CN220112466U - Jig saw - Google Patents

Abstract

A jigsaw, comprising: a housing; a handle extending transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis; a battery selectively coupled to the handle; a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact the workpiece; and a drive assembly powered by the battery. The drive assembly includes a motor, a fan, a transmission driven by the motor, and an output spindle driven by the transmission and coupled to the cutting blade. The jigsaw also includes a frame supported within the housing, the frame supporting the motor and the transmission. The frame includes a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the fan and an air duct in fluid communication with the shroud, the shroud and the air duct together directing an air flow generated by the fan toward a cutting area adjacent the cutting blade. The jigsaw also includes a baffle that is selectively movable into the tunnel to redirect the air flow away from the cutting blade.

Description

Jig saw

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present utility model claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/384,475 filed on day 21 11 of 2022 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/338,288 filed on day 4 of 5 of 2022, the entire contents of both U.S. provisional patent applications being incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to power tools, and more particularly to jigsaw.

Background

Various power tools, such as jigsaw, generate dust and debris during cutting operations. Dust and debris can not only pose a hazard in certain work stations, but also accumulate on the work pieces themselves, making it difficult to see the work pieces during the cutting operation.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present utility model provides a jigsaw comprising: a housing; a handle extending transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis; a battery selectively coupled to the handle; a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact the workpiece during a cutting operation; and a drive assembly powered by the battery. The drive assembly includes a motor, a fan, a transmission driven by the motor, and an output spindle driven by the transmission for reciprocating movement and coupled to the cutting blade. The jigsaw further includes a frame supported within the housing, which in turn supports the motor and transmission. The frame includes a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the fan and an air duct in fluid communication with the shroud, the shroud and the air duct together directing an air flow generated by the fan toward a cutting area adjacent the cutting blade. The jig saw further includes a baffle selectively movable into the air tunnel to redirect the air flow away from the cutting blade.

In another aspect, the present utility model provides a jigsaw comprising: a housing; a handle extending transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis; a battery selectively coupled to the handle; a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact the workpiece during a cutting operation; and a drive assembly powered by the battery. The drive assembly includes: a motor; a transmission driven by the motor; an output spindle driven by the transmission and coupled to the cutting blade; and a scotch yoke mechanism that converts rotational movement of the transmission into reciprocal movement of the output spindle and the cutting blade in the blade plane. The jigsaw also includes a support block coupled to the housing and receiving the output spindle. The output spindle slides along the support block when the support block prevents the output spindle from moving in a direction transverse to the blade plane.

In yet another aspect, the present utility model provides a jigsaw comprising: a housing; a handle extending transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis; a battery selectively coupled to the handle; a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact the workpiece during a cutting operation; and a drive assembly powered by the battery. The drive assembly includes a motor supported within the housing by a plurality of ribs, a transmission driven by the motor, and an output spindle driven by the transmission and coupled to the cutting blade. The jigsaw further includes an activation switch that is slidable along a switch axis that is parallel to the handle axis between an activated state in which the drive assembly is activated and a deactivated state in which the drive assembly is deactivated. The link is directly coupled to the start switch and is movable with the start switch. The link is configured to interact with the limit switch. The link slides through at least one of the ribs when the activation switch moves between the activated and deactivated states.

Other features and aspects of the utility model will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a jigsaw according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Fig. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the jigsaw of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the jigsaw of fig. 1 with a portion of the housing removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the drive assembly of the jigsaw of fig. 1, illustrating a motor, a transmission, and a frame supporting the motor and the transmission.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a frame of the drive assembly of fig. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the jig saw, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2, illustrating the flapper in a closed position.

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view of the jigsaw of FIG. 6, illustrating the flapper in an open position.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the drive assembly of the jigsaw of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the drive assembly taken along line 9-9 of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a jigsaw with portions removed according to another embodiment of the present utility model.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the jigsaw of FIG. 10, illustrating the wind guide coupled to the frame.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of a jigsaw according to yet another embodiment of the present utility model.

Before any embodiments of the utility model are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the utility model is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The utility model is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a power tool, such as a jigsaw 10, including: a housing 14; a handle 18 extending from the housing 14 in a generally transverse direction; a battery 22 removably coupled to the handle 18; a foot plate 26 pivotally coupled to the housing 14 and configured to contact the workpiece during a cutting operation; and a cutting blade 30 protruding from the lower surfaces of the housing 14 and the foot plate 26. The jigsaw 10 includes a drive assembly 34 (fig. 2) that is powered by the battery 22 and is operable to reciprocate the cutting blade 30 to cut a workpiece. The jigsaw 10 defines a handle axis 38 that extends in the direction of the handle 18. Moreover, the cutting blade 30 generally reciprocates within the blade plane 40 during a cutting operation.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the handle 18 receives the battery 22 along the handle axis 38 and supports a controller 46. The controller 46 is disposed between the battery 22 and the drive assembly 34 in a direction along the handle axis 38. The jigsaw 10 also includes gripping surfaces 42a, 42b, which are provided on the housing 14 and the handle 18, respectively, and which are graspable by a user to manipulate and maneuver the jigsaw 10 relative to a workpiece. In addition to the housing 14 and the handle 18, the gripping surfaces 42a, 42b are also constructed of a non-conductive material (e.g., plastic with or without an elastomeric overmold). Such non-conductive material may electrically insulate the user if he accidentally cuts the wire during the cutting operation, thereby inhibiting or at least alleviating electrical shock.

With continued reference to fig. 1-3, the jigsaw 10 further includes a start switch 54 in electrical communication with the controller 46 for selectively supplying power to the drive assembly 34. Specifically, the activation switch 54 provides an input to the controller 46, which in turn instructs the battery 22 to supply power to the drive assembly 34. The start switch 54 is disposed adjacent the handle 18 and radially outward from a brushless Direct Current (DC) motor 66 that is part of the drive assembly 34 (fig. 2). The activation switch 54 is slidable between an activated state, in which the battery 22 supplies power to the drive assembly 34, and a deactivated state, in which the drive assembly 34 is deactivated. The activation switch 54 is slidable along a switch axis 56 (fig. 1) that is parallel to the handle axis 38 of the jigsaw 10. The activation switch 54 is coupled to a linkage 58 that is disposed on the interior of the housing 14 and is movable with the activation switch 54 (fig. 3). The link 58 is also parallel to the handle axis 38. The linkage 58 is configured to interact with a limit switch 60 disposed behind the motor 66 and selectively depress an arm 61 of the limit switch 60 to activate the motor 66. The limit switch 60 is in electrical communication with the controller 46. The linkage 58 is also disposed radially outward from the motor 66 relative to the handle axis 38. To dispose the activation switch 54 and the linkage 58 radially outward from the motor 66, the linkage 58 extends through a plurality of ribs 62 on the interior of the housing 14 that support the motor 66 in the housing 14. In this way, when the link 58 engages and disengages the limit switch 60 during the activated and deactivated states, respectively, the link 58 slides through the alignment slot 64 in the rib 62.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the drive assembly 34 of the jigsaw 10 is disposed within the housing 14 and the handle 18. The drive assembly 34 includes: a motor 66; a transmission 70 driven by the motor 66; output spindle 72 to which cutting blade 30 is removably secured; and a scotch yoke mechanism 94 that transfers rotational motion of transmission 70 to reciprocating motion of output spindle 72. A frame 74 is disposed within the housing 14 and supports the motor 66 and the transmission 70 within the housing 14. As with the housing 14 and handle 18, the frame 74 is constructed of a non-conductive material (e.g., plastic). Such non-conductive material may electrically insulate the user if he accidentally cuts the wire during the cutting operation, thereby inhibiting or at least alleviating electrical shock. As shown in fig. 5, the frame 74 includes two apertures 78, 82 that support the motor 66 and the transmission 70, respectively. The bore 78 receives and supports a drive shaft 84 of the motor 66, which in turn supports a screw drive gear 86 (fig. 4). The bore 82 receives and supports a driven shaft 88 of a helical driven gear 90 of the transmission 70. The screw drive gears 86 intermesh and drive the screw driven gears 90 of the transmission 70. Since rotational movement of transmission 70 is translated into reciprocating movement of output spindle 72 by scotch yoke mechanism 94, cutting blade 30 is also driven in reciprocating movement.

Referring to fig. 5, the frame 74 further includes a shroud 98 and an air chute 100 in fluid communication with the shroud 98. The shroud 98, the air chute 100, and a fan 102 (fig. 3) disposed within the shroud 98 and coupled to the drive shaft 84 of the motor 66 cooperate to direct an air flow a from the fan 102 toward a cutting area 103 adjacent the cutting blade 30 and the foot plate 26. Specifically, fan 102 creates a low pressure region within housing 14 when driven by motor 66, thereby drawing air flow A through a plurality of air inlets 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in housing 14 and through motor 66. Air flow a is then circulated through shroud 98 by fan 102 and radially exhausted through duct 100. The shutter 105 is movably disposed within the air chute 100 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position (fig. 6), the baffle 105 is disposed within the air chute 100 such that the air flow a is redirected from the air chute 100 and discharged away from the cutting blade 30 through the outlet opening 106 of the housing 14. In the open position (fig. 7), the flap 105 is removed from the air chute 100 such that the air flow a continues through the air chute 100 and toward the cutting blade 30. The shutter 105 translates between an open position and a closed position by manual actuation of a blower switch 112 (fig. 2 and 5). Blower switch 112 is directly coupled to bezel 105 and moves in a direction parallel to handle axis 38. The shutter 105 also moves in a direction parallel to the handle axis 38 between an open position and a closed position.

Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a jigsaw 500 (like features of the jigsaw 10 are numbered identically), which further includes an air guide 113 coupled to the frame 74 to redirect the air flow a downwardly and toward the rollers 115 supporting the cutting blade 30. The roller 115 is supported on a linkage 117 that is operable to selectively impart an orbital motion to the cutting blade 30 during a return (i.e., cutting) stroke of the cutting blade 30. Thus, the air flow a is directed past the cutting blade 30 and very close to the underlying workpiece being cut, effectively removing dust and debris from the cutting blade 30 and the area on the workpiece being cut. As shown in fig. 11, the air guide 113 is coupled to the frame 74 by a snap-fit mechanism. However, in other embodiments, the air guides 113 may be fastened to the frame 74 or integrally formed with the frame.

Fig. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a jigsaw 1000 (like features of the jigsaw 10 are labeled with like reference numerals) that includes an air guide 1113 (fig. 12) integrally formed as a single piece with a link 117. As with the air guide 113, the air guide 1113 is operable to direct an air flow a past the cutting blade 30 and immediately below the workpiece being cut, thereby effectively removing dust and debris from the cutting blade 30 and the area on the workpiece being cut.

The jigsaw 10 further includes a dust shield 108 (FIG. 1) removably coupled between the housing 14 and the foot plate 26. When the dust cap 108 is coupled to the housing 14, a debris chamber 110 is formed that is defined as an enclosed space enclosed next to the cutting blade 30 by the housing 14, the foot plate 26, and at least a portion of the dust cap 108. When the shutter 105 is in the open position and the dust cap 108 is coupled to the housing 14 (as shown in fig. 7), the air flow a is directed to the debris chamber 110. Dust cap 108 now prevents dust and debris from exiting debris chamber 110, at which time vacuum source 116 (also shown in fig. 7) may draw dust and debris from debris chamber 110.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, debris chamber 110 is in fluid communication with a channel 114 extending through foot plate 26, which is ultimately in fluid communication with a vacuum source 116 through a vacuum adapter 118 coupled to channel 114. Vacuum source 116 creates a low pressure region within debris chamber 110 to draw dust and debris out of debris chamber 110 along air flow B. Specifically, dust and debris within the debris chamber 110 passes through the channel 114 and the vacuum adapter 118 and then to the vacuum source 116. When the vacuum source 116 is activated, the shutter 105 may be in a closed position to prevent air flow a from merging with air flow B. The dust cap 108 is constructed of a transparent material so that the user can see the cutting blade 30 and the workpiece during the cutting operation. Accommodating and extracting dust and debris within the debris chamber 110 helps to keep the work station clean and to clearly see the work piece. In the event that the dust cap 108 is not coupled to the housing 14, the air flow a is vented to create a high pressure zone adjacent the cutting blade 30, wherein the air flow a drives dust and debris away from the cutting blade 30. This ensures that the workpiece is clearly visible to the user during the cutting operation. In another instance where dust cap 108 is not coupled to housing 14, vacuum 116 may create a low pressure zone within cutting region 103 adjacent cutting blade 30 to draw dust and debris out of cutting region 103 along air flow B.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, the drive assembly 34 is configured in some manner to improve cutting accuracy during a cutting operation. Specifically, output spindle 72 is supported within housing 14 by a support block 120, as shown in FIG. 8. An elongated aperture 122 (fig. 9) of support block 120 receives output spindle 72 and helps to maintain alignment of output spindle 72 within blade plane 40 as output spindle 72 reciprocates. More specifically, support block 120 mechanically interferes with output spindle 72 in a direction transverse to blade plane 40 to maintain output spindle 72 aligned with blade plane 40. Elongated aperture 122 includes a pair of flat inner wall surfaces 124 that abut a corresponding flat outer wall surface 125 of output spindle 72 to prevent output spindle 72 from swinging out of blade plane 40. As output spindle 72 reciprocates, flat outer wall surface 125 of output spindle 72 slides against flat inner wall surface 124 of support block 120. Effectively, blade plane 40 bisects output spindle 72 (as shown in fig. 9), and elongated aperture 122 cooperates with output spindle 72 to maintain blade plane 40 aligned along the centerline of output spindle 72. However, when jigsaw 10 is in the orbital cutting mode, rather than the linear cutting mode, elongated aperture 122 does enable reciprocating movement of output spindle 72 through the length of elongated aperture 122.

The jigsaw 10 includes a mode selector switch 128 (FIG. 1) that allows a user to switch the jigsaw 10 between a track cut mode and a straight cut mode.

Referring to fig. 1, the jigsaw 10 further includes a quick disconnect coupling mechanism or blade ejection mechanism 126 disposed on the housing 14. Blade ejection mechanism 126 is pivotable about output spindle 72 and is configured to selectively lock cutting blade 30 to output spindle 72. Specifically, blade ejection mechanism 126 may be pivoted from a locked position, in which cutting blade 30 is prevented from being removed from output spindle 72, to an unlocked position, in which cutting blade 30 is permitted to be removed from output spindle 72. Fig. 1 illustrates the blade ejection mechanism 126 biased toward the locked position. An O-ring 129 is disposed between sealing tabs 130 of output spindle 72 (fig. 4). In addition, O-ring 129 abuts output spindle 72 to prevent dust and debris from inadvertently entering housing 14 through blade ejection mechanism 126.

Referring to fig. 2 and 6, the jigsaw 10 further includes a work light 132 that automatically turns on when the start switch 54 is actuated to start the motor 66. A worklight button 134 is provided on the housing 14 to selectively deactivate the worklight 132 such that actuation of the start switch 54 no longer automatically turns on the worklight 132. The user may desire to deactivate the worklight 132 via the worklight button 134, for example, when the user is performing a reverse cutting operation, so that the worklight 132 does not illuminate the user's eyes.

During operation, a user may grasp the gripping surfaces 42a, 42b of the housing 14 and handle 18 to maneuver the jigsaw 10 relative to a workpiece. The user may rest the jigsaw 10 on the work piece via the foot plate 26 and align the cutting blade 30 with the desired cut. The cutting blade 30 reciprocates within the blade plane 40 in response to the user sliding the activation switch 54 to an activated state. Specifically, the user slides the activation switch 54 along the switch axis 56 from the deactivated state to the activated state, causing the motor 66 to drive the transmission 70 and reciprocate the cutting blade 30. At this time, the work light 132 automatically illuminates the work piece unless the work light button 134 has been pressed. The fan 102 rotates with the motor 66, thereby creating an air flow a that enters the housing 14 through a plurality of vents 104 and passes through the motor 66, shroud 98, and air duct 100. If blower switch 112 holds shutter 105 in the open position, air flow A continues through duct 100 to cutting blade 30. If blower switch 112 holds shutter 105 in the closed position, air flow A is exhausted from housing 14 through exhaust port 106.

Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the utility model as described.

Claims (20)

1. A jigsaw, comprising:

a housing;

a handle extending substantially transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis;

a battery selectively coupled to the handle;

a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact a workpiece during a cutting operation;

a drive assembly powered by the battery, the drive assembly comprising

The motor is arranged on the side of the motor,

the air flow of the fan is controlled by the air flow control device,

a transmission driven by the motor, and

an output spindle driven to reciprocate by the transmission and coupled to the cutting blade;

a frame supported within the housing, the frame in turn supporting the motor and the transmission, the frame including a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the fan and a duct in fluid communication with the shroud, the duct and the shroud together directing an air flow generated by the fan toward a cutting area adjacent the cutting blade; and

a baffle is selectively movable into the duct to redirect the air flow away from the cutting blade.

2. The jigsaw of claim 1, further comprising a dust shield removably coupled to the housing for forming a debris chamber about the cutting area, wherein the debris chamber is defined by the housing, the foot plate, and at least a portion of the dust shield.

3. The jigsaw of claim 2, wherein the foot plate includes a channel in fluid communication with the cutting region and is configured to be coupled to a vacuum source such that the vacuum source is capable of drawing dirt and debris from the debris chamber through the channel in the foot plate.

4. The jigsaw of claim 1, wherein the fan creates a low pressure zone within the housing that draws the air flow through at least one vent in the housing, the motor, and the fan, and wherein the fan creates a high pressure zone adjacent the cutting blade to dislodge dust and debris from the cutting blade.

5. The jigsaw of claim 1, wherein the baffle is movable between an open position permitting the air flow to pass through the air chute and toward the cutting region, and a closed position preventing the air flow from flowing toward the cutting region, but redirecting the air flow away from the cutting blade from the housing.

6. The jigsaw of claim 5, further comprising a switch coupled to the shoe, wherein manual actuation of the switch moves the shoe between the open position and the closed position.

7. The jigsaw of claim 1, further comprising an air guide disposed between the air chute and the cutting region, wherein the air guide is configured to direct the air flow toward the cutting region.

8. The jigsaw of claim 7, wherein the wind deflector is removably coupled to the frame.

9. The jigsaw of claim 7, wherein the air guide is integrally formed with the frame.

10. The jigsaw of claim 7, further comprising a linkage operable to selectively impart an orbital motion to the cutting blade, wherein the air guide is integrally formed with the linkage.

11. A jigsaw, comprising:

a housing;

a handle extending substantially transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis;

a battery selectively coupled to the handle;

a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact a workpiece during a cutting operation;

a drive assembly powered by the battery, the drive assembly comprising

The motor is arranged on the side of the motor,

a transmission device driven by the motor,

an output spindle driven by the transmission and coupled to the cutting blade, and

a scotch yoke mechanism that converts rotational motion of the transmission into reciprocating motion of the output spindle and the cutting blade in a blade plane; and

a support block coupled to the housing and receiving the output spindle, wherein the output spindle slides along the support block when the support block prevents the output spindle from moving in a direction transverse to the blade plane.

12. The jigsaw of claim 11, wherein the support block mechanically interferes with the output spindle in a direction transverse to the blade plane to maintain the output spindle in alignment with the blade plane.

13. The jigsaw of claim 11, wherein the support block defines an elongated aperture through which the output spindle is received.

14. The jigsaw of claim 13, wherein the output spindle has a pair of outer wall surfaces that mate with and slide along a pair of inner wall surfaces of the elongate aperture.

15. The jigsaw of claim 13, wherein the elongate aperture enables the output spindle to translate through a length of the elongate aperture and within the blade plane, wherein the elongate aperture inhibits movement of the output spindle in a direction transverse to the blade plane.

16. The jigsaw of claim 11, further comprising an O-ring disposed about the output spindle for preventing dust and debris from entering the housing.

17. A jigsaw, comprising:

a housing;

a handle extending substantially transversely from the housing in the direction of the handle axis;

a battery selectively coupled to the handle;

a foot plate coupled to the housing and configured to contact a workpiece during a cutting operation;

a drive assembly powered by the battery, the drive assembly comprising

A motor supported within the housing by a plurality of ribs,

a transmission driven by the motor, and

an output spindle driven by the transmission and coupled to the cutting blade;

an activation switch slidable along a switch axis parallel to the handle axis between an activated state in which the drive assembly is activated and a deactivated state in which the drive assembly is deactivated; and

a link coupled directly to the start switch and movable therewith, the link being configured to interact with a limit switch,

wherein the link slides through at least one of the ribs when the activation switch moves between the activated state and the deactivated state.

18. The jigsaw of claim 17, wherein the linkage and the activation switch are disposed radially outwardly relative to the motor.

19. The jigsaw of claim 17, wherein the linkage is parallel to the handle axis.

20. The jigsaw of claim 17, wherein the linkage is disposed rearward of the motor.