Method for indicating a misuse of a machine tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the open-loop and closed-loop control of a machine tool, in particular a hand-held machine tool, comprising a machine tool housing, a control unit, a drive, a tool holder and an output unit, with the following method steps: detecting at least one acceleration value using the at least one acceleration sensor; outputting at least one signal to the output unit in order to output at least one acoustic and / or visual signal sign if a detected acceleration value reaches a threshold value stored in the memory unit; and / or outputting at least one signal from the control unit in order to change the drive from a first operating state into a second operating state.

Description

[0001] Procedure for reporting misuse of a machine tool

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for controlling and regulating a machine tool, in particular a hand-held machine tool, comprising a machine tool housing, a control unit, a drive, a tool holder and an output device.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system containing a machine tool and a battery connectable to the machine tool for carrying out the method according to the invention, wherein the machine tool contains a housing, a control unit, a drive, a tool holder and an output device and the battery contains a battery housing, at least one energy storage element and a control device.

[0004] Machine tools with a rechargeable battery (also called an accumulator) as a power supply are widely known in the art. The machine tool can be a hammer drill, a drill, a saw, a grinder, or the like. The rechargeable batteries serving as the power supply usually contain a number of energy storage cells (also called battery cells) that are designed and used to receive, store, and release electrical energy. The absorption of electrical energy into the energy storage cells can also be referred to as charging. The release of electrical energy from the energy storage cells can also be referred to as discharging.

[0005] The misuse of the machine tool or the accumulator as a hammer or as a substitute for a suitable hammer to exert blows (i.e. force impact or impulse) on objects (e.g. nails, screws, pins or the like) may result in serious malfunctions, damage or even permanent failure of the machine tool or the accumulator.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to solve the problem described above.

[0007] The object is also achieved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 4. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the corresponding subclaims. The object is achieved in particular by a method for controlling and regulating a machine tool, in particular a handheld machine tool, comprising a machine tool housing, a control unit, a drive, a tool holder, and an output device.

[0008] According to the invention, the following process steps are provided:

[0009] - detecting at least one acceleration value by the at least one acceleration sensor;

[0010] - transmitting at least one signal to the output device for outputting at least one acoustic and / or visual signal when a detected acceleration value reaches a threshold value stored in the memory device, and / or

[0011] - Sending at least one signal from the control unit for setting the drive from a first operating state to a second operating state.

[0012] By emitting or emitting at least one acoustic and / or visual signal, a user can be easily informed of any malfunction that results in acceleration values ​​that correspond to or even exceed the threshold. This can prevent a recurrence of the malfunction.

[0013] The first operating state can be an activation state of the machine tool, in which the drive generates a set speed. The second operating state can be a deactivation state of the machine tool, in which the drive does not generate any speed. Thus, instead of or in addition to outputting at least one acoustic and / or visual signal, the drive can be set from a first operating state, i.e. a state in which speeds can be generated, to a second operating state, i.e. a state in which speeds can no longer be generated. The drive generates a first speed selected by a user for a predetermined period of time, e.g., 2 to 3 seconds. After this predetermined period of time, the drive changes to the deactivation state, i.e.,The drive no longer generates speed when a detected acceleration value has reached the threshold. This provides a simple way to indicate to the user that the acceleration values ​​have reached a threshold and that an action that generates these acceleration values ​​should not be repeated. The acceleration sensor is, in particular, a device for detecting shocks, vibrations, and impacts.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, it may be possible for a first speed value to be set for the drive in the first operating state and a second speed value to be set for the drive in the second operating state, wherein the second speed value is higher than the first speed value and wherein the first and second operating states alternate for a predetermined period of time and / or frequency. This allows a user of the machine tool to be shown a clearly perceptible system change. The predetermined period of time can be 2 to 5 seconds, and the predetermined frequency can be 1 to 5 Hz.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it may be possible for a first speed value to be set for the drive in the first operating state and a second speed value to be set for the drive in the second operating state, wherein the second speed value is at least 50% higher than the first speed value. Due to the relatively high speed difference, which is noticeable to a user, a clearly noticeable system change can be indicated to the user of the machine tool and a malfunction can be pointed out.

[0016] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a system comprising a machine tool and an accumulator connectable to the machine tool for carrying out the method according to the invention, wherein the machine tool contains a housing, a control unit, a drive, a tool holder and an output device and the accumulator contains a battery housing, at least one energy storage element and a control device.

[0017] According to the invention, at least one acceleration sensor for detecting at least one acceleration value is contained in the machine tool and / or in the accumulator.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, it may be possible for both the machine tool and the accumulator to contain at least one acceleration sensor for detecting at least one acceleration value. The at least one acceleration sensor in the machine tool and the at least one acceleration sensor in the accumulator are connected to each other by a line such that detected acceleration values ​​can be exchanged between the machine tool and the accumulator and compared with each other.

[0019] Furthermore, the at least one acceleration sensor in the machine tool and the at least one acceleration sensor in the accumulator can also be connected to each other by means of a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, NFC (= Near Field Communication) or the like).

[0020] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figure illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0021] In the figures, identical and similar units, components and parts are numbered with the same reference symbols.

[0022] It shows:

[0023] Figure 1 is a side view of a system comprising a machine tool and an accumulator connected to the machine tool;

[0024] Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the accumulator; and

[0025] Figure 3 is another side view of the system with the power tool and the accumulator during use of the system for applying impact pulses to a nail.

[0026] Examples of implementation:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a system S comprising a machine tool 1 and a battery 2 according to an exemplary embodiment. The battery 2 is detachably connected to the machine tool 1 in order to supply the machine tool 1 with electrical energy.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the machine tool 1 is designed as a drill. Alternatively, the machine tool 1 can also be designed as a screwdriver, hammer drill, saw, grinder, or the like.

[0029] As indicated in Figure 1, the machine tool 1 designed as a drilling machine essentially contains a machine tool housing 3 with a tool holder 4 and a handle s.

[0030] The tool holder 4 serves to receive and hold a tool 6. In the present embodiment, the tool 6 is a drill. Alternatively, the tool 6 can also be designed as a screw bit.

[0031] Inside the machine tool housing 3, among other components, there is a drive 7, a gear 8, an output shaft 9, and a control unit 10. The drive 7 is designed, for example, as a brushless electric motor and serves to generate torque.

[0032] The control unit 10 regulates and controls the functions and behavior of the machine tool 1 and in particular of the drive 7, i.e. the direction of rotation and speed of the drive 7. Furthermore, the control unit 10 contains an acceleration sensor 21 and a storage device 20.

[0033] The acceleration sensor 21 is used to detect accelerations in the form of acceleration values ​​acting on the system and in particular on the machine tool 1. By detecting acceleration values, it can be determined whether and with what intensity shocks, vibrations, and / or impacts are acting on the system S or the machine tool 1. The acceleration sensor 21 is connected to the control unit 10 in such a way that detected acceleration values ​​can be sent to the control unit 10.

[0034] The storage device 20 stores, among other things, threshold values ​​for accelerations of the system S and for the machine tool 1. The handle 5, in turn, contains an actuation switch 16, an upper end 5a and a lower end 5b. The actuation switch 16 is connected to the control unit 10, so that actuation of the actuation switch 16 in direction D leads to activation of the drive 7 or the machine tool 1.

[0035] As also shown in Figure 1, the drive 7, the gear 8, the output shaft 9, and the tool holder 4 are arranged relative to one another such that a torque generated by the drive 7 can reach the tool holder 4 via the gear 8 and the output shaft 9. The torque generated by the drive 7 is ultimately transmitted to the tool 6 via the tool holder 4.

[0036] The machine tool housing 3 further has a top side 3a, a bottom side 3b, a front end 3c and a rear end 3d.

[0037] The tool holder 4 is positioned at the front end 3c of the machine tool housing 3. The upper end 4a of the handle 5 is attached to the underside 3b and near the rear end 3d of the machine tool housing 3. A machine tool interface 11 is positioned at the lower end 5b of the handle 5. The machine tool interface 11 serves to detachably connect the machine tool 1 to the battery 2.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the machine tool 1 can also be designed such that it is connected to more than one accumulator 2 as an energy source.

[0039] At the rear end 3d of the machine tool housing 3, a first output device 22 is positioned, which is connected to the control unit 10 via a corresponding line L to receive signals from the control unit 10. The first output device 22 includes a loudspeaker and a lamp. Neither the loudspeaker nor the lamp are shown in the figures.

[0040] The accumulator 2 described in the exemplary embodiment can serve, in particular, as an energy storage device or electrical energy source for the machine tool 1. The accumulator 2 essentially contains a battery housing 12, a number of energy storage cells 13, a battery interface 14, an acceleration sensor 23, a storage device 24, a second output device 25, and a control device 15. The acceleration sensor 23 serves to detect acceleration values. By detecting acceleration values, it can be determined whether and with what intensity shocks, vibrations, and / or impacts act on the system S or the accumulator 2. The acceleration sensor 23 of the accumulator 2 is connected to the control device 15 such that detected acceleration values ​​can be sent to the control device 15.

[0041] In the storage device 24 of the accumulator 2, threshold values ​​for accelerations of the system S and for the accumulator 2 are stored, among other things.

[0042] The second output device 25 is connected to the control device 15 via a corresponding line L to receive signals from the control unit 10. The second output device 25 also includes a loudspeaker and a lamp. Neither the loudspeaker nor the lamp of the second output device 25 are shown in the figures.

[0043] The battery interface 14 is used to electrically or electronically connect the battery 2 to the machine tool 2 by means of the machine tool interface 11. For this purpose, the battery interface 14 contains a positive contact P, a negative contact M and a communication contact K. The positive contact P and negative contact M are used to transmit electrical energy from the energy storage cells 13 of the battery 2 to the consumers (in particular the drive 7) of the machine tool 1. The communication contact K, in turn, is used to communicate the control device 15 of the battery 2 with the control unit 10 of the machine tool 1. For the communication between the battery 2 and the machine tool 1, data and information are exchanged in the form of signals.

[0044] The energy storage cells 13 can also be referred to as rechargeable cells and serve to absorb, store, and release electrical energy. As indicated in the figures, the energy storage cells 13 are cylindrical in shape and are designed based on lithium-ion technology. Each energy storage cell 13 contains a contact device at one end, which serves to transmit, i.e., absorb and release, electrical energy. The individual contact devices are connected to the control device 15 via corresponding lines L.

[0045] The contact devices are not shown in the figures.

[0046] Alternatively, the energy storage cells 13 can also be based on another suitable technology. The cylindrical shape of the energy storage cells 13 is also optional, so any other suitable shape or geometry can be selected. In particular, it is also possible for the energy storage cells 13 to be designed as pouch cells. It is also possible for the accumulator 2 to contain both cylindrical energy storage cells and pouch cells.

[0047] The control device 15 regulates and controls various functions of the accumulator 2. These functions include, among others, the regulation of the absorption and release of electrical energy.

[0048] Furthermore, the control device 15 is connected to the energy storage cells 13 and the battery interface 14 via corresponding lines L such that electrical energy can reach the battery interface 14 from the energy storage cells 13 via the control device 15.

[0049] For the releasable mechanical coupling of the accumulator 2 to the machine tool 1, the system S comprising the machine tool 1 and the accumulator 2 contains a rail device. The rail device is positioned between the battery interface 14 and the machine tool interface 11, so that the accumulator 2 can be pushed along the rail device and in the direction of arrow C onto the machine tool 1 and removed (pulled off) from the machine tool 1 again in the direction of arrow D. When the accumulator 2 is coupled to the machine tool 1 using the rail device, the positive contact P, the negative contact M, and the communication contact K of the accumulator 2 are in contact with the corresponding positive and negative contacts P, M, and the communication contact K of the machine tool 1. Electrical energy and electrical signals can then travel from the accumulator 2 to the machine tool 1.

[0050] The rail device is not shown in the figures.

[0051] A locking device (not shown in the figures) serves to releasably connect the accumulator 2 to the machine tool 1.

[0052] To carry out the method, an acceleration value is first measured by the acceleration sensor 21 of the machine tool 1 when the system S is used to drive a nail N into a material W, see Figure 3. To drive the nail N into the material W, a force F is repeatedly exerted by the user (not shown) on the nail N via the system S. With the aid of the acceleration sensor 21, the vibration of the system S is recorded in the form of acceleration values, which is generated during the driving of the nail N with the system S.

[0053] The acceleration values ​​detected by the acceleration sensor 21 are sent in the form of signals to the control unit 10 of the machine tool 1. The control unit 10 compares the detected acceleration values ​​with the acceleration threshold values ​​stored in the memory device 20. If detected acceleration values ​​reach or exceed the acceleration threshold values, a signal is sent from the control unit 10 to the output device 22. The output device 22 then emits an acoustic signal in the form of a signal tone and a visual signal in the form of a light signal.

[0054] In addition or alternatively to sending a signal from the output device 22, a signal is sent from the control unit 10 to adjust the drive from a first operating state to a second operating state.

[0055] In the first operating state, a first speed value is set for the drive 7 and in the second operating state, a second speed value is set for the drive 7. The second speed value is higher than the first speed value. In the present exemplary embodiment, setting the drive 7 from a first to a second speed value means that when the acceleration values ​​that reach or exceed the predetermined threshold values ​​are detected, either the drive 7 is already operated at a first speed value and is then operated at a second speed value, or that a first speed value selected by a user is only automatically set or changed to a second speed value by the control unit 10 when the drive 7 is activated again (i.e. speed value = zero).

[0056] According to a further embodiment, the change between the first and second operating states occurs for a predetermined period of time and / or frequency. In other words, the drive 7 is operated alternately at a specific frequency and for specific periods of time in the first or second operating state.

[0057] Instead of or in addition to detecting acceleration values ​​using the acceleration sensor 21 of the machine tool 1, acceleration values ​​can also be detected by the acceleration sensor 23 of the accumulator 2.

[0058] The method described above can thus also be carried out using the acceleration sensor 23 of the accumulator 2. List of reference symbols

[0059] 1 machine tool

[0060] 2 accumulators

[0061] 3 machine tool housings

[0062] 3a Top of the machine tool housing

[0063] 3b Bottom of the machine tool housing

[0064] 3c front end of the machine tool housing

[0065] 3d rear end of the machine tool housing

[0066] 4 tool holder

[0067] 5 Handle

[0068] 5a upper end of the handle

[0069] 5b lower end of the handle

[0070] 6 Tools

[0071] 7 Drive

[0072] 8 gearboxes

[0073] 9 Output shaft

[0074] 10 Machine tool control unit

[0075] 11 Machine tool interface

[0076] 12 battery housing

[0077] 13 energy storage cells

[0078] 14 Battery interface

[0079] 15 Control device

[0080] 16 operating switches

[0081] 20 Storage device of the machine tool

[0082] 21 Machine tool acceleration sensor

[0083] 22 first output device on the machine tool

[0084] 23 Accelerometer of the accumulator

[0085] 24 Accumulator storage device

[0086] 25 second output device on the accumulator

[0087] L Line

[0088] P positive contact M negative contact

[0089] K Communication contact

[0090] S System

[0091] N Nail W Material

[0092] F Force

Claims

Method for controlling and regulating a machine tool (1), in particular a hand-held machine tool (1), comprising a machine tool housing (3), a control unit (10), a drive (7), a tool holder (4) and an output device (22), characterized by the method steps - detecting at least one acceleration value by the at least one acceleration sensor (21, 23); - transmitting at least one signal to the output device (22, 25) for outputting at least one acoustic and / or visual signal when a detected acceleration value reaches a threshold value stored in the memory device (20, 24), and / or - Sending at least one signal from the control unit for setting the drive from a first operating state to a second operating state. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first operating state, a first speed value is set for the drive and in the second operating state, a second speed value is set for the drive, wherein the second speed value is higher than the first speed value and wherein there is an alternation between the first and second operating states for a predetermined period of time and / or frequency. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first operating state, a first speed value is set for the drive (7) and in the second operating state, a second speed value is set for the drive (7), wherein the second speed value is at least 50% higher than the first speed value. System (S) comprise a machine tool (1) and a drive connected to the machine tool (1) connectable accumulator (2) for carrying out the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the machine tool (1) is a Machine tool housing (3), a control unit (10), a drive (7), a tool holder (4) and an output device and the accumulator (2) a battery housing (12), at least one energy storage element (13), and a control device (15), characterized in that at least one acceleration sensor for detecting at least one acceleration value is contained in the machine tool (1) and / or in the accumulator (2). System according to claim 4, characterized in that the accumulator contains at least one output device, which is connected to the control device (15) and the acceleration sensor of the machine tool (1) and / or the acceleration sensor of the accumulator (1).

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