Multispeed power tool transmission
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsChristine Potter, Rodney Milbourne, Todd A. Hagan, Michael C. Bowers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-speed transmission assembly for a rotary power tool. The transmission assembly includes a plurality of transmission stages, with at least two of the transmission stages employing a movable reduction element that permits the transmission stage to be operated in an active mode and an inactive mode. The movable reduction elements are coupled to a switching mechanism that switches the reduction elements in a predetermined manner to provide at least three-gear reduction or speed ratios.
Claims70
A portable power tool, comprising:
- a housing;
- a motor in the housing and including a motor output member;
- a driven member;
- and
- a transmission in the housing and operatively associated with the motor output member and the driven member, the transmission having at least three distinct speed ratios.
A hand-held power tool, comprising:
- a driven member;
- a motor output member for providing an input torque;
- and
- a transmission in operative association with the driven member and the motor output member, the transmission having at least three different speed ratios, each of the speed ratios being operable for rotating the driven member.
A power tool, comprising:
- a housing;
- a motor disposed in the housing, the motor having an output member;
- a driven member;
- a transmission including a first reduction gearset and a second reduction gearset, each of the first and second reduction gearsets being operable in an active mode and an inactive mode;
- and
- a speed selector mechanism coupled to the transmission and being configured to selectively change one or both of the first and second gearsets into the active or inactive modes to provide the power tool with at least three overall gear reduction ratios.
A power tool, comprising a housing, a motor for driving an output spindle through a multiple speed transmission, and a speed selector mechanism, the multiple speed transmission providing a plurality of selectively settable gear reductions between the motor and the output spindle, the transmission including a first gear assembly having an active mode and an inactive mode and a second gear assembly having an active mode and an inactive mode, the speed selector mechanism coupled to the housing and engaging the transmission to selectively operate the first and second gear assemblies in the active or inactive modes to provide at least three different overall gear reductions for transmitting torque between the motor and the output spindle.
A power tool comprising a housing, a motor for driving an output spindle through a multiple speed transmission, and a speed selector mechanism, the multiple speed transmission providing a plurality of selectively settable gear reductions between the motor and the output spindle, the transmission including a first gear assembly having an active and an inactive mode and a second gear assembly having an active and an inactive mode, the speed selector mechanism coupled to the housing and engaging the transmission to selectively provide at least three of the following operating conditions:
- the first gear assembly in the active mode and the second gear assembly in the inactive mode;
- the first gear assembly in the active mode and the second gear assembly in the active mode;
- the first gear assembly in the inactive mode and the second gear assembly in the inactive mode;
- and
- the first gear assembly in the inactive mode and the second gear assembly in the active mode.
A method of using a motor-driven hand-held power tool having an output member, the method comprising:
- selecting a desired speed ratio from a transmission having at least three speed ratios;
- and
- operating the power tool so that the output member is driven by the transmission within a speed range determined by the selected speed ratio.
A method of drilling a hole, comprising:
- providing a tool having a transmission with at least two planetary gearsets, each of the planetary gearsets having a movable portion that permits the transmission to be operated in at least three distinct gear ratios;
- translating the movable portion of at least one of the planetary gearsets from a first position to a second position;
- and
- drilling a hole with the tool operating at a speed within a speed range determined by the second position of said translated movable portion.
A method of forming a hole comprising:
- providing a hand-held portable drill having an electric motor, a chuck and a transmission disposed between the electric motor and the chuck, the electric motor being coupled to a source of electric power and having a motor output, the transmission operating to transmit torque between the motor output and the chuck, the transmission including at least three gear ratios;
- selectively engaging a desired gear ratio from the at least three gear ratios;
- and
- operating the hand-held portable drill at a speed determined by the desired gear ratio and a speed of the motor output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.