Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
  • B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
  • B27B17/00—Chain saws; Equipment therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23D—PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23D59/00—Accessories specially designed for sawing machines or sawing devices
  • B23D59/001—Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
  • B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
  • B27B17/00—Chain saws; Equipment therefor
  • B27B17/12—Lubricating devices specially designed for chain saws

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a powered agricultural tool, such as a chainsaw or the like.
• a powered agricultural tool of a type known in the technical field of relevance of the present invention essentially comprises a machine body, a cutting tool jutting out of the machine body, and a motor connected to the machine body and the cutting tool and configured to generate a drive torque suitable to operate the cutting tool.
• the motors that can be used in such agricultural tools can be “combustion” units (and typically piston engines driven by suitable fuel) or, as it is becoming popular in this technical field, electric units.
• the electric motors currently used in portable agricultural tools are suitably sized and powered to generate the necessary power and torque, and these two parameters, in particular, are linked through a relationship of direct proportionality to the current intensity supplied by the electric power storage battery to the motor: it follows that, depending on the operating conditions of the cut and the variation of the required torque, the current intensity fluctuates, leading the tool to operate sometimes in conditions of poor efficiency which risks damaging the equipment itself or irreversibly reducing the battery life.
• these conditions of low efficiency and risk of damage cannot be monitored directly by the operator during normal operations.
• a further problem of well-known powered agricultural tools concerns the lubrication state of the cutting tool.
• the tools are equipped with a lubricating fluid reservoir, typically oil, and a dispensing pump designed to dispense this lubricating fluid near the cutting tool: the purpose of this lubricating fluid is essentially to lubricate and protect the cutting tool.
• the cutting tool may not be effectively lubricated.
• the technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a portable agricultural tool, such as a chainsaw or the like, which does not present the same drawbacks inherent in the currently known art.
• the purpose of this invention is to provide a powered agricultural tool, such as a chainsaw or the like, which is able to guarantee the operator a real-time monitoring of the operation of the tool itself during normal operations.
• the purpose of this invention is to provide a powered agricultural tool, such as a chainsaw or the like, which allows the operator the ability to use the same tool in operating conditions of high efficiency and such as to prevent possible failures and premature wear.
• This invention provides a portable agricultural tool comprising a machine body, a cutting tool, a motor, a control unit and a display device.
• the cutting tool juts out of the machine body.
• the motor connected to the machine body and the cutting tool, has been designed to generate a drive torque suitable to move the cutting tool.
• the tool may further comprise a lubricating fluid reservoir and a dispensing pump for dispensing such lubricating fluid to the cutting tool.
• the control unit is configured to detect at least one operating parameter of the motor and/or cutting tool, and to generate a performance signal representative of the at least one operating parameter, and identifying a degree of efficiency of an operating state of the motor and/or cutting tool.
• the display device connected to the control unit and operatively arranged on the machine body, is configured to display a visual representation of the performance signal.
• control unit may include a storage unit on which a trend of the operating state of the motor and/or cutting tool is recorded as a function of the value of a respective operating parameter of the motor and/or cutting tool.
• a plurality of degrees of efficiency associated with the respective operating states of the motor and/or cutting tool is also recorded on the storage unit: the control unit is configured to generate the performance signal according to the efficiency value associated with the operating state identified by the detected operating parameter.
• the motor is an electric motor and the tool comprises an electric energy storage battery, connected to the motor and configured for an electric power supply to the motor.
• the motor can be a spark ignition motor.
• the operating parameter includes an intensity value of electric current supplied from the battery to the motor: the control unit may include a current intensity sensor designed to measure the current intensity supplied to the motor.
• the operating state may be one or more of the following:
• the operating parameter comprises a temperature value of the cutting tool.
• control unit comprises a temperature sensor operatively installed near the cutting tool and designed to measure the aforementioned temperature value.
• the operating state may be a movement speed value of the cutting tool.
• the operating state may be one or more of the following:
• the display device may comprise at least one optoelectronic device and/or a display designed to display the aforementioned performance signal.
• said display device ensures that the operator can easily see the operating state and degree of operational efficiency of the tool during operations.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment (as example but not limited to) of the powered agricultural tool in accordance with this invention
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment (as example but not limited to) of the powered agricultural tool in accordance with this invention
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment (as example but not limited to) of the powered agricultural tool in accordance with this invention.
• ⁇ refers to a powered agricultural tool, such as a chainsaw or the like, usable in gardening or agricultural applications.
• Such tool 1 essentially comprises a machine body 2, a cutting tool 3, a motor 4, a control unit “U” and a display device 5.
• the machine body 2 defines a volume suitable for at least partial containment of the motor 4, the control unit “U”, the display device 5 and the cutting tool 3.
• the machine body 2 also has a shape that can be handled by an operator: the machine body 2 has graspable and ergonomic portions.
• the cutting tool 3, jutting out of the machine body 2 is designed to exert a cutting action on branches, trees, leaves and similar objects.
• the motor 4 is connected to the machine body 2 and the cutting tool 3 and is designed to generate a drive torque suitable to move the cutting tool 3.
• the tool 1 may further comprise a lubricating fluid reservoir 9 for the cutting tool 3 and a dispensing pump, connected to the reservoir 9 and designed to dispense lubricating fluid to the cutting tool 3.
• the control unit “U” is designed to detect at least one operating parameter of the motor 4 and/or cutting tool 3, and to generate a performance signal representative of at least one operating parameter and identifying a degree of efficiency of an operating state of the motor 4 and/or cutting tool 3.
• operating state is intended to mean an operating condition of the tool and, in particular, the operating condition of a particular component of the tool 1 , such as the motor 4 and/or the cutting tool 3.
• This operating state is related to the respective operating parameter (detected by the control unit) by a proportionality report, as will be further clarified below in this document.
• degree of efficiency is intended to mean an evaluation of the operational performance of the aforementioned operating state: such degree of efficiency can be expressed by a scalar system of discrete values (or, alternatively, the degree of efficiency can be expressed by a binary system: the degree of efficiency can simply be “positive” or “negative”).
• the display device 5 connected to the control unit “U” and operatively installed on the machine body 2, is designed to display a visual representation of the performance signal: in other words, the display device 5 is designed to show the operator the aforementioned performance signal with the device in use, identifying the degree of efficiency of the relative operating state of the tool 1.
• the operator is able to monitor the functional status of the tool 1 and, therefore, ensure its optimal and efficient operation.
• control unit “U” may comprise a storage unit “M”: a trend of the operating state of the motor 4 and/or the cutting tool 3 is recorded on this storage unit “M” as a function of the value of a respective operating parameter of the motor 4 and/or the cutting tool 3, as well as a plurality of degrees of efficiency associated with the respective operating states of the motor 4 and/or the cutting tool 3.
• a plurality of nominal values of the operating state related to a respective plurality of values of the operating parameter (to which the operating state is linked by a proportional relationship) is recorded on the storage unit “M”, so as to describe the trend as a function of said respective operating parameter.
• each value of the plurality of nominal values of the operating state is associated with a respective value concerning the aforementioned degree of efficiency.
• control unit “U” is designed to generate the performance signal that identifies the degree of efficiency corresponding to the value of the determined operating state.
• control unit “U” determines the value of the respective operating state by the trend recorded on the storage unit “M” and, consequently, also the degree of efficiency related to that operating state.
• Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the tool 1.
• the motor 4 is an electric motor.
• This motor 4 comprises a driver.
• the tool 1 comprises an electric energy storage battery 6, connected to the motor 4 and designed to supply electric power to the motor 4.
• the operating parameter comprises an electric current intensity value supplied to the motor 4.
• control unit “U” comprises a current intensity sensor 7: the current intensity sensor 7 is operatively installed near the motor 4 and/or the battery 6, and designed to measure the aforementioned electric current intensity value supplied to the motor 4.
• the current intensity sensor 7 can be operatively installed on one or more phases between the driver and the motor 4.
• the reference status may be at least one of the following:
• Each of these operating states has a direct proportional relationship with respect to the current intensity supplied to the motor 4.
• the trend of one or more of the aforementioned operating states is recorded on the storage unit “M” as a function of nominal values of the current intensity supplied from the battery 6 to the motor 4.
• the current intensity sensor 7 measures the actual value of the current intensity supplied to the motor 4, and the control unit “U”, on the basis of this measurement and the trend recorded on the storage unit “M”, defines the value of the particular operating state and the degree of efficiency related to it.
• the display device 5 is designed for a visual representation of each of the performance signals generated by the control unit “U”.
• the correct operation of the tool 1 can be determined by monitoring one or more of the aforementioned operating states.
• the control unit “U” would send to the display device the performance signal identifying a low degree of efficiency. This performance signal would be immediately visible to the operator thanks to the display device 5, allowing the operator to change the operating state of the tool 1 so that the latter can operate in an optimal condition.
• FIG. 1 A further embodiment of the tool 1 is illustrated in Figure 2.
• the motor 4 may independently be an electrical unit or a “combustion” unit.
• the operating parameter comprises a temperature value of the cutting tool: the control unit “U” comprises a temperature sensor 8 operatively arranged near the cutting tool 3 and designed to measure the aforementioned temperature value.
• the operating state can be at least one of the following:
• Each of these operating states has a direct proportional relationship with respect to the temperature of the cutting tool 3.
• the trend of one or more of the aforementioned operating states is recorded on the storage unit “M” as a function of nominal values of the temperature reached near the cutting tool 3 and measured by the temperature sensor 8-
• the temperature sensor 8 measures the actual value of the temperature in the proximity of the cutting tool 3, and the control unit “U”, based on this measurement and the respective trend recorded on the storage unit “M”, defines the value of the particular operating state and the degree of efficiency related to it.
• the display device 5 is designed for a visual representation of each of the performance signals generated by the control unit “U”.
• the correct operation of the tool 1 can be determined by monitoring one or more of the aforementioned operating states.
• the temperature of the latter would increase due to the friction generated between the cutting tool 3 and the machine body 2.
• the control unit “U” would send to the display device 5 the performance signal identifying a low degree of efficiency. This performance signal would be immediately visible to the operator thanks to the display device 5, allowing the operator to change the operating state of the tool 1 so that the latter can operate in an optimal condition.
• Figure 3 illustrates an additional embodiment of the tool 1.
• the motor 4 is an electric motor.
• the tool 1 comprises the battery 6 for storing electric power, connected to the motor 4 and designed to supply electric power to the motor 4.
• the operating parameter comprises an electric current intensity value supplied to the motor 4:
• the control unit “U” comprises a current intensity sensor 7 configured to measure the aforementioned electric current intensity value supplied to the motor 4.
• the operating parameter comprises a temperature value of the cutting tool 3: the control unit “U” comprises the temperature sensor 8 operatively arranged near the cutting tool 3 and configured to measure the aforementioned temperature value.
• the reference state related to the current intensity value can be at least one of the following:
• the reference state related to the temperature value may be at least one of the following:
• the trend of one or more of the aforementioned operating states as a function of the respective related operating parameter is recorded on the storage unit “M”.
• the current intensity sensor 7 measures the actual value of the current intensity supplied to the motor 4, and the control unit “U”, based on this measurement and the respective trend recorded on the storage unit “M”, defines the value of the particular operating state and the degree of efficiency related thereto, while the temperature sensor 8 measures the actual value of the temperature near the cutting tool 3, and the control unit “U”, based on this measurement and the trend recorded on the storage unit “M”, defines the value of the particular operating state and the degree of efficiency related thereto.
• control unit “U” is designed to generate a first performance signal relative to the degree of efficiency of the state relative to the current intensity, and to generate a second performance signal relative to the efficiency degree of the operating state relative to the temperature of the tool.
• the display device 5 is designed to display a visual representation of such first and second performance signals.
• the display device 5 may comprise at least one optoelectronic device and/or at least one display configured for the aforementioned visual representation of the performance signal.
• the display device 5 may include one or more light-emitting diodes. Functionally, the display device 5 may be configured to assume a plurality of distinct colour configurations, each colour configuration being associated with a respective performance signal value. Alternatively, the display device 5 may be designed to assume a plurality of distinct power-up configurations, each power-up configuration being associated with a respective performance signal value.
• the display device 5 may further include a display designed for the visual representation of the performance signal by one or more respective images, logos, alphanumeric characters and/or special characters.
• the display device 5 may include an organic diode type display (OLED).
• OLED organic diode type display
• the tool 1 may further comprise an electroacoustic transducer, connected to the control unit “U”, and designed to output an acoustic signal representative of the performance signal.
• such an electroacoustic transducer can emit a signal only in the case where the control unit “U” detects a degree of efficiency considered not optimal.
• the powered agricultural tool 1 makes it possible to obtain an effective monitoring of the operating state of the tool, and, in particular, of the operating state of the motor and/or the cutting tool, so that the tool can constantly operate at an optimal status.
• control unit “U” and the display device 5 allow the operator to avoid possible damage and limit and delay the wear of the equipment.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (4)

• 2021
  • 2021-05-20 EP EP21743287.1A patent/EP4341028A1/de active Pending
  • 2021-05-20 WO PCT/IT2021/000024 patent/WO2022244023A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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