Hand-held power tool having human-machine interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-held power tool (10) having a human-machine interface (12) and a rechargeable battery (20) serving as an energy source for the hand-held power tool (10). According to the invention, the human-machine interface (12) has an operating element (14) and an optical display device (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a handheld machine tool with a human-machine interface. Background Technology

[0002] Handheld machine tools with human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are known from the prior art.

[0003] Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) used in the prior art are typically static, with only a single-color light-emitting diode (LED) emitting light. Some HMIs are too large to be installed in all types and sizes of handheld machine tools. Therefore, a universal, adaptable HMI is advantageous. Furthermore, operation should be consistent for users when using different handheld machine tools. This has not yet been achieved in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The advantage of this invention is that it provides a simple, space-saving, cost-effective, and flexibly integrateable human-machine interface implementation method.

[0005] This invention proposes a handheld machine tool with a human-machine interface and a rechargeable battery. The human-machine interface is implemented as both an operating element and an optical display device.

[0006] Advantageously, the operating element is constructed as a button and used for adjusting the handheld machine tool, especially for adjusting the speed. However, it is also possible to construct the operating element as a sensor switch or a similar element. Therefore, it is advantageous to adjust the handheld machine tool.

[0007] The operating element is preferably constructed in two parts so that the speed can be increased by "+" or decreased by "-".

[0008] Preferably, the optical display device has at least one multi-color light-emitting diode, and more particularly multiple multi-color light-emitting diodes. This enables simple and intuitive interaction with the user of the handheld machine tool.

[0009] Advantageously, information is transmitted through different color sequences using light-emitting diodes, which are then displayed sequentially through the same human-machine interface. This enables simple and intuitive interaction with the user of the handheld machine tool.

[0010] Therefore, for example, the power status of a rechargeable battery can be displayed using a green LED. After a predetermined time, the LED color switches to white to indicate the speed setting, and after another predetermined time, it returns to green to indicate the power status again. This ensures a user-friendly display.

[0011] When components of the handheld power tool (such as the motor, electronics, or rechargeable battery) begin to overheat, an LED emits or flashes an orange light. This improves safety by notifying the user of the malfunction early and also indicates an early sign of equipment failure. If the LED emits or flashes a red light, the handheld power tool is switched off. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Further advantages can be derived from the accompanying drawings and their descriptions.

[0013] The attached diagram shows:

[0014] Figure 1 A handheld machine tool having a human-machine interface according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 Optical display devices for human-machine interfaces;

[0016] Figure 3 A method for displaying the power status of a rechargeable battery and adjusting the speed of a handheld machine tool;

[0017] Figure 4 Another method for displaying the power status of a rechargeable battery and adjusting the speed of a handheld machine tool;

[0018] Figure 5 A method for displaying the power status of a rechargeable battery 20 in a handheld power tool;

[0019] Figure 6 It can integrate different handheld machine tools with human-machine interfaces.

[0020] The same reference numerals are used for the same components appearing in different embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A handheld power tool 10 configured as an angle grinder is shown, which has a human-machine interface (HMI) 12. The HMI 12 has operating elements 14 and an optical display device 16. A device switch 18 is arranged on the handheld power tool 10, which is operated to turn the handheld power tool 10 on or off. A rechargeable battery 20 serves as the power source for the handheld power tool 10.

[0022] The operating element 14 is configured as a push button. The operating element 14 is particularly used for speed adjustment. However, it is also possible to perform other equipment adjustments, such as pairing, backflush control, or work light settings, by operating the operating element 14. Alternatively, a confirmation operation can be performed using the operating element 14.

[0023] like Figure 2As shown, the optical display device 16 has at least one multi-color light-emitting diode (LED), which in this embodiment is five multi-color LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e. These multi-color LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e can form primary colors: red, yellow, green, and blue. Mixing these primary colors can produce colors such as white, brown, purple, and orange. These LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e are arranged spaced apart from each other. However, it is also possible to arrange the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e in the form of light strips on the handheld machine tool 10. Alternatively, the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e can be arranged in a pattern. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e are arranged to ensure that the operator of the handheld machine tool 10 can see them while using the machine tool. The light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e can be constructed in the form of squares, rectangles, circles, ellipses, triangles, or polygons.

[0024] Information is transmitted through different color sequences using LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e. In other words, information is displayed sequentially through the same human-machine interface 12, where this information is transmitted via constantly lit LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e, as well as LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e that flash at specific frequencies.

[0025] In this embodiment, the charge status of the rechargeable battery 20 is displayed by five green LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e. When the rechargeable battery charge is below 20%, LED 16e emits orange light. If the rechargeable battery charge continues to decrease, LED 16e emits red light. The speed setting of the handheld power tool 10 is displayed in white. Orange indicates that components of the handheld power tool 10 are beginning to overheat. If components and / or the entire handheld power tool 10 overheat and the handheld power tool 10 is shut down, this is indicated by red light.

[0026] Here is a detailed list of the display options again, noting that this list is not exhaustive:

[0027] - White LED: Displays speed adjustment;

[0028] - Green LED: Indicates the power status of the rechargeable battery 20;

[0029] - Orange LED: Indicates that a component of the handheld power tool 10 is starting to overheat or that the rechargeable battery charge is below 20%;

[0030] - Red LED: Indicates that the display component is overheating and the handheld power tool 10 is shut down or the rechargeable battery is close to zero.

[0031] - Blue LED: Indicates pairing is in progress.

[0032] Figure 3 A method for displaying the power status of the rechargeable battery 20 during operation is shown. Furthermore, this method is used to display the speed setting of the handheld power tool 10 when the operating element 14 of the handheld power tool 10 is manipulated during operation. In step 100, the device switch 18 of the handheld power tool 10 is manipulated. Then, in step 110, the handheld power tool 10 enters normal operation. During operation of the handheld power tool 10, the power status of the rechargeable battery 20 is indicated by green light emitted by five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16. If the power of the rechargeable battery decreases, fewer than five light-emitting diodes illuminate. After a predetermined time (20 seconds in this embodiment), the color of the five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e switches to white, thereby displaying the speed setting of the handheld power tool 10. After a period of time (3 seconds in this embodiment), the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e revert to green, indicating that the rechargeable battery 20 is now displaying its power status again. Steps 110 and 120 are repeated alternately until the handheld power tool is turned off in step 130. If the handheld power tool is turned off in step 140, the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 continue to emit light for 5 seconds until the display goes out. The above times are merely exemplary, and other time sequences different from 20 seconds and 5 seconds may exist.

[0033] Figure 4Another method for displaying the power status of the rechargeable battery 20 and the speed setting of the handheld machine tool 10 is shown. In step 200, the handheld machine tool 10 is turned off. The human-machine interface is not manipulated. In step 210, the operating element 14 on the handheld machine tool 10 is manipulated. Then, the five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 emit white light and display the speed setting of the handheld machine tool 10. Depending on the rotational speed, all or some of the five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 emit light. The display of the optical display device 16 is maintained as long as the operating element 14 is pressed. In step 220, the operating element 14 is released. Then, the light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e continue to emit white light for 3 seconds. In step 230, after 3 seconds, the display of the optical display device 16 switches to green, thus displaying the power status of the rechargeable battery 10. In step 240, the displays of the five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e turn off. In step 250, the device switch 18 of the handheld power tool is operated, thus turning on the handheld power tool 10. The five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e emit green light and display the power status of the rechargeable battery 20, which is continuously displayed as long as the operating element 14 is operated. If the operating element 14 is operated in step 260, the speed setting of the handheld power tool 10 is displayed, and this display remains active as long as the operating element 14 is operated. If the operating element 14 is released in step 270, the display of the optical display device 16 continues for 3 seconds. In step 280, the power status of the rechargeable battery 10, which has switched to green, is displayed. In step 290, the device switch 18 of the handheld machine tool 10 is operated again, and in step 291, the handheld machine tool 10 stops, while the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e continue to illuminate for 5 seconds. If the device switch 18 of the handheld machine tool 10 is an emergency stop switch, the handheld machine tool stops by releasing the switch 18.

[0034] Figure 5A method for displaying the power status of a rechargeable battery 20 in a handheld power tool 10 is shown. In step 300, the handheld power tool 10 is activated by operating the device switch 18. The power status of the rechargeable battery 20 is then displayed by green light emitted by LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16. In step 310, all five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 are illuminated. If the power of the rechargeable battery 20 decreases by 20%, in step 320, the display of LED 16e is turned off for 0.25 seconds. LED 16e illuminates for 0.25 seconds after the initial 0.25 seconds, then turns off for 0.25 seconds, then illuminates again for another 0.25 seconds, and then turns off completely. Visually, LED 16e exhibits a 1-second flashing state. In step 330, four light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d emit light.

[0035] If the charge of the rechargeable battery 20 continues to decrease by 20%, then in step 340, the display of LED 16d is turned off for 0.25 seconds. LED 16d illuminates for 0.25 seconds after the initial 0.25 seconds, then turns off for 0.25 seconds, then illuminates again for another 0.25 seconds, and finally turns off completely. Visually, LED 16d exhibits a 1-second flashing state. In step 350, the three LEDs 16a, 16b, and 16c illuminate.

[0036] If the charge of rechargeable battery 20 continues to decrease by 20%, in step 360, the display of LED 16c is turned off for 0.25 seconds. LED 16c illuminates for 0.25 seconds after the initial 0.25 seconds, then turns off for 0.25 seconds, then illuminates again for another 0.25 seconds before turning off completely. Visually, LED 16c exhibits a 1-second flashing state. In step 370, both LEDs 16a and 16b illuminate.

[0037] If the charge of the rechargeable battery 20 continues to decrease by 20%, in step 380, the display of LED 16b is turned off for 0.25 seconds. LED 16b illuminates for 0.25 seconds after the initial 0.25 seconds, then turns off for 0.25 seconds, then illuminates again for another 0.25 seconds, and finally turns off completely. Visually, LED 16b exhibits a 1-second flashing state. In step 390, LED 16a emits orange light;

[0038] If the charge of the rechargeable battery 20 continues to decrease by 20%, in step 391, the orange display of the LED 16a changes to red, then emits orange light again for 0.25 seconds before switching back to red. In step 392, the LED 16a continuously emits red light. In step 393, when the charge of the rechargeable battery 20 is about to reach zero, the red display of the LED 16a disappears for 0.25 seconds, then emits red light again for 0.25 seconds before turning off, thus exhibiting a flashing state. In step 394, the LED 16a continuously emits red light. In step 395, when the handheld power tool 10 is about to stop, the LED 16a flashes red light. After the handheld power tool 10 stops, the LED 16a continues to flash red light for 5 seconds before turning off.

[0039] If the rechargeable battery is unusable, LED 16a will flash red continuously after the handheld power tool is turned on, until the device switch 18 remains pressed and continues to flash red for 5 seconds after the device switch 18 is released.

[0040] If the handheld power tool 10 overheats and / or jams, and if the device switch 18 is operated, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 will flash red as long as the device switch 18 is operated. After the device switch 18 is released, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 will continue to flash red for 3 seconds.

[0041] However, the following scenario can also be considered: the handheld power tool 10 starts operating when the device switch 18 is operated, but jamming occurs during operation. In this case, when the handheld power tool 10 starts, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 emit green light, thus indicating the power status of the rechargeable battery 10. If jamming now occurs, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 flash red light. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e flash in the following manner: when the device switch 18 is no longer operated, they display red light for 0.25 seconds, turn off for 0.25 seconds, continue emitting red light for 0.25 seconds, and then turn off.

[0042] It is also possible that the handheld power tool 10 overheats after startup. In this case, after the handheld power tool 10 is started, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 emit green light, thus indicating the power status of the rechargeable battery 10. If a component of the handheld power tool 10 overheats, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 flash orange light for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the five LEDs of the optical display device 16 return to green. After 5 seconds, all five LEDs of the optical display device 16 emit orange light and remain orange for another 5 seconds before returning to green. If the handheld power tool 10 or a component of the handheld power tool 10 overheats, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 flash red light. After the handheld power tool 10 stops, the five light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 continue to flash for 5 seconds before turning off.

[0043] If the operating element 14 is operated, the light-emitting diodes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e of the optical display device 16 emit white light according to the rotation speed setting. If the operating element 14 is operated continuously (e.g., for 5 seconds), the light-emitting diodes flash blue light and the device searches for a pairing target (e.g., via Bluetooth connection). If the device successfully connects, the light-emitting diodes emit blue light to indicate a successful connection; if the device is not powered on or the operating element is not operated, the blue light-emitting diodes turn off after, for example, 10 seconds. If the device is powered on, the light-emitting diodes display the battery status in green or the rotation speed setting in white when the operating element is operated.

[0044] Figure 6 Different handheld machine tools that can be integrated with human-machine interfaces are shown.

Claims

1. A handheld power tool (10) having a human-machine interface (12) and a rechargeable battery (20) serving as an energy source for said handheld power tool (10), characterized in that, The human-machine interface (12) has an operating element (14) and an optical display device (16).

2. The handheld machine tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operating element (14) is configured as a button and is used to adjust the handheld machine tool (10), especially to adjust the speed.

3. The handheld machine tool (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The optical display device (16) has at least one multi-color light-emitting diode (16a), and more particularly multiple multi-color light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e), wherein the light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) are arranged on the handheld machine tool (10) at intervals from each other.

4. The handheld machine tool (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Information is transmitted via different color sequences using the light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e), wherein the information is displayed sequentially through the same human-machine interface (12), wherein the information is transmitted via constantly lit light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) and / or light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) that flash at a defined frequency.

5. The handheld machine tool (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The power status of the rechargeable battery (20) is displayed by light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) emitting green light, and after a certain time, the color of the light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) switches to white and thus displays the speed setting, wherein after another certain time, the display returns to green and thus displays the power status again.

6. The handheld machine tool (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, When a component of the handheld power tool (10) begins to overheat, the light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) emit orange light, and when the component is completely overheated, the light-emitting diodes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) emit red light, especially flashing red light.

7. The handheld machine tool (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The operating element (14) can be used for adjustment, especially for speed adjustment and / or connection adjustment.

Images