Laser device for a power tool

Abstract

Laser device (100, 100'; 100*) for a power tool (200, 200#) for projecting lines (X, Y, Z) on a surface of an object (B) or structure (VS, PB) to be processed with the power tool, characterized in that the laser device (100, 100'; 100*) has a plurality of lasers (L1, L2; L3), of which at least one is designed as a line laser (L1) and is adjustable with respect to the current orientation of the power tool (200, 200#) on at least one of the three spatial axes (x, y, z) such that the orientation of the line (Y1) projected by the adjustable line laser (L1) can be changed.

Description

The invention relates to a laser device for an electric tool, in particular to a laser device for projecting lines (straight lines) on the surface (surface) of an object (e.g. workpiece) or structure (e.g. facade, formwork... ). The power tool can be any type of electrically operated tool or appliance that the user holds in the hand and uses for manual machining (drilling, screwing, riveting, sawing... ) of larger surfaces, such as, for example, formworks / shells made of wood and / or metal. Examples of electric tools include battery drills, screwdrivers, saws (hand-held circular saws or saber saws), and the like. Examples of the examples include nibblers), nailers, etc.In particular, if the visual appearance of the surface to be machined is not to be impaired as much as possible by the machining itself (e.g. screwing, riveting) but is to be even upgraded as much as possible, very careful, accurate handling of the respective electric tool is important. This problem is to be made clear here using the example of a battery-operated screwdriver:A battery screwdriver is frequently used in facades, terrace floors or other surfaces in order to fasten a paneling to a substructure there using visible screw connections. In order to obtain a clean screw pattern, either a cord (alignment cord) must be tensioned before the actual machining (drilling, screwing) or other mechanical aids (alignment or alignment plate or the like) must be used. The cord or other expedients impede the user upon inserting each new board into the panel.The problem described here is illustrated with reference to FIG. 1a, which shows a schematic illustration of a cladding or cladding VS which is located at the points S1, S2,... Sx is to be screwed accurately, with a guide line RS tensioned in order to achieve a rectilinear screw pattern.Instead of mechanical aids, optical aids are increasingly being used, in particular line lasers, with which a straight line can be projected onto the surface to be machined. This enables the user-without being hindered-to produce a screw connection with exact alignment of the screw pattern. However, these known optical aids (line lasers) as well as the mechanical aids (guide line) must be aligned exactly for this purpose; otherwise, an accurate machining of the surface (in this case screwing with a straight screw pattern) is not subsequently possible.Further problems arise when using mechanical and also optical aids, in particular when machining non-planar surfaces, as is shown with reference to FIG. 1 b: the screwing of a profiled sheet PB is to be carried out accurately there, so that a rectilinear screw pattern is produced.However, a line represented by guide line RS or line laser does not actually help here: because, due to the uneven profile, the guide line only rests on the upper regions of the profile, as a result of which there is no exact line in the depressions of the profile, because only the shadow cast by the guide line can be seen there. In particular, if the external illumination (sun) appears obliquely to the guide lines, a distortion of the shadow cast in the region of the depressions results. However, the same problem also arises when using line lasers, provided that they have not been aligned exactly perpendicular / perpendicular to the projection surface; otherwise the line is projected obliquely onto the surface (see projection line PL) and distortion likewise occurs. In conventional lasers, the effort for exactly perpendicular alignment is complicated and time-consuming, and is even impossible in certain applications (for example in the processing of roof surfaces, facades in upper building sections, use on a scaffolding, etc.).The following patent documents already disclose power tools equipped with such lasers:US 7,200,516 B1 discloses a drilling machine provided with point lasers whereby the user can recognize whether the posture of the drilling machine is optimally oriented with respect to the machining point (i.e. perpendicular orientation of the drill to the borehole).U.S. Pat. No. 9,114,494 B1 discloses a power tool in which a square consisting of 4 short lines around the current machining point (drill hole or screw hole) is displayed with lasers, the posture of the power tool being detected by sensors and being displayed as to whether it is optimal or as it can be improved. This requires a complex electronic circuit containing a sensor system and a laser display.Accordingly, there are already solutions with laser devices which are mounted on a power tool and which display to the user the posture of the power tool (drilling machine, battery screwdriver) with respect to the specific machining point (i.e. with respect to the single hole, which is to be drilled specifically into a wall / surface, or with respect to the location of the screw to be screwed therein) and which indicate a non-optimum posture (inclined or inclined posture of the power tool).Thus, only laser devices for electric tools are known which are designed for the projection of lines or short lines on a surface of an object or structure to be machined with the electric tool.However, no prior art is known which concerns the problem of an accurate machining of a plurality of machining points arranged in a row or even discloses solutions with which an appealing appearance (e.g. rectilinear screw pattern) can be achieved even in the case of a (large) flat machining.It is therefore an object of the invention to develop a laser device for electric tools which enables accurate machining on surfaces of structures (walls, facades... ) and / or objects (workpieces) in such a way that the above-mentioned problems are advantageously overcome.The above-mentioned problems are solved by a laser device having the features of claim 1.Accordingly, a laser device for a power tool is proposed for projecting lines on a surface of an object or structure to be machined with the power tool, wherein the laser device is characterized in that it has a multiplicity of lasers, at least one of which is designed as a line laser and is adjustable with respect to at least one of the three spatial axes in such a way that the orientation of the line projected by the adjustable line laser is variable.As a result, the device comprises at least two lasers, of which at least one is designed as an adjustable line laser and thus its line projected onto the surface can be variably aligned, and of which the other laser can generate a projection (e.g. points, line, cross) as a reference for this purpose, i.e. serves as a reference laser. The laser device therefore does not have to be separately oriented on its own, in particular not perpendicular to the surface, but can be attached directly to the power tool as the entire laser device (as an adapter or integrated in the tool) and nevertheless enables machining with the desired appearance (e.g. rectilinear screw pattern, maintaining a defined distance from an edge or from the edge of the surface... ).Thus, for example, a rectilinear helical image can be generated at a distance from an edge by the reference laser (second laser) always pointing to the edge (point or better line / line) and the main laser, i.e. the actual (first) line laser, being aligned parallel to the edge at the desired distance therefrom and defining the ideal processing line.The laser device presented here can also be integrally joined to the power tool or can be attached to the power tool as an adapter. The housing of the laser device or of the adapter can have many shapes (round, angular, rounded edges etc.), depending on the application. In all applications, the laser device is thus located directly on the power tool itself and is carried along with it. This also allows exact machining of the surface in any situation (roof, frame... ) with any type of mobile electric tool (e.g. also knabber) and achieves optimum results for an appealing appearance even in the case of profiled metal sheets.For example, the invention is very advantageous when using a battery screwdriver: after the first screwing, the laser line or the projected machining line of the (adjustable) main laser can be used as a guide head. Depending on how the battery wrench is held, vertical, horizontal, or any other orientation is possible.The invention also comprises, according to claim 7, a power tool equipped with such a laser device, and, according to claim 8, the use of such a device.Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims:Accordingly, it is advantageous if the first line laser is adjustable with respect to one spatial axis (e.g. the Y axis) and the second line laser is adjustable with respect to another spatial axis (e.g. X axis) so that the two projected lines cross one another. The other (second) laser can therefore also be designed as an adjustable line laser and can be aligned in such a way that the reference line and the processing line intersect at an angle of 90°, wherein the reference line generated by the second laser runs along the alignment of a facade cladding made from panels and thus, for example, the ends of the panels can be shortened exactly at right angles along the processing line using a hand-held circular saw.Also, at least two line lasers can be adjustable with respect to the same spatial axis (e.g. X axis), so that the two lines projected by these line lasers run parallel to one another. As a result, the reference line can run along a formwork edge and the processing line of the first laser can be aligned parallel thereto in order to facilitate maintaining an exact distance from the edge.Since at least one of the lasers is always designed as a line laser, it can be advantageous if at least one of the other lasers is a different type of laser, that is to say is designed as a point laser or a cross-line laser or a circular line laser.The apparatus may also be equipped with such lasers that can be switched between two or more modes alternately in rapid succession so that a laser can project both straight lines and points or circles. Thus, a laser can already generate, for example, alternately (greater than 20 Hz) two intersecting lines. Many combinations are conceivable and clearly increase the possible uses, in particular also because at least one of the lasers also projects a line (as long as possible), the orientation of which can be adjusted in the spatial axis direction.The laser device is preferably designed as an adapter, i.e. as an accessory which can be fitted to the power tool in a fitting manner, for example by means of a clamping ring or clamping module. However, the laser device can also be integrated directly in the housing of the electric tool. All types of electric tools are possible, such as battery screwdrivers, drills, saber saw, hand-held circular saw, knabber...In this context, the adapter can optionally have the following features:the housing of the laser device has at least one magnet for fastening to a metallic object, in particular to a framework part;the housing of the laser device has at least one stand, in particular a foldable stand, for placing the adapter on a base (stand as a mini-stand);the housing is constructed in multiple parts and comprises at least two parts, in particular two annular parts, which can be joined together;the housing is constructed in multiple parts and comprises at least two parts, in particular two half-shaped parts, which can be joined together;the parts which can be joined together have mechanical connecting means, in particular magnets, hinges, snap-fit closures, clamping rings and / or clamping means;the parts which can be joined together have electrical connecting means, in particular electrical contacts and / or plug connectors.The invention is described in detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the following schematic representations, wherein, however, FIGS. 1 a / b illustrate the aforementioned prior art: FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a battery-powered screwdriver is used as the power tool and the laser device is designed as an adapter for this purpose; FIGS. 3 a- c show the laser device according to FIG. 2 in various situations in which the projected lines: a) cross at an angle of 90°, b) are aligned horizontally running parallel to one another or c) are aligned vertically running parallel to one another; FIG. 4 a / b shows the laser device in a further embodiment, in which one of the lasers is designed as a point laser; FIGS. 5 a / b illustrate the use of the laser device for exactly bolting (sawing) panels to a panelling; FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which a hand-held circular saw is used as the power tool, to the housing of which the laser device is (integrally) attached; FIG. 7 a / b shows as a further exemplary embodiment the laser device as an adapter, which however has three adjustable lasers; FIG. 8 a / b shows as a further exemplary embodiment the laser device, which can be used as an adapter or independent device for this purpose, on its housing: a) has a magnet and / or b) has foldable feet; FIG. 9 a / b shows, as a further exemplary embodiment, the laser device in a 3D view, which is designed as an adapter in a multipart and annular structure; and FIG. 10 shows the laser device according to FIG. 9 a / bin a plan view.Reference is first made to Fig. 2 which relates to a first embodiment of the invention. This is a laser device 100 designed as an adapter, which can be fastened to a battery screwdriver 200 in that the housing 110 of the adapter 100 has an annular opening 115 matching a round housing section 215 of the battery screwdriver, namely matching the round section 215 behind the actual drilling or clamping chuck which accommodates the tool, for example screw bit 220. In use, the adapter 100 is then located directly on the battery screwdriver housing 210, wherein the longitudinal axis of the opening 115 corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the chuck 215 and tool 220. This longitudinal axis is also referred to here as the Z axis (compare. FIGS. 3 aand 4 a).Here, the adapter 100 includes two line lasers L1 and L2, the first of which is located on one side of the opening 115 and the second of which is located on the other side. Both lasers are adjustable in their alignment with respect to the X and Y axes, whereby, for example, the first laser L1 can project a vertically extending line Y1 and the second laser can project a horizontally extending line X2 onto the surface to be machined. This allows two intersecting lines to be generated, which cross one another in particular at an angle of 90°, wherein the one line, such as X2, for example, is connected to the longitudinal edge (not transverse edge) of one of the panels (compare. FIG. 1 a) is aligned and the other line Y 1 then exactly indicates the machining direction for the screw connection. The screw pattern produced then runs exactly straight and parallel to the edge of the panel at the desired distance. For this purpose, the line Y 1 only has to be set at the first screw point S 1 and care has to be taken to ensure that the line X 1 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the panels / formwork (see also FIG. 1 a ).If a helical line is desired which is intended to run slightly obliquely to the edge of the casing, this is also easily achievable by the intersection angle between the two lines Y 1 being matched to X 1, i.e. being set to be greater than or less than 90° (e.g. 120° or 45°). If the screwdriver 200 is (must) be held slightly obliquely during machining, the alignments of the lasers L 1 and L 2 can be adjusted such that two intersecting lines are always projected in the desired alignment toward the workpiece / surface.Since both lasers L 1 and L 2 are located directly on the power tool 200, the lasers L 1 and L 2 each cast a straight line (!), as a result of which a vertical laser projection without distortions is always achieved even in the case of uneven surfaces (see profile sheet in FIG. 1 b ), this also being achieved in the case of tools which follow the profile, such as e.g. knabber.FIGS. 3 a- c illustrate the many possible projections on the basis of the adjustability of the lasers. In FIG. 3 a, the lasers L 1 and L 2 are once again set as in FIG. 2, resulting in two crossing lines Y 1 and X 1. In FIG. 3b, two parallel lines X1 and X2 are produced in horizontal alignment. In FIG. 3 c, two parallel lines Y 1 and Y 2 are also produced, but they run in a vertical orientation.The settings or alignments of the lasers L 1 and L 2 shown in FIG. 3 b / care particularly suitable for maintaining a distance of the machining line from the edge of the surface to be machined very accurately.FIGS. 4 aand 4 b show a further embodiment in which, although one laser L 2 is formed as a line laser, the other laser L 1* is formed as a point laser. In this constellation, the point laser L1* should preferably be used as a reference laser, for example, to aim at a point on the surface or at the edge of the surface, while the other laser L2 is used as a processing laser which indicates a processing line at a distance from the point. This naturally also allows a rectilinear helical pattern to be produced at a defined distance from the edge of the surface. However, it is more interesting that circular machining lines can also be generated (e.g. with a screwdriver, riveting device, scarifier or saber saw), which run concentrically to the projected point at the defined distance (=radio).FIG. 5 aillustrates the rectilinear generation of a screwing pattern (e.g. using the battery screwdriver according to FIG. 2 ) at a panelling (surface to be machined) parallel to its lower edge and in each case centrally with respect to each panel. In order to achieve this easily with the laser device according to the invention, four straight lines are projected here, of which two lines Y 1 and Y 2 are respectively aligned in the Y direction and two lines X 1 and X 2 are aligned perpendicular thereto in the X direction. In this case, the line runs along the lower edge of the panel and the line Y2 runs with respect thereto at a distance B. The line X1 again runs along the left longitudinal edge of the panel to be screwed next and the line X2 runs parallel thereto at the desired distance A. As a result, the desired screw pattern can be realized very quickly and accurately, and, moreover, a straight screw pattern in the X direction along the respectively projected line X2 can also be realized for each panel.FIG. 5 b now illustrates a situation in which a straight screw pattern has already been produced in the Y direction, but in which the panels still have to be exactly shortened / sawn off (for example with the hand-held circular saw according to FIG. 6 ), so that the freshly sawn edge runs parallel to the screw line at the distance A'.Thus, with the laser device according to the invention according to FIG. 5 a, a straight screw pattern can first be generated and subsequently the panels (if they have still been shortened) according to FIG. 5 bcan be shortened or sawn off. Preferably, even both lasers, i.e. L1 and L2, are designed here in each case such that each is arranged alternately and in very rapid succession (min. 20 hertz) generate two lines (parallel or else intersecting), which makes it possible to project many different line patterns for better orientation and exact alignment by using fewer lasers.FIG. 6 shows, as a further exemplary embodiment, a hand-held circular saw 200# as a power tool, on which two lasers L 1 and L 2 are integrally installed in the housing and project two lines Z 1 and Z 2 running parallel in the Z direction onto the workpiece, here onto a timber screed B. The line Z1 represents the saw line which extends at the desired distance A from the screw line Z2. This makes it possible to achieve the exact shortness of a screed or of a panel.FIGS. 7 aand 7 b relate to an embodiment with three lasers L 1, L 2 and L 3, which can each be adjusted at least with respect to a spatial axis. This gives even more diverse possible applications. The laser device 100' is likewise designed as an adapter and has a battery compartment with a battery BAT or rechargeable battery, wherein a charging possibility, for example by means of a micro-USB, can also be provided. Furthermore, an activation means, here button T, is provided, with which the laser device 100* can be activated when the electric tool is operated. The button T is located in the immediate vicinity of the operating elements on the handle of the electric tool, so that the button T can also be reached with the finger which the user uses for operating the electric tool.One of the three lasers, preferably L3, can also operate as an illumination means or be provided with an illumination LED in order to illuminate the current machining area better. The lasers L 1 and L 2 are preferably positioned axially symmetrically with respect to the Z axis (compare. FIG. 2 ) whereby on both sides of the drill bit or helical bit 220, one of the two lasers L 1 or L 2 respectively projects its line onto the surface. When the laser device 100 is mounted horizontally on the screwdriver 200, this does not interfere, or only insignificantly interferes, with the user's view of the work surface. The more lasers the device has, the greater are the combination options for generating further projection patterns (lines, points, circles, crosses) as well.FIGS. 8 aand 8 b illustrate further exemplary embodiments of the laser device. These are adapters 100" and 100"', respectively, which are also used as independent laser devices by separating them from the electric tool and, for example, by means of: a) built-in magnets M being attached to metallic surfaces or objects (e.g. scaffolding) and / or b) being placed on a base by means of fold-out stand feet ST in order to project the lines from there onto the processing surface. The laser device can thus also be used independently of the power tool, wherein it can be quickly separated from the power tool and later be attached again thereto.FIGS. 9 a / band 10 relate to a further exemplary embodiment in which the laser device is designed as an adapter 100* in a multipart, annular structure:The adapter housing is multi-part and is composed of the following, annular elements: an inner ring 110*, which in turn consists of two assembled halves 110*a and 110*b, and an outer ring 120*, which in turn consists of two assembled halves 120*a and 120*b. The inner ring 110* directly encloses a housing section of the electric tool, here e.g. the region 215 behind the chuck of the screwdriver 200 (see FIG. 2 ). The inner ring can contain receptacles / openings with auxiliary means located therein, such as, for example, stock helical bits BIT, screws or the like, which are available to the user at any time ready for use. Thus, the inner ring 110* also functions as a bit or screw holder.The outer ring 120* encloses the inner ring 110* and contains in one half 120*a the lasers L1 and L2 and in the other half 120*b the battery or the battery for supplying power to the lasers (not shown here; see below. FIG. 7a). For the electrical connection or connection of the lasers L 1 and L 2, matching contacts K (power supply contacts) are attached to opposite end sides of the outer ring halves. The halves of the rings, at least those of the outer ring 120*, may be held together by any type of connection, such as magnets or snap fasteners or tension fasteners. The two halves of the outer ring 120* can also be provided with a hinge SN, so that the two halves 120*a and 120*b can be joined together simply by folding and can be securely and firmly connected by means of a snap-fit or clamping lock, wherein the clamping lock also simultaneously holds the halves of the inner ring 110* together and presses firmly against the housing section 215 of the power tool (see FIGS. 9 aand 2 ).The inner ring 110* can be fitted with its inner diameter to different power tools and machines, its outer diameter would always be the same as that fitted to the inner diameter of the outer ring 120*. Preferably, the opening of the inner ring is designed to be adaptable to the outer contour and size of the housing section 215 (see FIG. 2 ) of the battery wrench. For this purpose, adjustable and / or elastically deformable spacer elements can be used, for example.The invention presented here substantially facilitates the exact processing of planar but also profiled surfaces, wherein an accurate appearance is achieved in a very user-friendly, flexible and reliable manner without having to accept the disadvantages, which are in some cases considerable, when using conventional aids, such as e.g. alignment cord or conventional laser devices.The laser device presented here can be realized in a very compact manner and can be attached directly to the power tool or even integrated therein, as a result of which it is suitable in particular for the use of the respective power tool in relatively high and / or rather narrow and difficult-to-access regions (construction site structure, roof... ). By virtue of the adjustability of at least one of the lasers, at least one straight line can be projected as a machining line onto the surface to be machined and aligned in a manner matching the desired direction and / or the desired distance, specifically directly by the user himself during operation of the electrical appliance. The examples described above show, by way of example, the structure and function and the extensive possible uses of the invention.List of reference charactersVS; PB; B formwork; profiled sheet; screed RS guide line S 1, S 2,... Sx Screws (screw connection) A Distance to be maintained (e.g. to the edge or to the screw connection) 100, 100*, 100" Laser device for electric tool (optionally designed as an adapter) 110*, 120* Inner or outer ring (in each case two halves) SP; gap 110 Housing 115 Recess (e.g. clamping ring) L1, L2, L3 Laser (line laser, optionally point laser) PL Projected line 200, 200* Electric tool (e.g. electric screwdriver or hand-held circular saw) 210, 215, 220 Housing or drill chuck enclosure or screw bit x, y, z Spatial axes X...;Y...; Z... Projection lines (aligned in each case in a spatial axis) P, P' positions (for screw connections) BAT battery / rechargeable battery T push button / switch K contact (e) for energizing the lasers M magnet ST stand (foldable) SP gap BIT receptacles for bits or the like. tool inserts / parts SN hinge (optionally on both outer ring halves 120*a / b)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 citedU.S. Pat. No. 7,200,516 B1

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 9,114,494 B1

[0007]

Claims

Laser device (100, 100'; 100*) for a power tool (200, 200#) for projecting lines (X, Y, Z) on a surface of an object (B) or structure (VS, PB) to be machined with the power tool, characterized in that the laser device (100, 100'; 100*) has a multiplicity of lasers (L1, L2; L3), at least one of which is designed as a line laser (L1) and is adjustable in relation to the current orientation of the power tool (200, 200#) towards at least one of the three spatial axes (x, y, z) such that the orientation of the line (Y1) projected by the adjustable line laser (L1) is variable.Laser device (100, 100') according to claim 1, characterised in that a first (L1) of the line lasers is adjustable with respect to one (y) of the three spatial axes and a second (L2) of the line lasers is adjustable with respect to another (x) of the three spatial axes, so that the two lines (Y1; X2) projected by these line lasers (L1, L2) cross.Laser device (100, 100') according to claim 1, characterised in that two (L1; L2) of the line lasers are both adjustable with respect to a very specific (x) of the three spatial axes, so that the two lines (X1; X2) projected by these line lasers (L1, L2) run parallel to one another.Laser device (100, 100') according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of lasers (L1, L2; L3) is designed as a point laser (L1*) or as a crossed-line laser (L3).Laser device (100, 100'; 100*) according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser device (100, 100'; 100*) is designed as an adapter, wherein at least one of the following features: - the housing (110) of the laser device (100, 100') has at least one magnet (M) for fastening to a metallic object, in particular a framework part; - the housing (110) of the laser device (100, 100') has at least one stand (ST), in particular a foldable stand (ST), for placing the adapter on a base; - the housing is constructed in multiple parts and comprises at least two parts, in particular two annular parts (110*, 120*), which can be joined together; the housing is constructed in multiple parts and comprises at least two parts, in particular two half-shaped parts (110*a / b, 120*a / b), which can be joined together; the joined parts have mechanical connecting means, in particular magnets, hinges (SN), snap fasteners and / or clamping rings; the joined parts have electrical connecting means, in particular electrical contacts (K) and / or plug connectors.The laser device (100, 100') according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser device (100, 100') itself or its housing is integrated in the power tool (200, 200'; 200#).A power tool (200, 200'; 200#) provided with a laser device (100, 100'; 100*) for projecting lines (X, Y, Z) on a surface of an object (B) or structure (VS, PB) to be machined with the power tool according to claims 1-6.Use of a device of a laser device (100, 100'; 100*) according to claim 1-6 for a power tool (200, 200'; 200#) according to claim 7.

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