Protective device for at least one replaceable battery pack of a battery-operated processing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective device (16) for at least one interchangeable battery pack (20) of a battery-operated processing device (12), wherein the processing device (12) has a housing (22) and an electromechanical interface (18) arranged on the housing (22) for receiving the at least one interchangeable battery pack (20) in a tool-free manner, and wherein the protective device (16) is arranged on the electromechanical interface (18) such that it at least partially surrounds the interchangeable battery pack (20) in conjunction with the housing (22) of the processing device (12). It is proposed that the protective device (16) be adaptable without tools to a size, in particular a height (H), of the at least one interchangeable battery pack (20). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system (10) comprising a protective device (16) according to the invention and a battery-operated processing device (12).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to a protective device for at least one replaceable battery pack of a battery-operated processing device according to the preamble of the independent claim. The invention furthermore relates to a system consisting of the protective device according to the invention and a battery-operated processing device.Prior ArtIt is known to equip battery-operated machining devices with an electromechanical interface on a housing of the machining device, which are provided for receiving at least one replaceable battery pack in a removable manner without tools. In order to protect the replaceable storage packs from falls or impacts, a protective device is arranged on the electromechanical interface in such a way that it at least partially surrounds the replaceable storage pack in conjunction with the housing of the processing device. All known solutions have in common the property that they are designed in their size to the maximum permissible replaceable battery pack or available from the manufacturer. Thus, the protection devices often unnecessarily increase the processing equipment when operated with smaller replaceable battery packs.DE 10 2022 212 097 A1 shows a protection device, in particular a shock protection device, for a portable working device, having at least one battery protection unit which is designed differently from a working device housing and is designed to protect at least one battery of the working device from damage, in particular shock damage, for example as a result of an impact as a result of a fall of the working device, by at least partially at least laterally surrounding a battery mounting region.EP 3 653 343 A1 also discloses a lintel frame for a hand-held power tool which surrounds an inserted replaceable rechargeable battery pack in such a way that dropping energy is at least partially absorbed by the lintel frame and is thus kept away from the replaceable rechargeable battery pack.DE 10 2018 109 295 A1 discloses a protective device for two replaceable storage packs for supplying energy to a hand-held power tool designed as an angle grinder, wherein the protective device is designed as a cage with a protective bracket pivotably fastened to a housing of the hand-held power tool.It is the object of the invention to provide a protective device for at least one replaceable battery pack of a battery-operated processing device which, on the one hand, can be flexibly adapted to different sizes of replaceable battery packs and, on the other hand, offers good protection against impacts, impacts and dirt.Advantages of the InventionTo achieve the object, it is provided that the protective device can be adapted to a size, in particular a height, of the at least one replaceable battery pack without tools. The adjustability of the protective device results in the advantage of a substantially constant enclosure independently of the replaceable battery pack used. In the case of smaller replaceable storage packs, it can thus be achieved, on the one hand, that the processing device or the protective device can be kept as compact as possible, which significantly improves the ergonomic or handling, while, on the other hand, not only is there a high level of protection of the at least one replaceable storage pack against impacts and impacts as a result of an improved energy distribution, but also its load during the processing operation by dirt (dust, moisture, etc.) is reduced. Furthermore, the protective device according to the invention can reduce the packaging size of the processing device during transport or stowage.A battery-operated machining device is to be understood, for example, as a battery-operated machine tool for machining workpieces by means of an electrically driven insert tool. The battery-operated machining device can be designed both as a hand-held power tool and as a stationary power tool. Typical machine tools in this context are hand or standing drilling machines, screwers, impact drilling machines, planers, angle grinders, swing grinders, polishing machines or the like. However, suitable battery-operated processing devices are also garden and construction devices such as lawn mowers, lawn trimmers, sabb saws, motor and trench cutters, fans, robot breakers and excavators or the like, and also measuring devices such as laser range finders, wall scanners, etc. Furthermore, the invention is applicable to battery-operated household appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, mixers, etc., and electrically driven two-wheelers, such as e-bikes, e-scotchers, pedelecs, etc.Depending on its arrangement within the protective device surrounding it, a size of the at least one replaceable battery pack can also be understood to mean a width and / or a depth in addition to its height. In addition, the size of a plurality of replaceable storage packs can be oriented towards the entire envelope thereof or towards the greatest extent of one of the replaceable storage packs, in order to ensure the best possible protection for all the received replaceable storage packs. Thus, the adjustment of the protective device can also extend in more than just one direction. The protective device adjustable in its size is preferably made of a plastic material, such as PA6GF35, ABS or an elastomer, but can additionally or alternatively also be made of another natural material, of a metal (steel, aluminum, etc.) or a material mix. It is also conceivable that the protective device does not completely enclose the at least one replaceable rechargeable battery pack, but rather that it only protects particularly sensitive sites of the at least one replaceable rechargeable battery pack from impacts or impacts. The protective device can thus be designed as a garage that is open on one or more sides, as a completely enclosing housing, or as a frame structure.In a development of the invention, it is provided that, depending on a performance of the processing device, a minimum size for the size, in particular the height, of the at least one replaceable battery pack can be predefined. In the sense of poka yoke, this minimum prevents the use of excessively low-performance replaceable battery packs for a processing device with a certain minimum power requirement. Thus, overheating of an excessively low-performance replaceable battery pack can be effectively prevented.Furthermore, it is provided that the protective device has a first housing part which can be connected to the housing of the electrical processing device and a second housing part which is mounted movably relative to the first housing part. In this context, it is not intended to explicitly distinguish between the designation "the housing part" as part of the entire protective device and "the housing part" as a separate, independent part. The division of the protective device into at least two parts enables simple and universal fastening of the protective device to housings of different processing devices, as defined above, in conjunction with the adaptability to different replaceable battery packs. The division of the protective device into two housing parts also results in the advantage that the second housing part can be removed and replaced by the user of the processing device or by a service person, if necessary. This is particularly customer-friendly, in particular in the case of changes in the replaceable battery packs or a new battery generation or a later integration of elements for changing properties of the replaceable battery packs (e.g.: vibration damping or integration of a Lanyrd connection).The protective device, in particular the first housing part, is preferably detachably connected to the housing of the processing device. Thus, the protective device can be used both on the manufacturer side and on the user side for a plurality of different processing devices. This results in the advantage on the manufacturer side of using as many identical parts as possible, while the same protective device can be used on the user side for different existing processing devices.In an alternative embodiment, the protective device, in particular the first housing part, is fixedly connected, in particular integrally, to the housing of the electrical processing device. This particularly advantageously makes it possible to prevent the protective device from accidentally being released in the event of a fall or impact. In addition, forces can thus be transferred, if appropriate, better into the housing of the electrical processing device and absorbed by the latter. A one-piece connection is to be understood to mean that the housing and the protective device, in particular the first housing part, cannot be separated from one another in a non-destructive manner. Particularly preferably, the housing and the protective device, in particular the first housing part, consist of the same material.Furthermore, it is provided that the second housing part is mounted in the first housing part in a latching or continuously variable manner and can be fixed in a position by means of a locking device. Locking the second housing part on the first housing part offers the advantage that the second housing part cannot move automatically. The arresting device can also be designed in such a way that it specifies a minimum size for the at least one replaceable battery pack to be used. It is thus possible to prevent the use of replaceable storage packs in conjunction with the processing device that do not have the required minimum power. In addition, the second housing part can be designed to be replaceable, so that this allows individualization of the processing device, for example, at the country or user level, in particular by a special color or shape of the second housing part.A tension spring is arranged between the first and the second housing part, which automatically moves the second housing part in the direction of a minimum of the protective device, in particular after the unlocking of the locking device. In this case, when the locking device is unlocked, the second housing part is pressed against the spring force of the tension spring by the insertion of the at least one replaceable battery pack into the electromechanical interface, so that it is not necessary to move the second housing part manually again in the direction of the at least one inserted replaceable battery pack. For this purpose, the locking device can be designed as a spring-mounted button which automatically brings about the locking of the second housing part after release. In the case of a latching mounting, this leads to a locking in the next latching position in the direction of the spring force. In the case of a continuously variable mounting, the locking takes place directly at the corresponding position. As long as the button is pressed by the user, the second housing part can be moved continuously or in a latching manner against the spring force of the tension spring. If the at least one replaceable battery pack is removed again, the protective device automatically adjusts itself to its minimum size as a result of the tension spring. It should additionally be pointed out that the electromechanical interface is designed in such a way that it can accommodate one or more replaceable storage packs via corresponding receptacles having a plurality of electrical contacts, in particular power and / or data contacts.The protective device, in particular the second housing part, has a sensor unit for detecting the size, in particular the height, of the at least one replaceable battery pack inserted into the electromechanical interface and / or of environmental and / or movement data of the processing device. If the second housing part is driven by motor or hydraulically, this allows automatic adaptation to the size, in particular height, of the at least one replaceable battery pack inserted into the electromechanical interface, which is detected by means of the sensor unit. In addition, the user can set a fixed size for the at least one replaceable battery pack to be used, so that the processing device can only be operated with replaceable battery packs of this size. Accordingly, a release for using the processing device takes place only when the sensor unit has detected the preset size. Moreover, this effectively prevents the processing device from being used improperly due to the user removing the second housing part in an unauthorized manner. Furthermore, the sensor unit can serve for detecting vibrations or other environmental factors arising during a machining operation, such as moisture, noise, explosive gases or the like. For detecting the size of the replaceable battery pack, the sensor unit comprises at least one sensor element in the form of a Hall sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a light barrier or the like. The environmental influences can be detected by sensor elements in the form of acceleration, rotation rates or position sensors, but also gas, air quality, moisture or temperature sensors or the like. The communication between the sensor unit and the processing device can be effected in a cable-bound manner, e.g. via the electromechanical interface for the at least one replaceable battery pack, or wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth, ZigBee or the like.Furthermore, it is provided that an intermediate space, in particular an air gap, remains between the second housing part and the at least one replaceable battery pack inserted into the electromechanical interface, wherein a compensating means is arranged between the first and the second housing part, which compensating means reduces, in particular completely closes, the intermediate space in the event of a fall. Preferably, the compensating means is designed as an elastomer. Alternatively, the compensating means can be driven by motor or hydraulically in order to reduce, in particular completely close, the intermediate space in the event of a fall detected by means of the sensor unit before an impact. The intermediate space offers the advantage of easier removal and better cooling of the at least one replaceable battery pack. The reduction or closing of the intermediate space in the event of a fall results in improved impact protection for the at least one inserted replaceable rechargeable battery pack and / or for the electromechanical interface, because the impact energy arising in the at least one replaceable rechargeable battery pack can be dissipated not only via the electromechanical interface, but also via the second housing part of the protection device.A further or another additional function of the protective device can be realized in that it, in particular the first housing part, has at least one illumination element for illuminating a working region of the processing device. For this purpose, the protective device is very well suited because it is already arranged at an exposed location of the processing device that lends itself very well for illumination of the working area. The illumination could also be used as an indication of additional functions, such as a triggered kick back control, fall detection or the like.Furthermore, the protective device has an indicator for indicating the minimum and / or maximum possible and / or the actual size of the replaceable battery pack. This also makes it possible for the user to clarify the latching position of the locking device. In addition, the user can use the indicator to identify which largest possible replaceable battery pack can be used in the respective position.Exemplary EmbodimentsDRAWINGThe invention is explained in the following by way of example with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same components with the same functionality in the figures.They show FIG. 1 : a first exemplary embodiment of a system consisting of a battery-operated machining device in the form of an cordless screwdriver and the protection device according to the invention for a replaceable battery pack accommodated in an electromechanical interface of the machining device, in a side view, FIG. 2 : shows a second exemplary embodiment of the protection device according to the invention for a battery-operated machining device in a maximally retracted state (FIG. 2 a) and in a maximally extended state (FIG. 2 b) in each case in a perspective view, FIG. 3 : a third exemplary embodiment of the protective device according to the invention in a perspective view, FIG. 4 : a fourth exemplary embodiment of the protective device according to the invention in a side view, FIG. 5 : a fifth exemplary embodiment of the protective device according to the invention with a second housing part designed as a bow for two replaceable battery packs of different sizes according to FIGS. 5 aand 5 bin a side view, FIG. 6 : perspective partial views of a further exemplary embodiment of the second housing part according to FIG. 5, which is designed as a bow, in a maximally retracted state (FIG. 6 a) and in a maximally extended state (FIG. 6 b), FIG. 7 : shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the second housing part of the protective device according to the invention, which is designed as a cage, and FIG. 8 : shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the second housing part of the protective device according to the invention, which housing part is designed as a cage.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSFIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a system 10 comprising a battery-operated machining device 12 in the form of an cordless screwdriver 14 and a protective device 16 for a replaceable rechargeable battery pack 20 accommodated in an electromechanical interface 18 of the cordless screwdriver 14 in a side view. The protective device 16 serves primarily to protect the replaceable battery pack 20 inserted into the electromechanical interface 18 from falling or impact. For this purpose, the protective device 16 surrounds the replaceable battery pack 20 or an envelope of the replaceable battery pack 20 in such a way that points of the replaceable battery pack 20 that are particularly sensitive to crashes or impacts are not directly exposed to any impact energy, but rather can be captured and dissipated at least to a large extent by the protective device 16. The cordless screwdriver 14 will only be described briefly below, since it is of secondary importance to the invention as such. In addition, as already mentioned above, the invention can be applied to a plurality of different battery-operated processing devices 10.The cordless screwdriver 14 has a housing 22 with a pistol-shaped main handle 24 and an auxiliary handle 26 which can be adjusted about a working axis 26 without tools and can be completely released from the cordless screwdriver 14. In a tool holder 34 designed as a quick-action clamping chuck 32, an insert tool, not shown, for example in the form of a drill, can be clamped. The tool holder 34 is driven via a gear 36 by an electric motor 38, which is preferably designed as a brushless or electrically commutated direct current (BLDC, EC) motor. In addition, in particular for screwing processes by means of a locking coupling 40 and an adjusting ring 42, a maximum torque can be preset by the user of the battery drill wrench 14. By means of a gear selector switch 44, it is also possible for the user to switch between two gears of the transmission 36. By means of a sprung main button 46 arranged on the main handle 24, the user can control the electric motor 38 in such a way that a desired rotational speed of the electric motor 38 and of the tool holder 34 driven thereby can be set as a function of the pressure path of the main button 46. The farther the main button 46 is pressed into the main handle 24, the higher the rotational speed. If the master button 46 is released, it automatically disengages and the electric motor 38 comes to a standstill. The speed and / or torque control of the electric motor 38 designed as an EC motor is effected via an electronic system, not shown, having a control or regulating unit and a power bridge, wherein the control or regulating unit controls the power bridge by pulse width modulation (PWM) in such a way that the power bridge applies trapezoidal or nearly sinusoidal commutation to the individual phases of the EC motor in a known manner.The electronics and the electric motor 38 of the cordless screwdriver 14 are supplied with energy via the removable rechargeable battery pack 20 inserted into the electromechanical interface 18. By means of these interfaces 18, the replaceable rechargeable battery pack 20 and the cordless screwdriver 14 can be connected to one another in a force-fit and / or form-fit releasable manner. A "releasable connection" is to be understood in particular as a connection that is releasable and producible without tools, i.e. manually. In addition, a locking device 48 is provided on the replaceable battery pack 20, by means of which the replaceable battery pack 20 can be secured in the electromechanical interface 18 of the cordless screwdriver 14 against accidental dropping out. The precise configuration of the electromechanical interfaces 18 with their mechanical guide elements for a connection that can be released in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner and the electrical contacts used for energy and / or data transmission as well as the locking device 48 is not intended to be the subject matter of this invention. A person skilled in the art will choose a suitable embodiment for the electromechanical interfaces 18 depending on the power or voltage class of the battery-operated processing device 12 and / or of the replaceable battery pack 20, so that it will not be discussed in greater detail here.The voltage class of the replaceable battery pack 20 results from the interconnection (parallel or serial) of the individual energy storage cells integrated in the replaceable battery pack and is generally an integer multiple (>=1) of the voltage of the individual energy storage cells. An energy storage cell is typically designed as a galvanic cell which has a structure in which one cell pole comes to lie at one end and a further cell pole comes to lie at an opposite end. In particular, the energy storage cell has a positive cell pole at one end and a negative cell pole at an opposite end. The energy storage cells are preferably formed as lithium-based round cells, e.g. Li ion, Li cell polymer, Li metal or the like, wherein the cell poles are arranged at ends of the cylinder shape. However, Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh cells or other suitable cell types can also be used. In the case of conventional li-ion energy storage cells having a cell voltage of 3.6 V, voltage classes of 3.6 V, 7.2 V, 10.8 V, 14.4 V, 18 V, 36 V etc. are obtained by way of example. The DC voltage values are primarily dependent on the typical cell voltages of the energy storage cells used. Thus, for example, for pouch cells and / or cells with a different electrochemical composition, voltage values are possible which deviate from those of the energy storage units equipped with Li-Ion cells. The invention is to be described below by way of example for a replaceable battery pack 20 having a voltage class of 18 V.The protective device 16 has a first housing part 50 which is integrally connected to the main handle 24 or the housing 22 of the cordless power drill 14 and a second housing part 54 which is mounted so as to be movable in relation to the first housing part 50 along a direction of movement 52. The integral connection between the first housing part 50 and the main handle 24 makes it possible to prevent the safety device 16 from accidentally being released in the event of a fall or impact. In addition, forces can possibly be transferred better into the housing 22 or the main handle 24 of the cordless screwdriver 14. The protector 16 and the integrally connected main handle 24 are made of the same plastic material such as thermoplastic PTFE, ABS, glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA6 GF35), or the like.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the direction of movement 52 of the second housing part 54 extends substantially perpendicular to the working axis 26 of the cordless screwdriver 14 for tool-free adaptation of the protective device 16 to a height H of the removable rechargeable battery pack 20 inserted into the electromechanical interface 18. Likewise, the electromechanical interface 18 can also accommodate two or more replaceable battery packs 20, such that the direction of movement 52 of the second housing part 54 extends not only relative to the height H of the accommodated replaceable battery packs 20, but additionally or alternatively also to a width or depth of the replaceable battery packs 20. The adjustability of the protective device 16 results in the advantage of a substantially constant enclosure independently of the replaceable storage pack 20 used. In the case of a smaller replaceable storage pack 20, it is thus possible on the one hand to keep the cordless screwdriver 14 or the protective device 16 as compact as possible, which significantly improves the ergonomy or handling, while on the other hand not only is there a high level of protection of the replaceable storage pack 20 against impacts and impacts as a result of an improved energy distribution, but also its load during the machining process is reduced by dirt (dust, moisture, etc.). Furthermore, the packaging size of the battery drill wrench 14 can be reduced during transport or stowage by the protective device 16. A useful additional function of the protective device 16 results from an illumination element 56 integrated into the first housing part 50 for illuminating a working region of the cordless screwdriver 14. In addition, the lighting element 56 can be used as an indicator of additional functions, such as a triggered kick back control, fall detection or the like in conjunction with the electronics of the cordless screwdriver 14.By means of a locking device 58, the second housing part 54 can be locked in a certain position by latching in the first housing part 50, so that the second housing part 54 can no longer move automatically. For this purpose, the locking device 58 is designed as a button 60 mounted resiliently in the first housing part 50, which button releases a corresponding toothing 62 in the second housing part 54 by pressing, so that the second housing part 54 can be moved along the direction of movement 52. After release, the button 60 brings about a locking of the second housing part 54 along the toothing 62.Preferably, an intermediate space 64 in the form of an air gap remains between the second housing part 54 and the replaceable battery pack 20 inserted into the electromechanical interface 18. In order to achieve improved impact protection for the replaceable battery pack 20 and / or the electromechanical interface 18 in the event of a fall, the intermediate space 64 is reduced or closed by means of a compensating means 66, which is designed, for example, as an elastomer or a rubber damper. As a result, the impact energy which arises can be dissipated not only via the electromechanical interface 18 but also via the second housing part 54 of the protective device 16.The second housing part 54 can be removed from the first housing part 50 and exchanged, if necessary, by the user of the cordless screwdriver 14 or by a service person. This can be done either via the button 60 of the locking device 58 or via a separate mechanism. This ensures rapid service in the event of damage to the second housing part 54. In addition, a simple adaptation of the protective device 16 to changes in the replaceable battery packs 20 by the manufacturer or to a new battery generation or a later integration of elements for changing properties of the replaceable battery packs 20 (e.g.: vibration damping or integration of a Lanyard connection) is possible. Also conceivable via this is an individualization of the cordless screwdriver 14, for example at the country or user level, in particular by a special color or shape of the second housing part 54.FIG. 2 shows perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of the protective device 16 according to the invention for a battery-operated processing device 12. The protective device 16 is fixedly connected to the main handle 24 of the processing device 12, as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 a, the second housing part 54 of the protective device 16 is in a maximally retracted state along the direction of movement 52, while FIG. 2 b illustrates the maximally extended state. By means of an indicator 68, which can be designed, for example, as an LC display in the button 60 of the locking device 58 or as numbers engraved in the second housing part 54 at corresponding positions, which are visible through a cutout of the button 60, the user is shown in FIG. 2 a the minimum possible size and in FIG. 2 b the maximum possible size of the removable replacement battery pack 20. The size of the replaceable battery pack 20 can also be understood in this context as its charging capacity, since this is generally defined by the number of energy storage cells connected in parallel in the replaceable battery pack 20 and there is thus a proportionality to the height of the replaceable battery pack 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown, in accordance with FIGS. 2 aand 2 b, replaceable battery packs 20 having charging capacities of 4 to 12 Ah can thus be accommodated by the electromechanical interface 18 of the processing device 12.Between the first housing part 50 and the second housing part 54, the protective device 16 has a tension spring 70 which automatically moves the second housing part 54, in particular after the unlocking of the locking device 58, along the direction of movement 52 in the direction of a minimum dimension H min of the protective device 16. The minimum dimension H min is defined by an end stop of the second housing part 54 which is pushed maximally into the first housing part 50. However, it is also conceivable that the second housing part 54 can be pushed completely into the first housing part 50 in order to achieve the smallest possible packing size of the protective device 16 or of the electrical processing device 12. In this case, the minimum dimension H min is smaller than the height of the smallest insertable replaceable battery pack 20.In the case of a latching mounting, releasing the button 58 of the locking device 58 leads to a locking in the next latching position along the direction of movement 52 in the direction of the spring force of the tension spring 70. As long as the button 60 is pressed by the user, the second housing part 54 can be moved continuously or in a latching manner against the spring force of the tension spring 70. The arresting device 58 can also be configured in such a way that it specifies the minimum dimension H min for the smallest replaceable battery pack 20 to be used.In conjunction with a sensor unit 72 integrated in the second housing part 54 for detecting the height H of the replaceable battery pack 20 inserted into the electromechanical interface 18, it is thus possible to prevent the use of replaceable battery packs 20 which do not have the required minimum power for the processing device 12. A release for using the processing device 12 takes place, for example, only when the sensor unit 72 has detected the preset height H. Moreover, this effectively prevents the processing device 12 from being used improperly due to the user removing the second housing part 54 in an unauthorized manner. For detecting the height H of the replaceable battery pack 20, the sensor unit 72 comprises at least one sensor element, not shown in detail, in the form of a Hall sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a light barrier or the like. The communication between the sensor unit 72 and the processing device 12 can be effected in a cable-bound manner, e.g. via the electromechanical interface 18, or wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth, ZigBee or the like. Furthermore, the sensor unit 72 can serve for detecting vibrations or other environmental factors arising during a machining operation, such as moisture, noise, explosive gases or the like.FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the protective device 16 according to the invention in a perspective view. The essential difference from the two preceding exemplary embodiments consists firstly in that the second housing part 54 is driven by motor by an electric motor 74 arranged in the first housing part 50. On the other hand, the indicator 68 is formed separately from the locking device 58 as a window arranged in the first housing part 50 with numbers printed or engraved accordingly in the second housing part 54 for the charging capacity of the replaceable battery pack 20 which can be pushed or inserted into the electromechanical interface 18. By means of the motor drive of the second housing part 54, automatic adaptation to the height H of the replaceable battery pack 20 inserted into the electromechanical interface 18 detected by means of the sensor unit 72 can take place. If the user actuates the button 60 of the locking device 58, the second housing part 54 is initially moved into the maximum extended position, so that the user can push the replaceable battery pack 20 into the electromechanical interface 18. If the user then actuates the button 60 again, the second housing part 54 moves toward the minimum dimension H min along the direction of movement 52 and automatically stops as soon as the sensor unit 72 sends a corresponding signal to the electric motor 74. It is likewise conceivable that the user can set a fixed height H for the replaceable battery pack 20 to be used, so that the processing device 12 can only be operated with replaceable battery packs 20 of this height H. With reference to the intermediate space 64 mentioned in FIG. 1 between the inserted replaceable battery pack 20 and the second housing part 54, the compensating means 66 can also be realized by the electric motor 74 in order to reduce or completely close the intermediate space 64 in the event of a fall detected by means of the sensor unit 72 before an impact.FIG. 4 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the protective device 16 according to the invention in a side view. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, the protective device 16 can be connected to the machining device 12, not shown, in a tool-less detachable manner. Therefore, it is preferably purely mechanically designed. For the detachable connection to the processing device 12, a flange 76 is provided on the first housing part 50, which flange can be inserted into a corresponding housing opening of the housing 22 of the processing device 12. By means of a locking device 78, the protective device 16 is secured in the housing recess in a captive manner. For this purpose, a spring-mounted button 80 can be pressed by the user, which engages a latching nose 82 in the flange 76. If the user releases the button 80, the latching nose 82 automatically disengages as a result of the spring force and, when inserted into the housing opening, causes the latching nose 82 to engage into a corresponding depression in the housing opening. Instead of the locking device 78 operable by the user via the button 80, a locking device 78 can also be provided which can be released purely by the manufacturer by means of a special tool.The protective device 16 has, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, a tension spring 70 which pulls or closes the second housing part 54 in the direction of the minimum dimension H min of the protective device 16. If the user pushes the replaceable battery pack 20 with its electromechanical interface 18 into the corresponding mating interface 18 of the protective device 16, the second housing part 54 is opened along the direction of movement 52 with the aid of lateral guide elements 84 which are arranged on the first housing part 50, counter to the spring force of the tension spring 70. If the replaceable battery pack 20 is removed again, the protective device 16 closes again automatically in the direction of its minimum dimension H min. due to the spring force of the tension spring 70.FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the protective device 16 according to the invention for a smaller replaceable battery pack 20 (FIG. 5 a ) and a larger replaceable battery pack (FIG. 5 b ), each in a side view. Instead of enclosing the replaceable battery pack 20 or its envelope more or less completely, the protective device 16 only protects here sites of the inserted replaceable battery pack 20, such as the electromechanical interface 18, which are particularly sensitive to falls and impacts. For this purpose, the second housing part 54 is designed as a bracket 86 which is extended via an adjustment mechanism 88 when the replaceable battery pack 20 is inserted into the electromechanical interface 18 of the protective device 16. The adjusting mechanism 88 extends the bracket 86 to different extents depending on the height H of the inserted replaceable battery pack 20 and thus protects the "critical locations" of the replaceable battery pack 20. The bracket 86 is preferably made of a metal (steel, aluminum, etc.). However, it is also conceivable for a plastic or a material mix of plastic and metal (e.g. a metal bracket 86) encapsulated by a plastic to be used.FIG. 6 shows greatly simplified, perspective partial views of a further exemplary embodiment of the second housing part 54 according to FIG. 5, which is designed as a clip 86, the clip 86 is in a maximally retracted state in FIG. 6 a, while FIG. 6 bshows the clip 86 in a maximally extended state. For the sake of clarity, the illustration of all further parts of the protective device 16 has been omitted. In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 5. The bracket 86 is automatically pressed by means of a compression spring 88 in the direction of the minimum dimension H min which is defined by a stop 90 provided on the bracket 86. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stop 90 is designed as a plurality of rings, which are preferably adjustable along the direction of movement 52 of the bracket 86 in order to adapt the minimum dimension H min. However, the stop 90 can also be non-displaceably connected to the bracket 86, with the result that the minimum dimension H min can only be changed by replacing the bracket 86, which can be carried out in particular by the manufacturer. If the replaceable battery pack 20 is inserted into the electromechanical interface 18 of the protective device 16, this presses the bracket 86 against the spring force of the compression spring 88 in the direction of the maximum dimension H max. If the replaceable battery pack 20 is removed, the bracket 86 moves back again in the direction of the minimum dimension H min. as a result of the spring force.FIGS. 7 and 8 show two further exemplary embodiments of a second housing part 54 designed as a cage 92 in perspective views. The two cages 92 shown essentially each consist of a plurality of brackets 86 spaced apart from one another along the insertion direction E of the replaceable battery pack 20, which brackets are fixed by means of laterally arranged cross struts 94. The cages 92 are preferably made of a metal (steel, aluminum, etc.). However, it is also conceivable for a plastic or a material mix of plastic and metal to be used. Instead of a cage 92, molds, such as a plastic trough, a frame structure open toward the bottom, or a combination thereof, are also conceivable for the second housing part 54.Finally, it should be pointed out that the exemplary embodiment shown is not restricted to FIGS. 1 to 8 or to the size relationships shown therein. In addition, the protective device 16 according to the invention can also be used for battery-operated processing devices 12 having an electromechanical interface 18, which can accommodate two or more replaceable battery packs 20.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2022 212 097 A1

[0003] EP 3 653 343 A1

[0004] DE 10 2018 109 295 A1

[0005]

Claims

Protective device (16) for at least one replaceable battery pack (20) of a battery-operated machining device (12), wherein the machining device (12) has a housing (22) and an electromechanical interface (18) arranged on the housing (22) for receiving the at least one replaceable battery pack (20) in a tool-less releasable manner, and wherein the protective device (16) is arranged on the electromechanical interface (18) in such a way that it at least partially surrounds the replaceable battery pack (20) in conjunction with the housing (22) of the machining device (12), characterized in that the protective device (16) can be adapted to a size, in particular a height (H), of the at least one replaceable battery pack (20) without a tool.Protective device (16) according to claim 1, characterised in that a minimum dimension (H min) for the size, in particular the height (H), of the at least one replaceable battery pack (20) can be predetermined as a function of a capacity of the processing device (12).The protective device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (16) has a first housing part (50), which can be connected to the housing (22) of the processing device (12), and a second housing part (54), which is mounted movably relative to the first housing part (50).The protective device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (16), in particular the first housing part (50), is detachably connected to the housing (22) of the processing device (12).The protective device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the protective device (16), in particular the first housing part (50), is fixedly connected, in particular integrally, to the housing (22) of the electrical processing device (12).Protective device (16) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the second housing part (54) is mounted in the first housing part (50) in a latching or continuously variable manner and can be fixed in a position by means of a locking device (58).The protective device (16) according to claim 6, characterized in that a tension spring (70) is arranged between the first and the second housing part (50, 54), which tension spring automatically moves the second housing part (54) in the direction of a minimum dimension (H min) of the protective device (16), in particular after the unlocking of the locking device (58).The protective device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (16), in particular the second housing part (54), comprises a sensor unit (72) for detecting the size, in particular the height (H), of the at least one replaceable battery pack (20) inserted into the electromechanical interface (18) and / or of environmental and / or movement data of the processing device (12).Protective device (16) according to claim 8, characterised in that the second housing part (54) is driven by motor or hydraulically and automatic adaptation to the size, in particular height (H), of the at least one replaceable battery pack (20) inserted into the electromechanical interface (18), which is detected by means of the sensor unit (72), takes place.Protective device (16) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 9, characterized in that an intermediate space (64), in particular an air gap, remains between the second housing part (50) and the at least one inserted replaceable battery pack (20), wherein a compensating means (66) is arranged between the first and the second housing part (50, 54), said compensating means reducing, in particular completely closing, the intermediate space (64) in the event of a fall.Protective device (16) according to claim 10, characterised in that the compensating means (66) is formed as an elastomer.The protection device (16) according to claim 10, characterized in that the compensating means (66) is driven by motor or hydraulically and reduces, in particular completely closes, the intermediate space (64) in the event of a fall detected by means of the sensor unit (72) before an impact.The protective device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (16), in particular the first housing part (50), comprises at least one illumination element (56) for illuminating a working region of the processing device (12).The protective device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (16) has an indicator (68) for indicating the minimum and / or maximum possible and / or the actual size, in particular height (H min, H max, H), of the replaceable battery pack (20).A system (10) comprising a protection device (16) according to any preceding claim and a battery powered processing appliance (12).

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