Tool and method for running a tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool comprising a drive assembly having a stator and a rotor and configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element of the tool, at least one contact element for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, configured to form a detachable connection with at least one supply device for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals to be able to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly in a connected state of the at least one supply device, an intermediate switching circuit for the electrical connection of the drive assembly with the at least one contact element, wherein the intermediate switching circuit is configured to determine a voltage present in the intermediate switching circuit and to inject a current present in the intermediate switching circuit into the drive assembly to discharge the intermediate switching circuit and to keep the at least one contact element free of voltage after a detachment process of the at least one supply device and / or in a detached state of the at least one supply device. The invention also relates to a method for operating a tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electric drive technology and relates to a tool, particularly a handheld and / or portable power tool, having a drive assembly for converting electrical energy to drive at least one tool element. The invention also relates to a method for operating the tool. Background Technology

[0002] Electric tools (power tools) are used in many different fields and industries, such as kitchens, gardening, agriculture and forestry, equipment and process industries, or medical and construction technologies. To enable wireless and flexible use, such as portable, handheld tools, they are now typically equipped with rechargeable batteries that provide stored electrical energy. A manually detachable plug-in connection or a manually detachable snap-fit ​​connection is usually formed between the tool and the battery; this connection should be easy to use and, in particular, secure.

[0003] For electrical connection to the battery, the tool has corresponding contact elements for the corresponding mating contact elements of the battery. These contact elements are typically located in exposed positions within the insertion section of the tool housing. As a result, after the battery is separated from the tool, the contact elements are more or less freely accessible and may be touched, for example, by fingers.

[0004] The residual voltage (residual voltage) remaining on the contact elements can pose a danger to the tool user and must be avoided. After the battery, which serves as the main current source, is removed, the residual voltage on the contact elements may be generated, for example, by capacitors or other electrical storage devices required by the tool.

[0005] To address the risk of electric shock from touching freely accessible or exposed contact elements, various solutions are known in existing patent literature.

[0006] For example, Chinese utility model patent CN209526143U relates to a power tool having a housing and a battery pack detachably inserted into the housing to operate the power tool. A tool circuit is disposed within the housing, the tool circuit having a capacitor that is charged by the battery pack during use of the power tool. To reduce the risk of electric shock at the terminals due to capacitor discharge after the battery pack is disconnected from the power tool, the power tool has a mechanical contact protection in the form of a movably supported protective element with a protective cover, which is spring-supported at the housing and covers the terminals when the battery pack is disconnected. Furthermore, the tool circuit includes an electrical protection mechanism in the form of a resistor. When the battery pack is disconnected from the housing, the resistor is connected in series with the tool circuit via the movable protective element to dissipate any remaining energy stored in the capacitor. When the battery pack is inserted back into the housing, the resistor is disconnected from the tool circuit, thus not permanently connected to the tool circuit.

[0007] Furthermore, US patent application US2019 / 0074489A1 describes a portable backpack-style supply device with a battery pack that can be connected to the motor of a power tool, such as garden shears, to drive the motor. The battery pack is connected to a two-piece L-shaped base of a backpack via a plug-in connection for carrying the backpack. For connection and transmission of electrical energy, the base has an input interface with plate-like contact elements and an output interface in the form of a plug-in connector. A safety switch, mechanically actuated by the contact elements, is electrically connected between the input and output interfaces. When the battery pack is plugged into the base, the safety switch is in a first state, at which point the input and output interfaces are connected. When the battery pack is detached from the base, the electrical connection between the input and output interfaces is broken. If the output interface is connected to the tool in this condition, electrical energy from the tool's capacitors and other electrical storage devices cannot be transferred to the input interface, which should help prevent electric shock from touching the input interface.

[0008] German publication DE102017108075A1 describes an electric circular saw comprising a power supply area for generating a DC voltage for driving a motor by rectifying an AC voltage supplied from an AC voltage source and smoothing it through a capacitor. A controller controls the power supply to the motor through the power supply area, and a voltage monitor monitors the AC voltage. The controller is configured to interrupt the power supply when the voltage monitor does not detect an AC voltage. Here, a discharger having a resistor and a transistor discharges the charge on a capacitor according to the controller's command. The resistor and transistor are connected in parallel with the capacitor. An additional resistor connected in parallel with the capacitor is used to gradually discharge the charge accumulated on the capacitor when the power supply from the AC voltage source stops. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of this invention is to provide a power tool, characterized in particular by improved electrical safety during use. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide a method for operating a power tool, characterized in particular by ensuring safe use of the tool.

[0010] This objective is achieved by the features of independent claims 1 and 10. Further embodiments and applications of the invention are given in the dependent claims and are described in detail in part with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] According to a first general aspect, the present invention relates to a tool, particularly a portable and / or handheld tool, comprising: • a drive assembly configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element of the tool; • at least one contact element for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, configured to form a separable connection with at least one supply device for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals, so as to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly when the at least one supply device is in a wired state; • an intermediate switch circuit electrically connecting the drive assembly to the at least one contact element, wherein the intermediate switch circuit includes a circuit means configured to: reduce and / or turn off, particularly turn off, the voltage applied to the at least one contact element after and / or in a separable state of the at least one supply device according to at least one defined operating information.

[0012] This invention provides a tool in the form of a power tool (electrical appliance) that provides effective protection for at least one exposed or freely accessible contact element, particularly finger touch protection. For example, this avoids the risk of electric shock when using the tool.

[0013] At least one defined operational information may be detected, particularly measured, and / or calculated operational information, such as measured operational status and / or measured operational parameters and / or calculated operational status and / or calculated operational parameters.

[0014] At least one defined operational information may include and / or represent and / or be associated with: the operational state of the drive component and / or changes in the operational state of the drive component, respectively for the duration of defined and / or detected events prior to the separation process and / or before the separation state; and / or, at least one defined operational information may include and / or represent and / or be associated with: the operational state of the drive component and / or changes in the operational state of the drive component, respectively for the duration of defined and / or detected events after the separation process and / or during the separation state.

[0015] At least one defined operating information may include one of the following operating states and / or represent one of the following operating states and / or be associated with one of the following operating states: • an active state of the drive component, in which electrical energy is supplied to the drive component from at least one supply device to drive at least one tool element; • a generator state of the drive component, in which the drive component generates electrical energy and feeds it into an intermediate switching circuit; and / or • a stationary state of the drive component, in which electrical energy is supplied to the drive component and / or the drive component is stationary.

[0016] The running state can also be an idle state, such as an active state without load.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one defined operational information may include and / or represent and / or be associated with: the operating parameters of the intermediate switching circuit and / or changes in the operating parameters of the intermediate switching circuit, respectively for the defined and / or detection durations before the separation process and / or before the separation state; and / or at least one defined operational information includes and / or represents and / or is associated with: the operating parameters of the intermediate switching circuit and / or changes in the operating parameters of the intermediate switching circuit, respectively for the defined and / or detection durations after the separation process and / or during the separation state.

[0018] Operating parameters can be voltages generated and / or detected by the intermediate switching circuit, or voltage curves generated and / or detected by the intermediate switching circuit. Operating parameters can also be the charging state of at least one electrical storage element of the intermediate switching circuit.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one defined operational information may include and / or represent and / or be associated with: the operating parameters of the drive component and / or changes in the operating parameters of the drive component, respectively for the defined and / or detection durations before the separation process and / or before the separation state; and / or at least one defined operational information includes and / or represents and / or is associated with: the operating parameters of the drive component and / or changes in the operating parameters of the drive component, respectively for the defined and / or detection durations after the separation process and / or during the separation state.

[0020] Operating parameters can be the rotational speed or rotational speed curve of the drive component. Operating parameters can also be the torque or torque curve of the drive component.

[0021] It is feasible that at least one defined operating information includes at least one detected, particularly measured, voltage value or at least one detected, particularly measured, voltage value curve, which are associated with at least one of the following components of the tool: • at least one contact element; • a drive assembly; • at least one main line of an intermediate switching circuit between at least one contact element and a circuit device; • at least one main line of an intermediate switching circuit between a circuit device and an assembly switching circuit for the drive assembly; and / or • at least one main line of an intermediate switching circuit between at least one contact element and an assembly switching circuit for the drive assembly, the assembly switching circuit including a circuit device.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, it may be specified that: the circuit device is arranged and / or configured to reduce, in particular shut off, the applied voltage for a defined duration after a separation process and / or separation state is detected; and / or the circuit device is arranged and / or configured to reduce the applied voltage value to at least a defined maximum voltage value or below a defined maximum voltage value after a separation process and / or separation state is detected.

[0023] It is feasible that the circuit arrangement includes a voltage control module for at least one contact element, the voltage control module being arranged between the at least one contact element and the assembly switching circuit for driving the components.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the voltage control module may include at least one switching unit with at least one switching element, wherein the at least one switching element is configured to be at least one of the following switching elements or includes at least one of the following switching elements: • metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as "MOSFET"), • insulated gate bipolar transistor (hereinafter referred to as "IGBT").

[0025] Switching elements in the form of semiconductor switching elements can, for example, achieve switching processes with extremely short durations.

[0026] It is feasible that the circuit device includes a storage control module for at least one storage element of the assembly switching circuit for driving the components, the storage control module being arranged in parallel circuit at the assembly switching circuit, wherein in particular, the storage control module includes at least one switching element and at least one resistive element arranged in series circuit with each other, wherein, for example, the at least one resistive element is configured as at least one of the following resistors or includes at least one of the following resistors: constant resistor; and / or variable resistor.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the tool may include at least one sensor unit for detecting at least one defined operating information, wherein, in particular, the at least one sensor unit is integrated in a microprocessor module for controlling and / or regulating the tool, or is at least connected to the microprocessor module via a communication connection.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the tool may include at least one communication unit configured to monitor the separation process and / or separation status and / or the wiring status of at least one supply device, wherein, in particular, the at least one communication unit is integrated into a microprocessor module for controlling and / or regulating the tool. Specifically, the microprocessor module may be configured to monitor the separation process and / or separation status and / or the wiring status of at least one supply device.

[0029] According to a second general aspect, the present invention relates to a method for operating a tool, particularly a portable and / or handheld tool, wherein, in particular, the tool is configured as disclosed herein, wherein the tool includes a drive assembly for converting electrical energy to drive at least one tool element of the tool; wherein the tool includes at least one contact element for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, wherein at least one supply device for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals forms a separable wiring connection with the at least one contact element to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly when the at least one supply device is in a wired state, and wherein the tool includes an intermediate switching circuit with circuitry that electrically connects the drive assembly to the at least one contact element, wherein the method includes: • monitoring a separation process and / or separation state between the at least one supply device and the at least one contact element; • detecting a voltage applied to the at least one contact element; • reducing and / or turning off, particularly turning off, the voltage at the at least one contact element, according to at least one defined operating information via the circuitry.

[0030] Reducing voltage may include: • generating a voltage drop at at least one contact element and / or at an intermediate switching circuit for a defined duration after the separation process and / or separation state has been detected by a circuit device, wherein, in particular, the voltage drop has at least one of the following curves during the defined duration: • a substantially rectangular curve, a substantially linear curve, and / or a substantially exponential curve; • generating a voltage drop at at least one contact element and / or at an intermediate switching circuit by a circuit device to reduce it to or below a defined maximum voltage value, wherein, in particular, the defined maximum voltage value is an adjustable and / or calculated and / or stored maximum voltage value.

[0031] Monitoring the separation process may include: • transmitting at least one communication signal from at least one supply device to an intermediate switching circuit, and / or from the intermediate switching circuit, particularly from a microprocessor module for controlling and / or regulating the tool, to at least one supply device, wherein the at least one communication signal is configured to check the presence and / or absence of a communication connection between at least one supply device and the intermediate switching circuit; and • particularly by means of the microprocessor module for controlling and / or regulating the tool, evaluating the at least one transmitted communication signal, and identifying the wiring status, separation process, and / or separation state based on the evaluated at least one communication signal, wherein, in particular, evaluating the at least one transmitted communication signal includes: • comparing it with at least one communication reference signal and / or at least one communication threshold signal according to at least one comparison parameter; and / or • storing the at least one transmitted communication signal.

[0032] The detection voltage may include: • measuring at least one voltage value or at least one voltage value curve at at least one contact element by at least one sensor unit of the tool, particularly within a defined duration; and • reducing and / or turning off, particularly turning off, the voltage if the measured at least one voltage value or the measured at least one voltage value curve is equal to or greater than a defined maximum voltage value or a defined maximum voltage value curve, particularly after the activation state of the drive assembly, at which time electrical energy from at least one supply device is supplied to the drive assembly to drive at least one tool element; or reducing and / or turning off, particularly turning off, the voltage if the measured at least one voltage value or the measured at least one voltage value curve is equal to or less than a defined maximum voltage value or a defined maximum voltage value curve, particularly during the detection of the generator state of the drive assembly, at which time the drive assembly generates electrical energy and feeds it into the intermediate switching circuit.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the method may include: • detecting the inertial running duration between the detection of the separation process and the attainment of a stationary state of the drive component, in which no electrical power is supplied to the drive component and / or the drive component is stationary; • particularly after the attainment of the stationary state of the drive component, reducing and / or shutting off the voltage at at least one contact element and / or in an intermediate switching circuit, based on the detected inertial running duration.

[0034] According to a third general aspect, the present invention relates to a tool, particularly a portable and / or handheld tool, comprising: • a drive assembly having a stator and a rotor and configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element; • at least one contact element for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, configured to form a separable connection with at least one supply device for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals, so as to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly when the at least one supply device is in a wired state; • an intermediate switching circuit for electrical connection between the drive assembly and the at least one contact element, the intermediate switching circuit including a switching module for the drive assembly and a microprocessor module for controlling and / or regulating the switching module, wherein the intermediate switching circuit is configured to: determine the voltage present in the intermediate switching circuit during the separation process of the at least one supply device and / or in the separation state of the at least one supply device, and inject the current present in the intermediate switching circuit into the drive assembly to substantially discharge the intermediate switching circuit and keep the at least one contact element substantially voltage-free.

[0035] The present invention provides a tool in the form of a power tool (electrical appliance) that, for example, provides protection with respect to at least one exposed or freely accessible contact element. With the configuration of the intermediate switching circuit (also simply referred to as the "intermediate circuit") according to the invention, the intermediate switching circuit of at least one supply device can be discharged substantially during the separation process or particularly immediately after the start of the separation process, such that after the current present in the intermediate switching circuit is injected into the drive assembly, a substantially no voltage is applied to the at least one exposed or freely accessible contact element.

[0036] In other words, the intermediate switching circuit of the tool may be characterized by the circuit configuration and / or circuit logic that: during the separation process, particularly when the separation process is detected, the voltage present in the intermediate switching circuit is determined, and the current present in the intermediate switching circuit is injected into the drive component to discharge the intermediate switching circuit and keep at least one contact element that is exposed or freely accessible due to the separation process substantially voltage-free.

[0037] The present invention can also utilize parasitic characteristics, units and / or elements (e.g., resistors) of the drive components to bring the intermediate switching circuit into a state of substantially no current and / or no voltage.

[0038] At least one contact element, particularly a load contact element for transmitting electrical energy. Furthermore, an intermediate switching circuit can be configured as disclosed herein, particularly in conjunction with the first general aspect. The intermediate switching circuit may include at least one electrical unit / electronic unit (e.g., a switching unit, sensor unit, etc.), at least one electrical module / electronic module (e.g., a microprocessor module, switching module, etc.), and / or at least one electrical element / electronic element (e.g., a storage element, etc.). The drive assembly can be constructed and / or configured as disclosed herein. The drive assembly can, in particular, be configured as a rotating magnetic field motor in the form of a brushless three-phase motor, having a stator and a rotor.

[0039] At least one supply device may be configured as a battery cell module (e.g., at least one lithium-ion battery cell) having at least one battery cell, a device having multiple such battery cell modules, or a battery having at least one battery cell module, particularly multiple battery cell modules.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, a switching module may be configured for commutation of a drive component, wherein a microprocessor module is configured to switch the switching module differently based on a determined voltage and / or at least one defined operating information including the operating state of the drive component, particularly based on at least one of the following: at least one inductor of the drive component before and / or after the separation process; at least one resistor of the drive component before and / or after the separation process; current present in the drive component, particularly in the stator; and the motion state and / or position of the rotor; wherein, in particular, at least one defined operating information including the operating state of the drive component can be invoked, measured, and / or calculated.

[0041] The microprocessor module can be configured to switch the switching module at least in part based on current, rotational speed, sensorless operation, a family of characteristic curves, and / or based on characteristic curves. At least one defined operating information, including the operating state of the drive components, can be specifically associated with the stator of the drive components. At least one inductor can be the phase inductance (also called "winding inductance") of the stator windings. The resistance can be the winding resistance of the stator windings. The phase inductance and / or winding resistance can be associated with defined phases (electrically separated current paths) and therefore with defined windings.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, it can be specified that the microprocessor module is configured to switch the switching module according to a defined switching strategy, such that the determined existing voltage is applied to at least one defined current path of the stator in at least one of the following forms: • periodically, in particular pulse width modulation (PWM), to change the motion and / or position of the rotor relative to the stator; • periodically at high frequency according to the inertia of the rotor, in particular according to at least one natural frequency of the rotor, to cause the rotor to enter at least one unstable, in particular oscillating vibration state; • static pulse width modulation (PWM), in particular substantially constant with respect to the defined current path, to align the rotor to a defined position relative to the stator; • periodically, in particular at high frequency, substantially without average value, to substantially maintain the position of the rotor relative to the stator.

[0043] The determined voltage can be applied periodically, i.e., repeatedly at defined time intervals and / or for defined durations and / or with defined amplitudes, to generate a rotating magnetic field in the drive assembly, i.e., in the stator, which drives or actuates the rotor and / or substantially holds the rotor in a defined position. Through the circuit configuration of the microprocessor module, the determined voltage can be applied, for example, in the form of an AC voltage with a defined frequency (inversely proportional to the defined period duration) to at least one defined current path, thereby injecting the current present in the intermediate switching circuit into the drive assembly.

[0044] It is feasible to apply the determined existing voltage by changing the duration of the voltage pulse (also known as "pulse width", "duty cycle" or "duty cycle") to make the intermediate switching circuit substantially without current and / or without voltage by causing and / or resulting in a change in the rotor position relative to the stator.

[0045] The microprocessor module can be configured to switch the switching module at at least partially a substantially constant and / or varying switching frequency to generate corresponding voltage pulses and / or current pulses.

[0046] The voltage of the intermediate switching circuit can be applied periodically, in particular pulse-width modulated, to at least one defined current path by the circuit according to the defined switching strategy, for example, at a switching frequency of about 10 kHz to about 20 kHz, such as about 16 kHz.

[0047] When a voltage present in the intermediate switching circuit is applied periodically at a high frequency, the rotor may be placed in an unstable, i.e., oscillating (wobbling) state, depending on the rotor's inertia and / or relative to the rotor's inertia. This state is particularly different from the so-called torque rippel that depends on the rotor's rotational motion.

[0048] The frequency of the applied voltage can be a forced electrical excitation frequency, which depends on the mass inertia and therefore on the moment of inertia generated by the rotor, for example, greater than about 20 kHz. The frequency of the applied voltage can be such that it lies outside at least one of the rotor's natural frequencies, particularly to avoid exciting mechanical resonant frequencies. In particular, the frequency of the applied voltage is configured such that the rotor is no longer able to follow voltage changes or no longer follows voltage changes, and enters an oscillating motion state. Unlike torque fluctuations, the rotor's state can include lateral oscillations. In other words, by applying a high-frequency periodic voltage and therefore by a corresponding modulated voltage taking into account the rotor's inertia, the rotor can be placed in a fluttering state, resulting in an unstable vibration state. It is understood that, in the context of this invention, an unstable vibration state does not include an increase in vibration amplitude due to disturbances.

[0049] The application of static pulse-width modulation (PWM) voltage specifically involves applying a substantially constant and therefore unchanging voltage to at least one defined current path, thereby creating a static magnetic field that does not move about the rotor's axis. In other words, the PWM voltage signal causes a substantially constant direct current or a substantially constant average current to flow through at least one defined current path, thus generating a magnetic field in the stator that does not rotate in time or at least hardly rotates and is substantially stationary in space. The rotor is pulled in and / or aligned to a defined position, particularly a specific angular position, and is substantially held there.

[0050] It is feasible that the microprocessor module is configured to determine the position of the rotor relative to the stator, and the microprocessor module is configured to switch the switching module according to the determined rotor position using a defined switching strategy, such that the determined existing voltage is applied to a defined current path of the stator to substantially maintain the determined rotor position relative to the stator.

[0051] The microprocessor module can be connected to at least one sensor unit to determine the rotor position. This sensor unit is configured to detect at least one defined operating information and / or changes in at least one defined operating information: magnetic field, light intensity. Alternatively or additionally, the microprocessor module can be configured to determine the rotor position, sensorlessly detect, transform, and evaluate at least one current in an associated defined current path of the stator, and / or sensorlessly detect, transform, and evaluate at least one voltage at an associated defined current path of the stator, in particular, to switch the switching module accordingly based on the evaluation.

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, the tool may be defined as comprising: at least one first contact element and at least one second contact element, the first contact element and the second contact element being respectively configured to transmit electrical energy and / or electrical signals, wherein the at least one first contact element is configured to form a separable wiring connection with a first supply device, and the at least one second contact element is configured to form a separable wiring connection with a second supply device, so as to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly in the wiring state of the respective supply device; wherein an intermediate switching circuit is configured to transmit current present in the intermediate switching circuit to the supply device in the wiring state of at least one first supply device and at least one second supply device according to at least one operating information, wherein, in particular, the at least one operating information includes the operating state and / or changes in the operating state of the supply device in the wiring state.

[0053] Therefore, the determined voltage and / or current present in the intermediate switching circuit can be applied to and / or injected into the supply device in the wired state. Thus, limited charging of the supply device in the wired state can be achieved, while voltage cutoff can be achieved at at least one contact element exposed or freely accessible due to the disconnection process of the corresponding supply device.

[0054] At least one piece of operational information specifically includes the charging status and / or temperature of the supply device in the connected state before and / or after the disconnection process.

[0055] Tools, particularly intermediate switching circuits, may include switching devices for transmitting present current, the switching devices having a first switching circuit and a second switching circuit, wherein the first switching circuit is associated with at least one first contact element and the second switching circuit is associated with at least one second contact element, wherein the first switching circuit and the second switching circuit are respectively configured and / or switchable to prevent discharge current from being transmitted from at least one first supply device to at least one second supply device, or from at least one second supply device to at least one first supply device.

[0056] In other words, no discharge current is transmitted from at least one first supply device to at least one second supply device, or from at least one second supply device to at least one first supply device. This avoids unwanted discharge processes.

[0057] It is feasible to connect the first switching circuit and / or the second switching circuit in series with the switching module, and in particular with the assembly switching circuit for driving components, including the switching module and at least one storage element, to reduce and / or substantially turn off the voltage applied to the respective at least one first contact element and / or second contact element in the disconnected state.

[0058] According to another aspect of the invention, the first switching circuit and / or the second switching circuit may each include at least two current limiting modules and / or voltage control modules, each including at least one switching unit connected in anti-series with each other. In particular, each of the at least one switching unit includes at least one switching element configured as at least one of the following switching elements or including at least one of the following switching elements: • Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET); • Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT); • High electron mobility transistor (HEMT).

[0059] According to a fourth general aspect, the present invention relates to a method for operating a tool, particularly a portable and / or handheld tool, the tool comprising: • a drive assembly having a stator and a rotor and configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element; • at least one contact element for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, configured to form a detachable wiring connection with at least one supply device for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals, so as to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly when the at least one supply device is in a wired state; • an intermediate switching circuit for the electrical connection between the drive assembly and the at least one contact element, the intermediate switching circuit... The method includes a switching module for driving components and a microprocessor module for controlling and / or regulating the switching module; wherein the method includes: • monitoring, in particular, a separation process and / or separation state between at least one supply device and at least one contact element via the microprocessor module; • determining, in particular, a voltage present in an intermediate switching circuit via the microprocessor module in conjunction with at least one sensor unit; • injecting current present in the intermediate switching circuit into the driving components via the switching module, in particular, to substantially discharge the intermediate switching circuit and substantially keep at least one contact element voltageless, wherein the method is specifically configured to be implemented on a tool as disclosed herein.

[0060] To avoid duplication, features disclosed only with respect to the tools and apparatus of this invention and / or related thereto should also be considered as disclosed by way and are claimable, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0061] The foregoing embodiments and features of the present invention can be combined with each other in any way. Further or other details and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the tool according to the present invention is illustrated in schematic diagram;

[0063] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the tool according to the invention is illustrated in schematic diagram;

[0064] Figure 3 The time curve of the running information defined when the method according to the invention is implemented according to the first running event is illustrated in the schematic diagram.

[0065] Figure 4 The time curve of the running information defined when the method according to the invention is implemented according to the second running event is illustrated in the schematic diagram.

[0066] Figure 5 The time curve of the running information defined when the second embodiment of the method according to the invention is implemented according to the first running event is illustrated in the schematic diagram.

[0067] Figure 6 A time curve of the running information defined when the second embodiment of the method according to the invention is implemented according to the second running event is illustrated in the schematic diagram.

[0068] Figure 7 A third embodiment of the tool according to the invention is illustrated in schematic diagram;

[0069] Figure 8 A schematic diagram is shown. Figure 7 Driver components for tools;

[0070] Figure 9 It shows the way Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first illustration shows the driving component discharging the intermediate switching circuit.

[0071] Figure 10 It shows the way Figure 7 and Figure 8 The second illustration shows the driving component discharging the intermediate switching circuit.

[0072] Figure 11 It shows the way Figure 7 and Figure 8 The third diagram shows the driving component discharging the intermediate switching circuit.

[0073] Figure 12 A fourth embodiment of the tool according to the present invention is illustrated in schematic diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0074] This invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, many variations and modifications are possible, which also utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims, regardless of the cited claims.

[0075] In the following text, for the sake of brevity, the expression "at least one" will be omitted where necessary when referring to devices / multiple devices, elements / multiple elements, units / multiple units, signals / multiple signals, information / multiple pieces of information, and / or attributes / multiple attributes. It is understood that, for example, multiple devices / units may be included instead of one device / unit, and / or multiple signals / information / attributes may be included instead of one signal / information / attribute.

[0076] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the tool 1 according to the present invention is illustrated in schematic diagram.

[0077] Tool 1 can be a portable and / or handheld and / or hand-held electrical tool 1 (power tool, appliance). Tool 1 can be a manually operable tool 1. Tool 1 can be configured as one of the following and / or include at least one of the following: gardening tools, such as harvesters, pruners, slicers, shears, sickles, blowers; forestry tools, such as chainsaws; cleaning tools, such as pressure washers; assembly tools, such as drills, impact drills, hammers, angle grinders, saws; agricultural tools for processing soil, such as wood chippers; woodworking tools, such as planers; kitchen / household tools, such as blenders, vacuum cleaners, compressors. Other configurations and arrangements of tool 1 are also possible, for example, in the field of medical technology.

[0078] The tool 1 according to the invention is configured to form a separable (detachable) connection with at least one supply device 910, 920. This separable connection specifically includes separable electrical connections (separable wiring connections) and / or separable mechanical connections (separable form-fit connections and / or force-fit connections).

[0079] At least one supply device 910, 920 is configured, in a wired state, to supply electrical power and / or electrical signals S to tool 1. The wired state specifically refers to a state in which at least one supply device 910, 920 is electrically and mechanically connected to tool 1 as specified, in order to enable tool 1 to perform its intended function, especially when safety is ensured.

[0080] exist Figure 1 In the first embodiment shown, tool 1 is configured to be detachably connected to two supply devices 910 and 920. Alternatively, tool 1 may be configured to be detachably connected to (only) one supply device 910, 920, or to be detachably connected to more than two supply devices 910, 920.

[0081] Each supply device 910, 920 is configured as a portable rechargeable battery 910 and 920 for providing DC voltage as the supply voltage for tool 1. The battery may include at least one lithium-ion battery cell or multiple lithium-ion battery cells connected in series and provides a nominal voltage of approximately 36 volts.

[0082] To form a separable wiring connection with the corresponding supply devices 910 and 920, tool 1 includes four contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222, which are in the form of load contact elements for transmitting electrical energy. Contact elements 211 and 212 form a first contact element pair 211, 212, and contact elements 221, 222 form a second contact element pair 221, 222.

[0083] Supply device 910 includes two contact elements 911 and 912, which are load contact elements for transmitting electrical energy and are associated with contact elements 211 and 212 as mating contact elements 911 and 912. Supply device 920 includes two contact elements 921 and 922, which are load contact elements for transmitting electrical energy and are associated with contact elements 221 and 222 as mating contact elements 921 and 922.

[0084] Contact elements 211 and 221 can be associated with the positive terminal, and contact elements 212 and 222 can be associated with the negative terminal. Through the corresponding arrangement and electrical connection of contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222 in series circuit, an increased total voltage can be provided as the supply voltage for tool 1. Therefore, through the two series-connected supply devices 910 and 920, a supply voltage of approximately 72 volts can be provided to tool 1 in the wired state. In other words, tool 1 is characterized by a high-performance battery system with a nominal voltage of approximately 72 volts.

[0085] Optionally, tool 1 may include a protection module 200 for supply devices 910 and 920, which is electrically connected to contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222 accordingly. Protection module 200 includes a first protection unit 210 and a second protection unit 220. The first protection unit 210 and the second protection unit 220 are connected in series between contact elements 211 and 222. The first protection unit 210 is also arranged between and / or associated with contact elements 211 and 212, and the second protection unit 220 is also arranged between and / or associated with contact elements 221 and 222. The first protection unit 210 and the second protection unit 220 each include two protection elements connected in parallel with each other, in the form of a suppression diode (transient voltage suppression diode) and a Schottky diode (hot carrier diode), and are specifically used as overvoltage protection units for their respective associated supply devices 910 and 920 in the wired state, especially in the case of short-time voltage pulses, and / or reverse current protection units.

[0086] Tool 1 includes at least one contact element 213, 223 for communicating with corresponding supply devices 910, 920 in a wired state, which is in the form of a signal contact element for transmitting an electrical signal S between the corresponding supply devices 910, 920 and tool 1. For this purpose, tool 1 may optionally include a communication unit 810, which, for example, has a signal transmitting / receiving module and / or a communication interface module. The signal transmitting / receiving module and the communication interface module are not shown in the figures for clarity. The communication unit 810 may be part of a microprocessor module 400, which is the central module of tool 1, for controlling and / or regulating modules 110, 300, 500, 600, units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 310, 320, 330, 510, 520, 710, 720, 730 and / or element 610 of tool 1. The microprocessor module 400 includes a computing unit 410 (microprocessor, CPU) and other units such as an interface unit 420 and a storage unit (RAM, flash memory). The microprocessor module 400 can be configured to establish a communication connection with the supply devices 910 and 920.

[0087] Tool 1 is also configured to form a separable mechanical connection with the corresponding supply devices 910 and 920, in the form of a plug-in connection or a plug-in snap-fit ​​connection. The separable mechanical connection is particularly manually separable, so that, for example, assembling or disassembling the supply devices 910 and 920 to or from Tool 1 requires no tools. This ensures the ease of use of Tool 1.

[0088] However, the supply devices 910, 920 can be separated from tool 1 via a manual and therefore tool-free detachable connection, in the form of a detachable plug-in connection or a detachable plug-in snap-fit ​​connection. This poses a dangerous situation for the user of tool 1 in certain circumstances because the contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222 are subsequently freely accessible. In other words, touching the contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222 may result in a risk of electric shock, especially in tool 1 operating at, for example, a nominal voltage greater than about 60 volts, and after the separation process, a voltage U1 greater than about 60 volts is applied to the exposed or freely accessible contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222.

[0089] It is understood that, in order to form a plug-in connection or a plug-in snap-fit ​​connection, the tool 1 and the supply devices 910 and 920 each have plug-in sections with complementary structures and plug-in surfaces with complementary structures, so as to achieve a separable, substantially form-fit connection and / or substantially force-fit connection in the plug-in direction.

[0090] Figure 1Tool 1, in other words, is a battery-powered tool 1 used to connect two supply devices 910 and 920, which are in the form of replaceable and / or rechargeable batteries 910 and 920. Alternatively, at least one supply device 910, 920 may be configured as a plug connector, such as a plug, and / or include at least one such plug connector, wherein the plug connector is connected to a cable to provide electrical power and / or electrical signals S, and wherein the plug connector is configured to form a manually detachable mechanical connection with tool 1, in the form of a plug connection or a plug-in snap connection.

[0091] Tool 1 includes a drive assembly M configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element of tool 1, particularly in the operating state. The at least one tool element is not shown in the figures for clarity and, depending on the configuration and / or arrangement of tool 1, may include, for example, a cutting device with a cutting blade, a cutting disc, a pump, etc. A transmission for converting speed and / or torque may be arranged between the drive assembly M and the at least one tool element.

[0092] The drive component M is a rotating magnetic field motor, particularly a brushless three-phase motor M, characterized by relatively high power density, efficiency, and long lifespan. The three-phase motor M comprises a stator as a stationary part and a rotor as a rotating part. The stator is equipped with electromagnets, i.e., coils or windings, and the rotor is equipped with permanent magnets (a rotor excited by permanent magnets). The three-phase motor M is characterized by three-phase AC windings to generate a moving (rotating) magnetic field, i.e., a rotating magnetic field, through appropriate control and / or regulation, to drive and rotate the rotor. The rotor is also coupled to at least one tooling element, e.g., directly (without intermediate links) or via a gearbox. The three phase input terminals of the three-phase motor M are... Figure 1 The three phase lines are labeled M1, M2 and M3.

[0093] The drive component M can be configured as a known electric motor M, especially a known brushless three-phase electric motor M.

[0094] Tool 1 includes an intermediate switch circuit 10 that electrically connects the drive component M to contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222, i.e., to the contact elements 211 and 222 obtained by connection.

[0095] With the supply devices 910 and 920 connected, power can be supplied to the drive assembly M via the intermediate switch circuit 10 to enable the operation of tool 1.

[0096] The intermediate switching circuit 10 includes a first main line L1 and a second main line L2 for transmitting electrical energy. The first main line L1 is electrically connected to contact element 211, and the second main line L2 is electrically connected to contact element 222. In other words, main lines L1 and L2 represent the electrical power path of tool 1.

[0097] To operate the drive component M, the intermediate switching circuit 10 includes an assembly switching circuit 100 having a switching module 110 and at least one storage element 120. The switching module 110 is an electronic switching module 110 for supplying electrical power to the drive component M and for commutation of the drive component M. The microprocessor module 400 is used to control and / or regulate the switching module 110.

[0098] By commutating the drive assembly M, the current in the stator coil or winding of the drive assembly M is converted to generate a rotating magnetic field. The rotating magnetic field causes the rotor of the drive assembly M to move, which in turn drives at least one tool element through coupling. For this purpose, the switching module 110 includes six switching units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116, which have switching elements that are not shown in detail in the figure for clarity.

[0099] Each switching unit 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 is specifically configured as a semiconductor switching unit, each having two switching elements connected in parallel. Alternatively, the corresponding semiconductor switching unit may each include one switching element. Each switching element is specifically configured as or includes a semiconductor switching element, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) or an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). In other words, switching units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 constitute a bridge transistor and form a six-pulse half-bridge circuit. Switching units 111 and 114 are electrically connected to phase line M1, switching units 112 and 115 are electrically connected to phase line M2, and switching units 113 and 116 are electrically connected to phase line M3.

[0100] The DC voltage supplied by the power supply devices 910 and 920 is converted into suitable AC power to run the motor M by controlling and / or regulating the switching module 110 through the microprocessor module 400. The speed and (positive or negative) acceleration of the drive component M can be adjusted by means of pulse width modulation. In pulse width modulation, the switching units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 are alternately turned on and off by the microprocessor module 400 according to the rotor rotation direction.

[0101] At least one storage element 120 is connected in parallel with the switch module 110 as an electrical storage element 120, that is, connected in parallel with two switch units 111, 114; 112, 115 and 113, 116 respectively arranged in series.

[0102] At least one storage element 120 may be configured as at least one capacitor and / or include at least one capacitor, such as an electrolytic capacitor, as a passive electronic component. In other words, at least one storage element 120 may constitute an intermediate switching circuit capacitor.

[0103] At least one storage element 120 may be configured and / or arranged to smooth voltage fluctuations in the DC voltage supplied by the supply devices 910 and 920 as the supply voltage, particularly with respect to voltage peaks and troughs. Thus, for example, a substantially stable DC voltage can be provided and fed to the switching module 110. At least one storage element 120 may additionally or alternatively be configured to filter out high-frequency interference in the DC voltage supplied as the supply voltage. Additionally or alternatively, at least one storage element 120 may also function as an energy storage device and supply electrical energy to the switching module 110 in the event of a short-term failure of the DC voltage supplied as the supply voltage.

[0104] Optionally, a current limiting module 300 can be connected between the assembly switching circuit 100 and the contact elements 211 and 222 to protect the assembly switching circuit 100. Figure 1 In the first embodiment of the tool 1 shown, the current limiting module 300 is arranged at the first main line L1 and includes at least one first switching unit 310, a second switching unit 320, and a third switching unit 330. The first switching unit 310 and the second switching unit 320 are connected in parallel with each other. The switching units 310 and 320, which are connected in parallel with each other, are further connected in parallel with the third switching unit 330. Each switching unit 310, 320, and 330 includes a switching element in the form of a semiconductor switching element, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. The switching elements of the switching units 310 and 320 are connected in parallel with rectifier elements in the form of diodes, respectively. The switching element of the third switching unit 330 is connected in series with a resistor element. The control and / or adjustment of the current limiting module 300 can be performed by the microprocessor module 400.

[0105] If supply devices 910 and 920 are separated from tool 1 at a certain point in time (separation point) through a disassembly process (separation process), resulting in a subsequent separation state, it is feasible to generate a voltage U1 in tool 1 and apply it to contact elements 211 and 222. This voltage may cause electric shock when contact elements 211 and 222, which are freely accessible at this time, are touched while supply devices 910 and 920 are in the separation state.

[0106] Voltage U1 may be generated or has been generated, for example, by at least one storage device 120 of intermediate switching circuit 10, i.e., through a discharge process. Voltage U1 may also be generated or has been generated, for example, by drive component M, for example, in generator mode, where the rotor of drive component M moves and thus generates electrical energy and feeds it into intermediate switching circuit 10 through phase lines M1, M2, M3, such that voltage U10 is applied to intermediate switching circuit 10. The movement of the rotor may be generated by the movement of a coupled tool element (e.g., in the form of a cutting disc or cutting device) until drive component M stops after a defined duration.

[0107] Intermediate switch circuit 10 includes circuit device 500 configured to reduce and / or turn off, particularly turn off, voltage U1 applied at contact elements 211 and 222, in accordance with at least one defined operating information, after the separation process of at least one supply device 910, 920 and / or in the separated state of at least one supply device 910, 920.

[0108] The circuit device 500 may be arranged and / or configured to, after detecting a separation process and / or a separation state, reduce and / or turn off, in particular turn off, the applied voltage U1 for a defined duration; and / or after detecting a separation process and / or a separation state, reduce the voltage value of the applied voltage U1 to at least a defined maximum voltage U_max or below the defined maximum voltage U_max.

[0109] A voltage U10 of approximately 60 volts to approximately 100 volts, which is generated, for example, by the residual charge of at least one storage element 120 and fed into the main lines L1 and L2, may be interrupted immediately or within the defined duration, for example, less than approximately 4 seconds after the separation process and / or the separation time point, so that in particular the contact elements 211, 222 are substantially without voltage and / or remain substantially without voltage, i.e., the voltage U1 applied there is substantially 0 volts.

[0110] The circuit device 500 can reduce the voltage U1 applied to the contact elements 211 and 222 to at least a defined maximum voltage U_max (e.g., about 60 volts) or lower for a defined duration, such as approximately 4 seconds after the separation process and / or the separation time point. Alternatively, the voltage U1 can be turned off for a defined duration, so that the voltage U1 is no longer applied to the contact elements 211 and 222.

[0111] The circuit device 500 may include, or be configured as, a voltage control module 500 for the contact element 211. In a first embodiment of the tool 1, the circuit device 500 is arranged at the first main line L1, between the contact element 211 and the assembly switching circuit 100, and includes at least one first switching unit 510 with a switching element. The switching element is configured as a semiconductor switching element, for example, as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. The switching element can be controlled and / or regulated by the microprocessor module 400 according to at least one defined operating information. By switching the switching element, the voltage U10 generated by the intermediate circuit 10 is no longer transmitted to the contact elements 211 and 222, or at least transmitted to the contact elements 211 and 222 in a defined reduced manner, thereby avoiding the risk of electric shock due to touching the contact elements 211 and 222. In the first embodiment of the tool 1, due to the design of the tool 1, the circuit device 500 includes two switching units 510 and 520 connected in parallel with each other, and these two switching units are specifically configured and / or arranged identically to each other. Figure 1 As shown, each switching unit 510 and 520, in addition to its corresponding switching element, also includes a diode as a so-called body diode, which is connected in parallel with the corresponding switching element. The corresponding diode is optional. The switching elements and diodes of switching units 510 and 520 are not shown in detail in the figures for clarity.

[0112] At least one defined operating information may include at least one operating state of tool 1 and / or at least one operating parameter of tool 1, the operating state and / or the operating parameter being detected or assessed, for example, by at least one sensor unit 710, 720, 730. The at least one defined operating information may additionally or alternatively be calculated operating information. Microprocessor module 400 may be configured, in particular, to process and / or evaluate at least one operating information as disclosed herein, and to adjust and / or control circuitry 500, i.e., voltage control module 500, based on the processed and / or evaluated at least one operating information.

[0113] The defined operational information may include the operating state of the drive component M and / or the intermediate switching circuit 10, and / or changes in the operating state of the drive component M and / or the intermediate switching circuit 10, for defined and / or detected durations before the separation process and / or before the separation state, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the defined operational information may include the operating state of the drive component M and / or the intermediate switching circuit 10, and / or changes in the operating state of the drive component M and / or the intermediate switching circuit 10, for defined and / or detected durations after the separation process and / or during the separation state, respectively. Accordingly, operational information defined in the form of operating parameters of the drive component M and / or the intermediate switching circuit 10 also applies, and / or operational information defined in the form of changes in the operating parameters of the drive component M and / or the intermediate switching circuit 10 (see also...). Figures 3 to 6 (Description).

[0114] The defined operating information may in particular include at least one detected, particularly measured voltage value or at least one detected, particularly measured voltage value curve, which are associated with at least one of the following components of tool 1: contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222; drive assembly M; at least one main line L1, L2 between contact elements 211, 212; 221, 222 and circuit device 500; at least one main line L1, L2 between circuit device 500 and assembly switch circuit 100.

[0115] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the tool 1 according to the present invention is illustrated in schematic diagram.

[0116] The second embodiment of Tool 1 is very similar to the first embodiment of Tool 1, so to avoid repetition, the same parts will not be described again.

[0117] The tool 1 of the second embodiment does not include a circuit arrangement 500 disposed on or at the first main line L1. Instead, the tool 1 of the second embodiment includes a circuit arrangement 600 in the form of a storage control module 600 for at least one storage element 120. The storage control module 600 is connected to the assembly switching circuit 100 in parallel, particularly in parallel with at least one storage element 120. The storage control module 600 includes at least one switching element 610 and at least one resistive element 620, which are arranged in series with each other, i.e., connected in series.

[0118] At least one resistive element 620 may be configured as a constant resistor or a variable resistor, depending in particular on the configuration of at least one storage element 120, for example, on the capacitance of at least one storage element 120 as defined operating information.

[0119] The storage control module 600 is associated with at least one storage element 120 and is configured to cause at least one storage element 120 to discharge via at least one resistor element 620 when the switching element 610 switches accordingly, so as to avoid generating voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10 and feeding the voltage into the main lines L1, L2.

[0120] The microprocessor module 400 is specifically configured to monitor the separation process and / or separation time point and / or separation status by means of the communication connection between the microprocessor module 400 and the supply devices 910, 920, and adjust and / or control the circuit devices 500 and / or 600 accordingly to limit the reduction and / or shutdown, in particular the shutdown of the voltage U1 applied to the contact elements 211, 222.

[0121] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a time curve of runtime information defined when implementing a first embodiment of the method of the present invention according to a first runtime event. The first embodiment of the method can be implemented, for example, using tool 1 as disclosed herein.

[0122] Figure 3 The time curves of the rotational speed n of the drive component M, the voltage U10 of the intermediate switch circuit 10, the switching state of the circuit device 500, the energy supplied by the supply devices 910 and 920, and the accessibility of the contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 at the tool 1 are shown.

[0123] At time t0, the supply devices 910 and 920 are in the wired state, and the tool 1 is in the normal operating state, that is, the active state, in which the power supply devices 910 and 920 are supplied to the drive assembly M to drive at least one tool element.

[0124] At time t1, tool 1 is shut down, thus interrupting the power supply from supply devices 910 and 920 to drive component M (see [reference]). Figure 3 The dashed lines 910 and 920 at time t1 decrease), and the rotational speed n of the drive component M drops to zero before time t2.

[0125] When the drive component M reaches a stationary state at time point t2 after a period of inertial operation, or when it is stationary, as defined by other operating information, the circuit device 500 switches, in particular by control and / or adjustment of the microprocessor module 400, to shut off the voltage U10 of the intermediate circuit 10, so that at time point t2 and / or thereafter, no voltage U10 is applied as voltage U1 at the contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222.

[0126] At time t3, as the first operational event, the separation process of supply devices 910 and 920 from tool 1 occurs, making contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 freely accessible from time t3 onwards (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 3 (The changes of the dashed lines 211, ..., 222). However, since the voltage U1 has been turned off by the circuit device 500 from time t2, the contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 are in a voltage-free state, so there is no longer any danger from them at time t3 and / or thereafter.

[0127] The voltage U1 at contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222 and / or the voltage U10 in intermediate circuit 10 can be turned off based on the detected inertial running duration, especially after the drive component M reaches a stationary state, and particularly within a defined duration.

[0128] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a time curve of the running information defined when the first embodiment of the method according to the invention is implemented based on a second running event.

[0129] Figure 4 With similar Figure 3 The time curves of the defined runtime information are displayed in this way. Therefore, for a description of it, please refer to the documentation. Figure 3 The description.

[0130] At time t0, tool 1 is in an unloaded operating state, in which the drive component M is in motion and rotates at a substantially constant speed n as the unload speed for at least a defined duration. Furthermore, no load is applied to the drive component M, and the supply devices 910 and 920 do not provide electrical energy for driving the drive component M.

[0131] At time t1, as the second operational event, the separation process of supply devices 910 and 920 from tool 1 occurs, making contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 freely accessible from time t1 onwards (see...). Figure 4 (The curves of the dashed lines 211, ..., 222). In other words, during the operation of tool 1, the supply devices 910 and 920 are removed from tool 1.

[0132] Monitoring of the separation process and / or separation status is performed via the microprocessor module 400 of tool 1, specifically by transmitting at least one communication signal S from supply devices 910, 920 to intermediate switching circuit 10 and / or microprocessor module 400, and / or from microprocessor module 400 to supply devices 910, 920. The at least one communication signal S is configured to check the presence and / or absence of a communication connection between supply devices 910, 920 and intermediate switching circuit 10, particularly microprocessor module 400.

[0133] Time point t1 represents the defined operational information in the form of a separation time point. From this time point, the absence of a communication connection can be monitored, thereby monitoring the separation process and / or separation state between tool 1 and supply devices 910 and 920. At the defined time point t2, after monitoring the separation process and / or separation state, the circuit device 500 is switched, particularly by the control and / or adjustment of the microprocessor module 400, to turn off the voltage U10 of the intermediate switch circuit 10, so that at time point t2 and / or after, no voltage U10 is applied as voltage U1 at contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222.

[0134] Since the voltage U1 is turned off by means of the circuit device 500, the contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 are in a voltage-free state from time point t2, and therefore there is no longer any danger at time point t2 and / or thereafter.

[0135] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a time curve of operational information defined when a second embodiment of the method according to the invention is implemented based on a first operational event. The second embodiment of the method can be implemented, for example, using tool 1 as disclosed herein.

[0136] Figure 5 With similar Figure 3 The time curves of the defined operating information are shown in the format shown, where the time curves of the switching states of circuit device 600 are shown instead of those of circuit device 500. For further explanation, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 3 The description.

[0137] At time t0, the supply devices 910 and 920 are in the wired state, and the tool 1 is in the normal operating state, i.e. the active state, in which the power supply devices 910 and 920 are supplied to the drive assembly M to drive at least one tool element.

[0138] At time t1, tool 1 is shut down, causing the power supply from supply devices 910 and 920 to drive component M to be interrupted (see [reference]). Figure 5(The dashed lines at t1 decrease at 910 and 920), and the rotational speed n of the drive component M drops to zero before time point t2.

[0139] When the drive component M reaches a stationary state at time point t2 after a period of inertial operation, or when it is stationary, as defined by other operating information, the circuit device 600 switches, in particular by control and / or regulation of the microprocessor module 400, to discharge at least one storage element 120 of the tool 1 and thus the intermediate switching circuit 10 from time point t2, which causes the voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10 to decrease.

[0140] The discharge of at least one storage element 120 by the circuit device 600 occurs between time points t2 and t3, thereby generating a voltage drop at the intermediate switching circuit 10 and / or at the contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222, specifically a drop to or below a defined maximum voltage U_max. The maximum voltage U_max may, for example, be approximately 60 volts.

[0141] The voltage drop can occur over a defined duration after the separation process and / or separation state has been monitored, and can be characterized by at least one of the following curves: a substantially rectangular curve, a substantially linear curve, and / or a substantially exponential curve.

[0142] At time t4, as the first operational event, the separation process of supply devices 910 and 920 from tool 1 occurs, making contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 freely accessible from time t4 onwards (see...). Figure 5 (The curves of dashed lines 211, ..., 222). Due to the discharge process through the switching circuit device 600, the voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10 drops, and the voltage U1 applied to the contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222 is substantially equal to or lower than the defined maximum voltage U_max. Therefore, there is no longer any danger from them at time point t4 and / or thereafter.

[0143] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates a time curve of the running information defined when a second embodiment of the method according to the invention is implemented based on a second running event.

[0144] Figure 6 With similar Figure 3 The time curves of the defined operating information are shown in the format shown, where the time curves of the switching states of circuit device 600 are shown instead of those of circuit device 500. For further explanation, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 3 The description.

[0145] At time t0, tool 1 is in an unloaded operating state, in which the drive component M is in motion and rotates at a substantially constant speed n as the idle speed for at least a defined duration. Furthermore, no load is applied to the drive component M, and the supply devices 910 and 920 do not provide electrical energy for driving the drive component M.

[0146] At time t1, as the second operational event, the separation process of supply devices 910 and 920 from tool 1 occurs, making contact elements 211, 212, 221, and 222 freely accessible from time t1 onwards (see...). Figure 6 (The curves of the dashed lines 211, ..., 222). In other words, during the operation of tool 1, the supply devices 910 and 920 are removed from tool 1.

[0147] Monitoring of the separation process and / or separation status is performed via the microprocessor module 400 of tool 1, specifically by transmitting at least one communication signal S from supply devices 910, 920 to intermediate switching circuit 10 and / or microprocessor module 400, and / or from microprocessor module 400 to supply devices 910, 920. The at least one communication signal S is configured to check the presence and / or absence of a communication connection between supply devices 910, 920 and intermediate switching circuit 10, particularly microprocessor module 400.

[0148] Time point t1 represents the defined operational information in the form of a separation time point, from which the absence of a communication connection can be detected, thereby monitoring the separation process and / or separation state between tool 1 and supply devices 910, 920. At the defined time point t2, after detecting the separation process and / or separation state, the circuit device 600 is switched, particularly by the control and / or regulation of the microprocessor module 400, to discharge at least one storage element 120 of tool 1 and thus the intermediate switching circuit 10 from time point t2, resulting in a decrease in the voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10.

[0149] The discharge of at least one storage element 120 by the circuit device 600 occurs between time points t2 and t3, thereby generating a voltage drop at the intermediate switching circuit 10 and / or at the contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222, specifically a drop to or below a defined maximum voltage U_max. The maximum voltage U_max may, for example, be approximately 60 volts.

[0150] The voltage drop can occur over a defined duration after the separation process and / or separation state has been monitored, and can be characterized by at least one of the following curves: a substantially rectangular curve, a substantially linear curve, and / or a substantially exponential curve.

[0151] Figure 7 A third embodiment of the tool 1 according to the present invention is illustrated in schematic diagram. Figure 7 Tool 1 in the diagram is shown in the form of a block diagram, similar to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustration of tool 1 in the middle.

[0152] Tool 1 may be constructed and configured as disclosed herein. Tool 1 may be a portable and / or handheld and / or hand-held electrical tool 1 (power tool, electrical appliance). Tool 1 may be a manually operated tool 1.

[0153] Figure 7 Tool 1 and Figure 1 The same configuration is used in the tool 1, except that the circuit device / voltage control module 500 has switching units 510 and 520.

[0154] exist Figure 7 For clarity, contact elements 213 and 223, in the form of signal contact elements for transmitting electrical signals S and communicating with the corresponding supply devices 910 and 920, are also concealed (see [reference to...]). Figure 1 (Comparison). Figure 1 different, Figure 7 The driving component M is illustrated in more detail below and will be described in detail below.

[0155] To avoid repeating descriptions of devices 910 and 920; modules 110, 200, 300, and 400; units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 210, 220, 310, 320, 330, 410, 420, 710, 720, 730, and 810; components 120, 211, 212, 221, and 222; 911, 912, 913, 921, 922, and 923; and lines L1 and L2, please refer to [the relevant documentation / reference]. Figure 1 Description of Tool 1.

[0156] Tool 1 includes an intermediate switching circuit 10 (also simply referred to as the "intermediate circuit"). The intermediate switching circuit 10 of Tool 1 can be configured and / or constructed to implement... Figure 1 The function of the intermediate switch circuit 10 in tool 1.

[0157] Intermediate switching circuit 10 is used to drive the electrical connection between component M and contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222. Intermediate switching circuit 10 includes a switching module 110 for driving component M and a microprocessor module 400 for controlling and / or regulating switching module 110. Microprocessor module 400 and / or switching module 110 may be configured and / or constructed as disclosed herein.

[0158] Intermediate switching circuit 10 is added to or replaces the intermediate switching circuit 10. Figure 1 The intermediate switching circuit 10 of the intermediate tool 1 is configured and / or arranged to: after the separation process, particularly after monitoring the separation process and / or separation time point and / or separation state of at least one supply device 910, 920, determine the voltage U10 present in the intermediate switching circuit 10, and inject the current present in the intermediate switching circuit 10 into the drive component M so that the intermediate switching circuit 10 is substantially discharged and the contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222 that are correspondingly exposed or freely accessible due to the separation process are substantially without voltage.

[0159] According to the present invention, the intermediate switching circuit 10 is configured to apply the voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10, which exists after the separation process and / or after the separation time point and / or during the separation state, to the driving component M, and to inject the current present in the intermediate switching circuit into the driving component M.

[0160] The drive assembly M is specifically a rotating magnetic field motor in the form of a brushless three-phase motor, characterized by a so-called star-connected circuit. The drive assembly M includes a stator MS as the stationary part and a rotor MR as the rotating part (see [reference needed]). Figure 9 The rotor MR is specially equipped with permanent magnets (rotors that are excited by permanent magnets).

[0161] The stator MS of the drive assembly M is equipped with three separate electromagnets, namely windings a, b, and c. The ends of the three windings a, b, and c are electrically connected at a common point (also called the "star point" or "neutral point"). The other end of each of the three windings a, b, and c, which is not connected to the star point, is connected to one of the three phase lines M1, M2, and M3, respectively.

[0162] Due to technical reasons, the three windings a, b, and c have inherent resistances Ra, Rb, and Rc, respectively, which are also called "winding resistances" or "copper resistances." For ease of explanation, Figure 7 The symbols Ra, Rb, and Rc are highlighted in the text, representing the resistances generated by the resistances of the corresponding electrical conductors that make up windings a, b, and c.

[0163] These resistors Ra, Rb, and Rc are parasitic because they do not (directly) contribute to the function of the driving component M, but only cause losses, such as in the form of heat.

[0164] Therefore, the drive assembly M is characterized by a three-phase AC winding to generate a moving (rotating) magnetic field, i.e., a rotating magnetic field, through appropriate control and / or adjustment, thereby driving the rotor MR and initiating its rotational motion. The rotor MR is also coupled to at least one tool element of the tool 1, for example, directly (without intermediate links) or via a transmission device. As previously stated, for clarity, at least one tool element and other components of the tool 1 are omitted from the diagram.

[0165] The switching module 110 is configured with six switching units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116, each with its own switching element, for driving the commutation of the component M.

[0166] In order to improve the function of the intermediate switching circuit 10 in applying voltage and / or injecting current to the drive component M, the microprocessor module 400 is specifically configured to switch the switching module 110 differently according to the determined present voltage U10 and / or at least one defined operating information including the operating state of the drive component M, thereby applying the present voltage U10 and / or the present current of the intermediate switching circuit 10 to the drive component M and / or injecting it into the drive component M in different forms.

[0167] The operational information, including at least one defined aspect of the operating state of the drive component M, may include at least one inductor of the drive component M before and / or after the separation process; at least one resistor Ra, Rb, Rc of the drive component M before and / or after the separation process; currents present in the drive component M, particularly in the stator MS, such as the current Ia in winding a; the motion state of the rotor MR and / or the position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS. The operational information, including at least one defined aspect of the operating state of the drive component M, may be retrieved, measured, and / or calculated.

[0168] The microprocessor module 400 is specifically configured to switch the switching module 110 according to a defined switching strategy, such that the determined existing voltage U10 is applied to at least one defined current path and thereby to at least one defined phase line M1, M2, M3 and / or windings a, b, c in at least one of the following forms: periodically, in particular pulse width modulated (PWM) to change the movement and / or position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS; and substantially without average value periodically, in particular at high frequency substantially without average value, to substantially maintain the position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS.

[0169] Applying voltage U10 periodically, particularly in the form of pulse width modulation, to the defined current paths M1, a; M2, b; M3, c and thereby to the corresponding windings a, b, c, generates an electromagnetic field in the stator MS, which in turn interacts with the permanent magnets of the rotor MR, thereby applying torque to them. In other words, during the separation process, the microprocessor module 400 is configured to switch the switching module 110 to initiate a defined motion process of the rotor MR by means of the voltage U10 and / or the present current of the intermediate switching circuit 10, i.e., to generate a rotating magnetic field to drive the rotor MR, thereby switching the intermediate switching circuit 10 to a state of essentially no voltage and / or no current, particularly for a defined duration after the separation process of at least one power supply device 910, 920 is detected.

[0170] Applying voltage U10 in a substantially zero-average periodic, particularly high-frequency, substantially zero-average form to at least one defined current path M1, a; M2, b; M3, c results in the generation of a magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnets of the rotor MR, but substantially does not produce an effective torque that causes a significant change in the position of the rotor MR. This is used, for example, for actively stabilizing and maintaining the current position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS, i.e., positioning. By applying a relatively high-frequency voltage and therefore controlling it at a high frequency, movement or deviation of the rotor MR from its position can be prevented or at least substantially minimized. In particular, by controlling it at a substantially zero-average high frequency, it can be ensured that substantially no continuous force component is generated in the direction of rotation, thereby allowing the position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS to be substantially maintained and thus kept constant.

[0171] The microprocessor module 400 is specifically configured to determine the position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS. For this purpose, the microprocessor module 400 can be connected to at least one sensor unit 751, 752, 753 of the drive assembly M (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 8 At least one sensor unit 751, 752, 753 may be configured as a Hall sensor unit, for example. The microprocessor module 400 may also be configured to switch the switch module 110 according to the determined rotor MR position, such that the determined present voltage U10 is applied to at least one defined current path M1, a; M2, b; M3, c of the stator MS to substantially maintain the determined rotor MR position relative to the stator MS.

[0172] The microprocessor module 400 may also be additionally or alternatively configured to determine the position of the rotor MR, and to detect, transform, and evaluate at least one current Ia, Ib, Ic of the associated defined current paths M1, a; M2, b; M3, c of the stator MS in a sensorless manner, particularly through the so-called Clark-Park transformation (referred to as the "d / q transformation"), which will be further described below.

[0173] Figure 8 Schematic and, in particular, enlarged, shows Figure 7 The driver component M of tool 1 will be further explained.

[0174] Figure 8 Sensor units 751, 752, and 753 are schematically shown for determining at least one defined operational information by sensing, which includes the operational state of the drive component M and / or is associated with the operational state of the drive component M. These sensor units may be arranged at, contained within, and / or integrated into the drive component M.

[0175] Sensor units 751, 752, and 753 can be configured to detect at least one of the following operating information, which includes the operating state of the drive component M and / or related to the operating state of the drive component M: phase currents Ia, Ib, and Ic; phase voltage Ua; winding resistances Ra, Rb, and Rc; magnetic flux; inductance; temperature; the motion state of the rotor MR; and / or the position of the rotor MR.

[0176] In addition, Figure 8 In the diagram, the voltage Ua, at least partially generated by voltage U10, i.e., the voltage component of voltage U10, is symbolically shown in the form of a time curve for winding a connected and / or associated with phase line M1. The component of voltage U10 applied to phase line M1 and thus to winding a is exemplarily shown as a pulse width modulation curve as a function of time t to highlight the turn-on and turn-off times during the discharge process of intermediate switching circuit 10.

[0177] As the microprocessor module 400 controls and / or regulates the switching module 110, a voltage Ua is applied to the phase line M1 and thus to the winding a via the switching module 110. This is accompanied by the feeding of a voltage U10 from the intermediate switching circuit 10 and the injection of current from the intermediate switching circuit 10 into the drive component M, i.e., into the winding a. In other words, by applying the voltage Ua, a current Ia is generated flowing through the winding a. The current Ia flowing through the winding a generates a magnetic field, which interacts with the magnetic field of the rotor MR, thereby generating a force that causes the rotor MR to rotate.

[0178] It is understandable that the current Ia depends not only on the voltage Ua, but also on other operating parameters, such as the inductance, capacitance, and resistance Ra of winding a. The same applies to the other windings b and c.

[0179] The current Ia is the so-called phase winding current (also known as "armature current" or "stator current"). The current Ia can vary over time and / or vary depending on the movement and / or position of the rotor MR. In order to achieve effective voltage application and current injection, phases M1, a; M2, b; M3, c and thus windings a, b, c must be supplied at the corresponding time points, which can be achieved in particular through so-called field-oriented control (FOC).

[0180] To explain the different voltage application strategies and current injection strategies Figures 9 to 11 The current Ia (and correspondingly the other currents Ib and Ic through windings b and c) can be converted (transformed) into current components in a rotating coordinate system that rotates synchronously with the rotor MR (see supplementary information for this). Figure 8 The arrow symbolically represents the transformation of current Ia into currents Iq and Id.

[0181] The current Iq represents the so-called quadrature-axis current. The quadrature-axis current Iq is the component of the stator current that flows perpendicular to the rotor's magnetic flux MR, and therefore along the quadrature-axis (q-axis) in the rotor's fixed dq coordinate system (see supplementary information). Figure 8 The quadrature-axis current Iq is responsible for generating the electromagnetic torque that drives the rotor MR.

[0182] The current Id represents the so-called direct-axis current. The direct-axis current Id is the component of the stator current that flows parallel to the rotor MR magnetic flux and therefore along the flux axis (d-axis) in the rotor's fixed dq coordinate system (see supplementary information). Figure 8 The direct-axis current Id is responsible for generating magnetic flux, which affects the magnetic field strength in the air gap, thereby regulating and / or controlling the attraction or repulsion between the stator MS and the rotor MR.

[0183] Figure 9 It shows the method for passing through Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first illustration shows the driving component M discharging the intermediate switching circuit 10, which represents a first example of a defined switching strategy for discharging the intermediate switching circuit 10.

[0184] The microprocessor module 400 is configured to control and / or regulate the switching module 110 such that the voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10 is applied periodically, i.e., in the form of a pulse-width modulated signal as voltage Ua, to the phase line M1 and thus to the winding a (see the rectangular (voltage signal) curve of voltage Ua as a function of time t, with on and off times from 0 volts to Ua_max). This results in the flow of current, i.e., current Ia, which can be represented by currents Id and Iq.

[0185] The quadrature-axis current Iq generates torque, which causes the rotor MR to move, for example, to align in a defined position, thereby changing its position.

[0186] Figure 10 It shows the method for passing through Figure 7 and Figure 8 The second illustration shows the driving component M discharging the intermediate switching circuit 10, which represents a second example of a defined switching strategy for discharging the intermediate switching circuit 10.

[0187] The microprocessor module 400 is configured to control and / or regulate the switching module 110 such that the voltage U10 of the intermediate switching circuit 10 is applied as voltage Ua to the phase line M1 and thus to the winding a at a relatively high frequency (e.g., equal to or greater than 1 kHz) with substantially no average value periodically.

[0188] The resulting current flow Ia, and the quadrature-axis current Iq generated or derived from it, produce only high-frequency torque fluctuations (also known as "torque waves"). The torque generated at this time will fluctuate periodically, but the position of the rotor MR remains almost unchanged, so it can essentially maintain that position.

[0189] Figure 11 It shows the method for passing through Figure 7 and Figure 8 The third illustration shows the driving component M discharging the intermediate switching circuit 10, which represents a third example of a defined switching strategy for discharging the intermediate switching circuit 10.

[0190] The microprocessor module 400 can be configured, either via at least one sensor unit 751, 752, 753 or without sensors, to determine the position of the rotor MR relative to the stator MS. In other words, the microprocessor module 400 can be configured, in magnetic field orientation control and / or regulation, to determine, in particular, calculate the d-axis, which represents the direction of magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets of the rotor MR.

[0191] The microprocessor module 400 can be configured according to the determined position of the rotor MR to apply voltage U10 to at least one defined current path M1, a; M2, b; M3, c, such that the current flows only or exclusively along the d-axis and not along the q-axis (see the curve of current Iq changing with time t at 0 Amperes), thereby generating essentially no torque, so that the rotor MR is not dragged or driven.

[0192] from Figures 9 to 12The discharge strategy shown clearly demonstrates that the voltage U10 and / or current present in the intermediate switching circuit 10 can be fed into and / or injected into the drive component M in different ways. The descriptions of voltage Ua and current Ia apply accordingly to phase lines / windings M2, b; M3, c.

[0193] Figure 12 A fourth embodiment of the tool 1 according to the present invention is shown in schematic diagram or block diagram form.

[0194] Tool 1 may be constructed and configured as disclosed herein. Tool 1 may be a portable and / or handheld and / or hand-held electrical tool 1 (power tool, electrical appliance). Tool 1 may be a manually operated tool 1.

[0195] Tool 1 and Figure 1 Tool 1 is identically constructed and / or configured in modules 201, 300, 400, and 500; units 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 210, 220, 310, 320, 330, 410, 420, 510, 520, 710, 720, 730, and 810; elements 211, 212, 213, 221, 222, and 223; and lines L1 and L2. To avoid duplication, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 Description of Tool 1.

[0196] Figure 12 The difference between tool 1 in this embodiment and tool 1 according to the first, second, and third embodiments is particularly that, in addition to contact elements 211, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223, it is also configured with additional contact elements 231, 232, 233 and 241, 242, 243 for connecting to additional supply devices 930 and 940. Tool 1 is configured to be detachably connected to more than two supply devices 910, 920, i.e., detachably connected to supply devices 910, 920, 930, 940.

[0197] Supply devices 910, 920, 930, and 940 can be configured as a battery cell module (e.g., at least one lithium-ion battery cell), a device having multiple such battery cell modules, or a battery having at least one battery cell module, particularly multiple battery cell modules. Supply devices 910 and 920 can be combined to form a first supply device 91 in the form of a battery 91 and / or configured as a first supply device 91 in the form of a battery 91. Supply devices 930 and 940 can be combined to form a second supply device 92 in the form of a battery 92 and / or configured as a second supply device 92 in the form of a battery 92.

[0198] The two supply devices 910, 920 and 930, 940 can be combined and / or configured as portable rechargeable batteries 91 and 92 to provide DC voltage as the supply voltage for tool 1. Therefore, the two supply devices 910, 920 and 930, 940 can be combined and / or configured as a single battery 91, 92 to achieve a higher nominal voltage, for example, about 60 volts instead of about 36 volts. By defining, and in particular pre-setting, minimum and maximum voltage values ​​for the individual battery cells of the supply devices 910, 920 and 930, 940, a voltage of approximately 40 volts (discharge state) to approximately 70 volts (charge state) can be generated for the respective batteries 91, 92, for example, which is applied, in particular, to contact elements 911, 922; and 931, 942, respectively. Contact elements 911, 922 and 931, 942 specifically form external (accessible) electrical load contact elements for batteries 91, 92.

[0199] On the tool side, contact elements 211, 222 and 231, 242 constitute external (accessible) electrical load contact elements of tool 1, for forming a separable wiring connection with contact elements 911, 922 and 931, 942 and thus with batteries 91 and 92. Figure 12 In order to illustrate the batteries 91 and 92 with corresponding supply devices 910, 920, 930, and 940, corresponding contact elements 931, 932, 933; 941, 942, and 943 are shown and labeled, wherein the contact elements 213, 232, 233, and 243 of the tool 1 are configured as signal contact elements for transmitting electrical signals S between the corresponding batteries 91 and 92 and the tool 1.

[0200] Figure 12 The tool 1 is characterized by an (extended) intermediate switching circuit 10 (also referred to simply as "intermediate circuit"), which is configured to: transfer the current present in the intermediate switching circuit 10 (due to the separation process) to a first supply device or a second supply device 91; 910, 920; 92; 930, 940 in a wired state, based on at least one operating information.

[0201] Specifically, at least one piece of operational information includes the operational status and / or changes in operational status of another first or second supply device 91 or 92 that is in a connected state after the disconnection process of supply devices 91 or 92. At least one piece of operational information specifically includes the charging status and / or temperature of the first or second supply device 91 or 92 that is in a connected state.

[0202] exist Figure 12In the diagram, the hand symbolically represented in the area of ​​the first supply device 91 indicates that the first supply device 91 is detached from the tool 1. In other words, the first supply device 91 has been manually separated from the tool 1, for example, by a manual removal process.

[0203] In order to achieve the additional function of injecting the current present in the intermediate switching circuit 10 into another first supply device or second supply device 91, 92 that is in the wiring state, the intermediate switching circuit 10 includes a switching device 1000 having a first switching circuit 1001 and a second switching circuit 1002.

[0204] The first switching circuit 1001 is associated with contact elements 211, 212, 213; 221, 222, 223 for forming a connection with the first supply device 91, and the second switching circuit 1002 is associated with contact elements 231, 232, 233; 241, 242, 243 for forming a connection with the second supply device 92.

[0205] The first conversion-switching circuit 1001 and the second conversion-switching circuit 1002 are substantially respectively configured and / or switchable to prevent discharge current from being transmitted from the first supply device 91 to the second supply device 92 via the respective main lines L1, L2, L3 and / or connection nodes KN-, KN+, or from the second supply device 92 to the first supply device 91.

[0206] The first conversion-switching circuit 1001 includes modules 300 and 500. Figure 12 In tool 1, module 300 is configured as a current limiting module and / or a voltage control module 300. Figure 12 In tool 1, module 500 is also configured as a current limiting module and / or a voltage control module 500. In other words, modules 300 and 500 are configured for current limiting and / or voltage control, respectively.

[0207] The second conversion-switching circuit 1002 includes modules 1100 and 1200. Figure 12 In tool 1, module 1100 is configured as a current limiting module and / or a voltage control module 1100. Figure 12 In tool 1, module 1200 is also configured as a current limiting module and / or voltage control module 1200. In other words, modules 1100 and 1200 are configured for current limiting and / or voltage control, respectively.

[0208] Modules 300 and 500 are connected in series with each other along the first main line L1. Similarly, modules 1100 and 1200 are connected in series with each other along the third main line L3.

[0209] Module 300 includes a first switch unit 310 and a second switch unit 320. The first switch unit 310 and the second switch unit 320 are connected in parallel with each other. The switch units 310 and 320 connected in parallel are further connected in parallel with a third switch unit 330. Module 500 includes a first switch unit 510 and a second switch unit 520. The first switch unit 510 and the second switch unit 520 are connected in parallel with each other. Module 1100 includes a first switch unit 1110 and a second switch unit 1120. The first switch unit 1110 and the second switch unit 1120 are connected in parallel with each other. The switch units 1110 and 1120 connected in parallel with each other are further connected in parallel with a third switch unit 1130. Module 1200 includes a first switch unit 1210 and a second switch unit 1220. The first switch unit 1210 and the second switch unit 1220 are connected in parallel with each other.

[0210] Switching units 310, 320, 330, 510, 520, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1210, and 1220 each include a switching element, which is specifically configured as a semiconductor-based electronic switching element (semiconductor switching element). The corresponding switching elements are... Figure 12 For clarity, details are not shown. The corresponding switching elements of switching units 310, 320, 330, 510, 520, 1110, 1120, 1210 and 1220 can be configured as at least one of the following: metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), or high electron mobility transistor (HEMT).

[0211] The switching elements of switching units 310, 320, 330, 510, 520, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1210 and 1220 can be connected in parallel with diode-type rectifier elements, respectively.

[0212] Alternatively, for example, each module 300, 500, 1100 and 1200 may include only switching units 310, 510, 1110 and 1210, which may each have two switching elements connected in parallel with each other or may each have only a single switching element as disclosed herein.

[0213] Although modules 300 and 500 are connected in series with each other along the first main line L1, the switching units 310, 320, 330 and 510, 520, i.e., their corresponding switching elements, are connected in anti-series. Therefore, their current flows in opposite directions (reverse). The same applies to modules 1100 and 1200. This ensures defined, i.e., bidirectional current control. The anti-series connection of switching units 310, 320, 330 with 510, 520 and the anti-series connection of switching units 1110, 1120, 1130 with 1210, 1220, and the corresponding anti-series connection of their respective switching elements, for example, prevents the (undesirable) charging process of supply devices 91, 92 to the corresponding other supply devices 92, 91. This also applies to the (undesirable) feeding of electrical energy into the assembly switching circuit 100, i.e., to the switching module 110 used to drive the commutation of component M.

[0214] from Figure 12 As can be seen from the diagram, the first switching circuit 1001 and the second switching circuit 1002 are connected in series with or about the switching module 110. This ensures that the assembly switching circuit 100 is electrically isolated from the contact elements 211, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223 for the first supply device 91 and from the contact elements 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, 243 for the second supply device 92, thereby substantially keeping the corresponding contact elements 211, 212, 221, 222, 231, 232, 241, 242 without voltage.

[0215] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Instead, many variations and modifications are possible, which also utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, this invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims, regardless of the claims cited.

[0216] List of reference numerals

[0217] 1 tool

[0218] 10 Intermediate Switching Circuit

[0219] 91 battery

[0220] 92 storage battery

[0221] 100 Assembly Switching Circuit

[0222] 110 switch module

[0223] 111 Switching Unit

[0224] 112 Switching Unit

[0225] 113 Switching Unit

[0226] 114 Switching Unit

[0227] 115 Switching Unit

[0228] 116 Switching Unit

[0229] 120 storage elements

[0230] 200 protection module

[0231] 201 Protection Module

[0232] 202 Protection Module

[0233] 210 protection unit

[0234] 220 protection unit

[0235] 211 Load Contact Element

[0236] 212 Load Contact Element

[0237] 213 Signal Contact Element

[0238] 221 Load Contact Element

[0239] 222 Load Contact Element

[0240] 223 Signal Contact Element

[0241] 230 protection unit

[0242] 231 Load Contact Element

[0243] 232 Load Contact Element

[0244] 233 signal contact element

[0245] 240 protection unit

[0246] 241 Load Contact Element

[0247] 242 Load Contact Element

[0248] 243 signal contact element

[0249] 300 Current limiting module and / or voltage control module

[0250] 310 Switching Unit

[0251] 320 switch unit

[0252] 330 Switching Unit

[0253] 400 microprocessor module

[0254] 410 computing units

[0255] 420 interface unit, storage unit (RAM, flash memory), etc.

[0256] 500 Voltage Control Module

[0257] 510 Switching Unit

[0258] 520 switch unit

[0259] 600 storage control module

[0260] 610 Switching Components

[0261] 620 resistor element

[0262] 710 sensor unit

[0263] 720 sensor unit

[0264] 730 sensor unit

[0265] 740 sensor unit

[0266] 751 sensor unit

[0267] 752 sensor unit

[0268] 753 sensor unit

[0269] 810 communication unit

[0270] 910 Supply Equipment

[0271] 911 Load Contact Element

[0272] 912 Load Contact Element

[0273] 913 signal contact element

[0274] 920 Supply Equipment

[0275] 921 Load Contact Element

[0276] 922 Load Contact Element

[0277] 923 signal contact element

[0278] 930 Supply Equipment

[0279] 931 Load Contact Element

[0280] 932 Load Contact Element

[0281] 933 signal contact element

[0282] 940 Supply Equipment

[0283] 941 Load Contact Element

[0284] 942 Load Contact Element

[0285] 943 signal contact element

[0286] 1000 conversion device

[0287] 1001 Conversion-Switching Circuit

[0288] 1002 Conversion-Switching Circuit

[0289] 1100 Current Limiting Module and / or Voltage Control Module

[0290] 1110 Switching Unit

[0291] 1120 Switching Unit

[0292] 1130 Switching Unit

[0293] 1200 Current Limiting Module and / or Voltage Control Module

[0294] 1210 Switching Unit

[0295] 1220 Switching Unit

[0296] winding

[0297] b winding

[0298] c winding

[0299] Phase Ia current

[0300] Ib phase current

[0301] Ic phase current

[0302] Id is the current used to generate a magnetic field.

[0303] Iq is the current used to generate torque.

[0304] KN+ connection node

[0305] KN - Connection Node

[0306] L1 Main Line

[0307] L2 Mainline

[0308] L3 main line

[0309] M drive components

[0310] M1 phase line

[0311] M2 phase line

[0312] M3 phase line

[0313] MR rotor

[0314] MS stator

[0315] Ra resistance

[0316] Rb resistor

[0317] Rc resistor

[0318] S signal

[0319] Ua voltage

[0320] U1 voltage

[0321] U2 voltage

[0322] U10 voltage

[0323] U_max is the maximum voltage value.

[0324] Ua_max is the maximum voltage value.

[0325] Ua_max1 is the maximum voltage value.

[0326] Ua_max2 is the maximum voltage value.

[0327] n rotation speed

[0328] t time

[0329] t0 time point

[0330] t1 time point

[0331] t2 time point

[0332] t3 time point

[0333] t4 time point

Claims

1. A tool (1), particularly a portable and / or handheld tool (1), comprising: • A drive assembly (M) having a stator (MS) and a rotor (MR) and configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element of the tool (1); • At least one contact element (211, ..., 243) for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, configured to form a separable wiring connection with at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940) for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals, so as to be able to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly (M) in the wiring state of the at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940); • An intermediate switching circuit (10) for electrical connection between the drive assembly (M) and the at least one contact element (211, ..., 243), the intermediate switching circuit including a switching module (110) for the drive assembly (M) and a microprocessor module (400) for controlling and / or regulating the switching module (110). The intermediate switch circuit (10) is configured to: determine the voltage (U10) present in the intermediate switch circuit (10) after the separation process of the at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940) and / or in the separated state of the at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940), and inject the current present in the intermediate switch circuit (10) into the drive assembly (M) to discharge the intermediate switch circuit (10) and keep the at least one contact element (211, ..., 243) without voltage.

2. The tool (1) according to claim 1, in, The switching module (110) is configured for commutation of the drive component (M). The microprocessor module (400) is configured to switch the switching module (110) differently based on a determined voltage (U10) and / or at least one defined operating information including the operating state of the drive component (M), particularly based on at least one of the following: at least one inductor of the drive component (M) before and / or after the separation process; at least one resistor (Ra, Rb, Rc) of the drive component (M) before and / or after the separation process; and currents (Ia, Ib, Ic) present in the drive component (M), particularly in the stator (MS). Specifically, the at least one defined operational information can be invoked, measured, and / or calculated.

3. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2. in, The microprocessor module (400) is configured to switch the switching module (110) according to a defined switching strategy, such that the determined existing voltage (U10) is applied to the defined current path (M1, a; M2, b; M3, c) of the stator (MS) in at least one of the following forms: • Periodically, particularly with pulse width modulation (PWM), to change the position of the rotor (MR) relative to the stator (MS); • The rotor (MR) is periodically subjected to high frequency according to its inertia, particularly according to at least one of its natural frequencies, so that the rotor (MR) is brought into at least one unstable, particularly oscillating, vibration state. • Static pulse width modulation (PWM), particularly with respect to the defined current paths (M1, a; M2, b; M3, c), is constant to align the rotor (MR) to a defined position relative to the stator (MS); • Periodically, especially at high frequencies, without average values, to maintain the position of the rotor (MR) relative to the stator (MS).

4. The tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The microprocessor module (400) is configured to determine the position of the rotor (MR) relative to the stator (MS), and The microprocessor module (400) is configured to switch the switching module (110) according to a defined switching strategy based on the determined position of the rotor (MR), such that a determined existing voltage (U10) is applied to a defined current path (M1, a; M2, b; M3, c) of the stator (MS) to maintain the determined position of the rotor (MR) relative to the stator (MS).

5. The tool (1) according to claim 4, in, The microprocessor module (400) is connected to at least one sensor unit (751, 752, 753) to determine the position of the rotor (MR), the at least one sensor unit being configured to detect at least one of the following defined operating information and / or changes in at least one defined operating information: magnetic field, light intensity; or The microprocessor module (400) is configured to determine the position of the rotor (MR), and to detect, transform and evaluate at least one current (Ia, Ib, Ic) of the associated defined current path (M1, a; M2, b; M3, c) of the stator (MS) and / or at least one voltage (Ua) at the associated defined current path (M1, a; M2, b; M3c) of the stator (MS) in a sensorless manner.

6. The tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The tool (1) includes: • At least one first contact element (211, 212, 213; 221, 222, 223) and at least one second contact element (231, 232, 233; 241, 242, 243), the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element being configured to transmit electrical energy and / or electrical signals, wherein the at least one first contact element (211, 212, 213; 221, 222, 223) is configured to form a separable wiring connection with a first supply device (91; 910, 920), and the at least one second contact element (231, 232, 233; 241, 242, 243) is configured to form a separable wiring connection with a second supply device (92; 930, 940), so as to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly (M) in the wiring state of the respective supply device (91; 910, 920; 92; 930, 940); The intermediate switching circuit (10) is configured to, based on at least one operating information, transmit the current present in the intermediate switching circuit (10) to the supply device in the wiring state among the at least one first supply device (91; 910, 920) and the at least one second supply device (92; 930, 940). Specifically, the at least one operational information includes the operational status and / or changes in operational status of the supply equipment (91; 910, 920; 92; 930, 940) in the wiring state.

7. The tool (1) according to claim 6. in, The tool (1), particularly the intermediate switching circuit (10), includes a switching device (1000) for transmitting the present current. The switching device has a first switching circuit (1001) and a second switching circuit (1002), wherein the first switching circuit (1001) is associated with at least one first contact element (211, 212, 213; 221, 222, 223), and the second switching circuit (1002) is associated with at least one second contact element (231, 232, 233; 241, 242, 243). The first switching circuit (1001) and the second switching circuit (1002) are respectively configured and / or switchable to prevent discharge current from being transmitted from the at least one first supply device (91; 910, 920) to the at least one second supply device (92; 930, 940), or from the at least one second supply device (92; 930, 940) to the at least one first supply device (91; 910, 920).

8. The tool (1) according to claim 7. in, The first switching circuit (1001) and / or the second switching circuit (1002) are connected in series with the switching module (110), and in particular with the assembly switching circuit (100) for the drive assembly (M), which includes the switching module (110) and at least one storage element (120) to reduce and / or turn off the voltage (U1, U2) applied to at least one first contact element and / or second contact element (211, ..., 243) in the disconnected state.

9. The tool (1) according to claim 7 or 8. in, The first switching circuit (1001) and / or the second switching circuit (1002) each include at least two current limiting modules and / or voltage control modules (300, 500; 1100, 1200), and each of the at least two current limiting modules and / or voltage control modules includes at least one switching unit (310, 320, 330; 510, 520; 1110, 1120, 1130; 1210, 1220), and the at least one switching unit is connected in anti-series connection with each other. Specifically, at least one corresponding switching unit (310, 320; 510, 520; 1110, 1120; 1210, 1220) includes at least one switching element, said at least one switching element being configured as at least one of the following switching elements or including at least one of the following switching elements: • Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor; • Insulated-gate bipolar transistor; • High electron mobility transistor.

10. A method for operating a tool (1), particularly a portable and / or handheld tool (1), wherein the tool comprises: • A drive assembly (M) having a stator (MS) and a rotor (MR) and configured to convert electrical energy to drive at least one tool element of the tool (1); • At least one contact element (211, ..., 243) for transmitting electrical energy and / or electrical signals, configured to form a separable wiring connection with at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940) for providing electrical energy and / or electrical signals, so as to be able to provide electrical energy and / or electrical signals to the drive assembly (M) in the wiring state of the at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940); • An intermediate switching circuit (10) for electrical connection between the drive assembly (M) and the at least one contact element (211, ..., 243), the intermediate switching circuit including a switching module (110) for the drive assembly (M) and a microprocessor module (400) for controlling and / or regulating the switching module (110). The method includes: • Monitor the separation process and / or separation status between the at least one supply device (910, 920, 930, 940) and the at least one contact element (211, ..., 243); • Determine the voltage (U10) present in the intermediate switching circuit (10); • Inject the current present in the intermediate switching circuit (10) into the drive component (M) to discharge the intermediate switching circuit (10) and keep the at least one contact element (211, ..., 243) without voltage. Specifically, the method is configured to be implemented on the tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images