Power tool having an eccentric mass

Abstract

A power tool having an eccentric mass for sanding a work surface is provided. The power tool may include a motor assembly, a sanding shaft, an eccentric mass, a base element, a fan shaft, a fan, a filter element and one or more dust channels. The motor assembly may be perpendicular to the sanding shaft for reducing the height of the power tool and reduce vibrations transmitted to the operator during use. The fan may be configured to create a suction force that is guided at least partially through the dust channels for evacuating at least some of the particulate matter creating during sanding operations and the filter element may be configured to capture at least some of the particulate matter for providing at least some protection to the operator and the fan. The fan may be position opposite the motor assembly from the sanding shaft.

1 . A power tool comprising:
 a motor assembly including a motor and a first shaft, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the first shaft about a first axis;   a second shaft substantially perpendicular to and rotationally connected to the first shaft such that a rotation of the first shaft causes a rotation of the second shaft about a second axis;   an eccentric mass coupled to the second shaft such that the rotation of the second shaft causes a rotation of the eccentric mass;   a base element in communication with the eccentric mass such that the rotation of the eccentric mass creates a movement of the base element; and   a fan rotationally connected to the first shaft such that the rotation of the first shaft causes a rotation of the fan about a third axis substantially perpendicular to the second shaft, wherein the rotation of the fan creates a suction force in the proximity of the base element.   
   
   
       2 . The power tool of  claim 1  further comprising a pinion gear and a bevel gear for rotationally connecting the first and second shafts. 
   
   
       3 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the base element includes a sanding surface and the rotation of the eccentric mass creates a vibratory movement of the sanding surface for sanding a work surface. 
   
   
       4 . The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein the rotation of the second shaft additionally creates a rotational movement of the base element for further sanding the work surface. 
   
   
       5 . The power tool of  claim 3  further comprising one or more dust channels extending from the sanding surface at least partially through the base element toward the fan for at least partially guiding the suction force created by the rotation of the fan. 
   
   
       6 . The power tool of  claim 5  further comprising a filter element positioned between the fan and the one or more dust channels such that the suction force of the fan draws at least a portion of one or more particulates created during the sanding of the work surface toward the filter element. 
   
   
       7 . The power tool of  claim 6 , wherein the motor, the first shaft, the second shaft, the eccentric mass, the filter element, the fan, and the dust channels do not extend beyond an area defined by the sanding surface. 
   
   
       8 . The power tool of  claim 1  further comprising a third shaft substantially parallel to and rotationally connected to the first shaft such that a rotation of the first shaft causes the third shaft to rotate about a third axis, wherein the fan is coupled to the third shaft. 
   
   
       9 . The power tool of  claim 8 , wherein both the second shaft and the third shaft are configured to have an operating rotational speed, and wherein the operating rotational speed of the third shaft is higher than the operating rotational speed of the second shaft. 
   
   
       10 . The power tool of  claim 9 , wherein the operating rotational speed of the second shaft is between approximately 6,000 rpm and approximately 12,000 rpm and the operating rotational speed of the third shaft is approximately 20,000 rpm or greater. 
   
   
       11 . The power tool of  claim 9 , wherein the operating rotational speed of the second shaft is between approximately 6,000 rpm and 12,000 rpm and the operating rotational speed of the third shaft is approximately 30,000 rpm or greater. 
   
   
       12 . The power tool of  claim 8 , wherein the third axis is the same as the first axis. 
   
   
       13 . A power tool, which removes matter from a work surface in the form of particulates, comprising:
 a motor assembly including a motor and a first shaft, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the first shaft about a first axis;   an eccentric mass rotationally connected to the first shaft such that a rotation of the first shaft causes the eccentric mass to rotate;   a base element in communication with the eccentric mass such that the rotation of the eccentric mass creates a movement of the base element;   a second shaft rotationally connected to the first shaft;   a fan coupled to the second shaft, wherein the rotation of the fan creates a suction force; and   one or more dust channels extending from the base element toward the fan for at least partially guiding the suction force away from the base element and toward the fan.   
   
   
       14 . The power tool of  claim 10 , wherein the base element includes a sanding surface and the rotation of the eccentric mass creates a vibratory movement of the sanding surface for sanding the work surface. 
   
   
       15 . The power tool of  claim 11 , wherein the rotation of the first shaft additionally creates a rotational movement of the base element for further sanding the work surface. 
   
   
       16 . The power tool of  claim 10  further comprising a filter element positioned between the fan and the one or more dust channels for collecting at least a portion of the particulates created during sanding of the work surface. 
   
   
       17 . The power tool of  claim 13 , wherein the second shaft extends through the filter element. 
   
   
       18 . The power tool of  claim 13 , wherein the motor, the first shaft, the second shaft, the eccentric mass, the filter element, the fan, and the dust channels do not extend beyond an area defined by the sanding surface. 
   
   
       19 . The power tool of  claim 10  further comprising a third shaft substantially perpendicular to and rotationally connected to the first shaft such that a rotation of the first shaft causes the third shaft to rotate about a third axis, and wherein the eccentric mass is coupled to the third shaft. 
   
   
       20 . A sander which removes matter from a work surface in the form of one or more particulates comprising:
 a motor assembly including a motor and a first shaft, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the first shaft about a first axis;   a second shaft substantially perpendicular to and rotationally connected to the first shaft such that a rotation of the first shaft causes the second shaft to rotate about a second axis;   an eccentric mass coupled to the second shaft such that a rotation of the second shaft causes a rotation of the eccentric mass;   a base element in communication with the eccentric mass such that the rotation of the eccentric mass creates a movement of the base element, wherein the base element includes a sanding surface and the rotation of the eccentric mass creates a vibratory movement of the sanding surface for sanding the work surface;   a third shaft substantially parallel to and rotationally connected to the first shaft such that a rotation of the first shaft causes the third shaft to rotate about a third axis;   a fan coupled to the third shaft such that a rotation of the third shaft rotates the fan about the third axis and creates a suction force in the proximity of the base element;   one or more dust channels extending from the sanding surface and at least partially through the base element toward the fan for at least partially guiding the suction force from the sanding surface toward the fan; and   a filter element positioned between the fan and the one or more dust channels such that suction force of the fan draws at least a portion of the one more particulates during the sanding of the work surface toward the filter element.   
   
   
       21 . The sander of  claim 17  further comprising a first pinion gear, a bevel gear, and a second pinion gear for rotationally connecting the first, second, and third shafts. 
   
   
       22 . The sander of  claim 17  wherein the motor, the first shaft, the second shaft, the third shaft, the eccentric mass, the filter element, the fan, and the one or more dust channels do not extend beyond an area defined by the sanding surface. 
   
   
       23 . The sander of  claim 17 , wherein the rotation of the second shaft additionally creates a rotational movement of the base element for further sanding the work surface. 
   
   
       24 . The sander of  claim 17 , wherein both the second shaft and the third shaft are configured to have an operating rotational speed, and wherein the operating rotational speed of the third shaft is higher than the operating rotational speed of the second shaft. 
   
   
       25 . The sander of  claim 24 , wherein the operating rotational speed of the second shaft is between approximately 6,000 rpm and 12,000 rpm and the operating rotational speed of the third shaft is approximately 20,000 rpm or greater.