Preloading device for circuit boards

Abstract

A control device for a power tool includes at least one circuit board, a heat-conducting element, a cooling device for cooling the at least one circuit board, and at least one housing element. In an installed state, the circuit board and the heat-conducting element are arranged between the cooling device and the housing element, and the heat-conducting element is positioned between the circuit board and the cooling device. A preloading device is included between the housing element and the at least one circuit board to press the circuit board against the heat-conducting element in a predetermined direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a power tool, the control device comprising at least one circuit board, a heat-conducting element, a cooling device for cooling at least one circuit board, and at least one housing element, wherein, in the installed state of the control device, the circuit board and the heat-conducting element are arranged between the cooling device and the housing element, and wherein the heat-conducting element is positioned between the circuit board and the cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] Control devices for power tools are well known in the art. Control devices are used to control or regulate the functions of power tools, such as the speed of the tool's drive (e.g., an electric motor). Control devices can also be referred to as control and regulation devices, or regulation devices.

[0003] Overheating can be a problem in control equipment, as excessively high temperatures inside the control equipment can damage various components and / or cause complete failure of the power tool.

[0004] Various cooling devices are already well known in the prior art. The design or construction of control equipment with such cooling devices, especially the attachment of heat-generating components (such as circuit boards with capacitors, coils or other components) to the cooling devices, is often complex, expensive and inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a power tool, the control device comprising at least one circuit board, a heat-conducting element, a cooling device for cooling at least one circuit board, and at least one housing element, wherein, in the installed state of the control device, the circuit board and the heat-conducting element are arranged between the cooling device and the housing element, and wherein the heat-conducting element is positioned between the circuit board and the cooling device, the control device at least solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] Specifically, this objective is achieved by a control device for a power tool, the control device comprising at least one circuit board, a heat-conducting element, a cooling device for cooling at least one circuit board, and at least one housing element, wherein, in the installed state of the control device, the circuit board and the heat-conducting element are arranged between the cooling device and the housing element, and wherein the heat-conducting element is positioned between the circuit board and the cooling device.

[0007] According to the present invention, a preloading device is included between the housing element and at least one circuit board to press the at least one circuit board against the heat-conducting element in a predetermined direction. In this way, better thermal adhesion is achieved between the heat-generating circuit board and the cooling device, thereby improving the overall cooling of the control device.

[0008] The heat-conducting element may be made at least partially of metal or metal alloy. The heat-conducting element may be made at least partially of copper. The control device may also be referred to as a control and regulation device, or simply a regulation device.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the preloading device may include at least a first spring element and a second spring element. In this case, the first spring element and the second spring element have different shapes or configurations. The first spring element may have a larger volume or larger dimensions than the second spring element. The different configurations of the first spring element and the second spring element allow the preloading device to apply significantly different forces or pressures to different locations on the circuit board and the heat-conducting element.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first spring element may have a first range in a predetermined direction, and a second spring element may have a second range in a predetermined direction. In this way, at specific locations on the circuit board and / or thermally conductive elements, the first spring element can apply a different force or pressure than the second spring element. In other words, spring elements with different heights can thus apply correspondingly different contact forces or contact pressures. The range of the spring element may also be referred to as the degree of protrusion or height.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the preloading device can be constructed at least partially of an elastic material. The preloading device thus possesses an elastic function. Furthermore, the use of an elastic material means that the preloading device can be lighter, and in particular, it can be flexibly positioned within a control device.

[0012] According to alternative improvements, the preload device may include pads. The pads are used to connect the spring elements to each other.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the preloading device can be at least partially constructed of silicone resin. This allows the preloading device to be flexibly adapted into control devices.

[0014] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, description, and claims contain numerous combinations of features. Those skilled in the art will also readily consider these features individually and combine them to produce further useful combinations. Attached Figure Description

[0015] In the attached diagram:

[0016] Figure 1 A side view of a power tool having a control device according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown;

[0017] Figure 2A perspective view of components of a second embodiment of a control device according to the present invention is shown, the control device having a cooling device, a first housing element, a heat-conducting element, a first circuit board, a preload device, a second circuit board, and a second housing element;

[0018] Figure 3 A perspective view of a preload device having multiple first spring elements and second spring elements is shown; and

[0019] Figure 4 A detailed view of a first embodiment of the control device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1 A power tool 1 in the form of a hammer drill is shown. The power tool 1 configured as a hammer drill basically includes a housing 2, a drive 3, an impact mechanism 4, a tool assembly 5, a power supply 6, and a control device 7.

[0021] The actuator 3 can be configured as an electric motor. The actuator 3, configured as an electric motor, generates torque, which is transmitted to the impact mechanism 4 via the transmission 8. The impact mechanism 4 generates pulsed impacts, which can be transmitted to the tool 9 housed and held within the tool assembly 5. The actuator 3, transmission 8, and impact mechanism 4 are located inside the housing 2.

[0022] Alternatively, instead of being configured as a hammer drill, power tool 1 can also be configured as a saw, grinding device, etc.

[0023] The housing 2 has a front end 2a, a rear end 2b, an upper end 2c, and a lower end 2d. A handle 10 is positioned at the rear end 2b of the housing 2. The handle 10 is used to grip and guide the power tool 1. Conversely, a tool assembly 5 is positioned at the front end 2a of the housing 2. The tool assembly 5 is used to receive and hold the tool 9. If the power tool 1 is configured as a hammer drill, then the tool 9 is configured as a drill or chisel.

[0024] Power source 6 is used to supply electrical energy to power tool 1. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the power source 6 is configured as a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery can be releasably connected to the lower end 2d and / or the rear end 2b of the housing 2 via interface 11. Alternatively, instead of a rechargeable battery, the power source 6 can also be configured as a network portion to which the power tool 1 can be releasably connected via a socket.

[0025] Figure 1 and Figure 4 A first embodiment of the control device 7 is shown. Figure 2 A second embodiment of the control device 7 is shown.

[0026] The control device 7 is generally located at the rear end 2b and lower end 2d of the housing 2 and is used to control and regulate various functions of the power tool 1. One of these functions is, for example, the rotational speed of the drive 3 configured as an electric motor. According to the first embodiment, the control device 7 includes a cooling device 12, housing elements, a heat-conducting element 14, a circuit board, and a preload device 16, see [link to documentation]. Figure 1 and Figure 4 .

[0027] According to the second embodiment, the control device 7 includes a cooling device 12, a first housing element 13, a heat-conducting element 14, a first circuit board 15, a preload device 16, a second circuit board 17, and a second housing element 18. (See also...) Figure 2 The first housing element 13 is the lower housing element in direction B. The second housing element 18 is the upper housing element in direction A.

[0028] As from Figure 1 and Figure 4 As can be seen from the first embodiment of the control device 7, the first (and only) housing element 13 is the lower housing element in direction B.

[0029] The cooling device 12 is generally configured as a substrate 12a with protruding cooling elements 12b. The cooling elements 12b are configured as cooling ribs. Cooling ribs can also be referred to as cooling fins. Heat generated inside the control device 7 can be transferred to the environment via the cooling device 12, thus achieving actual cooling. (As in...) Figure 2 As can be seen, the cooling device 12 is arranged behind or beside the vent 19 of the housing 2 of the power tool 1. Air can flow into the interior of the housing 2 of the power tool 1 through the vent 19 and flow along the cooling element 12b configured as cooling ribs.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the second housing element 18 is configured as a cover. A cutout 20 is provided on the upper side of the first housing element 13, through which the cooling element 12b is secured.

[0031] The heat-conducting element 14 is configured as a flat pad made of a heat-conducting material, copper. The heat-conducting element 14 is positioned below the second housing element 18 in direction B, and the second housing element is configured as a cup-shaped piece.

[0032] The first circuit board 15 is configured as a high-performance printed circuit board and positioned below the thermally conductive element 14 in direction B. (As in...) Figure 2As is particularly clear, the first circuit board 15 consists of an actual carrier plate 21 and a plurality of electrical or electronic components 22. Components 22 may be, for example, capacitors, coils, transistors, etc. The carrier plate 21 includes a first side 21a and a second side 21b. These components 22 are fastened to the first side 21a of the printed circuit board. Conversely, no components are fastened to the second side 21b, so the second side 21b is generally flat. The first circuit board 15 is positioned in the control device 7 such that the first side 21a of the carrier plate 21 with the components 22 points in direction B, and the second (flat) side 21b of the carrier plate 21 points in direction A.

[0033] The preload device 16 is configured as an elastic pad with multiple spring elements 23. Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the preload device 16 is shown, wherein thirteen spring elements 23 in the form of small triangular protrusions 23a and three spring elements 23 in the form of large cylindrical protrusions 23b are positioned on a pad 23c. A connecting plate 23d in the form of an elongated protrusion is present between the individual spring elements 23. Alternatively, there may be more or fewer than three large spring elements 23 and more or fewer than thirteen small spring elements. The number, shape, and position of the large and small protrusions depend on the number, shape, and position of the electrical or electronic components 22 on the first circuit board 15. The smaller the component 22 on the first circuit board 15, i.e., the shorter the component 22 extends from the first side 21a of the first circuit board 15 in direction B, the larger the spring elements 23 on the preload device 16, i.e., the farther the spring elements 23 configured as protrusions extend from the pad in direction A.

[0034] The preload device 16 is used to apply force or pressure to the first circuit board 15, such that, in the installed state of the control device 7, the first circuit board 15 is pressed against the heat-conducting element 14 and the cooling device 12 in direction A. Within the linear region, the following relationship exists: the greater the force applied to press the heated first circuit board 15 against the heat-conducting element 14 and the cooling device 12 in direction A, the better the heat transfer from the first circuit board 15 to the cooling device 12.

[0035] The first housing element 13 is configured as a relatively flat cover. The first housing element 13, configured as a cover, is used to receive the first circuit board 15, the second circuit board 17, and the preload device 16 disposed between the first circuit board 15 and the second circuit board 17. Therefore, the first circuit board 15, the second circuit board 17, the preload device 16, the heat-conducting element 14, and the cooling device 12 are positioned between the first housing element 13 and the second housing element 18.

[0036] As already mentioned, according to the first embodiment of the control device 7, the upper housing element can be omitted.

[0037] For installation or assembly of the control device 7 according to the first embodiment, the cooling device 12 is threadedly connected to a lower housing element configured as a cover, thus creating an intermediate space between the cooling device 12 and the housing element. The heat-conducting element 14, the circuit board, and the preload device 16 are positioned within this intermediate space. See [reference needed]. Figure 1 and Figure 4 .

[0038] In contrast, for the installation or assembly of the control device 7 according to the second embodiment, the cooling device 12 is threadedly connected to a first housing element 13 configured as a cup-shaped piece. The first (upper) housing element 13 is then threadedly connected to a second (lower) housing element 18 configured as a cover by means of screws 24. Similarly, an intermediate space is created between the first (upper) housing element 13 and the second (lower) housing element 18, in which the heat-conducting element 14, the first circuit board 15, the preload device 16, and the second circuit board 17 are positioned, see [reference needed]. Figure 2 .

[0039] List of reference numerals

[0040] 1 Power Tools

[0041] 2 shells

[0042] 2a Front end of the shell

[0043] Rear end of 2b housing

[0044] The upper end of the 2c housing

[0045] The lower end of the 2D shell

[0046] 3 drives

[0047] 4 Impact Mechanism

[0048] 5 Tool Sets

[0049] 6 power supplies

[0050] 7 Control devices

[0051] 8 Transmission devices

[0052] 9 tools

[0053] 10 handles

[0054] 11 interfaces

[0055] 12 Cooling devices

[0056] 12a substrate

[0057] 12b cooling element

[0058] 13 First housing element

[0059] 14 thermal conductive elements

[0060] 15 First Circuit Board

[0061] 16 Preload Device

[0062] 17 Second Circuit Board

[0063] 18 Second housing element

[0064] 19 ventilation openings

[0065] 20 incisions

[0066] 21 bearing plate

[0067] 21a First side of the bearing plate

[0068] 21b Second side of the bearing plate

[0069] 22 parts

[0070] 23 Spring Components

[0071] 23a Triangular protrusion

[0072] 23b Cylindrical large protrusion

[0073] 23c pad

[0074] 23D connecting board

[0075] 24 screws

Claims

1. Control device (7) for a power tool (1), comprising at least one circuit board (15), a heat conducting element (14), a cooling device (12) for cooling the at least one circuit board (15), and at least one housing element (13), wherein, In the installed state of the control device (7), the circuit board (15) and the heat-conducting element (14) are arranged between the cooling device (12) and the housing element (13), and wherein the heat-conducting element (14) is positioned between the circuit board (15) and the cooling device (12), wherein a preloading device (16) is contained between the housing element (13) and the at least one circuit board (15) in order to press the circuit board (15) against the heat-conducting element (14) in a predetermined direction (A), wherein the preloading device (16) contains at least a first spring element (23a) and a second spring element (23b), characterized in that the first spring element (23a) has a first range in the direction (A) and the second spring element (23b) has a second range in the direction (A), wherein the first range and the second range are different.

2. Control device (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the preloading device (16) is at least partially constructed from an elastic material.

3. Control device (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the preloading device (16) is at least partially constructed from silicone.

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