Optical working fluid detector and hand-held gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device for optically detecting a working fluid

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical working fluid detector for optically detecting working fluid of a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment, wherein the working fluid detector has: - a light source, - a working fluid pipeline, - a light receiver, wherein the light receiver is constructed to receive light from the working fluid pipeline differently depending on the presence or absence of working fluid in the working fluid pipeline, characterized in that - the working fluid detector has at least one optical deflection device, wherein the at least one optical deflection device is constructed to deflect light from the light source to the working fluid pipeline and / or to deflect light from the working fluid pipeline to the light receiver, and / or - the working fluid pipeline is constructed to deflect light from the light source differently depending on the presence or absence of working fluid in the working fluid pipeline to optically detect the working fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an optical operating fluid detector for optically detecting an operating fluid in a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device and to a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device having such an optical operating fluid detector. Summary of the invention

[0002] The object of the present invention is to provide an optical operating fluid sensor for optically detecting an operating fluid in a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device, wherein the operating fluid sensor has improved properties, and to provide a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device having such an optical operating fluid sensor.

[0003] The invention achieves this object by providing an optical operating fluid sensor having the features of claim 1 and a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device having the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments and / or embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0004] The inventive, in particular electrical, optical working fluid detector is designed or configured for in particular automatic, optical detection of working fluid of a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device. The working fluid detector comprises an in particular electrical light source, a working fluid pipeline and an in particular electrical light receiver. The light source is designed or configured for in particular automatic emission or delivery of light. The working fluid pipeline is designed or configured for optical interaction of the light emitted by the light source with the working fluid (if present) in the working fluid pipeline in order to optically detect in particular the working fluid. The light receiver is designed or configured for in particular automatic different reception of in particular interacted light from the working fluid pipeline depending on in particular the presence or absence of working fluid in the working fluid pipeline.

[0005] The working fluid detector additionally has at least one optical deflection device. The at least one optical deflection device is designed or configured to deflect, in particular directed deflection, of the light source, in particular emitted light, to the working fluid line and / or to deflect, in particular directed deflection, of the working fluid line, in particular interacting light, to the light receiver.

[0006] The operating fluid line, in particular its inner surface, is additionally or alternatively constructed or configured for, in particular oriented and / or shaped for, different deflections, in particular directionally deflections, of a light source, in particular emitted light, depending on whether operating fluid is present in the operating fluid line, for optically detecting the operating fluid.

[0007] This, in particular the optical detection of the operating fluid, enables the user to perceive whether the operating fluid is present or not.

[0008] Furthermore, this, in particular at least one deflection device, also enables freedom in the spatial arrangement and / or orientation of the light source, the operating fluid line and the light receiver relative to one another. In particular, the light source, the operating fluid line and the light receiver do not need to be or cannot be arranged spatially in this order in a straight line.

[0009] This additionally or additionally enables the optical detection of different deflections, in particular of operating fluids which have little or even no or unknown absorption of the light of the light source.

[0010] The operating fluid may in particular be a lubricating fluid and / or oil.

[0011] The light source can include a light emitting diode, in particular can be a light emitting diode.

[0012] The light receiver can have a photodiode, in particular a photodiode.

[0013] The light may be of either a wavelength visible to the human eye, particularly red, and / or a shorter wavelength (ultraviolet) and / or a longer wavelength (infrared).

[0014] The working liquid pipeline can transmit light, in particular, has or has a minimum transmittance of 50%, in particular, a maximum transmittance of 100%, in particular, about 90%. This can achieve optical interaction and reception. The working liquid pipeline can be made of plastic, in particular, transparent and / or thermoplastic plastic, in particular, PA (polyamide) and / or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), in particular Grilamid TR90, at least in part or even completely. The working liquid pipeline can additionally or alternatively have a tube, in particular, it can be a tube. In addition, the working liquid pipeline additionally or alternatively has or has a circular and / or cylindrical internal shape. In addition, the inner diameter of the working liquid pipeline can additionally or alternatively be a minimum of 1 millimeter (mm), in particular a minimum of 2 mm, and / or a maximum of 10 mm, in particular a maximum of 5 mm, in particular 3 mm. In addition, when there is no working liquid, air can additionally or alternatively exist in the working liquid pipeline.

[0015] The reception may differ between presence and absence by a factor of at least 2, in particular by a factor of at least 4, in particular also by a factor of at most 100.

[0016] The deflection can be a minimum of 45 degrees (°) and / or a maximum of 180°, in particular 90°. At least one deflection device can additionally or alternatively be different from a light source, a working fluid line and / or a light receiver. In addition, at least one deflection device does not need to or cannot be a lens.

[0017] The deflection can in particular differ on average by at least 5° and / or at most 20°, in particular by 10°. Additionally or alternatively, the operating fluid line does not need to be or cannot be designed for deflection when present or absent.

[0018] The operating fluid detector can have an output device, in particular an electrical output device, which can be designed to automatically output a detection signal, in particular a user-perceptible and / or electrical detection signal, and / or a non-detection signal, in particular a user-perceptible and / or electrical detection signal, in particular depending on the reception, in particular different reception.

[0019] In an extended design of the invention, at least one deflection device is constructed or configured for deflection based on reflection. The at least one deflection device is in particular at least one mirror, in particular at least one concave mirror, in particular at least one parabolic mirror. The at least one deflection device can in particular have or have a reflectivity of at least 50%, in particular also a maximum of 100%.

[0020] In an extended design of the present invention, the working liquid detector has an optical body, in particular an integral body. The body has a working liquid pipeline and at least one deflection device. This achieves a limited spatial arrangement and / or a limited orientation of the working liquid pipeline and at least one deflection device with few parts and / or one another. This achieves a simple installation of the working liquid detector. The body can in particular transmit light, in particular has or has a minimum transmittance of 50%, in particular a maximum of 100%, in particular about 90%. The body can in particular be made at least partially or even completely of plastic, in particular transparent and / or thermoplastic plastic, in particular PA (polyamide) and / or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), in particular Grilamid TR90. The working liquid pipeline can be additionally or alternatively arranged spatially inside the body.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one steering device has a reflective coating at at least one location on the surface of the body, in particular for steering based on reflection. This enables simple production of the at least one steering device, in particular by vapor deposition of the reflective coating. At least one steering device can be a reflective coating at at least one location on the surface of the body. The reflective coating can additionally or alternatively be made at least partially or even completely of metal.

[0022] In an extended design of the present invention, the working liquid detector has a printed circuit board, in particular an electrical printed circuit board. The printed circuit board carries a light source and a light receiver, in particular, a working liquid pipeline and / or at least one deflection device (if present), in particular a body (if present). The light source is oriented in a plane away from the printed circuit board in a particularly orthogonal manner for emitting light. The light receiver is oriented in a particularly orthogonal manner to the plane of the board for receiving light from the working liquid pipeline. This realizes the spatial arrangement of the light source and the light receiver on the printed circuit board with a large area, or the placement of the light source and the light receiver on the printed circuit board. The light source and the light receiver do not need to be or cannot be on the printed circuit board in particular. Departing from the board plane and / or facing the board plane can in particular mean not parallel to the board plane and / or at a minimum angle of 45°, in particular, also at a maximum angle of 90° with the board plane. The light source and the light receiver, in particular, also the working liquid pipeline and / or at least one deflection device, in particular the body can be additionally or alternatively arranged in space on the same side of the printed circuit board and / or arranged in space on the printed circuit board closely or without spacing.

[0023] In an extended design of the invention, the working liquid line is oriented in such a way, in particular relative to the light source and / or the deflection device (if present), that the light from the light source strikes the working liquid line, in particular the inner surface of the working liquid line, not parallel to, in particular perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the working liquid line. This achieves different deflections. Not parallel can in particular mean an angle of at least 45°, in particular also at most 90°, relative to the working liquid line.

[0024] In an extended design of the present invention, the working liquid pipeline, in particular the inner surface of the working liquid pipeline, in particular the inner surface is constructed or configured for, in particular oriented and / or in particular circularly shaped for, depending on whether there is working liquid in the working liquid pipeline, to refract the light of the light source, in particular the emitted light, differently to optically detect in particular the working liquid. This enables optical detection of working liquids that have little absorption of the light of the light source or even no absorption or unknown absorption. The refraction can in particular differ on average by a minimum of 5° and / or a maximum of 20°, in particular 10°. The working liquid pipeline additionally or alternatively does not need to or cannot be constructed for refraction when present or absent.

[0025] In the embodiment of the invention, the refractive index of the working liquid line, in particular the wall of the working liquid line, in particular the body (if present), is greater than 1, in particular at a minimum of 1.3, in particular also at a maximum of 3, in particular 1.5 and / or is similar to, in particular identical to, the refractive index of, in particular, the working liquid. This enables a different refraction. The refractive index of air is in particular 1. Alternatively or additionally, the refractive index of the working liquid, in particular the lubricating liquid and / or the oil, can be at least 1.3, in particular also at a maximum of 3, in particular 1.5.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the operating fluid detector is designed or configured such that the light receiver receives more light from the operating fluid line when operating fluid is present in the operating fluid line than when no operating fluid is present in the operating fluid line.

[0027] In an extended design of the present invention, the light receiver is constructed or configured to measure the intensity of the received light, in particular the intensity value of the intensity, in particular automatically. The working liquid detector has an output device, in particular as described and / or electrical. The output device is constructed or configured to output a detection signal, in particular perceptible to a user, and / or electrical, in particular automatically when reaching and / or exceeding the detection intensity limit value of the measured intensity and / or is constructed or configured to output a non-detection signal, in particular perceptible to a user, and / or electrical, in particular automatically when the non-detection intensity limit value of the measured intensity is below. The detection intensity limit value and the non-detection intensity limit value can be different in particular. The detection intensity limit value can be greater than the non-detection intensity limit value in particular. This makes it possible to avoid that very small and / or a few air bubbles in the working liquid in the working liquid pipeline and / or very small and / or a few working liquid drops in the air in the working liquid pipeline may cause the output to jump around, in particular flicker. The detection signal and the non-detection signal can be different in addition or alternatively. In addition, the output can be optical, acoustic and / or tactile in addition or alternatively.

[0028] In an extended design of the present invention, the working liquid detector has an output device, in particular a described and / or electrical output device. The output device is constructed or configured to output a detection signal, in particular a described and / or user-perceptible and / or electrical detection signal, in particular automatically when the working liquid is continuously detected, in particular within a first minimum duration, and / or to output a non-detection signal, in particular a described and / or user-perceptible and / or electrical non-detection signal, in particular automatically when the working liquid is not continuously detected, in particular within a second minimum duration. This makes it possible to avoid that very small and / or a few air bubbles in the working liquid in the working liquid pipeline and / or very small and / or a few working liquid drops in the air in the working liquid pipeline may cause the output to jump around, in particular flicker. The first minimum duration and the second minimum duration can be different in particular. The detection signal and the non-detection signal can be different in addition or alternatively. In addition, the output can be optical, acoustic and / or tactile in addition or alternatively.

[0029] In an extended design of the invention, the working fluid detector is constructed or configured in such a way that in a particularly fault-free emitting light source, a particularly fault-free light receiver receives light, particularly from the light source, when working fluid is present and when working fluid is absent in the described, particularly fault-free working fluid pipeline. The working fluid detector has an output device, particularly the described and / or automatic output device. The output device is constructed or configured to output, particularly automatically, a fault signal, particularly user-perceptible and / or electrical, when non-receiving. This makes it possible to identify whether the light source, the working fluid pipeline and / or the light receiver, particularly and / or at least one deflection device (if present), particularly the body (if present) is fault-free or faulty. Non-receiving can particularly mean a fault intensity limit value below the measured intensity, in particular wherein the fault intensity limit value can be less than the non-fault intensity limit value (if present). The fault signal can additionally or alternatively be different from the detection signal (if present) and / or the non-detection signal (if present). In addition, the output can additionally or alternatively be optical, acoustic and / or tactile.

[0030] In a further development of the invention, the working fluid line is straight or extends straight, in particular from a line inlet of the working fluid line (in particular including the line inlet) to a line outlet (in particular including the line outlet). This keeps the pressure loss caused by the working fluid line small.

[0031] In an extended design, in particular a design of the invention, the operating fluid detector has a sealing material. The sealing material protects the light source and / or the light receiver and / or the at least one deflection device (if present), in particular the body (if present) and / or the printed circuit board (if present) and / or the output device (if present), in particular from weather influences, such as dirt, water and moisture.

[0032] The handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device according to the invention has a working fluid tank, a working fluid pump and a working fluid detector, in particular an optical working fluid detector as described above. The working fluid tank is designed or configured to store working fluid. The working fluid pump is designed or configured to convey working fluid from the working fluid tank, in particular automatically. The working fluid line is connected downstream of the working fluid tank, in particular also upstream or downstream of the working fluid pump, and the working fluid line is connected downstream of the working fluid tank, in particular either upstream or downstream of the working fluid pump.

[0033] This, in particular the working fluid detector, makes it possible to detect whether working fluid is present or absent in the working fluid tank and therefore whether the working fluid tank needs to be filled or not. In particular, the connection upstream of the working fluid pump allows the distance to the working fluid tank to be kept short and thus allows the refilling of working fluid to be quickly detected or detected and / or avoids damage to the working fluid detector due to possible blockages downstream of the working fluid pump. The connection downstream of the working fluid pump alternatively allows for construction space advantages to be achieved and / or utilized.

[0034] The gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device can in particular be a ground-guided or hand-held gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device. Hand-held, in particular hand-held gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device alternatively or additionally means that the gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device can have a maximum mass of 50 kilograms (kg), in particular 20 kg, in particular 10 kg.

[0035] The gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device can have a drive motor. The gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device can additionally or alternatively have a processing tool, in particular wherein the drive motor can be designed to drive the processing tool. Furthermore, the drive motor can additionally or alternatively be designed to drive a working fluid pump. Furthermore, the working fluid pump can additionally or alternatively be designed to convey working fluid to the processing tool, in particular to lubricate the processing tool with the working fluid in the form of a lubricating fluid.

[0036] The gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device, in particular the operating fluid pump, may be designed for a delivery rate of operating fluid of at least 1 cubic centimeter per minute (ccm / min), in particular at least 3.5 cmm / min and / or at most 50 cmm / min, in particular at most 15 ccm / min.

[0037] The working fluid line can be connected to a working fluid tank and / or a working fluid pump and / or a treatment tool (if present) for the flow of the working fluid.

[0038] In an extended design of the invention, the gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment is a saw, a high branch trimmer, a brush cutter, a hedge trimmer, a hedge trimmer, a blower, a leaf blower, a pruning shears, a cutting saw, a sweeping device, a sweeping roller, a sweeping brush, a lawn mower, a scarifier, a grass shears or a cleaning device such as a sprayer or a high-pressure cleaner.

[0039] Further advantages and aspects of the invention are derived from the patent claims and the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments which are explained below with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper side of the optical working fluid sensor according to the invention with the sealing material;

[0041] Figure 2 With sealing material Figure 1 A perspective view of the underside of a working liquid detector;

[0042] Figure 3 With sealing material Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of a working liquid detector;

[0043] Figure 4 With sealing material Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a working liquid detector;

[0044] Figure 5 There is no sealing material Figure 1 A perspective view of the upper side of a working fluid detector, in particular of an optical body, with a working fluid line and Figure 1 at least one deflection device of a working fluid detector;

[0045] Figure 6 Exploded view showing the Figure 1 The lower side of the working fluid detector, in particular Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the optical body and printed circuit board of the working liquid detector;

[0046] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of a printed circuit board carrying Figure 1 A light source and a light receiver of a working liquid detector;

[0047] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the working liquid detector without sealing material and printed circuit board, in particular the lower side of the body;

[0048] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A schematic view of the optical functions of a working liquid detector;

[0049] Fig.10 is a schematic illustration of the optical function of another optical working fluid sensor according to the present invention;

[0050] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 and Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the electrical and / or logical functions of the working fluid detector;

[0051] Fig.12 Is has Figure 1 or Fig.10 A schematic illustration of a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device according to the invention with a working fluid detector; and

[0052] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A perspective view of horticultural, forestry and / or construction handling equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figures 1 to 9 10 and 11 show, in particular, respectively, for optically detecting Fig.12 and 13 1 is an optical working fluid detector 1 according to the present invention for a working fluid BF of a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device 50 as shown in FIG. The working fluid detector 1 has a light source 2, a working fluid pipeline 3 and a light receiver 4. The light source 2 is configured to emit a light beam aLS. The working fluid pipeline 3 is configured to optically interact the light beam aLS from the light source 2 with the working fluid BF in the working fluid pipeline 3 to optically detect the working fluid BF. The light receiver 4 is configured to receive light beam tLS from the working fluid pipeline 3 differently depending on whether the working fluid BF is present or not in the working fluid pipeline 3.

[0054] exist Figures 1 to 9In the embodiment shown, the working liquid detector 1 additionally has at least one optical deflection device 5a, 5b. The at least one deflection device 5a, 5b is configured to deflect the light aLS from the light source 2, in particular in the direction y, to the working liquid line 3, in particular along a direction x orthogonal to the direction y, and / or to deflect the light tLS from the working liquid line 3, in particular in the direction x, to the light receiver 4, in particular in the direction -y.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the working liquid line 3 is additionally configured to deflect the light rays aLS from the light source 2 differently depending on the presence or absence of the working liquid BF in the working liquid line 3 to optically detect the working liquid BF.

[0056] exist Figures 1 to 9 In the embodiment shown in , the working liquid detector 1 has two deflection devices 5a, 5b. One deflection device 5a is configured to deflect the light aLs from the light source 2 to the working liquid pipeline 3. The other deflection device 5b is configured to deflect the light tLS from the working liquid pipeline 3 to the light receiver 4.

[0057] In alternative embodiments, the working fluid detector requires or can have only one optical deflection device, wherein the deflection device can be designed either to deflect the light of the light source to the working fluid line or to deflect the light of the working fluid line to the light receiver, or even have no optical deflection device, as in Fig.10 As shown in .

[0058] In detail, at least one deflection device 5a, 5b is designed for deflection based on reflection. The at least one deflection device 5a, 5b is in particular at least one mirror 7a, 7b, in particular at least one concave mirror, in particular at least one parabolic mirror.

[0059] In addition, Figures 1 to 9 In the embodiment shown, the operating fluid detector 1 has an optical body 9. The body 9 has an operating fluid line 3 and at least one deflection device 5a, 5b.

[0060] In detail, at least one deflection device 5a, 5b has a reflective coating 10a, 10b at at least one location of the surface 9Oa, 9Ob of the body 9.

[0061] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating fluid detector 1 has a printed circuit board 11. The printed circuit board 11 carries the light source 2 and the light receiver 4, in particular also the operating fluid line 3 and / or at least one deflection device 5a, 5b (if present), in particular the body 9 (if present), in particular on the same side of the printed circuit board 11.

[0062] exist Figures 1 to 9 In the embodiment shown, light source 2 is oriented away from board plane 11E of printed circuit board 11 for emitting light aLS, particularly in direction y. Light receiver 4 is oriented toward board plane 11E for receiving light from the operating fluid line, particularly in direction -y.

[0063] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the working liquid pipeline 3 is oriented such that, in particular relative to the light source 2 and / or the deflection device 5a (if present), the light rays aLS from the light source 2 hit the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular the inner surface 3I of the working liquid pipeline 3, non-parallel to the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular orthogonally.

[0064] In summary, Figures 1 to 9 In the exemplary embodiment shown, one deflection device 5 a , the operating fluid line 3 (in particular transversely) and the other deflection device 5 b are arranged in this order, in particular in the direction x, spatially on a straight line.

[0065] exist Fig.10 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the light source 2 , the operating fluid line 3 (in particular transversely) and the light receiver 4 are arranged in this order, in particular in a straight line in space along the direction x.

[0066] Furthermore, the working liquid line 3, in particular the inner surface 3I of the working liquid line 3, is constructed, in particular oriented and / or in particular circularly shaped to refract the light aLS of the light source 2 differently depending on whether working liquid BF is present or absent in the working liquid line 3 to optically detect the working liquid BF.

[0067] In detail, the refractive index n3 of the working liquid line 3 , in particular of the body 9 if present, is greater than 1, in particular at least 1.3, and / or is similar to the refractive index nBF of the working liquid BF.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the refractive index n3 and the refractive index nBF are each 1.5.

[0069] Furthermore, the working fluid detector 1 is configured such that the light receiver 2 receives more light tLS from the working fluid line 3 when the working fluid BF is present in the working fluid line 3 than when the working fluid BF is not present in the working fluid line 3 .

[0070] Furthermore, the light receiver 4 is designed to measure the intensity IT of the received light rays eLS.

[0071] Furthermore, the operating fluid sensor 1 has an output device 6 in the form of a microcontroller in the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0072] The output device 6 is designed to output a detection signal, in particular an electrical detection signal DS, when a detection intensity limit value DGW of the measured intensity IT is reached and / or exceeded and / or to output a non-detection signal, in particular an electrical non-detection signal NDS, when the measured intensity IT falls below a non-detection intensity limit value NDGW, such as Fig.11 As shown in .

[0073] In detail, the output device 6 is operatively connected to the optical receiver, in particular, is signal-connected, such as in Fig. 9 and 10 As shown by means of dot-dash lines in FIG.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the detection strength limit value DGW is greater than the non-detection strength limit value NDGW.

[0075] The output device 6 is additionally designed to output a detection signal DS when the operating fluid BF is detected within a first minimum time period t1 and / or to output a non-detection signal NDS when the operating fluid BF is not detected within a second minimum time period t2 .

[0076] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first minimum duration t1 and the second minimum duration t2 are different: the first minimum duration t1 is in particular 1 second (s) and the second minimum duration t2 is 0.5 s.

[0077] Furthermore, the working liquid detector 1 is constructed such that in the light source 2, the light receiver 4 receives the light tLS when the working liquid BF is present and absent in the working liquid pipeline 3, such as in Fig. 9 and 10 As shown in .

[0078] The output device 6 is designed to output a fault signal, in particular an electrical fault signal FS, when no reception is performed, such as in the case of Fig.11 As shown in .

[0079] In detail, non-reception means falling below the fault intensity limit value FGW of the measured intensity IT, wherein the fault intensity limit value FGW is less than the non-detection intensity limit value NDGW. The output device 6 is configured to output a non-detection signal NDS when falling below the non-detection intensity limit value NDGW and when reaching and / or exceeding the fault intensity limit value FGW of the measured intensity IT.

[0080] Furthermore, the operating liquid line 3 is straight, in particular from a line inlet 14 to a line outlet 15 of the operating liquid line 3 , in particular in a direction z orthogonal to the direction y and / or the direction x.

[0081] In detail, the working liquid line 3 has a smaller diameter at the line inlet 14 than in the rest of the line in order to use working liquid hoses sold by the meter, such as Figure 4 As shown in . The working liquid line 3 has a larger diameter in its remaining part, especially at the interaction point with the light beam aLS, in order to achieve an ideal signal path in a small construction space.

[0082] Furthermore, the operating fluid detector 1 has a housing or pouring cup 19. Arranged in the housing 19 are the light source 2, the operating fluid line 3 and the light receiver 4, in particular also at least one deflection device 5a, 5b (if present), in particular the body 9 (if present), the printed circuit board 11 and the output device 6.

[0083] exist Figures 1 to 9 In the embodiment shown, the body 9 is part of a housing 19 .

[0084] In detail, the body 9 or the housing 19 has pins for spatial arrangement and / or orientation or positioning of the printed circuit board 11 .

[0085] Furthermore, the operating fluid detector 1 has a sealing material 20 . The sealing material 20 protects the light source 2 and / or the light receiver 4 and / or at least one deflection device 5a, 5b (if present), in particular the body 9 (if present) and / or the printed circuit board 11 and / or the output device 6.

[0086] The sealing material 20 is in particular in the form of a casting compound. The housing 19 is cast with the sealing material 20 in the form of a casting compound.

[0087] In summary, Figures 1 to 9 In the embodiment shown, the working liquid detector 1 works optically as follows: The light source 2 emits a light ray aLS, in particular in the direction y. The light ray aLS of the light source 2 hits one of the deflection devices 5a. One of the deflection devices 5a deflects the light ray aLS of the light source 2 to the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular in the direction x and / or by 90°. The light ray aLS of the light source 2, in particular the deflected light ray aLS, does not hit the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular the inner surface 3I of the working liquid pipeline 3, parallel to the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular orthogonally.

[0088] When there is working liquid BF in the working liquid pipeline 3, the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular the inner surface 3I, does not deflect, in particular does not refract, the light aLS of the light source 2, as in Fig. 9As shown by means of a solid line in . In other words: at the inner surface 3I or at the interface between two media with the same refractive index, the light aLS is not refracted or changed in direction. Therefore, the light aLS is not widened in particular. Therefore, many, especially undeflected light rays tLS of the working liquid pipeline 3 hit the other deflection device 5b. Therefore, the other deflection device 5b deflects many, especially undeflected light rays tLS of the working liquid pipeline 3 to the light receiver 4, in particular in the direction -y and / or by 90°. Therefore, the light receiver 4 receives a large amount of, especially undeflected light rays tLS of the working liquid pipeline 3. Therefore, the light receiver 4 measures a large intensity IT of the received light eLS.

[0089] When there is no working liquid BF or air in the working liquid pipeline 3, the working liquid pipeline 3, especially the inner surface 3I, deflects, especially refracts, especially an average of 10°, the light aLS of the light source 2. Fig. 9 As shown by means of dotted lines in FIG. In other words: at the interface between the inner surface 3I or two media with different refractive indices, the light aLS is refracted or changed in direction. Therefore, the light Als is particularly widened. Therefore, a small amount of light tLS from the working liquid pipeline 3 hits another deflection device 5b. Therefore, another deflection device 5b deflects a small amount of light tLS from the working liquid pipeline 3 to the light receiver 4. Therefore, the light receiver 4 receives a small amount of light tLS from the working liquid pipeline 3. Therefore, the light receiver 4 measures a small intensity IT of the received light eLS.

[0090] Therefore, the light receiver 2 receives more light tLS of the working liquid line 3 when the working liquid BF exists in the working liquid line 3 than when the working liquid BF does not exist in the working liquid line 3 .

[0091] exist Fig.10 In the embodiment shown, the working liquid detector 1 is as shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 9 The embodiment shown here operates optically, except for the deflection, i.e. the light source 2 emits light aLS, in particular in the direction x. The light aLS of the light source 2 does not strike the working fluid line 3, in particular the inner surface 3I of the working fluid line 3, parallel to, in particular orthogonal to, the working fluid line 3.

[0092] When the working liquid BF is present in the working liquid pipeline 3, the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular the inner surface 3I, does not deflect, in particular does not refract, the light aLS of the light source 2, as in Fig.10 As shown by means of a solid line in FIG. 4 , the light receiver 4 thus receives a large amount of, in particular, undeflected light tLS from the operating liquid line 3 . The light receiver thus measures a large intensity IT of the received light eLS.

[0093] When there is no working liquid BF or air in the working liquid pipeline 3, the working liquid pipeline 3, in particular the inner surface 3I, deflects, in particular refracts, the light aLS of the light source 2 by an average of 10°, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown by means of a dotted line in FIG. 4 , the light receiver 4 thus receives a small amount of light tLS from the working liquid line 3. The light receiver 4 thus measures a small intensity IT of the received light eLS.

[0094] Therefore, the light receiver 4 receives more light tLS of the working liquid line 3 when the working liquid BF exists in the working liquid line 3 than when the working liquid BF does not exist in the working liquid line 3 .

[0095] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the operating fluid detector 1, in particular the output device 6, operates electrically and / or logically as follows:

[0096] When the detection intensity limit value DGW of the measured intensity IT is reached and / or exceeded within the first minimum duration t1, the output device 6 outputs a detection signal DS. However, the output device 6 has previously output another signal, in particular a non-detection signal NDS, and the detection intensity limit value DGW of the measured intensity IT is not reached and / or exceeded within the first minimum duration t1, but is reached and / or exceeded in a shorter time, so the output device 5 continues to output another signal.

[0097] When the non-detection intensity limit value NDGW is undershot within the second minimum duration t2 and when the fault intensity limit value FGW of the measured intensity IT is reached and / or exceeded, the output device 6 outputs a non-detection signal NDS. However, the output device 6 has previously output another signal, in particular a detection signal DS, and not within the second minimum duration t2, but when the non-detection intensity limit value NDGW is undershot more temporarily and the fault intensity limit value FGW of the measured intensity IT is reached and / or exceeded, the output device 6 outputs another signal.

[0098] If the fault intensity limit value FGW of the measured intensity IT is undershot, the output device 6 outputs a fault signal FS.

[0099] Fig.12 and 13 A handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device 50 according to the invention is shown. The gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device 50 has an operating fluid tank 52, an operating fluid pump 53 and an optical operating fluid detector 1 as described above. The operating fluid tank 52 is designed to store the operating fluid BF. The operating fluid pump 53 is designed to convey the operating fluid BF from the operating fluid tank 52. The operating fluid line 3 is connected downstream of the operating fluid tank 52 and is Fig.12In the illustrated embodiment, it is connected upstream of the working fluid pump 53 .

[0100] In an alternative embodiment, the working fluid line is connected after the working fluid pump.

[0101] exist Fig.13 In the illustrated embodiment, the gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment 50 is a saw 50'.

[0102] In alternative embodiments, the gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment is a high branch trimmer, a brush cutter, a hedge shears, a hedge trimmer, a blower, a leaf blower, a pruning shears, a cutting saw, a sweeping device, a sweeping roller, a sweeping brush, a lawn mower, a scarifier, a grass trimmer or a cleaning device.

[0103] In detail, the gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment 50 has a processing tool 51, Fig.13 In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a saw chain 51 ′, a drive motor 54 , motor electronics 55 , operating elements 56 which can be actuated by a user, and a user output device 57 , in particular a display, are provided.

[0104] The drive motor 54 is configured to drive the treatment tool 51 and the operating fluid pump 53. The operating fluid pump 53 is configured to supply operating fluid BF to the treatment tool 51, in particular, to lubricate the treatment tool 51 with the operating fluid BF in the form of a lubricating fluid.

[0105] The user output device 57 is designed to output different signals or information perceptible to the user as a function of the output of the output device 6 , in particular the detection signal DS and the non-detection signal NDS, in particular also the error signal FS.

[0106] In more detail, the user output device 57 is operatively connected, in particular signal-connected, to the output device 6 .

[0107] As shown and explained above, the present invention provides an optical working fluid detector for optically detecting working fluid of a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment, wherein the working fluid detector has improved characteristics, and also provides a gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment having such an optical working fluid detector.

Claims

1. An optical operating fluid detector (1) for optically detecting an operating fluid (BF) of a handheld gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device (50), wherein: The working liquid detector (1) has: - a light source (2), wherein the light source (2) is designed to emit light (aLS), - a working liquid line (3), wherein the working liquid line (3) is designed for optical interaction of the light (aLS) of the light source (2) with the working liquid (BF) in the working liquid line (3) for optical detection of the working liquid (BF), a light receiver (4), wherein the light receiver (4) is designed to receive light (tLS) from the working liquid line (3) differently depending on the presence or absence of working liquid (BF) in the working liquid line (3), It is characterized in that - the working fluid detector (1) has at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b), wherein the at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b) is designed to deflect light (aLS) from the light source (2) to the working fluid line (3) and / or to deflect light (tLS) from the working fluid line (3) to a light receiver (4), and The working liquid line (3) is designed to deflect light (aLS) of the light source (2) differently depending on the presence or absence of working liquid (BF) in the working liquid line (3) to optically detect the working liquid (BF).

2. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b) is designed for deflection based on reflection.

3. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b) is at least one mirror (7a, 7b).

4. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b) is at least one concave mirror.

5. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b) is at least one parabolic mirror.

6. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The operating fluid detector (1) has an optical body (9), wherein the body (9) has the operating fluid line (3) and the at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b).

7. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b) has a reflective coating (10a, 10b) at at least one location of the surface (90a, 90b) of the body (9).

8. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - The working liquid detector (1) has a printed circuit board (11), wherein the printed circuit board (11) carries the light source (2) and the light receiver (4) and also the working liquid pipeline (3), wherein the light source (2) for emitting light (aLS) is oriented orthogonally away from a board plane (11E) of the printed circuit board (11), and wherein the light receiver (4) for receiving light (tLS) from the working liquid pipeline (3) is oriented orthogonally toward the board plane (11E).

9. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The working liquid line (3) is oriented in such a way that the light (aLS) of the light source (2) does not strike the working liquid line (3) parallel to the working liquid line (3).

10. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The working liquid line (3) is oriented in such a way that the light (aLS) of the light source (2) strikes the inner surface (3I) of the working liquid line (3) orthogonally to the working liquid line (3).

11. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The working liquid pipeline (3) is configured to refract the light (aLS) of the light source (2) differently depending on whether the working liquid (BF) is present or absent in the working liquid pipeline (3) to optically detect the working liquid (BF).

12. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that - the inner surface (3I) of the working liquid pipeline (3) is oriented and / or shaped to refract the light (aLS) of the light source (2) differently depending on whether the working liquid (BF) is present or not in the working liquid pipeline (3) to optically detect the working liquid (BF).

13. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that The refractive index (n3) of the working liquid line (3) is greater than 1 and / or is similar to the refractive index (nBF) of the working liquid (BF).

14. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that The refractive index (n3) of the wall of the working liquid line (3) is greater than 1 and / or is similar to the refractive index (nBF) of the working liquid (BF).

15. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that - The refractive index (n3) of the working liquid pipeline (3) is at least 1.

3.

16. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - The working liquid detector (1) is constructed in such a way that the light receiver (4) receives more light (tLS) from the working liquid pipeline (3) when the working liquid (BF) is present in the working liquid pipeline (3) than when the working liquid (BF) is not present in the working liquid pipeline (3).

17. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The light receiver (4) is designed to measure the intensity (IT) of the received light (eLS), and - The working fluid detector (1) has an output device (6), wherein the output device (6) is designed to output a detection signal (DS) when a detection intensity limit value (DGW) of the measured intensity (IT) is reached and / or exceeded and / or to output a non-detection signal (NDS) when the measured intensity (IT) falls below a non-detection intensity limit value (NDGW).

18. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - The working fluid detector (1) has an output device (6), wherein the output device (6) is designed to output a detection signal (DS) within a minimum first duration (t1) when the working fluid (BF) is detected and / or to output a non-detection signal (NDS) within a minimum second duration (t2) when the working fluid (BF) is not detected.

19. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the working fluid detector (1) is configured such that when the light source (2) emits light, the light receiver (4) receives light (tLS) in the presence and absence of the working fluid (BF) in the working fluid line (3), and The operating fluid detector (1) has an output device (6), wherein the output device (6) is designed to output a fault signal (FS) in the event of a failure to receive.

20. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The working liquid line (3) is straight from the line inlet (14) to the line outlet (15) of the working liquid line.

21. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The operating fluid detector (1) has a sealing material (20), wherein the sealing material (20) protects the light source (2) and / or the light receiver (4) and / or the at least one optical deflection device (5a, 5b).

22. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The operating fluid detector (1) has a sealing material (20), wherein the sealing material (20) protects the printed circuit board (11).

23. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The operating fluid sensor (1) comprises a sealing material (20), wherein the sealing material (20) protects the output device (6).

24. The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The operating fluid detector (1) has a sealing material (20), wherein the sealing material (20) protects the body (9).

25. A hand-held gardening, forestry and / or construction processing device (50), characterized in that Gardening, forestry and / or construction processing equipment (50) having: - a working fluid tank (52), wherein the working fluid tank (52) is designed to store working fluid (BF), a working fluid pump (53), wherein the working fluid pump (53) is designed to convey working fluid (BF) from a working fluid tank (52), and - The optical operating fluid sensor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the operating fluid line (3) is connected downstream of the operating fluid tank (52) and upstream or downstream of the operating fluid pump (53).

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