiment, the motor 30 is omitted or simplified while the mechanical mechanism is omitted or simplified as compared with the conventional electric tool in which the operation mode is switched only by switching the mechanical transmission mechanism. By controlling with a suitable control method according to the operation mode, various operation modes equivalent to the conventional one can be realized. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both reduction in size and cost of the electric tool 10 and higher performance.

  In particular, electronic clutch control is provided as a control method, and thus, a clutch mechanism that has been realized by a mechanical mechanism in the past is also realized by electrical control. This eliminates the need for a mechanical clutch mechanism, and the power tool can be made smaller and lighter accordingly.

  Further, in the electric power tool 10 of the present embodiment, the user can selectively set the torque setting value in any of 9 levels in the clutch mode, and the user can set the maximum rotation speed in any of the 3 levels in the impact mode. Can be set selectively.

  Therefore, the user of the tool can operate the tool bit within a desired rotational torque range in the clutch mode. Moreover, the torque setting value setting change is realized not by switching of the mechanical mechanism but by electric control of the motor performed by the motor control means, so that the torque setting value setting change can be simplified. Can be realized. Also in the impact mode, the tool bit can be rotated within a desired maximum number of rotations. In addition, the setting change of the maximum number of rotations is also realized by electric control of the motor performed by the motor control means, not by switching of the mechanical mechanism, so that the setting change of the maximum number of rotations can be simplified. Can be realized.

  Further, in the clutch mode, the maximum number of revolutions is set so that the larger the torque setting value is, the larger the torque setting value can be set by the user. That is, the maximum rotational speed is set to an appropriate value according to the torque setting value. From the user's point of view, if the torque setting value is set to a desired value, the maximum rotational speed is automatically set to an appropriate value corresponding to the torque setting value. Therefore, it is possible to provide the electric tool 10 having a higher added-value electronic clutch control function.

  Further, in the power tool 10 of the above-described embodiment, in order to inform the controller 31 of the set operation mode, two mode changeover switches 37 and 38 that output binary signals of ON or OFF are provided, and the user The ON / OFF state of each of the switches 37 and 38 is switched in conjunction with the slide operation of the mode switching lever 19 by, and a digital signal corresponding to the ON / OFF state is output to the controller 31. . Therefore, the controller 31 can easily and reliably determine which operation mode is currently set and, by extension, which control method should control the motor 30.

  In addition, the generation and output of digital signals corresponding to the four operation modes are performed by combining two mode change-over switches 37 and 38 including contact switches. That is, a different number of contact switches than the number of operation modes is used to generate different digital signals for each operation mode. In this way, outputting a desired digital signal with the minimum number of contact switches required also contributes to miniaturization of the power tool 10.

  Furthermore, in the electric power tool 10 of the present embodiment, in the impact mode in which a striking operation in the rotational direction occurs, the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 are both turned off (that is, the contacts are separated from each other). In the seismic drill mode in which an axial striking motion is generated, the mode switching first switch 37 is turned off. That is, in an operation mode in which a striking operation occurs, at least one of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 is configured to be in a state in which the contact is separated by being OFF.

  As described above, when the operation mode in which the hitting operation is generated is set, at least one of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 is in a state in which the contact is separated, thereby preventing contact wear. It is possible to improve the reliability of the electric power tool 10.

  In particular, in the impact mode, there is a possibility that a greater impact is applied to the power tool 10 than in the oscillating drill mode because a striking operation in the rotational direction occurs. For this reason, if it is configured so that either one of the mode change-over switches 37 and 38 is turned on in the impact mode, the contact of the switch that is turned on may be greatly worn.

  On the other hand, in the electric power tool 10 of the present embodiment, as described above, in the impact mode, since the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 are both turned off, the impact generated in the impact mode. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the wear of the contacts of the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 from progressing.

  In the electric power tool 10 of the present embodiment, the setting change of the maximum rotation speed in the impact mode and the setting change of the torque setting value in the clutch mode can be performed by the same set of setting changeover switches 23 and 24. In addition, each control setting value in each mode can be displayed on the same single display LED 22.

  Thus, regardless of the operation mode, the control setting value is displayed by the same one display LED 22 and the setting change of the control setting value can be switched by the same set of setting changeover switches 23 and 24. Since these can be arranged efficiently, the tool configuration can be simplified, downsized, and reduced in cost while having high performance as an electric tool.

  In the present embodiment, the sleeve 17 is an example of the tool output shaft of the present invention, the trigger switch 18 is an example of the operation input receiving means of the present invention, and the mode switching lever 19 is an example of the operation unit of the present invention. The driving force transmission unit 45 is an example of the rotational driving force transmission means of the present invention, the controller 31 is an example of the motor control means of the present invention, and the mode changeover switches 37 and 38 are the switching means (present The shunt resistor 35 is an example of torque detecting means of the present invention, and the setting changeover switches 23 and 24 are examples of torque setting value setting changing means and maximum rotational speed setting changing means of the present invention. The drill mechanism 55 is an example of the basic transmission mechanism of the present invention, the impact driver mechanism 56 is an example of the first rotary striking mechanism of the present invention, and the vibration drill mechanism 5 Is an example of a second rotary impact mechanism of the present invention.

Of the control methods of the motor 30, single speed control is an example of basic control of the present invention, and impact control is an example of application control of the present invention.
[Modification]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, although the number of mode changeover switches 37 and 38 for outputting a digital signal corresponding to the set operation mode to the controller 31 is two in the above embodiment, the number of switches is not particularly limited. Instead, for example, various modes may be adopted such that a mode change switch is provided for each operation mode and only one mode change switch corresponding to the set operation mode is turned on. However, since the number of mode changeover switches (two in the above example) is smaller than the number of operation modes (four in the above example) as in the above embodiment, a digital signal for each operation mode can be generated. In order to reduce the size of the tool or reduce the cost, it is preferable to use the minimum number of mode changeover switches as in the above embodiment.

  In addition, the digital signal indicating the set operation mode does not necessarily have to be different values for each operation mode (four types of 00, 01, 10, and 11 in the above embodiment). However, as long as the control method of the motor 30 by the controller 31 is the same, in each of these operation modes, a digital signal having the same value may be output.

  In the case of the above embodiment, although there are four types of operation modes, there are three types of control methods of the motor 30 by the controller 31, and the same single speed control is used in both the drill mode and the vibration drill mode. Therefore, the controller 31 does not necessarily need to know which operation mode is currently set, and it is only necessary to know which control method should be used to control the motor 30 at a minimum. That is, it is only necessary to allow a different digital signal to be input to the controller 31 for each control method, and the number of mode changeover switches is set to a minimum necessary number for outputting a digital signal corresponding to the number of control methods. be able to.

  Therefore, for example, in the case of a power tool with two types of control methods set, which of the two types of control methods should be used by the controller to control the motor even if three or more operation modes are set? In this case, only one mode changeover switch is sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the digital signal is output as the electrical signal indicating the set operation mode by using the two mode changeover switches 37 and 38 made of microswitches. However, this is merely an example. As long as it is possible to determine which setting position is set (in other words, which control method should be used to control the motor 30), it is possible to appropriately determine what kind of electrical signal is generated and output. it can.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, analog signals having different voltage values may be output according to the set position of the mode switching lever 19. The configuration shown in FIG. 12 is configured such that an analog signal corresponding to the set position is input to the controller 90 using the variable resistor 91. A control voltage Vcc is applied to both ends of the resistance element in the variable resistor 91, and a divided value of the control voltage Vcc is changed by a sliding operation of the mode switching lever 19. This partial pressure value is input to the A / D converter 92 in the controller 90 as an analog signal corresponding to the set position of the mode switching lever (that is, corresponding to the operation mode), and converted into a digital signal here. The

  In addition to the configuration capable of outputting an analog signal by the variable resistor 91 shown in FIG. 12, for example, it includes various sensors (for example, a force sensor, a strain sensor, a magnetic sensor (Hall sensor), an infrared sensor, a photodiode, and a photocoupler). An optical sensor, a capacitance sensor, etc.) so that the detection value of these sensors changes according to the set position of the mode switching lever 19 so that the operation mode can be determined based on the detection signal from the sensor. It may be. The detection signal may be transmitted to the controller 31 by wireless communication.

  Further, for example, an AC analog signal in which at least one of the amplitude and the frequency, or a combination of both is different depending on the set operation mode may be generated and output to the controller.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the torque setting values that can be set and changed by the user are set in nine stages for the clutch mode. However, this is merely an example, and the number of stages to be set can be determined as appropriate. For example, it is possible to set 15 levels. In this case, setting values for each level are set to 1 to 9 and A to F, so that each setting value for 15 levels can be displayed on the display LED 22. it can.

  An example of alphabet letters A to F displayed by the display LED 22 is shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, for “A”, it is only necessary to display all the other six LEDs except for the fourth LED 22 d among the seven LEDs 22 a to 22 g. Note that “b” and “d” are not lowercase letters but lowercase letters.

  In the above-described embodiment, one type of clutch mode is provided, but there are a plurality of types of clutch modes having different numbers (number of stages) of torque setting values whose settings can be changed, and intervals between a plurality of torque setting values whose settings can be changed. Various types of clutch modes may be set as required, such as multiple types of clutch modes with different torque widths, and multiple types of clutch modes with different maximum rotational speeds set according to each torque setting value. Good.

  In addition, it is an example to the last and the maximum rotation speed is also set individually according to a torque setting value, Comprising: It is not essential. For example, the maximum rotational speed may be constant regardless of the torque setting value. Further, for example, the same maximum rotational speed may be set for any of a plurality of torque setting values. As a specific example, for example, the torques 1 to 3 can be set low, the torques 4 to 6 are medium, and the torques 7 to 9 are high.

  As for the impact mode, one type of impact mode is provided in the above embodiment, but multiple types of impact modes with different maximum number of rotations (number of stages) that can be changed and multiple maximum rotations that can be changed. Various types of impact modes may be set as necessary, such as a plurality of types of impact modes having different rotation speed widths (speed widths) as intervals.

In addition, setting the maximum number of revolutions that can be changed in the impact mode to three stages is merely an example.
In the above embodiment, the control method is such that the rotation speed (rotation speed) continuously increases in proportion to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the trigger switch 18 A control method in which the number of rotations increases stepwise according to the amount of pulling may be used. Further, for example, it may be increased (for example, as a quadratic function) with an increasing tendency different from proportionality, and how the rotation speed is controlled to increase according to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18. About can be decided suitably. Further, it may be based on a simple control such that the trigger switch 18 is controlled to a constant rotational speed as long as the trigger switch 18 is pulled, regardless of the pulling amount.

  In the above embodiment, in any of the three types of motor control methods (single speed control, electronic clutch control and impact control), basically, the actual rotational speed of the motor 30 is detected and the detection result is obtained. It has been described that so-called feedback control is performed in which control is performed so as to coincide with the set rotational speed determined according to the pulling amount of the trigger switch 18. That is, in any of the motor control methods, the feedback control is basically used, and each motor control method is controlled by the above-described unique method.

  However, such feedback control in all motor control methods is merely an example. For example, feedback control may be used only in the case of electronic clutch control and open control may be used in other controls, such as whether to use feedback control, and if so, which motor control method to use. About can be decided suitably.

  In the above embodiment, when detecting the rotational torque of the sleeve 17, instead of directly detecting the rotational torque, the output torque of the motor 30 is detected based on the motor current detected by the shunt resistor 35. Although the detection is indirectly performed, such a detection method is merely an example. That is, as a result, as long as the rotational torque of the sleeve 17 (rotational torque of the tool bit) can be detected, whether it is detected directly or indirectly, and how it is specifically detected. About can be decided suitably.

  In the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism is the same drill mechanism in both the clutch mode and the drill mode, and the control method of the motor 30 by the controller 31 is the same single speed in the drill mode and the vibration drill mode. Although control is used, there is no problem that the transmission mechanism is the same even if the operation mode is different, or the control method by the controller 31 is the same even if the operation mode is different.

  In other words, as long as the operation in the desired operation mode can be realized, what kind of mechanism is specifically provided as a transmission mechanism, what kind of control method is specifically provided as controller control, and which transmission Which controller control is combined with the mechanism can be appropriately determined.

  Rather, the number of types of transmission mechanisms and control methods is reduced as much as possible so that the same transmission mechanism or the same control method can be shared by different operation modes, and different operation modes can be achieved by devising combinations of transmission mechanisms and control methods. It is preferable to realize the above in order to reduce the size and cost of the tool.

  Further, as in the above-described embodiment, providing four operation modes in one electric tool 10 is merely an example, and how many operation modes are set in one electric tool, and what kind of operation It is possible to appropriately determine whether to set a mode, and specifically, what kind of transmission mechanism and what control method are combined in order to realize each of these operation modes.

  As specific examples of the operation modes other than the four operation modes described above, for example, a text mode, an electronic pulse mode, and the like can be considered. The tex mode is a mode that is tightened at a high speed while making a hole mainly with a tex screw, and is a mode that controls to slow down (decrease the rotation speed) or stop when detecting that the screw is seated. . The electronic pulse mode is a mode in which the tool bit is operated and screw tightening or the like is performed while changing the rotation speed into a triangular pulse (triangular wave).

  In the above embodiment, the controller 31 that controls the motor 30 is described as being configured by a microcomputer centered on the CPU. However, the configuration of the controller 31 is merely an example. That is, for example, a programmable logic device such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a discrete circuit may be used, and the motor 30 is controlled by a desired control method according to the operation mode. As long as it can be done, how the controller 31 is specifically configured is not particularly limited.

  Further, the above-described main control processing program executed by the controller 31 may be used by being recorded in any form of recording medium readable by the CPU. Examples of the recording medium include a portable semiconductor memory (for example, a USB memory, a memory card (registered trademark), etc.).

  In the above embodiment, the 7-segment LED is used as the display LED 22. However, this is merely an example, and what display means are specifically used as long as the control set value can be displayed for each operation mode. Is not particularly limited.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a display LED 60 composed of 16 segment LEDs may be used. As shown in FIG. 14B, the display LED 60 is a well-known LED including a total of 16 LEDs from the first LED 61a to the 16th LED 61s.

  Various methods for displaying the control set value using the display LED 60 composed of 16 segment LEDs are also conceivable as described above. The numerical display as shown in the above embodiment, the alphabet display of A to F, and the three-level horizontal bar display are as follows. Of course, various display methods other than that are possible.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, the maximum rotational speed setting value in the impact mode is displayed as “L” for low speed, “M” for medium speed, and “H” for high speed. It may be. For example, the display of “L” at a low speed can be realized by turning on the four LEDs 61d to 61g.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 14C, the setting value of the maximum number of revolutions in the impact mode may be displayed in a three-stage display using a vertical bar. That is, when the maximum number of rotations is set to a low speed, the sixth LED 61f and the seventh LED 61g are turned on to express a state where one vertical bar is displayed. When the maximum number of revolutions is set to medium speed, lighting of the sixth LED 61f, the seventh LED 61g, the ninth LED 61j, and the tenth LED 61k displays a state in which two vertical bars are displayed. When the maximum number of revolutions is set to high speed, the first LED 61a and the second LED 61b are turned on in addition to the four LEDs for the medium speed, thereby expressing the state in which three vertical bars are displayed. The

  In the above embodiment, in the impact mode and the clutch mode, the two setting changeover switches 23 and 24 are provided for the user to change the control set value. However, the two setting changeover switches 23 and 24 are provided. The configuration consisting of is merely an example.

For example, you may comprise by the setting switch part 70 which consists of the setting switch down switch 71 and the setting switch up switch 72 of a shape as shown to Fig.15 (a).
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15B, a setting switching unit 75 including an operation lever 76 and an operation output circuit 77 may be used. In this configuration, the operation lever 76 is normally erected in the vertical direction, but can be tilted in the left-right direction as shown in the figure by the user's operation (load). Then, the operation output circuit 77 detects which of the left and right directions is tilted, and the operation output circuit 77 outputs a signal indicating the detection result. Therefore, for example, the control set value can be decreased when the operation lever 76 is tilted to the left, and the control set value can be increased when the operation lever 76 is tilted to the right.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15C, a setting switching unit 80 including the operation dial 81 and the operation output circuit 82, or a setting including the operation dial 86 and the operation output circuit 87 as illustrated in FIG. You may comprise by the switch part 85. FIG. In these configurations, the operation dials 81 and 86 are configured to be rotatable about the axis thereof, and a signal corresponding to the rotational position is output from the operation output circuits 82 and 87. Therefore, as shown in the figure, it is possible to set a desired control setting value by associating each control setting value with a plurality of different rotational positions of the operation dials 81 and 86 for each operation mode.

  Further, the present invention may be applied not only to a battery-type power tool such as the power tool 10 described above, but also to a power tool that receives power supply through a cord, and a tool element is rotated by an AC motor. You may apply to the electric tool comprised so that it might drive.

The motor 30 may be configured as a two-phase brushless DC motor, or may be configured as a four-phase or more brushless DC motor.
Moreover, each switching element Q1-Q6 which comprises the motor drive circuit 33 may be switching elements (for example, bipolar transistor etc.) other than MOSFET.

  The tool bit may be attached to the sleeve 17 so as not to be detached.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electric tool, 11, 12 ... Half housing, 13 ... Handle part, 14 ... Main body housing, 15 ... Battery pack, 16 ... Motor storage part, 17 ... Sleeve, 18 ... Trigger switch, 19 ... Mode switch lever, 20 ... Slide frame, 21 ... Operation / display panel, 22 ... Display LED, 23, 71 ... Setting change down switch, 24, 72 ... Setting change up switch, 26 ... Battery, 30 ... Motor, 31, 90 ... Controller, 32 ... Gate circuit 33 ... Motor drive circuit 34 ... Rotation position sensor 35 ... Shunt resistor 36 ... Regulator 37 ... Mode switch first switch 38 ... Mode switch second switch 41 ... Memory 45 ... Drive force transmission unit , 47 ... 1st movable part, 48 ... 2nd movable part, 50 ... Slide member, 51 ... 1st protrusion, 52 ... 2nd protrusion, 55 ... Rill mechanism, 56 ... impact driver mechanism, 57 ... vibration drill mechanism, 70, 75, 80, 85 ... setting switching unit, 76 ... operation lever, 77, 82, 87 ... operation output circuit, 81, 86 ... operation dial, 91 ... Variable resistance, 92 ... A / D converter, 22a, 61a ... 1st LED, 22b, 61b ... 2nd LED, 22c, 61c ... 3rd LED, 22d, 61d ... 4th LED, 22e, 61e ... 5th LED, 22f, 61f ... 6th LED, 22g, 61g ... 7th LED, 61h ... 8th LED, 61j ... 9th LED, 61k ... 10th LED, 61m ... 11th LED, 61n ... 12th LED, 61p ... 13th LED, 61q ... 14th LED, 61r ... 1st LED 15LED, 61s ... 16th LED, Q1-Q6 ... switching element

Claims (20)

A power tool having a plurality of operation modes,
A motor that drives a tool output shaft to which the tool element is mounted;
An operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input for rotating the motor by a user;
There is one operation unit that is operated to be displaced by the user, and the operation unit is operated to be displaced to any one of a plurality of setting positions individually set for each of the operation modes. Mode switching means for operating in any one of the operation modes corresponding to the position;
A plurality of types of transmission mechanisms with different transmission methods for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor to the tool output shaft, and corresponding to the set position of the operation unit in conjunction with the displacement operation of the operation unit Rotational driving force transmission means configured to transmit the rotational driving force of the motor to the tool output shaft via the switched transmission mechanism by switching to any one of the transmission mechanisms;
An electric signal output means for outputting an electric signal corresponding to the set position of the operation unit;
Based on the electrical signal from the electrical signal output means, the motor control method is set to a control method preset for the electrical signal among a plurality of different control methods, and the operation input by the user Motor control means for controlling the motor by the set control method based on the operation content of the reception means;
An electric tool comprising: The electric tool according to claim 1,
As the control method, at least,
Basic control for rotating the motor at a rotation speed according to the operation amount of the operation input receiving means by a user within a preset maximum rotation speed range;
At least one application control which is a control method different from the basic control;
A power tool characterized by comprising: The electric tool according to claim 2,
A torque detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the rotational torque of the tool output shaft;
The application control is based on at least a control method based on the basic control, and when the rotational torque detected by the torque detection means exceeds a predetermined torque set value, the motor is stopped. An electric tool characterized by having clutch control. The electric tool according to claim 3,
A torque setting value setting changing means capable of changing the torque setting value to any one of a plurality of different values by a user's operation;
When the control method is set to the electronic clutch control, the motor control means performs the electronic clutch control based on the torque set value set by the torque set value setting change means. A power tool. The electric tool according to claim 4,
The maximum rotation speed is also set for each of the plurality of torque setting values that can be set and changed by the torque setting value setting changing means,
When the control method is set to the electronic clutch control, the motor control means is set corresponding to the torque set value set by the torque set value setting change means and the torque set value. The electric tool is controlled based on the maximum rotational speed. The power tool according to claim 5,
The power tool, wherein the plurality of torque setting values that can be changed by the torque setting value setting changing means are set in stages. The electric tool according to claim 6,
The plurality of torque setting values are set so as to increase stepwise from a minimum value to a maximum value by a predetermined setting torque width.
As the application control, at least two types of the electronic clutch control are provided, and each electronic clutch control is different in at least the set torque width. The electric tool according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
As the transmission mechanism, at least a basic transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor as it is or decelerating to the tool output shaft,
The operation mode has at least a clutch mode for rotating the tool output shaft and stopping the rotation of the motor when the rotational torque of the tool output shaft becomes equal to or greater than the torque setting value.
When the operation unit is displaced by the user to the set position corresponding to the clutch mode, the rotational driving force transmission means is switched to the basic transmission mechanism among the plurality of types of transmission mechanisms, and the electric signal When the output means outputs the electric signal corresponding to the set position, and the motor control means sets the control method to the electronic clutch control based on the electric signal, the tool output as the clutch mode An electric tool characterized by being configured to realize shaft movement. The electric tool according to any one of claims 2 to 8,
In the basic control, one type or a plurality of types having different maximum rotational speeds are set,
Maximum rotation speed setting change means that is used for at least one of the one type or a plurality of types of the basic control and that can change the maximum rotation speed to any one of a plurality of different values by a user operation. Prepared,
When the control method is set to the basic control in which the maximum rotation speed setting change means is used, the motor control means is based on the maximum rotation speed set by the maximum rotation speed setting change means. An electric tool characterized by performing the basic control. The electric tool according to claim 9,
The plurality of maximum rotation speeds that can be set and changed by the maximum rotation speed setting changing means are set in stages. The electric tool according to claim 10,
The plurality of maximum rotation speeds are set so as to increase stepwise from a minimum value to a maximum value by a predetermined speed range,
At least two types are set as the basic control in which the maximum rotational speed setting changing means is used, and each basic control has at least the speed range different. It is an electric tool given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 2-11,
As the transmission mechanism, at least the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the tool output shaft as it is or decelerated, and the tool output shaft is intermittently hit in the rotation direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor. A possible first rotary striking mechanism,
The operation mode has at least an impact mode in which the rotational driving force of the motor is transmitted to the tool output shaft via the first rotary impact mechanism,
When the operation unit is displaced by the user to the set position corresponding to the impact mode, the rotational driving force transmission means is switched to the first rotary impact mechanism among the plurality of types of transmission mechanisms, The electric signal output means outputs the electric signal corresponding to the set position, and the motor control means sets the control method to the basic control based on the electric signal, whereby the impact mode is set as the impact mode. An electric tool characterized in that the operation of the tool output shaft is realized. The electric tool according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
As the transmission mechanism,
A basic transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor as it is or decelerating to the tool output shaft;
The rotation of the motor is transmitted as it is or decelerated to the tool output shaft, and the first rotation impact capable of giving the tool output shaft an intermittent impact in the rotational direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor. Mechanism,
Second rotation impact capable of transmitting the rotation of the motor as it is or decelerated to the tool output shaft and applying an intermittent impact in the axial direction to the tool output shaft based on the rotational driving force of the motor. Mechanism,
An electric tool comprising at least one of the above. The electric tool according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The electric signal output means is configured to output an analog signal having a value corresponding to the set position of the operation unit as the electric signal. The electric tool according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The electric signal output means is configured to output a digital signal corresponding to the set position of the operation unit as the electric signal. The power tool according to claim 15,
The electrical signal output means has at least one switch means for outputting a binary signal indicating a state of ON or OFF,
When the user operates the operation unit to be displaced to any one of the setting positions, the ON or OFF state of the at least one switch means is switched to a state corresponding to the setting position. A featured electric tool. The electric tool according to claim 16, wherein
The switch means is provided in a number smaller than the number of the operation modes of the electric tool, and a digital signal that is different for each set position of the operation unit depending on the combination of the ON or OFF state of each switch means. An electric tool characterized by being configured to be capable of output. The electric tool according to claim 16 or 17,
The switch means is constituted by a contact switch in which the contact is in contact with one of the ON and OFF states and the contact is separated in the other state.
As the transmission mechanism, based on the rotational driving force of the motor, the tool output shaft has at least one striking mechanism capable of imparting intermittent striking in the rotational direction or the axial direction,
When the transmission mechanism is switched to at least one striking mechanism, at least one of the switch means is configured such that the contact points are separated from each other. The power tool according to claim 18,
As the transmission mechanism, the rotation of the motor can be transmitted to the tool output shaft as it is or decelerated, and the tool output shaft can be intermittently hit in the rotation direction based on the rotational driving force of the motor. Having a first rotary striking mechanism;
When the transmission mechanism is switched to the first rotary striking mechanism, the power tool is configured such that the contacts of all the switch means are separated from each other. An electric tool having four types of operation modes,
As the four types of operation modes, a drill mode for rotating a tool output shaft on which a tool element is mounted, and a case where the tool output shaft is rotated and the rotational torque of the tool output shaft exceeds a predetermined torque setting value. Is a clutch mode for stopping the rotation of the tool output shaft, an impact mode capable of rotating the tool output shaft and intermittently striking the tool output shaft in the rotation direction, and rotating the tool output shaft. And has a vibration drill mode capable of giving intermittent hitting in the axial direction to the tool output shaft,
A motor as a drive source for rotation and impact of the tool output shaft;
A mode switching means that is operated by a user to set the operation mode to any of the four types of operation modes;
Torque detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the rotational torque of the tool output shaft;
Motor control means for controlling the motor;
With
The function of stopping the rotation of the tool output shaft when the rotational torque of the tool output shaft in the clutch mode becomes equal to or greater than the torque set value is the rotation detected by the torque detection means by the motor control means. An electric tool characterized in that it is realized by stopping the rotation of the motor when the torque becomes equal to or greater than the torque set value.