Battery-operated processing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery-operated processing device (12) comprising a housing part (62) which at least partially surrounds an electronics unit (38) and / or an electric motor (34) for operating the processing device (12), a main handle (22) which is movably connected to the housing part (62) for vibration decoupling, and at least one electromechanical interface (20) arranged on the main handle (22) for receiving an interchangeable battery pack (14) in a tool-free manner, wherein the electromechanical interface (20) has a protective housing (64) whose envelope (66) completely surrounds the received interchangeable battery pack (14). It is proposed that the protective housing (64) be firmly connected to the housing part (62) and movably coupled to the main handle (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery-operated processing device according to the preamble of independent claim 1. State of the art

[0002] EP 3 653 344 A1 discloses a battery-operated processing device in the form of a handheld power tool, comprising a housing part that at least partially surrounds an electronics unit and / or an electric motor for operating the processing device. For vibration isolation during a processing operation, a main handle of the processing device is movably connected to the housing part. Furthermore, an electromechanical interface for the tool-free releasable reception of an interchangeable battery pack is arranged on the main handle. The electromechanical interface is surrounded by a protective bracket that is firmly connected to the main handle and surrounds the interchangeable battery pack on both sides when the battery pack is received in the interface, so that falling energy is at least partially absorbed by the protective bracket and kept away from the interchangeable battery pack.

[0003] EP 2 080 594 A1 shows a battery-operated processing device designed as a cordless screwdriver, in which the electromechanical interface arranged at a lower end of a main handle is surrounded by a protective housing firmly connected to the main handle in such a way that the casing thereof completely surrounds the interchangeable battery pack accommodated therein.

[0004] The object of the invention is to ensure improved protection compared to the prior art for an interchangeable battery pack arranged in the electromechanical interface on the main handle of a battery-operated processing device, in conjunction with the lowest possible vibration load for the operator of the processing device. Advantages of the invention

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the protective housing is rigidly connected to the housing section of the processing device surrounding the electronics unit and / or the electric motor and is movably coupled to the main handle. In a particularly advantageous manner, the protective housing can thus absorb any impacts and falls particularly well by dissipating the impact energy into the housing section, while, on the other hand, the movable coupling to the main handle enables a high level of vibration isolation. In this context, no explicit distinction should be made between the designation "the housing section" as part of the housing and "the housing section" as a separate, independent part. Both terms should therefore be understood as synonyms.

[0006] A battery-operated processing device is understood, for example, to be a rechargeable power tool for processing workpieces using an electrically powered tool. The battery-operated processing device can be designed either as a handheld power tool or as a stationary power tool. Typical machine tools in this context are handheld or pillar drills, screwdrivers, impact drills, planers, angle grinders, orbital sanders, polishers, or the like. However, garden and construction equipment such as lawn mowers, grass trimmers, pruning saws, power cutters and trenchers, blowers, robot breakers and excavators, or the like, as well as measuring devices such as laser rangefinders, wall scanners, etc., can also be considered battery-operated processing devices.

[0007] The battery-operated processing device is supplied with energy via an interchangeable battery pack inserted into the at least one electromechanical interface. For this purpose, the interchangeable battery pack has an electromechanical interface designed to complement the electromechanical interface. By means of these interfaces, the interchangeable battery pack and the battery-operated processing device can be connected to one another in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. A “detachable connection” is to be understood in particular as a connection that can be released and established without the use of tools, i.e. by hand. The precise design of the electromechanical interfaces with their mechanical guide elements for the force-fitting and / or form-fitting release connection and the electrical contacts used for energy and / or data transmission is not the subject of this invention. A person skilled in the art will, depending on the power orThe voltage class of the battery-operated processing device and / or the interchangeable battery pack determines a suitable embodiment for the electromechanical interfaces, so this will not be discussed in further detail here. Furthermore, it should be noted that the invention is also applicable to battery-operated processing devices with a plurality of electromechanical interfaces for a plurality of interchangeable battery packs.

[0008] In a further development, the protective housing comprises means for movably coupling it to the main handle, which are designed to guide the main handle laterally and to support the protective housing against the main handle in the event of a fall or impact. This ensures, on the one hand, a precise machining process along a working axis of the machining tool, while, on the other hand, in the event of a fall or impact, the impact energy can be dissipated not only into the housing part firmly connected to the protective housing, but also into the main handle. Thus, by appropriately distributing the impact energy, the risk of damage to the machining tool can be effectively reduced or completely avoided.

[0009] The protective housing has a contact surface on at least two outer sides, in which the means are arranged as a preferably removable support element. The ability to remove the means from the main handle and / or the protective housing simplifies the replacement of the main handle or the protective housing in the event of a defect. Furthermore, it is possible to influence the degree of support on the main handle, for example, to permit very high vibrations for brief periods without the main handle striking the protective housing. This can be advantageous, for example, when the processing device is mechanically guided in a guide device provided for this purpose.

[0010] Optimized support of the protective housing on the main handle can also be achieved if the contact surfaces of the protective housing are inclined toward the main handle. If the protective housing and / or the housing section each consist of two half-shells along a center plane running in the direction of the working axis of the processing tool, the protective housing can be pressed toward the center plane in the event of a fall or impact to prevent the half-shells from gaping open. Furthermore, the half-shells allow for easier replacement of the individual parts of the processing tool during servicing and facilitate a more efficient assembly sequence.

[0011] In a further development, at least one of the support elements is coupled to the main handle by means of a retaining element, in particular an elastic damping element or a screw. This can prevent, for example, noise when the support element abruptly strikes the protective housing. Furthermore, this allows for easy replacement of the support element.

[0012] Alternatively, at least one of the support elements can be firmly connected, in particular integrally, to the main handle. This ensures that the support element cannot be lost. A one-piece connection in this context means that the connected elements cannot be separated from each other without causing damage. Particularly preferably, the support element and the main handle are made of the same material.

[0013] Additionally, the protective housing and the housing part can be formed as a single piece to better dissipate impact energy from the protective housing to the housing part. The protective housing is molded onto the housing part, for example, using a plastic injection-molding process or similar. Alternatively, the protective housing can also be firmly connected to the housing part via a force-locking connection, in particular a screw connection. The protective housing and / or the housing part are preferably made of a plastic material, such as PA6GF35, ABS, or an elastomer. Additionally or alternatively, another natural material, a metal (steel, aluminum, etc.), or a material mix is ​​also conceivable.

[0014] Furthermore, the protective housing is designed to have a particularly irregular honeycomb structure. This results in a reduced weight of the processing device compared to a solid or solid protective housing, and also in further improved dissipation of impact energy while simultaneously increasing inherent stability. An irregular honeycomb structure is understood to mean that the individual honeycombs can have different sizes and shapes. For example, it is conceivable that the honeycombs in areas where greater stability is required could be more tightly meshed and smaller, and possibly have a structure that differs from a hexagonal honeycomb structure. Examples of implementationDrawing

[0015] The invention is described below with reference to Fig. 1 to 7 are explained by way of example, wherein the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same components with the same mode of operation.

[0016] It shows Fig. 1: an embodiment of a battery-operated processing device designed as a hammer drill with a protective housing according to the invention for a replaceable battery pack inserted into an electromechanical interface of the hammer drill, in a side view, Fig. 2: the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a sectional view along a central plane parallel to a working axis, Fig. 3: a perspective partial view of the hammer drill according to the invention, including a main handle, a housing part and the protective housing. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 4: a section through the protective housing according to Fig. 3 perpendicular to the center plane and Fig. 5: the protective casing of the hammer drill according to the Fig. 1 to 4 in a top view. Description of the embodiments

[0017] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a battery-operated processing device 12 designed as a hammer drill 10, which is supplied with energy via a replaceable battery pack 14, in a side view and in a section along a center plane 18 running parallel to a working axis 16 of the processing device 12. For better orientation, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 coordinate systems labeled "rear," "front," "bottom," and "top" are shown. However, these designations are not to be understood as limiting the invention and primarily refer to a working direction running along the working axis 16 and thus to the holding of the hammer drill 10 by an operator, particularly during a machining operation.

[0018] The removable battery pack 14 can be releasably connected to the hammer drill 10 via appropriately designed electromechanical interfaces 20 on the removable battery pack 14 or at a lower end of a main handle 22 of the hammer drill 10 in a force-locking and / or positive-locking manner. To do so, the operator can insert the removable battery pack 14 with its electromechanical interface 20 into the electromechanical mating interface 20 of the hammer drill 10 and lock it in place. It should be noted that the general design of the electromechanical interfaces 20 of the removable battery pack 14 and the processing device 12 connectable to it, as well as the associated receptacles for the force-locking and / or positive-locking releasable connection, are not intended to be the subject of this invention. A person skilled in the art will select a suitable embodiment for the interfaces 20 depending on the power or voltage class of the processing device 12 and / or the removable battery pack 14.

[0019] A housing 24 of the removable battery pack 14 has, on a first side wall or its top side, the first electromechanical interface 20 for detachable connection to the electromechanical counter-interface 20 of the hammer drill 10. The removable battery pack 14 is discharged during operation of the hammer drill 10. The voltage class of the removable battery pack 14 results from the interconnection (parallel or series) of the individual energy storage cells 26 integrated in the removable battery pack 14 and is generally an integer multiple (>= 1) of the voltage of the individual energy storage cells 26. An energy storage cell 26 is typically designed as a galvanic cell having a structure in which one cell pole is located at one end and another cell pole is located at an opposite end. In particular, the energy storage cell 26 has a positive cell pole at one end and a negative cell pole at an opposite end.The energy storage cells 26 are preferably designed as lithium-based round cells, e.g., Li-ion, Li-cell polymer, Li-metal, or the like, with the cell poles arranged at the ends of the cylinder. However, Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh cells, or other suitable cell types can also be used. For common Li-ion energy storage cells 26 with 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, for example. The invention, however, is not dependent on the type and design of the energy storage cells 26 used, but can be applied to any interchangeable battery packs 14 that use prismatic cells, pouch cells, or the like instead of round cells. The DC voltage values ​​are primarily based on the typical cell voltages of the energy storage cells 26 used. For example,For pouch cells and / or cells with a different electrochemical composition, voltage values ​​are possible that differ from those of the interchangeable battery packs 14 equipped with Li-ion cells. The invention will be described below using an example of an interchangeable battery pack 14 with a voltage class of 18 V.

[0020] The hammer drill 10 has a housing 28, at least partially accommodating a percussion mechanism 30, which serves to drive an insert tool (not shown), such as a drill bit or chisel, in a rotating and / or percussive manner and which can be alternately accommodated in a drill chuck 32 arranged at the front end of the hammer drill. The percussion mechanism 30 is driven by an electric motor 34 arranged in the housing 28, including a downstream gear 36, which is supplied with power by an electronic unit 38 consisting of power electronics and a control or regulating unit. The electronic unit 38 is controlled to regulate or control the electric motor 34 in response to a main button 40 operable by the operator in such a way that, depending on the pressure travel of the main button 40, a desired speed and / or torque of the electric motor 34 and the drill chuck 32 driven by it can be set.The main button 40 is arranged in the main handle 22 of the hammer drill 10, which in turn is essentially formed from two half-shells shaped as grip shells 42. The two grip shells 42 are at least partially covered with a soft component to achieve an improved and more comfortable grip for the operator. The soft component is preferably formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Furthermore, the main handle 22 is decoupled from the housing 28 by a vibration-damped damping device 44 at its upper part in order to protect the operator from excessive vibrations during longer work processes. The damping device 44 also comprises an articulated connection 46 at the lower end of the main handle 22, via which the main handle 22 is movably coupled to the housing 22.For better guidance of the hammer drill 10, an optional auxiliary handle can be provided near the drill chuck 32; however, this is not shown in the figures. The further the main button 40 is pressed into the main handle 22, the higher the speed of the electric motor 34. When the main button 40 is released, it disengages automatically, and the electric motor 34 comes to a standstill. To control the speed and / or torque of the electric motor 34, which is designed as an EC motor, the control or regulating unit controls the power bridge via pulse width modulation (PWM) such that the power bridge applies a trapezoidal or nearly sinusoidal commutation to the individual phases of the EC motor in a known manner.

[0021] Using an operating mode selector switch 50 located in the housing 28, the operator can switch between different operating modes, such as drilling mode, hammer drilling mode, or chisel or hammer mode. The operator can also use the main button 40 to vary the speed and / or torque of the electric motor 34 and thus of the insert tool or drill chuck 32 operatively connected via the impact mechanism 30. A human-machine interface (HMI) 52 provides the operator with a wide range of information, for example, about the charge level of the connected interchangeable battery pack 14, the selected operating mode, and any operating malfunctions, such as excessive temperature or the like.Furthermore, the hammer drill 10 features a removable or permanently integrated communication module 54 for exchanging data with an external device (not shown in detail here), such as a smartphone, a smart watch, a personal computer, a gateway, a cloud server, or the like. Various settings on the hammer drill 10, such as activating or deactivating a kickback control mode (KBC) or adaptive speed control, can also be made from the external device via the communication module 54. For this purpose, the communication module 54 exchanges data wirelessly, in particular via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Zeegbee, or a comparable data protocol.A further, detailed description of the battery-operated processing device 12 designed as a hammer drill 10 will be omitted here, since this is only of minor importance for the invention and the hammer drill 10 should also be understood only as an example for various battery-operated processing devices 12.

[0022] The housing 28 of the hammer drill 10 consists according to the sectional view in Fig. 2, analogous to the main handle 22, along a central plane 58 running in the direction of the working axis 16, each consists of two half-shells 60 that are open on one side and accommodate the electric motor 34, the gear 36, and part of the impact mechanism 30 of the hammer drill 10. After assembly of the hammer drill 10, the half-shells 60 are held together by a plurality of screw connections (not shown) at their respective, immediately adjacent side edges. Adjacent to the housing 28, in addition to the main handle 22, which is connected to the housing 28 in a vibration-decoupled manner, is a housing part 62 that surrounds the electronics unit 38. The housing part 62, analogous to the housing 28 and the main handle 22, consists of two half-shells 60 that, when assembled, form a pot housing that is open on one side and is connected to the housing 28 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner via a tongue and groove system. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the housing part 62 is designed as a one-piece pot housing.It is also conceivable that the half-shells 60 of the housing part 62 and the half-shells 60 of the housing 28 each form a one-piece structural unit.

[0023] To protect a removable battery pack 14 inserted into the electromagnetic interface 20 of the main handle 22, a protective housing 64 is firmly connected to the housing part 62. The protective housing 64 is movably coupled to the main handle 22 and arranged around the electromechanical interface 20 of the main handle 22 such that the removable battery pack 14 accommodated in the electromechanical interface 20 is completely surrounded by an envelope 66 of the protective housing 56 (see also the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5). In a particularly advantageous manner, the protective housing 64 can thus absorb any impacts and falls particularly well by dissipating the impact energy into the housing part 62, while on the other hand, a high level of vibration isolation can be achieved through the movable coupling with the main handle 22.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the protective housing 64 and the housing part 62 are formed as a single piece in order to even better dissipate the impact energy from the protective housing 64 into the housing part 62. The protective housing 64 is molded onto the housing part 62, for example, during a plastic injection molding process or the like. Alternatively, the protective housing 64 can also be firmly connected to the housing part 62 via a force-fitting connection, in particular a screw connection. All housing elements 22, 28, 42, 60, 62, 64 are preferably made of a plastic material, such as PA6GF35, ABS and / or an elastomer. Additionally or alternatively, another natural material, a metal (steel, aluminum, etc.), or a material mix is ​​also conceivable.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective partial view of the hammer drill 10 according to the previous Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. For a better overview, the partial view does not show a removable battery pack 14 inserted into the electromechanical interface 20 of the main handle 22. In this regard, please refer to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 5. In addition, the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 has been expanded to include the designations "left" and "right" due to the spatial representation. For movable coupling to the main handle 22, the protective housing 64 comprises a contact surface 68 on at least two outer sides, in each of which a preferably removable support element 70 is arranged such that it guides the main handle 22 laterally and supports the protective housing 64 on the main handle 22 in the event of a fall or impact. In this way, on the one hand, a precise machining process along the working axis 16 of the hammer drill 10 can be ensured, while on the other hand, in the event of a fall or impact, the impact energy can be dissipated not only into the housing part 62 firmly connected to the protective housing 64, but also into the main handle 22.The ability to remove the support elements 70 from the main handle 22 and / or the protective housing 64 provides a simplified way to replace the main handle 22 or the protective housing 64 in the event of a defect. Furthermore, it is possible to influence the degree of support on the main handle 22, for example, to allow very high vibrations for a short time without the main handle 22 striking the protective housing 64.

[0026] For optimized support of the protective housing 64 on the main handle 22, the contact surfaces 68 of the protective housing 64 are inclined toward the main handle 22. In the case of a protective housing 64 and / or housing part 62 consisting of two half-shells 60, the protective housing 64 can be pressed toward the center plane 58 of the hammer drill 10 in the event of a fall or impact, in order to prevent the half-shells 60 from gaping open.

[0027] The two support elements 70 are each coupled to the main handle 22 or to its grip shells 42 by means of a holding element 72. Preferably, the holding element 72 is designed as an elastic damping element which consists of an elastomer or a rubber and which, with reference to Fig. 4 engages with one end in a pin-like manner through an opening of the support element 70 for the purpose of a positive and / or non-positive connection into a cylindrical recess 74 of a projection 76 of the handle shell 42. However, it is also conceivable that the holding element 72 is designed as a screw. For clarification, Fig. 4 shows a section through the protective housing 64 along an axis through the holding elements 72 perpendicular to the center plane 58. At its other end, the holding element 72 has a plate-shaped head 78 for holding the support element 70 on the handle shell 42. This allows for easy replacement of the support element 70 by pulling it off sideways. In addition, any noise generated when the support element 70 abruptly strikes the protective housing 64 can be reduced. Alternatively, each support element 70 can be firmly connected, in particular integrally, to a handle shell 42 of the main handle 22. This can ensure that the support element 70 is not lost. Particularly preferably, the support element 70 and the main handle 22 are then made of the same material.

[0028] The protective housing 64 has a honeycomb structure 80 on the inner sides of each of the two outer walls, which honeycomb structure is particularly irregular in shape. Compared to a solid or solid protective housing 64, this results in a reduced weight of the hammer drill 10 and, on the other hand, further improved dissipation of impact energy while simultaneously increasing inherent stability. In areas where greater stability is required, the honeycombs can, for example, be designed with a tighter mesh and smaller size and, if necessary, have a structure that deviates from a hexagonal honeycomb structure.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows the protective housing 64 of the hammer drill 10 consisting of the two half shells 60 according to the Fig. 1 to 4 in a top view. For better orientation, analogous to the Fig. 1 to 4 the coordinate system and the working axis 16 are shown. In contrast to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the removable battery pack 14 is inserted into the electromechanical interface 20 (not shown) of the main handle 22, which consists of the two grip shells 42. A locking device 82 is provided on the removable battery pack 14, by means of which the removable battery pack 14 can be secured from accidentally falling out of the electromechanical interface 20 of the hammer drill 10. However, the precise design of the locking device 82 is not the subject of the invention, so it will not be discussed further here.

[0030] As can be clearly seen, the inserted interchangeable battery pack 14 is completely enclosed by the casing 66 of the protective housing 64. The protective housing 64 and the main handle 22 are movably coupled to one another via the support elements 70 arranged on the inclined contact surfaces 68 of the protective housing and the holding elements 72 in the manner described above.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiment shown does not refer to the Fig. 1 to 4 are still limited to the hammer drill 10. These are therefore only examples. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 653 344 A1

[0002] EP 2 080 594 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Battery-operated processing device (12) with a housing part (62) which at least partially surrounds an electronic unit (38) and / or an electric motor (34) for operating the processing device (12), a main handle (22) which is movably connected to the housing part (62) for vibration decoupling, and at least one electromechanical interface (20) arranged on the main handle (22) for the tool-free releasable reception of an interchangeable battery pack (14), wherein the electromechanical interface (20) has a protective housing (64) whose envelope (66) completely surrounds the received interchangeable battery pack (14), characterized by that the protective housing (64) is firmly connected to the housing part (62) and movably coupled to the main handle (22). [2] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the protective housing (64) for movable coupling to the main handle (22) comprises means (70, 72) which are designed such that they guide the main handle (22) laterally and support the protective housing (64) on the main handle (22) in the event of a fall or impact. [3] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to claim 2, characterized by that the protective housing (64) has a contact surface (68) on at least two outer sides, in which the means (70, 72) are arranged as a preferably removable support element (70). [4] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to claim 3, characterized by that the contact surfaces (68) of the protective housing (64) are inclined towards the main handle (22). [5] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized bythat at least one of the support elements (70) is coupled to the main handle (22) by means of a holding element (72). [6] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to claim 5, characterized by that the holding element (72) is designed as an elastic damping element or a screw. [7] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized by that at least one of the support elements (70) is firmly connected, in particular integrally, to the main handle (22). [8] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective housing (64) and the housing part (62) are formed in one piece. [9] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the protective housing (64) is firmly connected to the housing part (62) via a force-locking connection, in particular a screw connection. [10] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing part (62) and the protective housing (64) each consist of two half-shells (60) along a central plane (58) running in the direction of a working axis (16) of the processing device (12). [11] Battery-operated processing device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective housing (64) has a particularly irregular honeycomb structure (80).

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