Battery pack for a hand tool with light element

Abstract

Battery pack (100) for a hand-held power tool (300), comprising a housing (110) and at least one interface unit (120) for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection of the battery pack (100) with the hand-held power tool (300) and / or with a charger (700); wherein the interface unit (120) comprises at least one locking element (124) for locking the battery pack (100) to the hand-held power tool (300) and an actuating element (126) for actuating the locking element (124), characterized in that the actuating element (126) comprises at least one light element (128) for outputting an optical signal and / or for illumination.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack for a hand-held power tool according to claim 1 and to a hand-held power tool according to claim 21.

[0002] CN 1 949 560 A, GB 2 409 183 A and CN 101 268 583 A describe interchangeable battery packs for handheld power tools.

[0003] The invention relates to a battery pack for a hand-held power tool with an electric motor.

[0004] Electric hand tools are generally known and are powered either via a mains connection or via a battery pack, which has a limited capacity.

[0005] Such battery packs comprise rechargeable batteries, typically a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel and / or series. For the purposes of this application, a battery pack is understood to be a battery pack, preferably consisting of several electrically interconnected battery cells, which can store electrical energy that supplies the power required to operate the handheld power tool and is replaceably accommodated in a chamber, interface, or the like of the handheld power tool. The battery pack is connected to the handheld power tool by plugging or pushing the battery pack into a complementary socket in the device housing. The battery pack can be coupled to the device housing of the handheld power tool in such a way that, when the two housings are coupled, the power tool is electrically coupled to the battery pack and mechanically locked.Electrical contact is usually made in the area of ​​the locking mechanism. Such battery packs allow for a high degree of flexibility when working.

[0006] Hand-held power tools are known from the prior art in which the work area is illuminated by a suitable lighting element, such as an LED. Such work area illumination facilitates or even enables work with minimal external lighting and / or in unlit areas.

[0007] Furthermore, handheld power tools are known in which a charge level indicator, integrated into the housing of the handheld power tool or into a battery pack, indicates the charge level of the battery pack. This charge level indicator often includes one or more lights.

[0008] In both cases, with the work area lighting and the charge level indicator, it proves difficult to find an ergonomically sound positioning for these components. The work area lighting must be positioned so that it illuminates the work area as well as possible, and of course, it must not be obscured by the user while handling the hand tool. The charge level indicator must be clearly visible to the user so that they are always informed, for example, whether the battery pack needs to be changed or recharged.

[0009] The positioning of the work area lighting and charge level indicator assemblies becomes more difficult when both assemblies are to be integrated into a battery pack at the same time, thus leaving even less space for each individual component. The positioning of the work area lighting and charge level indicator is particularly difficult when both assemblies are to be integrated together in a battery pack that is to be used in conjunction with various handheld power tools, such as a cordless circular saw and a cordless screwdriver. Since the battery pack is used differently in different handheld power tools and how it is handled by the user also varies, achieving an ergonomic arrangement of the work area lighting and charge level indicator in the battery pack is a challenging task. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a battery pack for a hand-held power tool which eliminates or at least reduces the disadvantages described above and is as flexible in use, cost-effective and simple in design as possible.

[0011] This object is achieved by a battery pack according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments, variants, and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0012] According to the invention, a battery pack for a handheld power tool comprises a housing and at least one interface unit for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between the battery pack and the handheld power tool and / or a charging device. The interface unit comprises at least one locking element for locking the battery pack to the handheld power tool and an actuating element for actuating the locking element. The actuating element has at least one luminous element for emitting an optical signal and / or for illuminating a work area.

[0013] According to the invention, the actuating element, in addition to unlocking the locking element, also has the additional function of accommodating the lighting element. This results in a particular advantage. The actuating element of the battery pack must always be positioned so that it is easily accessible, regardless of the handheld power tool with which the battery pack is used. Furthermore, the actuating element must always be arranged in such a way that accidental unlocking of the locking element while the user is handling the handheld power tool is impossible. This means that the actuating element is generally not positioned within the user's reach and is therefore not obscured by the user.

[0014] Since, as described above, both requirements also apply to the positioning of the luminous element, the combination of the actuating element with the luminous element according to the invention results in a synergistic effect which eliminates or at least reduces the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and which enables a simpler arrangement of the actuating element and the luminous element.

[0015] It can be provided that the lighting element comprises at least one partially transparent surface, whereby a flexible arrangement of the display function in the region of the actuating element is achieved and whereby a variety of display options are achieved, depending on the design of the at least partially transparent surface.

[0016] A further embodiment comprises an arrangement in which the signal penetrates through the transparent surface and is generated by at least one first luminous element arranged in the interior of the housing, in particular by an LED, wherein the signal is advantageously generated by a plurality of luminous elements arranged in the interior of the housing, in particular by LEDs with different color spectra.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the optical signal indicates a charge level. The charge level can be displayed in different ways. In particular, it can be provided that the optical signal is variable in terms of display duration, intensity and / or display color. For example, the charge level can be displayed by means of a flashing optical signal. Alternatively or additionally, the charge level can be displayed by changing the intensity and / or the display color, so that the charge level is indicated, for example, by a change in the display color from “green” for a very good charge level, to “yellow” for a still sufficient charge level, to “red” for a no longer sufficient charge level. In this way, an intuitive display of the charge level can be implemented in a simple manner.

[0018] According to the invention, it can further be provided that the optical signal is configured in terms of intensity, area, and beam angle such that it can be used as work area illumination. In this embodiment, work with minimal external lighting and / or in unlit areas is facilitated or even made possible.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the optical signal, in particular the charge level, is displayed by at least two luminous elements with different color spectra in the luminous element. The luminous element is advantageously designed to display various signals to the user, e.g., to indicate a remaining operating time, a remaining charge time, a time of day, or the like. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the luminous element is divided into sub-areas so that different charge levels can be displayed across these sub-areas.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the luminous element comprises a display unit, in particular a display. Such a display allows for particularly flexible display formats, for example, a numerical percentage in the case of the charging status, or a graphic symbol.

[0021] Advantageously, the optical signal is designed in terms of intensity, area, and beam angle such that it can be used both as work area illumination and as a charge level indicator. In this case, the advantages achieved by the invention include, in particular, the simultaneous use of the light element as work area illumination and as an indicator for various operating states of the machine.

[0022] A further advantage is the special synergistic effect that the three functions of actuating the locking element, displaying the charge level and illuminating the work area are combined in one assembly, which ensures ergonomic integration of the aforementioned functions in the battery pack compared to the state of the art.

[0023] An embodiment according to the invention, in which the lighting element is provided for simultaneous use as work area illumination and as an indicator for various operating states of the machine, can be implemented, for example, in the following way. Since the user is advantageously continuously informed about the charge level of the battery pack in order to protect the battery cells from deep discharge and prevent a potentially associated emergency shutdown, it is advantageous if the charge level indicator is integrated directly into the work area illumination. For example, with a sufficiently high charge level, the work area illumination can be a permanent signal of preferably white light, which slowly changes to a different colored signal as the charge level decreases, and / or which changes its intensity, i.e. becomes brighter or dimmer, as the charge level decreases.An additional change from a permanent signal of the work area lighting to a flashing signal can be provided to signal a replacement of the battery pack or an upcoming recharging of the battery pack.

[0024] According to the invention, the battery pack comprises at least one sensor element for activating the variable signal. Preferably, the at least one sensor element is, in particular, an acceleration sensor that reacts to shaking by the user and / or a photodiode. In this way, the signal can be activated, for example, as soon as the battery pack and / or the handheld power tool are moved and / or when the photodiodes register a change in brightness.

[0025] Advantageously, the battery pack has at least one contact element via which electrical signals from the handheld power tool are received and converted to control the optical signal, thus ensuring that the signal is activated as soon as, for example, a switching element is used to control the electric motor. Furthermore, information relating to the handheld power tool can be sent to the battery pack via this contact element and thus displayed via the optical signal. Such information can, for example, be the current power consumption of the handheld power tool, which is displayed via the optical signal, for example as a percentage on a display or as a color effect in the work area lighting. However, the name of the handheld power tool or another device status can also be shown on the display.

[0026] Preferably, at least one printed circuit board for accommodating the at least one luminous element is arranged inside the housing. Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the voltage supply to the printed circuit board and / or the luminous element can be switched via at least one switching element, wherein the switching element is advantageously arranged on the printed circuit board, preferably on a second printed circuit board. Preferably, the locking element is mechanically connected to the switching element in such a way that when the actuating element is actuated, the switching element is switched via the locking element. In order to implement this particularly advantageously, the mechanical connection between the locking element and the switching element is made via an embodiment element, in particular via a rocker or a spring element. In this way, a power supply to the printed circuit board orthe luminous element is achieved which is reliable even after the actuating element has been actuated several times, so that the optical signal, in particular the current charge level, is at least always output via the luminous element when the battery pack is coupled or uncoupled from the hand-held power tool and / or the charger and / or the user actively presses the actuating element to query the charge level.

[0027] It can be provided that the actuating element can have at least one busbar for supplying voltage to the printed circuit board and / or the luminous elements, wherein the busbar is advantageously integrated in the actuating element, in particular by overmolding, which is a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture variant that also ensures a low susceptibility to wear and / or fatigue fracture of the busbar.

[0028] Advantageously, the busbar has at least one connecting area for connecting power conductors, wherein the power conductors are arranged flexibly, in particular by forming loops, to ensure movement of the actuating element. This achieves a power supply for the busbar that is easy to manufacture, reliable even after repeated actuation of the actuating element, and not subject to excessive wear and / or fatigue.

[0029] The battery pack according to the invention can be provided in a handheld power tool. Accordingly, a handheld power tool comprising a housing with a handle and a gear arranged in the housing for transmitting a torque generated by a drive motor to a tool holder rotating about a rotational axis, which tool holder comprises a battery pack described above, also forms a further subject of the invention.

[0030] It can be provided that the lighting element is arranged on the housing of the battery pack in such a way that the optical signal illuminates the working area of ​​the hand-held power tool.

[0031] Preferably, a switching element of the hand-held power tool, which serves to control the motor of the hand-held power tool, is electrically connected to a contact element of the battery pack in such a way that when the switching element is actuated, the optical signal illuminates the working field of the hand-held power tool.

[0032] Advantageously, a switching element which is arranged on a circuit board, preferably on a second circuit board, and serves to contact the lighting element, is electrically connected to at least one battery cell of the battery pack in such a way that when the actuating element is actuated, the optical signal indicates the charge state of the battery pack.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous if the electric motor is an EC motor. Such brushless EC motors are virtually maintenance-free and, thanks to their high efficiency, allow for longer working hours per battery charge, making them particularly efficient. Furthermore, hand tools with EC motors can be built very compactly and lightweight. A particular advantage is that they also generate less heat loss, meaning the tools don't overheat as much as comparable tools, and are therefore more durable.

[0034] The use of a battery pack according to the invention is cost-effective and space-saving, since it eliminates the need to attach separate lamps to the hand-held power tool to illuminate the work area.

[0035] For the purposes of this application, a handheld power tool is generally understood to mean all handheld power tools with a tool carrier capable of rotation or translation, which can be driven directly, via a gear, or via a planetary gear by a drive motor, such as straight screwdrivers, cordless drills, impact drills, multi-function tools, saws, scissors, grinders, and / or drill drivers. In this context, the transmission of electrical energy is understood to mean, in particular, that the handheld power tool is supplied with power via the battery pack.

[0036] Further features, possible applications, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures. The description, the associated figures, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will also consider these features, in particular the features of various exemplary embodiments, individually and combine them into useful further combinations. It should be noted that the features presented are merely descriptive and can also be used in combination with features of other developments described above. They are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Drawings

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments, wherein the same reference numerals are used for the same features. The drawings are schematic and show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a battery pack for a hand-held power tool; Fig. 2 a top view of the battery pack Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a battery pack with a lighting element as work area illumination; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a battery pack with a light element as a charge level indicator; Fig. 5 a perspective view of a third embodiment of a battery pack with a light element as a charge level indicator; Fig. 6 a side view of a battery pack according to the invention; Fig. 7 a perspective view of an actuating element for a battery pack according to the invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to the invention; Fig. 9 a detailed side view of a battery pack in the region of an actuating element in a first embodiment; Fig. 10 the detailed side view of a battery pack in the area of ​​an actuating element from Fig. 9 with actuated actuating element; Fig. 11 a side view of a battery pack in the region of an actuating element in a second embodiment; Fig. 12 the detailed side view of a battery pack in the area of ​​an actuating element from Fig. 11 with actuated actuating element, and Fig. 13 shows an example view of a hand-held power tool with a battery pack according to the invention.

[0038] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 comprises a housing 110 that accommodates a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel and / or series. The housing 110 comprises a first housing element 112 and a second housing element 114. The battery pack 100 in the illustrated embodiment is designed in the manner of a sliding battery pack. For detachable attachment of the battery pack 100 to a handheld power tool or to a charger, the battery pack 100 has an interface unit 120 for detachable mechanical and electrical connection to a corresponding interface unit of a handheld power tool or a charger.

[0039] The interface unit 120 comprises guide elements 122 in the form of guide grooves, which interact with corresponding guide elements in the form of guide ribs on the handheld power tool or the charger. The interface unit 120 further comprises a locking element 124 in the form of a spring-loaded latch. An actuating element 126 in the form of a pushbutton is provided for actuating the locking element 124. To lock the battery pack 100 to the handheld power tool or the charger, the locking element 124 engages in a locking recess formed on a corresponding interface unit of a handheld power tool or charger.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), conversely, a locking element can be arranged on the interface unit of the handheld power tool as well as on the interface unit of the charger, and the corresponding locking recess can be arranged on the interface unit of the battery pack. The interface unit 120 also comprises contact elements 132, 134 for electrically contacting the battery pack 100 with the handheld power tool or the charger. The contact elements 132 are designed as voltage contact elements and serve as charging and / or discharging contact elements. The contact elements 134 are designed as signal contact elements and serve to transmit signals from the battery pack to the handheld power tool or the charger and / or from the handheld power tool or the charger to the battery pack.

[0041] The Fig. 3 to 5 show various further embodiments of a battery pack 100 according to the invention. The battery pack 100 has a lighting element 128 integrated into the actuating element 126, which serves to illuminate the Fig. 3 and / or the work area lighting shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, in particular the charge level indicator of the battery pack 100.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the luminous element 128 has at least one transparent surface for this purpose, through which the signal passes. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the entire front of the actuating element 126, which is visible from the outside of the battery pack 100, can be made of a transparent plastic. Thus, a large area on the surface of the battery pack 100, which is ergonomically well positioned but conventionally serves only the purpose of actuating the locking element 124, is provided with an additional function, which significantly simplifies the positioning of the various components of the battery pack 100.

[0043] In the embodiment of the Fig. 3 the optical signal, as in Fig. 6, is generated by at least one first illuminating element 400 arranged inside the housing 110. In order to generate signals with different color spectra, it is advantageous if a plurality of illuminating elements 400, 402, 404 with different color spectra are arranged inside the housing 110. LEDs are particularly used as illuminating elements 400, 402, 404 because they are durable and cost-effective, require only a small installation space, and also generate a bright, highly visible light with low power consumption.

[0044] The optical signal of the light element 128 in Fig. 3 is designed in terms of intensity, area, and beam angle such that it optimally illuminates a work area of ​​the handheld power tool 300 with which the battery pack 100 is used. As already discussed, this purpose benefits from the fact that the combination of various functionalities in the actuating element 128 and the resulting design space allows for more flexible positioning of the work area illumination on the battery pack 100.

[0045] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the optical signal can also be used for other purposes, such as as an indicator for the current charge level or other operating parameters of the battery pack 100 or the handheld power tool 300. In order to implement this optimally, the lighting element 128 can at least partially have a display element 129, in particular an LED display, by means of which symbols or graphics can be displayed, for example numerical information such as the percentage charge level of the battery pack 100, see Fig. 5, or bar charts, as in Fig. 4 shown.

[0046] Further information transmitted to the user for display may be, for example, a remaining operating time, a remaining charging time, a time of day, a current power consumption of the hand-held power tool 300, its type designation or similar.

[0047] For transmitting information to be displayed from the handheld power tool 300 to the battery pack 100, the battery pack 100 advantageously has at least one contact element 132, via which electrical signals from the handheld power tool 300 are received and converted to control the optical signal, thus ensuring that the signal is activated as soon as, for example, a switching element is used to control the electric motor of the handheld power tool 300.

[0048] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the work area illumination is combined with the operating status indicator, in particular the charge status indicator. The light element 128 can provide permanent, bright work area illumination during normal operation of the hand-held power tool 300 by the user, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 8. The light element 128 can signal a critical operating parameter, such as a low charge level of the battery pack 100 or a motor overload of the handheld power tool 300, to the user by changing this work area illumination. Possible optical signals include a change from permanent illumination of the work area to alternating, flashing illumination. Alternatively, the intensity or color of the illumination can also serve as an optical signal. This ensures that the user always perceives the information regarding the critical operating parameters.

[0049] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 further show sensor elements 600, 602 for activating the variable signal, wherein it is preferably provided that the sensor elements 600, 602 comprise, in particular, an acceleration sensor 602, which reacts to shaking by the user, and / or a photodiode 604. In this way, the signal can be activated, for example, as soon as the battery pack 100 and / or the handheld power tool 300 is moved and / or when the photodiode 604 registers a change in brightness. This configuration allows the lighting element 128 to be put into a sleep state if the battery pack 100 and / or the handheld power tool 300 have not been used for a certain period of time. If the battery pack 100 and / or the handheld power tool 300 are then used again, this is registered by at least one of the sensor elements 600, 602, and the lighting means 128 is activated. In this way, battery energy can be saved.

[0050] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the battery pack 100 showing a possible arrangement of the actuating element 126, which includes the luminous element 128. As can be seen, the luminous elements 400, 402, and 404 are mounted inside the housing 112, 114, here also within the actuating element 126. These luminous elements emit an optical signal and / or workplace lighting through the transparent surface of the luminous element 128, which forms the outer end of the actuating element 126.

[0051] Both in Fig. 6 as well as in Fig. 7 also shows a printed circuit board 210 for mounting and electrically connecting the luminous elements 400, 402 and 404. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the circuit board 210 is connected in connecting regions 212 to busbars 220 for supplying power to the circuit board 210 and / or the lighting elements 400, 402, and 404, wherein the busbars 220 are in turn connected to current conductors 224 in a connecting region 222. In the exemplary embodiment, the current conductors 224 are so flexible by the formation of loops 226 that movement of the actuating element 126 relative to the housing 112, 114 of the battery pack 100 is ensured without the electrical connections becoming worn or even damaged. Thus, the primary function of the actuating element 126, which consists in actuating the locking element 124, is not impaired by the inclusion of the lighting element 128, while the power supply to the lighting element 128 is again permanently ensured. As shown in Fig. As indicated in Figure 7, the busbar 220 can be integrated into the actuating element 126 by overmolding. This technique represents a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture variant, which also ensures a low susceptibility to wear and / or fatigue fracture of the busbar 220.

[0052] In Fig. 8, the battery pack 100 is shown without the housing 110. This way it can be seen that the battery cells 200 can be inserted either as in Fig. 8, are held in a cell holder 500 or in a cardboard sleeve, so that the individual battery cells 200 are arranged insulated from one another. Above the cell holder 500, the battery pack 100 has a further circuit board 211, on which the contact elements 132, 134 for electrically contacting the battery pack 100 with the handheld power tool or the charger are arranged. Furthermore, the battery pack 100 has the lighting element 128, which in turn for this purpose comprises the display element 129 with a plurality of lighting elements 400, so that the optical signal and thus the bar chart to be displayed for indicating the current charge level can be generated. Furthermore, the battery pack 100 comprises the locking element 124 in the form of a spring-loaded latch.To lock the battery pack 100 to the handheld power tool 300 or the charger, the locking element 124 engages in a locking recess formed on a corresponding interface unit of a handheld power tool 300 or a charger. As also shown in FIGS. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, a switching element 144 and an output element 142 are also arranged on the circuit board 211, which in the illustrated variant is designed as a spring element or a rocker. The first circuit board 210 is connected to the second circuit board 211 via current conductors 224, so that a voltage supply to the circuit board 210 and / or the luminous elements 400, 402 can be ensured. The Fig. The package of battery cells 200 shown in Figure 8 in the cell holder 500 and the electronics arranged thereon are arranged between the two Fig. 8 not shown housing components 120, 130 are positioned.

[0053] In the Fig. 9 to 12, two embodiments illustrate how a voltage supply according to the invention to the circuit board 210 and / or the luminous element 400 can be enabled via at least one switching element 144. The interface unit 120 comprises the locking element 124 in the form of a spring-loaded latch. To lock the battery pack 100 to the handheld power tool 300 or the charger, the locking element 124 engages in a locking recess formed on a corresponding interface unit of a handheld power tool 300 or a charger. In the illustrated embodiments, by actuating the actuating element 126, the battery pack 100 can be detached from the handle 315 of the handheld power tool 300 or from the charger by sliding the battery pack 100 along a lower surface of the handle 315 counter to the sliding direction y.

[0054] The Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 represent a first embodiment. In Fig. 9, the actuating element 126 of the battery pack 100 is in the locked position, with the locking element 124 engaging in the locking recess (not shown) of a corresponding interface unit of a handheld power tool 300 or a charger. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, upon actuation, the entire actuating element 126 moves in the y-direction such that the locking element 124 rotates about an axis x and, in doing so, firstly, releases itself from the corresponding interface unit of the handheld power tool 300 or the charging device and, secondly, actuates the switching element 144. To ensure this, the mechanical connection between the locking element 124 and the switching element 144 has an actuating element 142, in particular a rocker or a spring element. Upon actuation of the actuating element 126, the locking element 124 is thus rotated about an axis x, whereby the actuating element 142 is pressed onto the switching element 144, which in turn supplies the circuit board 210 or the luminous elements 400 with voltage.

[0055] The Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 represent a second variant. Also in Fig. 11, the actuating element 126 of the battery pack 100 is in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 9 is the case. However, the switching element 144 is arranged on the conductor bar 210, on which the lighting element 128 or the lighting elements 400 are also arranged. The execution element 142 is, as in Fig. 12, is arranged inside the battery pack 100 such that upon actuation of the actuating element 126, the switching element 144 is pressed in the y-direction against the executing element 142 and switched. The circuit board 210 or the luminous elements 400 are supplied with voltage, so that the optical signal, in particular the current charge state, is output via the luminous element 128 at least when the battery pack 100 is coupled to the handheld power tool 300 and / or to the charger and / or the user presses the actuating element 126.

[0056] The Fig. Figure 13 shows an electrical device designed as a handheld power tool 300. According to the illustrated embodiment, the handheld power tool 300 can be mechanically and electrically connected to the battery pack 100 for mains-independent power supply. Fig. 13, the handheld power tool 300 is embodied, by way of example, as a cordless drill / driver. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to cordless drill / drivers, but rather can be applied to various handheld power tools 300 that are operated with a battery pack 100. The handheld power tool 300 has a base body 305, to which a tool holder 320 is attached, and a handle 315, to which a battery pack 100 according to the invention is arranged in a locked manner. The battery pack 100 is embodied as a sliding battery pack.

[0057] When attaching the battery pack 100 to the handheld power tool 300, receiving means provided on the handheld power tool 300, e.g. guide grooves and guide ribs, are brought into engagement with corresponding guide elements 122 of the battery pack 100, wherein the battery pack 100 is inserted in a sliding direction y along the receiving means of the handle 315, and wherein the battery pack 100 is pushed along a lower outer surface 316 of the handle 315, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle 315, into the battery pack receptacle of a handheld power tool 300. In the Fig. In the position shown in Figure 13, the battery pack 100 is attached to the handle 315 of the handheld power tool 300 and locked by the interface unit 120 of the battery pack 100.

[0058] In the illustrated version of the Fig. 13 shows the light element 128 integrated into the actuating element 126, which can be used as work area illumination and / or as an operating status indicator, for example, as a charge level indicator of the battery pack 100. As can be seen, the optical signal is designed in terms of intensity, area, and beam angle such that it illuminates the work area of ​​the handheld power tool 300. In this case, the light element 128 is aligned such that it illuminates an area around the tool holder 320. It is also based on the Fig.8 that the luminous element 128 is positioned on the battery pack 100 in such an ergonomically sensible manner that it is not obscured when the handheld power tool 300 is handled by the user, who grasps the handheld power tool 300 by the handle 315. This ensures that the user is informed by the luminous element 128 of various operating parameters, for example, a low charge level of the battery pack 100 or a motor overload of the handheld power tool 300, for example by changing the work area illumination. Possible optical signals to the user include a change from permanent illumination of the work area to alternating, flashing illumination. Alternatively, the intensity or color of the illumination can also serve as an optical signal.

[0059] In addition to the described and illustrated embodiments, further embodiments are conceivable, which may include further modifications and combinations of features. The description of the figures serves only to facilitate understanding of the invention.

Claims

[1] Battery pack (100) for a handheld power tool (300), comprising a housing (110) and at least one interface unit (120) for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection of the battery pack (100) to the handheld power tool (300) and / or to a charger (700); wherein the interface unit (120) comprises at least one locking element (124) for locking the battery pack (100) to the handheld power tool (300) and an actuating element (126) for actuating the locking element (124), characterized by that the actuating element (126) comprises at least one lighting element (128) for outputting an optical signal and / or for illumination. [2] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1, characterized by that the luminous element (128) comprises at least one partially transparent surface through which the signal penetrates and / or a display unit (129), in particular a display. [3] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the signal is generated by at least one first luminous element (400) arranged in the interior of the housing (110), preferably by a plurality of luminous elements (400, 402, 404) arranged in the interior of the housing (110), in particular by LEDs with different color spectra. [4] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the optical signal is variable, particularly with regard to display duration, intensity and / or display colour. [5] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the optical signal is designed in terms of intensity, area and beam angle in such a way that it can be used as work area lighting. [6] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the optical signal indicates an operating state of the hand-held power tool (300) and / or the battery pack (100), in particular a charge state of the battery pack (100). [7] Battery pack (100) according to claim 6, characterized by that the charge state is represented by at least two luminous bodies (402, 404) with different color spectra in the luminous element (128). [8] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by that the luminous element (128) is divided into partial areas over which different charging states can be displayed. [9] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the luminous element (128) is designed to display various signals to the user, in particular to display a remaining operating time, a remaining charging time, a time of day or the like. [10] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the battery pack (100) comprises at least one sensor element (602) for activating the variable signal. [11] Battery pack (100) according to claim 10, characterized by that the battery pack (100) comprises at least one further sensor element (604), in particular an acceleration sensor which reacts to shaking by the user, and / or a photodiode. [12] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the battery pack (100) comprises at least one contact element (134) via which electrical signals from the hand-held power tool (300) are received and converted to control the optical signal. [13] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized by that the actuating element (126) has at least one printed circuit board (210) arranged in the interior of the housing (110) for receiving the at least one lighting element (128) or for receiving the at least one lighting body (400). [14] Battery pack (100) according to claim 13, characterized by that at least one voltage supply to the circuit board (210) and / or the luminous elements (400, 402, 404) is effected via at least one current conductor (224). [15] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized by that the voltage supply of the circuit board (210) and / or the luminous elements (400, 402, 404) can be switched via at least one switching element (144). [16] Battery pack (100) according to claim 15, characterized by that the switching element (144) is arranged on a printed circuit board (210), preferably on a second printed circuit board (211), and that the locking element (124) is mechanically connected to the switching element (144) in such a way that when the actuating element (126) is actuated, the switching element (144) is switched via the locking element (124). [17] Battery pack (100) according to claim 16, characterized bythat the mechanical connection between the locking element (124) and the switching element (144) is made via a rocker, in particular via an execution element (142). [18] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 3 to 17, characterized by that the actuating element (126) has at least one busbar (220) for supplying voltage to the printed circuit board (210) and / or the luminous elements (400, 402, 404). [19] Battery pack (100) according to claim 18, characterized by that the busbar (220) is integrated in the actuating element (126), in particular by overmolding. [20] Battery pack (100) according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized by that the busbar (220) has at least one connecting region (222) for connecting current conductors (224), wherein the current conductors (224) are arranged in such a flexible manner, in particular by forming loops (226), that a movement of the actuating element (126) is ensured. [21] Hand-held power tool (300) comprising a housing (305) with a handle (315), a gear arranged in the housing (305) for transmitting a torque generated by a drive motor to a tool holder (320) rotating about a rotational axis x; and a battery pack (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20. [22] Hand tool (300) according to claim 21, characterized by that the lighting element (128) is arranged on the housing (305) of the battery pack (100) in such a way that the optical signal illuminates the working field of the hand-held power tool (300). [23] Hand tool (300) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized by that a switching element of the hand-held power tool (300), which serves to control the motor of the hand-held power tool (300), is electrically connected to a contact element (132, 134) of the battery pack (100) in such a way that when the actuating element (126) is actuated, the optical signal illuminates the working field of the hand-held power tool (300). [24] Hand tool (300) according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized by that a switching element (144), which is arranged on a printed circuit board (210), preferably on a second printed circuit board (211) and serves to contact the lighting element (128), is electrically connected to at least one battery cell (200) of the battery pack (100) in such a way that when the actuating element (126) is actuated, the optical signal indicates the charge state of the battery pack (100).

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