Method for operating an electric tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a a method for operating an electric tool (1), comprising the following method steps. At least one device setting of the electric tool (1) is adjusted by actuating at least one tool-external switching option (5, 6) or a tool-internal switching option. The at least one device setting comprises at least one operating mode (A, B) and / or at least one operating parameter of the electric tool (1). The electric tool (1) is locked with respect to a modification of the at least one adjusted device setting by actuating a tool-internal or tool-external switching function (7, 12, 13), wherein the electric tool (1) is locked until one of the switching functions (7, 12, 13) is actuated.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating a power tool

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for operating a power tool, a power tool for carrying out the method and a control device for carrying out the method.

[0004] Power tools are known from the state of the art that feature an interface for interaction between a user and the power tool (Human Machine Interface, HMI). Such a user interface enables, for example, the setting of different operating modes. Particularly in the area of ​​screwdrivers and impact wrenches, it is becoming increasingly important to perform the same work with consistent device settings—i.e., to adjust a power tool specifically for a specific application.

[0005] However, preset settings can be intentionally or accidentally changed. Intentional adjustment is a possibility, for example, when multiple users use a power tool. However, this may be undesirable, for example, for a foreman who made the preset settings. The invention is intended to prevent or at least reduce this problem.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for operating a power tool, to provide an improved power tool and to provide an improved control device.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method for operating a power tool, a power tool for carrying out the method, and a control device for carrying out the method having the features of the respective independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] A method for operating a power tool comprises the following method steps. At least one device setting of the power tool is adjusted by activating at least one internal or external switching option. The at least one device setting comprises at least one operating mode and / or at least one operating parameter of the power tool. The power tool is locked with respect to modification of the at least one adjusted device setting by activating an internal or external switching function, wherein the power tool is locked until one of the switching functions is activated. Advantageously, the method prevents the at least one adjusted device setting from being inadvertently modified.

[0009] In one embodiment, the power tool has a user interface. The user interface has a first switching option for adjusting the at least one device setting and a first switching function for locking the power tool. The at least one device setting is adjusted and / or the power tool is locked via the user interface by activating the first switching option or by activating the first switching function. Advantageously, the power tool can be locked directly via the user interface after the at least one device setting has been adjusted via the user interface.

[0010] In one embodiment, the power tool is connected to a terminal device. The terminal device has a user interface with a second switching option for adjusting the at least one device setting and a second switching function for locking the power tool. The at least one device setting is adjusted and / or the power tool is locked via the terminal device by activating the second switching option or the second switching function. Advantageously, this allows the at least one device setting to be adjusted externally to the tool and the power tool to be locked externally. This can be done, for example, by a foreman who wishes to prevent accidental modification of the device settings of the power tool.

[0011] In one embodiment, the at least one device setting is adjusted via the user interface and the power tool is locked via the terminal device, or the at least one device setting is adjusted via the terminal device and the power tool is locked via the user interface. Advantageously, the power tool can be adjusted and locked both via the user interface of the power tool and via the user interface of the terminal device.

[0012] In one embodiment, locking the power tool via the terminal device comprises locking the at least one device setting by actuating the second switching function or locking the user interface by actuating a further second switching function.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least one further device setting is adjusted. The at least one further device setting comprises at least one further operating mode and / or at least one further operating parameter of the power tool. The device setting is adjusted via the user interface, and the further device setting is adjusted via the end device. Advantageously, the power tool can be adjusted both via the user interface of the power tool and via the user interface of the end device.

[0014] In one embodiment, the power tool is connected to a further end device. The further end device has a further user interface with third switching options for adjusting the at least one device setting and a third switching function for locking the power tool. The at least one adjusted device setting is retained or modified via the further end device. Advantageously, this allows a plurality of users to access the power tool without being restricted to one end device. In one embodiment, a password required to unlock the power tool via the end device is activated by activating an additional second switching function of the user interface of the end device. Advantageously, this provides particularly good protection for the power tool against accidental changes to the device settings. Furthermore, intentional changes to the device settings can be prevented.

[0015] In one embodiment, the power tool remains locked if it is disconnected from a power source for less than a predefined period of time. This advantageously preserves the device settings and allows them to continue to be used, for example, if a battery pack needs to be replaced.

[0016] In one embodiment, the power tool is reset to factory settings if the power tool is disconnected from a power source for longer than a preset period of time.

[0017] A power tool has a control unit. The control unit is designed to carry out the method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The control unit is designed to be connectable to a user interface of the power tool and to a terminal device. At least one device setting of the power tool can be adjusted via a switching option of the user interface or a switching option of the terminal device. The power tool can be locked with respect to modification of the at least one adjusted device setting via a switching function of the user interface or the terminal device until one of the switching functions is actuated. In one embodiment, the power tool is designed as an impact wrench or as a rotary impact wrench.

[0018] A control unit for a power tool is designed to carry out the method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments. The control unit is designed to be connectable to a user interface of a power tool and to a terminal device. The control unit is designed to receive signals transmitted from the user interface or the terminal device to the control unit containing commands relating to at least one device setting and commands relating to locking the power tool, and to execute the commands. The power tool or the control unit ensures that device settings of the power tool are not accidentally or intentionally changed.

[0019] The following explains the procedure for operating a power tool in more detail with schematic drawings. They show:

[0020] Fig. 1 : a power tool, a user interface of the power tool and a terminal device connectable to the power tool;

[0021] Fig. 2: Method steps of a first method for operating a power tool;

[0022] Fig. 3: Method steps of a second method for operating the power tool;

[0023] Fig. 4: Method steps of a third method for operating the power tool; and

[0024] Fig. 5: Method steps of a fourth method for operating the power tool.

[0025] Fig. 1 schematically shows a power tool 1, a user interface 2 of the power tool 1, and a terminal device 3. The power tool 1 is embodied, for example, as an impact wrench or a rotary impact wrench. However, it can also be any other power tool 1 with a user interface 2.

[0026] The user interface 2 is arranged, for example, in an area above a power supply source 4 provided for operating the power tool 1. The power supply source 4 is designed, for example, as a battery or rechargeable battery pack. However, the power tool 1 can also be connected to a power supply network in order to be operated. At least one device setting of the power tool 1 can be adjusted via the user interface 2. The at least one device setting comprises at least one operating mode and / or at least one operating parameter of the power tool 1. Adjusting a device setting comprises, for example, changing a device setting. However, the adjustment can also consist of maintaining a device setting. For example, a factory setting can be retained.In the context of the entire description, adapting the at least one device setting is understood to mean changing and / or maintaining the at least one device setting or device settings. By way of example, the power tool 1 comprises two operating modes A, B, but it can also have only one or more than two operating modes A, Ab. The operating modes A, B can be adapted or selected using a first switching option 5. The operating modes A, B can, for example, be modes that are intended for specific materials. For example, a first operating mode A can be intended for screwing in metals and a second operating mode B for screwing in wood.

[0027] The at least one operating parameter can be, for example, a speed of an electric motor of the power tool 1. For example, the power tool 1 can be operated at three speed levels 1', 2', 3'. However, more or fewer than three speed levels 1', 2', 3' can also be provided. The operating parameter can be adjusted using a further first switching option 6. The first switching option 5 and the further first switching option 6 are designed, for example, as buttons. These can also be buttons of a touch panel of the user interface 2.

[0028] The user interface 2 further comprises a first switching function 7. The first switching function 7 is provided for locking the power tool 1 with respect to a modification of at least one previously adjusted device setting. The switching options 5, 6 and the first switching function 7 of the user interface 2 are tool-internal switching options 5, 6 and a tool-internal switching function 7, respectively. The power tool 1, in the exemplary embodiment of an impact wrench or a rotary impact wrench, has a trigger 8, a direction of rotation switch 9, and a gear switch (not shown). The trigger 8 is provided for initiating operation of the power tool 1. The direction of rotation switch 9 is provided for setting a direction of rotation of the power tool 1. The trigger 8, the direction of rotation switch 9, and the gear switch are not part of the user interface 2.

[0029] The power tool 1 can be connected to the terminal 3. The terminal 3 is embodied, for example, as a mobile phone. The terminal can also be embodied as another mobile device, for example, a pad. However, the terminal 3 does not necessarily have to be a mobile device 3. Communication between the power tool 1 and the terminal 3 is bidirectional. The power tool 1 can be connected to the terminal 3, for example, via a Bluetooth connection 10 or via another wireless connection 10.

[0030] The terminal device 1 has a user interface 11. The user interface 11 is designed as a touch panel, although this is not mandatory. The user interface 11 comprises a second switching function 12 for locking the power tool 1 with regard to a modification of the at least one adjusted device setting. A further second switching function 13 of the user interface 11 is provided for locking the user interface 2 of the power tool 1. An additional second switching function 14 of the user interface 11 is provided for activating a password for unlocking the power tool 1 or for unlocking the user interface 2.

[0031] The user interface 11 further comprises second switching options for adjusting at least one device setting. The second switching options are not shown in Fig. 1. However, the second switching options can be accessed via a menu navigation of the user interface 11. For example, various speed levels 1', 2', 3' and operating modes A, B of the power tool 1 can also be adjusted via the second switching options. The second switching options and the second switching functions 12, 13, 14 are tool-external switching options and tool-external switching functions 12, 13, 14, respectively.

[0032] Device settings of the power tool 1 can thus be adjusted via the user interface 2 and / or the terminal device 3. Likewise, the power tool 1 can be locked with respect to a modification of at least one adjusted device setting via the first switching function 7 of the user interface 2 or a switching function 12, 13 of the terminal device 3. The power tool 1 remains locked until one of the switching functions 7, 12, 13 is actuated. The first switching function 7 of the user interface 2 can, for example, be designed as a simple button. It can also be a lock button. The first switching function 7 can also comprise several buttons that must be actuated simultaneously.It is also possible that locking the power tool 1 requires actuation of the first switching function 7 for a specified actuation duration, for example, for at least five seconds, or with a specified actuation frequency, for example, three times within one second. The required actuation duration or the required actuation frequency can also be selected differently.

[0033] The power tool 1 has a control unit, which is not shown in Fig. 1. The control unit is designed to be connectable to the user interface 2 of the power tool 1 and to the terminal device 3. The control unit is designed to receive signals transmitted from the user interface 2 or the terminal device 3 to the control unit, containing commands relating to at least one device setting and commands relating to locking the power tool 1, and to execute the commands.

[0034] Fig. 2 schematically shows a flow diagram of a first method 200 for operating a power tool 1 according to Fig. 1.

[0035] In an initial situation 101, the power tool 1 is not connected to the end device 3. The power tool 1 is, for example, in a factory setting with regard to its operating modes A, B and with regard to the operating parameter. For example, no operating mode A, B is selected. Likewise, for example, speed level 3' is set as the operating parameter. In a first method step 102, at least one device setting is adjusted by actuating a first switching option 5, 6. In a second method step 103, the power tool 1 is locked with regard to a modification of the at least one adjusted device setting by actuating the first switching function 7. The locked state of the power tool 1 can be signaled in a third method step 104, for example, by the first switching function 7 or a separate lamp on the power tool 1 lighting up.

[0036] If, in a fourth method step 105, one of the switching options 5, 6 of the user interface 2 is activated, the device settings of the power tool 1 remain unchanged. To indicate to a user that the power tool 1 is locked, this can be signaled, for example, in a fifth method step 106 by the first switching function 7 or the separate lamp of the power tool 1 flashing if one of the switching options 5, 6 is activated while the power tool 1 is in the locked state. The power tool 1 can indeed be connected to the end device 3. However, all second switching options of the user interface 11 are grayed out in this case and cannot be activated. The second switching function 12, however, is not grayed out and can be activated to unlock the power tool 1.

[0037] In a sixth method step 107, the power tool 1 can be unlocked by activating the first switching function 7 of the user interface 2 or by activating the second switching function 12 on the terminal device 3. In a seventh method step 108, unlocking can be signaled, for example, by the first switching function 7 first flashing and then extinguishing.

[0038] If, in an eighth method step 109, the power tool 1 is disconnected from the energy supply source 4 for less than a predeterminable period of time, the power tool 1 remains locked in a ninth method step 110. If, in a tenth method step 111, the power tool 1 is disconnected from the energy supply source 4 for longer than a predeterminable period of time, the power tool 1 is reset to factory settings in an eleventh method step 112. The predeterminable period of time can be five minutes, for example, but it can also be selected differently. After the ninth method step 110, the first method 100 can be repeated, beginning with the first method step 101. After the twelfth method step 112, the first method 100 can be repeated, beginning with the initial situation.

[0039] Fig. 3 schematically shows a flow diagram of a second method 100 for operating a power tool 1 according to Fig. 1.

[0040] In a first method step 201, the power tool 1 is connected to the end device 3. The power tool 1 is, for example, in the factory settings with regard to its operating modes A, B and with regard to the operating parameter. For example, no operating mode A, B is selected. Likewise, for example, speed level 3' is set as the operating parameter. In a second method step 202, at least one device setting is adjusted by activating a second switching option of the user interface 11. In a third method step 203, a menu change occurs in order to be able to access the second switching functions 12, 13, 14. In a fourth method step 204, the power tool 1 is locked with regard to a modification of the at least one adjusted device setting by activating the second switching function 12. In a fifth method step 205, the locked state of the power tool 1 can be signaled on the user interface 11.Submenus of the user interface 11 appear grayed out when the power tool 1 is locked. In an optional sixth method step 206, at least one device setting is adjusted again by activating a first switching option 5, 6 of the user interface 2 of the power tool 1. The user interface 2 is therefore not locked and can still be operated. In a seventh method step 207, the power tool 1 can be unlocked by activating the second switching function 12 of the user interface 11 of the terminal device 3. Following the seventh method step 207, the second method step 202 and the subsequent method steps 203, 204, 205, 206, 207 can be repeated.When operating the power tool 1, it is possible for at least one device setting to be adjusted via the user interface 2 and the power tool 1 to be locked via the terminal device 3, or for at least one device setting to be adjusted via the terminal device 3 and the power tool 1 to be locked via the user interface 2. If at least one further device setting is adjusted, wherein the at least one further device setting comprises at least one further operating mode and / or at least one further operating parameter of the power tool 1, the device setting can be adjusted via the user interface 2 and the further device setting can be adjusted via the terminal device 3. The power tool 1 can also be unlocked via the user interface 2 or the terminal device 3 by actuating a corresponding switching function 7, 12.

[0041] In an optional eighth method step 208, the power tool 1 is connected to a further end device. The further end device has a further user interface with third switching options for adjusting the at least one device setting and a third switching function for locking the power tool 1. In a ninth method step 209, a query can be made as to whether the at least one adjusted device setting should be retained. The at least one adjusted device setting can be retained in a tenth method step 210 or modified via the further end device in an eleventh method step 211. If the at least one adjusted device setting is retained in the tenth method step 210, the fifth method step 205, the subsequent sixth method step 206, and the subsequent seventh method step 207 can be repeated.If the at least one adapted device setting is modified in the eleventh method step 211, the second method step 202 and the subsequent method steps 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207 can be repeated.

[0042] Fig. 4 schematically shows a flowchart of a third method 300 for operating a power tool 1 according to Fig. 1. In a first method step 301, the power tool 1 is connected to the terminal device 3. The power tool 1 is, for example, in the factory settings with regard to its operating modes A, B and with regard to the operating parameters.

[0043] In a second method step 302, at least one device setting is adjusted by activating a second switching option of the user interface 11. In a third method step 303, a menu change occurs to access the second switching functions 12, 13, 14. In a fourth method step 304, the power tool 1 is locked with respect to modification of the at least one adjusted device setting by activating the second switching function 12.

[0044] In a fifth method step 305, a password required to unlock the power tool 1 is activated by activating the additional second switching function 14 of the user interface 11. In a sixth method step 306, the password is entered on the terminal device 3 and saved in the terminal device 3. In a seventh method step 307, the locked state of the power tool 1 can be signaled on the user interface 11. Submenus of the user interface 11 appear grayed out when the power tool 1 is in the locked state. In an optional eighth method step 308, at least one device setting is adjusted again by activating a first switching option 5, 6 of the user interface 2 of the power tool 1. The user interface 2 is therefore not locked and can still be operated.

[0045] In a ninth method step 309, the power tool 1 can be unlocked by activating the second switching function 12 of the user interface 11 of the terminal device 3. In a tenth method step 310, the password is requested and entered into the terminal device 3. If the entered password is correct, this is confirmed in an eleventh method step 311. In a twelfth method step 312, the power tool 1 is then unlocked. The third method 300 can then be repeated, beginning with the second method step 302. If the entered password is incorrect, this is determined in a thirteenth method step 313. In a fourteenth method step 314, a message is displayed indicating that the password was incorrect. The password can then be entered again or the process can be aborted.If a correct password is not entered, the lock of the power tool 1 is retained in a fifteenth method step 215. In this case, the third method 300 can be repeated starting with the seventh method step 307.

[0046] Starting from the state of the power tool 1 after the eighth method step 308, i.e. in the locked state, the power tool 1 can be connected to a further end device in an optional sixteenth method step 316. The further end device has a further user interface with the third switching options for adjusting the at least one device setting and the third switching function for locking the power tool 1. In a seventeenth method step 317, a query can be made as to whether the at least one adjusted device setting should be retained. If this is the case, the password is requested in an eighteenth method step 318 and entered into the further end device. If the entered password is correct, this is confirmed in a nineteenth method step 319. In a twentieth method step 320, a query can be made as to whether the at least one adjusted device setting should be retained.If it is to be modified, the unlocking is repeated in the twelfth method step 312. If it is not to be modified, it is retained in a twenty-first method step 321. If the password is incorrect, this is determined in a twenty-second method step 322. In a twenty-third method step 323, a message is displayed stating that the password was incorrect. The password can then be entered again or the process can be aborted. If a correct password is not entered, the lock on the power tool 1 is retained in the twenty-first method step 321. In this case, the third method 300 can be repeated starting with the seventh method step 307.

[0047] Fig. 5 schematically shows a flow diagram of a fourth method 400 for operating a power tool 1 according to Fig. 1.

[0048] In a first method step 401, the power tool 1 is connected to the terminal device 3. The power tool 1 is, for example, in the factory settings with regard to its operating modes A, B and with regard to the operating parameters. In a second method step 402, at least one device setting is adjusted by activating a second switching option of the user interface 11. In a third method step 403, device settings can be further adjusted by activating a first switching option 5, 6 of the user interface 2. In a fourth method step 404, a menu change occurs in order to access the second switching functions 12, 13, 14.

[0049] In a fifth method step 405, the user interface 2 is locked by activating the further second switching function 13. The locking of the user interface 2 can be signaled in a sixth method step 406, for example, by the first switching function 7 of the user interface 2 illuminating. If one of the switching options 5, 6 of the user interface 2 is activated in a seventh method step 407, the device settings of the power tool 1 remain unchanged. To indicate to a user that the power tool 1 is locked, this can be signaled, for example, in an eighth method step 408 by the first switching function 7 of the power tool 1 flashing if one of the switching options 5, 6 is activated while the power tool 1 is in the locked state.

[0050] In a ninth method step 409, the power tool 1 can be unlocked by activating the first switching function 7 of the user interface 2 or by activating the further second switching function 13 on the terminal device 3. In a tenth method step 410, the unlocking can be signaled, for example, by the first switching function 7 first flashing and then extinguishing.

[0051] If, in an eleventh method step 411, the power tool 1 is disconnected from the energy supply source 4 for less than a predeterminable period of time, the power tool 1 remains locked in a twelfth method step 412. If, in a thirteenth method step 413, the power tool 1 is disconnected from the energy supply source 4 for longer than a predeterminable period of time, the power tool 1 is reset to factory settings in a fourteenth method step 414. The predeterminable period of time can be five minutes, for example, but it can also be selected differently. After the twelfth method step 412, the fourth method 400 can be repeated, beginning with the sixth method step 406. After the fourteenth method step 414, the fourth method 400 can be repeated, beginning with the first method step 401.

Claims

Claims 1. Method (100, 200, 300, 400) for operating an electric tool (1) comprising the following method steps: - Adjusting at least one device setting of the power tool (1) by actuating at least one tool-internal switching option (5, 6) or a tool-external switching option, wherein the at least one device setting includes at least one operating mode (A, B) and / or at least one operating parameter of the power tool (1), - Locking the power tool (1) with respect to a modification of at least one adapted device setting by actuating a tool-internal or tool-external switching function (7, 12, 13), wherein the power tool (1) is locked until one of the switching functions (7, 12, 13) is actuated.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the power tool (1) has a user interface (2), wherein the user interface (2) has first switching options (5, 6) for adjusting the at least one device setting and a first switching function (7) for locking the power tool (1), wherein the adjustment of the at least one device setting via the user interface (2) is carried out by actuating the first switching option (5, 6) and / or the locking of the power tool (1) via the user interface (2) is carried out by actuating the first switching function (7).

3. Method (200, 300, 400) according to claim 1 with the following further method step, - Connecting the power tool (1) to a terminal device (3), wherein the terminal device (3) has a user interface (11) with a second switching option for adjusting the at least one device setting and a second switching function (12, 13) for locking the power tool (1), wherein the adjustment of the at least one device setting and / or the locking of the power tool (1) is carried out via the terminal device (3) by activating the second switching option or the second switching function (12, 13).

4. Method (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the adjustment of the at least one device setting is carried out via the user interface (2) and the locking of the power tool (1) is carried out via the terminal device (3) or the adjustment of the at least one device setting is carried out via the terminal device (3) and the locking of the power tool (1) is carried out via the user interface (2).

5. Method (400) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein locking the power tool (1) via the terminal device (3) comprises locking the at least one device setting by actuating a second switching function (12) or locking the user interface (2) by actuating a further second switching function (13).

6. Method (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one further device setting is adjusted, wherein the at least one further device setting comprises at least one further operating mode and / or at least one further operating parameter of the power tool (1), wherein the adjustment of the device setting is carried out via the user interface (2) and the adjustment of the further device setting is carried out via the terminal device (3).

7. Method (300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following further method step: - Connecting the power tool (1) to another terminal device, wherein the other terminal device has another user interface with third switching options for adjusting at least one device setting and a third switching function for locking the power tool (1), where at least one adapted device setting is retained or modified via the other end device.

8. Method (300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 7, comprising the following further method step: - Activating a password required to unlock the power tool (1) via the terminal by pressing an additional second switching function (14) of the user interface (11) of the terminal (3).

9. Method (100, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power tool (1) remains locked when the power tool (1) is disconnected from a power supply source (4) for less than a predefinable period of time.

10. Method (100, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power tool (1) is reset to factory settings when the power tool (1) is disconnected from a power supply source (4) for a longer than a predefinable period of time.

11. Power tool (1) with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured for carrying out a method (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is configured to be connectable to a user interface (2) of the power tool (1) and to an end device (3), wherein at least one device setting of the power tool (1) is adaptable via a switching option (5, 6) of the user interface (2) or a switching option of the end device (3), wherein the power tool (1) is lockable with respect to a modification of the at least one adapted device setting via a switching function (7, 12, 13) of the user interface (2) or of the end device (3) until one of the switching functions (7, 12, 13) is actuated.

12. Control unit for a power tool (1) for carrying out a method (100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit is connected to a user interface (2) of a power tool (1) and is designed to be connectable to an end device (3), wherein the control unit is designed to receive signals with commands relating to at least one device setting transmitted to the control unit from the user interface (2) or from the end device (3) and to execute the commands.

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