Machine tool with integrated rechargeable battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine tool containing a housing (4) and a drive (7) which is positioned in the housing. The interior of the housing (4) contains an energy storage cell (12) in the form of a pouch cell, and at least one interface device (17) for selectively supplying the at least one energy storage cell (12) with electric power is provided. A system (1) is provided containing a charging device (2) and at least one machine tool (3) which can be connected to the charging device, said machine tool containing a first communication device (16), at least one energy storage cell (12) which is designed as a pouch cell, and a machine tool interface device (17), and the charging device (12) contains a second communication device (26) and a loader interface device (21) such that the charging device (2) and the machine tool (3) can be connected in order to charge the at least one energy storage cell (12) with electric energy. The loader interface device (21) is designed in the form of a USB plug, and the machine tool interface device (17) is designed in the form of a USB socket.

Description

[0001] Machine tool with integrated accumulator

[0002] The present invention relates to a machine tool comprising a housing and a drive positioned in the housing.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising a loading device and at least one machine tool connectable to the loading device.

[0004] Machine tools that can be supplied with electrical energy from a rechargeable battery are largely known from the prior art. The rechargeable battery essentially contains a large number of energy storage cells (also called battery cells) positioned in a fixed housing. With the help of the energy storage cells, electrical energy can be stored by the rechargeable battery and also made available to a machine tool.

[0005] An interface is provided on one side of the battery housing, through which the battery can be releasably connected either to a machine tool or a charging device. To charge a battery with electrical energy, the battery is releasably connected to the charging device. According to the prior art, charging devices have an interface on one side of the charging device housing, through which the battery is mechanically and electrically connected to the charging device.

[0006] Charging devices, especially those used to charge batteries for machine tools, are relatively complex and expensive. The relatively complex and expensive design of these charging devices is due to the fact that, among other things, they are used in harsh and demanding environments (e.g., on construction sites or in workshops) and simultaneously have to supply highly sophisticated batteries with electrical energy in sometimes complex charging processes. To achieve this, these charging devices must be both very solid and robust, and also incorporate sensitive technology.

[0007] The design of the charging device's interface presents a particular technical challenge. Because the interface is usually open to the outside, the electrical connections are also at risk of water and / or dust penetrating the charging device. Penetrating water can, among other things, cause short circuits in the charging device and thus permanently damage it. Penetrating dust and other dirt can also damage the charging device.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the problem described above.

[0009] The object is achieved by the subject matter of independent patent claims 1 and 6. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention are contained in the dependent patent claims.

[0010] The object is achieved in particular by a machine tool comprising a housing and a drive positioned in the housing.

[0011] According to the invention, at least one energy storage cell in the form of a pouch cell is positioned inside the housing and at least one interface device is included for selectively supplying the at least one energy storage cell with electrical energy.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the at least one interface device to be designed in the form of a USB socket.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the interface device to be designed to enable supply of the at least one energy storage cell with a voltage value of 21 to 60 V, in particular 48 V.

[0014] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the interface device to be designed to enable supply of the at least one energy storage cell with a current value of 1 to 10 A, in particular 5 A.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the interface device to be configured to enable supply of the at least one energy storage cell with a charging power of 21 to 600 W, in particular 240 W. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a system comprising a charging device and at least one machine tool connectable to the charging device.

[0016] According to the invention, the system is provided such that the machine tool contains a first communication device, at least one energy storage cell designed as a pouch cell and a machine tool interface device, and the charging device contains a second communication device and a charger interface device, so that the charging device and the machine tool can be connected to charge the at least one energy storage cell with electrical energy, wherein the charger interface device is designed in the form of a USB plug and the machine tool interface device is designed in the form of a USB socket.

[0017] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The skilled person will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations.

[0019] They show:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a machine tool according to a first embodiment and of a loading device connected to the machine tool according to a first embodiment; and Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the machine tool according to a second embodiment and of a loading device connected to the machine tool according to a second embodiment.

[0021] Examples of implementation:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a system 1 according to the invention comprising a loading device 2 according to the invention and a machine tool 3 according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

[0023] The machine tool 3 is designed, for example, in the form of a hammer drill. Alternatively, the machine tool 3 can also be designed in the form of a drill, a saw, a grinder, or the like.

[0024] As also shown in Figure 1, the machine tool 3 essentially comprises a housing 4, a handle 5, a tool holder 6, a drive 7, a gear device 8, a percussion device 9, an output shaft 10, a control device 11 and a number of energy storage cells 12.

[0025] The housing 4 essentially contains a front end 4a, a rear end 4b, an upper end 4c and a lower end 4d.

[0026] The handle 5 serves to hold and guide the machine tool 3 and is positioned at the rear end 4b of the housing 4.

[0027] The tool holder 6 serves to receive and hold a tool 13 designed as a drill and is positioned at the front end 4a of the housing 4.

[0028] The drive 7 is designed in the form of a brushless electric motor and serves to generate a torque.

[0029] As also shown in Figure 1, the drive 7 designed as an electric motor, the gear device 8, the impact mechanism device 9, the output shaft 10 and the tool holder 6 are arranged relative to one another in the housing 4 of the machine tool 3 such that the torque generated in the drive 7 is transmitted to the tool holder 6 via the gear device 8, the impact mechanism device 9 and the output shaft 10.

[0030] The energy storage cells 12 serve, in particular, as a power supply for the drive 7 and are designed as pouch cells. According to the first embodiment, the energy storage cells 12 designed as pouch cells are positioned in a cavity HR of the housing 4 near the handle 5, see Figure 1. The energy storage cells 12 are connected to one another and to the control device 11 via corresponding lines. The control device 11 is, in turn, connected to the drive 7 via a corresponding line L1. Electrical energy can be transferred from the energy storage cells 12 to the control device 11 and from the control device 11 to the drive 7 via the line L1. The control device 11 is positioned inside the housing 4 of the machine tool 3 and contains, among other things, a current measuring device 14, a voltage measuring device 15, and a communication device 16.

[0031] The control device 11 serves to control and regulate the individual functions of the machine tool 3. The various functions include, among other things, setting a specific voltage value or current value for electrical energy for charging the energy storage cells 12 connected to the charging device 2.

[0032] The current measuring device 14 is used to measure or record a current value.

[0033] The voltage measuring device 15 in turn serves to measure or record an electrical voltage value.

[0034] The communication device 16 is used to send and receive electrical signals and can also be referred to as a transceiver or transmitter-receiver unit. With the help of the communication device 16, the machine tool 3 can communicate with the charging device 2. For this purpose, electrical signals for the exchange of data and information are sent and received between the machine tool 3 and the charging device 2.

[0035] A machine tool interface device 17 is positioned in the form of a USB socket at the rear end 4b of the housing 4 of the machine tool 3. The machine tool interface device 17, configured as a USB socket, serves to accommodate a USB plug and is connected to the energy storage cells 12 on the inside of the housing 4.

[0036] USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus”.

[0037] Through the machine tool interface device 17, designed as a USB socket, electrical energy can be transferred from the charging device 2 to the energy storage cells 12 for a charging process of the energy storage cells 12. Furthermore, the machine tool interface device 17, designed as a USB socket, can also be used for a discharging process of the energy storage cells 12 if electrical energy is to be transferred from the energy storage cells 12 to the charging device 2.

[0038] In addition, the machine tool interface device 17 designed as a USB socket is also sufficient to enable electrical signals for the exchange of data and information to be sent and received from the USB socket 17. For this purpose, the USB socket 17 is connected to the communication device 16 via a second line L2. Figure 2 shows the machine tool 3 according to the invention according to a second exemplary embodiment. The machine tool 3 according to the second exemplary embodiment essentially corresponds to the machine tool 3 according to the first exemplary embodiment. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the energy storage cells 12 designed as pouch cells in the second exemplary embodiment are not positioned in a cavity HR of the housing 4 below the handle 5, but rather in a cavity HR next to the drive 7.The control device 11 is also arranged below the energy storage cells 12 and the drive 7.

[0039] According to a further embodiment (not shown in the figures), the energy storage cells 12 designed as pouch cells can also be arranged at a different position within the housing 4 of the machine tool 3, for example around the impact mechanism device 9.

[0040] The charging device 2 serves to charge or supply the energy storage cells 12, which can be connected to the charging device 2, inside the machine tool 3 with electrical energy.

[0041] In Figures 1 and 2, by way of example, only a single machine tool 3, including its internal energy storage cells 12, is connected to the charging device 2. According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, it may also be possible for the charging device 2 to be designed to charge or supply electrical energy to more than a single machine tool 3 or its energy storage cells 12. In other words, the charging device 2 may alternatively be capable of simultaneously charging multiple machine tools 3 or their energy storage cells 12.

[0042] The charging device 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 essentially contains a charger housing 18, a control device 19, a connection cable 20 and a charger interface device 21.

[0043] The charger housing 18 has a top side 18a, a bottom side 18b, a first side wall 18c, a second side wall 18d, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall. The third side wall and fourth side wall are not shown in the figures. The connecting cable 20 is attached to the first side wall 18c, and the charger interface device 21 is attached to the second side wall 18d.

[0044] The connecting cable 20 includes a first end 20a and a second end 20b. The connecting cable 20 is attached to the first side wall 18c of the charger housing 18 by the first end 20a. A plug 22 for a power outlet is positioned at the second end 20b of the connecting cable 20, with which the connecting cable 20 can be connected to a power outlet. The power outlet is not shown in the figures.

[0045] The charger interface device 21 is configured as a third line L3 with a first end 21a and a second end 21b. The first end 21a is positioned on the second side wall 18c of the charger housing 18. A USB connector 23 is positioned at the second end 21b of the charger interface device 21. The USB connector 23 is configured to be detachably connected to a correspondingly configured USB socket 17.

[0046] As described in further detail below, the connection of the USB plug 23 to the USB socket 17 serves not only to transmit electrical energy but also to transmit or exchange data and information in the form of electrical signals.

[0047] The control device 19 is positioned inside the charger housing 18 and contains, among other things, a current measuring device 24, a voltage measuring device 25 and a communication device 26.

[0048] The control device 19 serves to control and regulate the individual functions of the charging device 2. The various functions of the control device 19 include, among others, setting a specific voltage value or current value for electrical energy for charging a battery 3 connected to the charging device 2.

[0049] The current measuring device 24 is used to measure or record a current value.

[0050] The voltage measuring device 25 in turn serves to measure or record an electrical voltage value.

[0051] The communication device 26 is used to send and receive electrical signals and can also be referred to as a transceiver or transmitter-receiver unit. Using the communication device 26, the charging device 2 can communicate with the machine tool 3. For this purpose, electrical signals are sent and received between the machine tool 3 and the charging device 2 for the exchange of data and information.

[0052] According to the first embodiment of the charging device 2, the communication device 26 contains a communication element 26a and a transmission element 26b. The transmission element 26b is configured as a line L4. Thus, with the aid of the line L4, in addition to electrical energy, electrical signals for the exchange of data and information can be exchanged between the charging device 2 and the machine tool 3. By carrying out a controlled charging process of the energy storage cells 12 positioned in the machine tool 3 by the charging device 2, the machine tool 3 is first detachably connected to the charging device 2, as indicated in Figure 1. To connect the machine tool 3 to the charging device 2, the free end of the third line L3 is connected to the USB plug 23 of the charging device 2 and the USB socket 17 of the machine tool 3.As already mentioned above, by connecting the USB plug 23 of the charging device 2 to the USB socket 17 of the accumulator 3, electrical signals can be exchanged between the charging device 2 and the machine tool 3.

[0053] After connecting the charging device 2 to the machine tool 3, a signal is first sent from the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 to the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 to transmit energy storage cell characteristics. The transmission of the energy storage cell characteristics serves to identify the energy storage cells 12 to the charging device 2. Through this identification, certain properties of the energy storage cells 12 are sent to the charging device 2 in the form of electrical signals. The properties of the energy storage cells 12 include, for example, a maximum permissible voltage value, current value, or power value for charging the energy storage cells 12 with electrical energy.

[0054] Alternatively, a signal is sent from the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 to the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 in order to request or set a specific voltage value, current value, or power value for charging the energy storage cells 12 with electrical energy at the charging device 2. The specific voltage value can be 48V, the specific current value can be 5A, or the specific power value can be 240W.

[0055] After receiving the corresponding signal regarding the energy storage cell characteristics, a signal is sent from the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 to the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 to indicate the charging capability or compatibility of the charging device 2 and the connected energy storage cells 12 for a charging process.

[0056] Subsequently, or after receiving this signal, a further signal is sent from the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 to the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 to set the charging device 2 to a charging state. The charging device 2 is generally designed such that it can be set to a charging state, a neutral state (also referred to as "standby"), or a discharging state. In the charging state, electrical energy can be sent from the charging device 2 to connected energy storage cells 12 suitable for a charging process. In the discharging state, electrical energy can be absorbed by the energy storage cells 12 for storage in a corresponding energy storage device 27 of the charging device 2. The energy storage device 27 of the charging device 2 can be designed in the form of a rechargeable battery cell.

[0057] In the neutral state, electrical energy is neither absorbed from the connected energy storage cells 12 into the charging device 2 nor is it delivered from the charging device 2 to the connected energy storage cells 12.

[0058] Subsequently, the machine tool 3 is adjusted by its control device 11 from a discharge state to a charge state, so that electrical energy provided by the charging device 2 can be absorbed or stored by the energy storage cells 12.

[0059] After setting the machine tool 3 to the charging state, a further signal is sent from the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 to the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 for setting at least one first charging characteristic value on the charging device 2. The charging characteristic value can be a voltage value, current value, or charging power value for the charging process.

[0060] The voltage value for the charging process can be between 21 and 60 volts (V). According to the present embodiment, the voltage value is 48 V.

[0061] The current value for the charging process can be 1 to 10 amperes (A). According to the present embodiment, the current value is 5 A.

[0062] The charging power can be between 24 and 600 watts (W). According to the present embodiment, the charging power is 210 W.

[0063] In a next method step, electrical energy is sent from the charging device 2 to the energy storage cells 12 according to at least one charging characteristic value requested by the machine tool 3. In the present exemplary embodiment, the charging characteristics for the connected energy storage cells 12 correspond to a charging voltage of 48 V, a charging current of 5 A, and a resulting charging power of 240 W. After a predetermined period of time and / or after a predetermined state has been reached for the machine tool 3, a further signal is sent from the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 to the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 to set at least one new charging characteristic value on the charging device 2. The new charging characteristic value can be a new charging voltage value, charging current value, or charging power.

[0064] Both the communication device 16 of the machine tool 3 and the communication device 26 of the charging device 2 can be wireless and in particular designed using Bluetooth technology.

[0065] Reference symbol

[0066] 1 system

[0067] 2 charging device

[0068] 3 Machine tool

[0069] 4 Machine tool housing

[0070] 4a front end of the housing

[0071] 4b rear end of the housing

[0072] 4c upper end of the housing

[0073] 4d lower end of the housing

[0074] 5 Handle

[0075] 6 tool holder

[0076] 7 Drive

[0077] 8 Gear device

[0078] 9 Percussion device

[0079] 10 Output shaft

[0080] 11 Control device

[0081] 12 energy storage cells

[0082] 13 Tools

[0083] 14 Current measuring device

[0084] 15 Voltage measuring device

[0085] 16 Communication device of the machine tool

[0086] 17 Machine tool interface device

[0087] 18 charger housing

[0088] 18a Top of the charger housing

[0089] 18b Bottom of the charger housing

[0090] 18c first side wall of the charger housing

[0091] 18d second side wall of the charger housing

[0092] 19 Control device

[0093] 20 connection cables

[0094] 21 Loader interface device 21 a first end of the loader interface device

[0095] 21 b second end of the charger interface device

[0096] 22 plugs

[0097] 23 USB connector 24 Current measuring device

[0098] 25 Voltage measuring device

[0099] 26 Charging device communication device

[0100] 27 Energy storage device

[0101] L1 first line L2 second line

[0102] L3 third line

Claims

Claims: Machine tool (3) comprising a housing (4) and a drive positioned in the housing (4), characterized in that at least one energy storage cell (12) in the form of a pouch cell is positioned inside the housing (4) and at least one interface device (17) for selectively supplying the at least one energy storage cell (12) with electrical energy is included. Machine tool (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one interface device (17) is configured in the form of a USB socket. Machine tool (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interface device (17) is configured to enable the supply of the at least one energy storage cell (12) with a voltage value of 21 to 60 V, in particular 48 V.Machine tool (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the interface device (17) is configured to enable the supply of the at least one energy storage cell (12) with a current value of 1 to 10 A, in particular 5 A. Machine tool (3) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the interface device (17) is configured to enable the supply of the at least one energy storage cell (12) with a charging power of 21 to 600 W, in particular 240 W. System (1) comprising a charging device (2) and at least one machine tool (3) connectable to the charging device (2) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the machine tool (3) has a first communication device (16), at least one configured as a pouch cell. The energy storage cell (12) and a machine tool interface device (17) and the charging device (2) include a second communication device (26) and a charger interface device (21), such that the charging device (2) and the machine tool (3) can be connected to charge the at least one energy storage cell (12) with electrical energy, wherein the charger interface device (21) is designed in the form of a USB plug and the machine tool interface device (17) in the form of a USB socket.

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