Power head configured to operate multiple tool heads with universal rotary device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11845172-B2
Application number	US-201716770125-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2017
Priority date	Dec 6, 2017
Publication date	Dec 19, 2023
Grant date	Dec 19, 2023

Abstract

A multi-tool ( 100 ) includes a power head ( 120 ) including a power head housing ( 122 ) having a handle ( 124 ) operably coupled thereto, a tool attachment ( 106, 108, 110 ) configured to perform a work function, the tool attachment ( 106, 108, 110 ) being alternately separable from and operably coupled to the power head ( 120 ), a motor ( 140 ) disposed in the power head housing ( 122 ), a battery ( 130 ) configured to be operably coupled to the motor ( 140 ) to selectively power the motor ( 140 ), a drive provider portion ( 300 ) disposed at the power head ( 120 ), and a drive receiver portion ( 320 ) disposed at the tool attachment ( 106, 108, 110 ). The drive provider portion ( 300 ) includes a driving portion ( 302 ) of a shaft ( 150 ) operably coupled to the motor ( 140 ), and the drive receiver portion ( 320 ) includes a driven portion ( 322 ) of the shaft ( 150 ). The driving portion ( 302 ), the drive receiver portion ( 320 ), and the motor ( 140 ) share a common axis ( 148 ). The power head ( 120 ) receives the battery ( 130 ) at an opposite end of the power head housing ( 122 ) relative to an end of the power head housing ( 122 ) at which the motor ( 140 ) is located, and the handle ( 124 ) extends from a first portion of the power head housing ( 122 ) above the motor ( 140 ) to a second portion of the power head housing ( 122 ) above the battery ( 130 ).

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A multi-tool comprising:
a power head comprising a power head housing having a handle operably coupled thereto;
a tool attachment configured to perform a work function, the tool attachment being removably operably coupled to the power head;
a motor disposed in the power head housing;
a battery configured to be operably coupled to the power head housing and to selectively power the motor;
a drive provider portion disposed at the power head, the drive provider portion including a driving portion of a shaft operably coupled to the motor; and
a drive receiver portion disposed at the tool attachment, the drive receiver portion comprising a driven portion of the shaft,
wherein the driving portion, the drive receiver portion, and the motor share a common axis,
wherein the power head receives the battery at an opposite end of the power head housing relative to an end of the power head housing at which the motor is located,
wherein the handle extends from a first portion of the power head housing proximate to the motor to a second portion of the power head housing proximate to the battery,
wherein the battery comprises a housing having a receiving portion configured to be operably coupled to a rail structure that is provided at a battery receiver disposed at a rear portion of the power head,
wherein the tool attachment comprises one of a plurality of different tool attachments that each performs a respective different work function,
wherein a first work function of a first tool attachment comprises a first rotary output generated based on a rotary input provided via operable coupling of the drive portion and the driven portion, the first rotary output being coaxial with the rotary input,
wherein a second work function of a second tool attachment comprises a second rotary output generated based on the rotary input, the second rotary output being non-coaxial with the rotary input,
wherein a third work function of a third tool attachment comprises a linear output generated based on the rotary input,
wherein the first tool attachment, the second tool attachment and the third tool attachment each includes a tool mating interface configured to mate with a power head mating interface of the power head,
wherein the tool mating interface comprises an electrical interface including a first contact assembly disposed at the tool attachment, and a second contact assembly disposed at the power head, wherein the first and second contact assemblies interface with each other to provide a safety feature of the multi-tool, and
wherein the safety feature comprises disabling operation of the motor unless the first and second contact assemblies are in electrical contact with each other.

2. The multi-tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first work function, the second work function or the third work function includes a speed change relative to a speed of the rotary input, and at least another of the first work function, the second work function or the third work function does not include a speed change relative to the speed of the rotary input.

3. The multi-tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second and third tool attachments includes one or more contacts of the first contact assembly that are dead ended.

4. The multi-tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second and third tool attachments includes a contact of the first contact assembly enabling at least one operational function of the at least one of the first, second and third tool attachments when operably coupled to the second contact assembly.

5. The multi-tool of claim 1 , wherein the battery is inserted into the power head in a direction substantially parallel to the common axis.

6. The multi-tool of claim 1 , wherein the battery has a longitudinal centerline that is substantially aligned with the common axis responsive to insertion of the battery into the power head.

7. The multi-tool of claim 1 , wherein the driven portion and the driving portion are configured to engage each other responsive to the power head and the tool attachment being in an engaged state,
wherein a guide sleeve is disposed coaxial with the driving portion, and a guide receiver is disposed coaxial with the driven portion, and
wherein the guide sleeve is configured to fit within the guide receiver during transition of the power head and the tool attachment to the engaged state.

8. The multi-tool of claim 7 , wherein a length of the guide sleeve is substantially equal to a depth of the guide receiver.

9. The multi-tool of claim 8 , wherein the length of the guide sleeve is longer than a length of the driving portion.

Assignees

• Husqvarna Ab

Inventors

• Zugen Ni
• Ming Yang
• Li Li
• Jones Chad
• Sherman Garrett
• Hickman Jeffrey C
• Estey David Lawrence

Classifications

• B25F3/00 Primary

  Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor · CPC title

• B25F5/02

  Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} · CPC title

• A01D34/416

  Flexible line cutters · CPC title

• A01G3/062

  Motor-driven edge trimmers · CPC title

• A01G20/47

  Vacuum or blower devices · CPC title