Protective cover for an operating device of a machine tool

Abstract

Operating device for a machine tool, in particular for a grinding device, comprising a printed circuit board with a microcontroller, at least one switching element and a connection device. The printed circuit board is completely enclosed by a transparent, elastic protective cover, wherein the at least one switching element is positioned on a top surface of the printed circuit board and the protective cover is designed such that the switching element can be operated by applying force to the protective cover.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device for a machine tool, in particular for a grinding device, comprising a circuit board with a microcontroller, at least one switching element and a connection device.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a machine tool with at least one operating device.

[0003] Electrically powered machine tools contain an operating device that allows the machine to be activated or deactivated. The harsh and dirty environments in which machine tools are often used can lead to damage and failure of individual machine tool components or even to the failure of the entire machine tool. In particular, the often sensitive operating devices of machine tools are subjected to considerable stress from the dirt (i.e., dust and / or mud) generated during operation.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to solve the problem described above.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 7. Further advantageous embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention are contained in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0006] The problem is solved in particular by an operating device for a machine tool, especially for a grinding device, comprising a circuit board with a microcontroller, at least one switching element and a connection device.

[0007] According to the invention, the circuit board is completely enclosed by a transparent, elastic protective cover, wherein the at least one switching element is positioned on a top side of the circuit board and the protective cover is designed in such a way that the switching element can be operated by applying force to the protective cover.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is possible for the circuit board to contain at least one light source, wherein the at least one light source is positioned on the circuit board and the protective cover is designed in such a way that light from the at least one light source can shine through the protective cover.

[0009] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the circuit board may contain at least one light source and at least one light guide element. The light guide element directs the light from the light source in a specific direction. This eliminates the need to position the operating device with the light source directly against a surface of the machine tool housing for the light to be visible to the machine tool operator. Furthermore, the light guide element may contain at least one lens for focusing or diffusing the light from the light source.

[0010] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one tactile element may be positioned on a surface of the protective cover, allowing the at least one switch element to be operated through the protective cover. This eliminates the need to position the operating device with the switch element directly on a surface of the machine tool housing for the switch element to be operated by a user of the machine tool.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a raised section and / or recess may be positioned on at least one surface of the protective cover. This allows the operating device to be easily aligned with a corresponding feature on the machine tool housing. Furthermore, the raised section and / or recess can be used to connect the operating device to the machine tool housing. The raised section and / or recess can also be referred to as a positioning and holding device.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the protective cover may contain at least a portion of a thermoplastic polyamide. Alternatively, the protective cover may consist at least a portion of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0013] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a machine tool with at least one operating device according to the invention.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one operating device may be positioned on a handle of the machine tool. This allows the operating device to be easily operated by a user of the machine tool. "Handle" can refer to a main or auxiliary handle.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is possible for at least one operating device to be positioned inside a housing of the machine tool. This provides additional protection for the operating device against dirt (e.g., dust) and liquids (e.g., water).

[0016] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider these features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0018] They show: Figure 1 is a side view of a machine tool in an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a housing of the machine tool; Figure 3 is a perspective side view of an operating device inside the housing of the machine tool; Figure 4 is a side view of the operating device of the machine tool; Figure 5 is a perspective front view of the operating device of the machine tool; Figure 6 is a top view of the operating device of the machine tool; and Figure 7 is a bottom view of the operating device of the machine tool. Examples of implementation:

[0019] In Figure 1 A machine tool 1 is shown.

[0020] The in Figure 1 The machine tool 1 shown is designed in the form of a grinding device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] According to an alternative embodiment, the machine tool 1 can also be designed in the form of a saw, a screwdriver, a hammer drill or the like.

[0022] The machine tool 1, designed as a grinding device, essentially comprises a housing 2, a main handle 3, an auxiliary handle 4 and a tool holder 5.

[0023] Inside the housing 2, there is essentially a drive in the form of an electric motor, a gearbox, a drive shaft and a control device.

[0024] The drive, the transmission device, the drive shaft and the control device are not shown in the figures.

[0025] The drive, designed as an electric motor, the gearbox, the drive shaft and the tool holder 5 are arranged inside the housing 2 in such a way that a torque generated in the electric motor can be transmitted to the gearbox, the drive shaft and finally to the tool holder 5.

[0026] The drive, designed as an electric motor, is in the form of a brushless DC motor.

[0027] The housing 2 has a front end 2a, a rear end 2b, a top end 2c and a bottom end 2d.

[0028] The tool holder 5 is positioned at the front end 2a and lower end 2d of the housing 2. The tool holder 5 serves to receive and hold a tool 6.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment, the tool 6 is designed as an abrasive or grinding wheel.

[0030] The main handle 3 and the auxiliary handle 4 are used to hold and guide the machine tool 1.

[0031] The auxiliary handle 4 is releasably connected to the front end 2a of the housing 2.

[0032] The main handle 3 is positioned at the rear end 2b of the housing 2. A power supply 3b is attached to a free end 3a of the main handle 3.

[0033] Power supply 3b is used to supply the machine tool with electrical energy.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the power supply 3b is designed as a power cable.

[0035] As an alternative to the embodiment as a power cable, the power supply 3b can also be designed as a battery. The embodiment of the power supply 3b as a battery is not shown in the figures.

[0036] An operating device 7 is positioned inside the main handle 3.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment of the machine tool 1, the operating device 7 can also be positioned at a different location inside the housing 2. This alternative embodiment inside the machine tool 1 is not shown in the figures.

[0038] The operating device 7 is used to operate or activate the machine tool 1 and, in the present embodiment, is positioned within the main handle 3.

[0039] The operating device 7 essentially comprises a circuit board 8 with a microcontroller 9, a first, second and third switching element 10a, 10b, 10c, a light source 11 and a connection device 12 for lines 13.

[0040] The circuit board 8 has a front end 8a, a rear end 8b, a top side 8c and a bottom side 8d.

[0041] The microcontroller 9 is used to process signals and data as well as to control and regulate functions of the machine tool 1.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the first switching element 10a is designed as an activation switch. The machine tool 1 can be set to an activated or deactivated state using this first switching element 10a. The first switching element 10a is designed as a push-button switch.

[0043] The second and third switching elements 10b, 10c can be used to activate or deactivate further functions of the machine tool 1. Both the second and third switching elements 10b, 10c are also designed as pressure switches.

[0044] The light source 11 is designed in the form of an LED lamp.

[0045] The connection device 12 serves to receive and hold electrical leads 13, through which electrical signals can be transmitted to and from the circuit board 8. The circuit board 8 is communicatively connected to the control unit of the machine tool 1 via the leads 13.

[0046] As shown in the figures, the microcontroller 9, the first, second and third switching elements 10a, 10b, 10c, and the light source 11 are located on the top 8c of the circuit board 8.

[0047] The connector 12 is positioned at the front end 8a of the circuit board 8. The microcontroller 9 and the connector 12 are interconnected so that electrical signals can be exchanged.

[0048] Optionally, a transceiver for sending and receiving electrical signals is provided on circuit board 8.

[0049] The circuit board 8 is completely enclosed by a transparent, elastic protective cover 14. The material of the protective cover 14 is selected such that, firstly, it is transparent enough to allow the light from the light source 11 to shine through the protective cover 14. Secondly, the material of the protective cover 14 must be elastic enough to allow the switching elements 10a, 10b, 10c, designed as push buttons, to be actuated through the protective cover 14 with a certain force in the direction A.

[0050] In other words, the material of the protective cover 14 is so soft that it can be elastically deformed to actuate the switch elements 10a, 10b, and 10c. The material of the protective cover 14 is also selected to be waterproof and resistant to contaminants (dust and / or mud).

[0051] In the present embodiment, the material of the protective cover 14 consists of thermoplastic polyamide.

[0052] In Figure 3 An embodiment is shown in which the operating device 7 is not positioned directly on a surface of the housing 2 of the machine tool 1. The operating device 7 is arranged inside the main handle 3. In order for the first, second, and third switching elements 10a, 10b, 10c of the operating device 7 to be operable by a user of the machine tool 1, a first sensing element 15a is arranged in direction B above the first switching element 10a. Figure 3 The operating device 7 shows only the first key element 15a above the first switching element 10a.

[0053] The user of machine tool 1 is not shown in the figures.

[0054] As in Figure 4As indicated, a second key element 15b is arranged in direction B above the second switching element 10b. A third key element 15c is arranged in direction B above the third switching element 10c. The third key element 15c is not visible in the figures.

[0055] The material of the touch elements 15a, 15b, 15c is non-elastic and non-deformable, so that a force on a touch element 15a, 15b, 15c can be transferred directly to a corresponding switching element 10a, 10b, 10c.

[0056] The respective keying elements 15a, 15b, 15c are designed such that a free end of a keying element 15a, 15b, 15c protrudes from the housing 2 of the machine tool 1, so that a user of the machine tool 1 can exert a certain force on the free end of a keying element 15a, 15b, 15c in order to actuate the respective switching element 10a, 10b, 10c at the opposite end of the keying element 15a, 15b, 15c.

[0057] In Figure 3A light guide element 16 is positioned in direction B above the light source 11. The light guide element 16 is made of a transparent (translucent) material. Optionally, the light guide element 16 can also contain a lens to focus or, if necessary, diffuse the light from the light source 11.

[0058] The light guiding element 16 serves to direct the light from the light source 11 to the surface of the housing 2 of the machine tool 1 when the operating device 7 with the light source 11 is not located directly on the surface of the housing 2 of the machine tool 1, but rather inside the housing 2 of the machine tool 1. The light from the light source 11 is more visible to an operator of the machine tool 1 with the aid of the light guiding element 16.

[0059] As in Figure 4 and 7A semicircular projection 17 is visible on the underside 14a of the protective cover 14. The projection 17 is made of the same material as the protective cover 14. A corresponding recess is provided on the inside of the housing 2 of the machine tool 1, into which the projection 17 can be fitted. By fitting the projection 17 into the corresponding recess, the operating device 7 can be correctly aligned with the housing 2 of the machine tool 1.

[0060] The recess on the inside of the housing 2 of the machine tool 1 is not shown in the figures.

[0061] Alternatively, in addition to the raised section 17, a recess can also be provided on the underside 14a of the protective cover 14. A corresponding raised section is then provided on an inner surface of the housing 2, so that the recess and the raised section fit together in a form-fitting manner. Alternatively, only a recess can be provided on the underside 14a of the protective cover 14.

[0062] As in Figure 3 As shown, a first, second, third, fourth and fifth retaining element 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e is provided as a feature on the inside of the housing 2 of the machine tool 1.

[0063] The retaining elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e serve to receive and hold the operating device 7 on the housing 2. The retaining elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e are designed such that a force-fit connection is created between the operating device 7 and the housing 2.

[0064] Alternatively, the retaining elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e can also be designed in such a way that a positive locking connection is created between the operating device 7 and the housing 2.

[0065] Furthermore, a material-bonded connection between the retaining elements 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e and the housing 2 is also possible. Reference sign

[0066] 1 Machine tool 2 Housing of the machine tool 2 a front end of the housing 2 b rear end of the housing 2 c top end of the housing 2 d bottom end of the housing 3 Main handle 3 a free end of the main handle 3 b power supply 4 Auxiliary handle 5 Tool holder 6 Tool 7 Operating device 8 Circuit board 8 a front end of the circuit board 8 b rear end of the circuit board 8 c top of the circuit board 8 d bottom of the circuit board 9 Microcontroller 10 a first switching element 10 b second switching element 10 c third switching element 11 Light source 12 Connection device 13 Cables 14 Protective cover 15 a first key element 15 b second key element 15 c third key element 16 Light guide element 17 Raise 18 a first holding element 18 b second holding element 18 c third holding element 18 d fourth Retaining element 18 fifth retaining element

Claims

1. Operating device (7) for a machine tool (1), in particular for a grinding device, comprising a circuit board (8) with a microcontroller (9), at least one switching element (10a, 10b, 10c) and a connection device (12), characterized by the fact that the circuit board (8) is completely enclosed by a transparent, elastic protective cover (14), wherein the at least one switching element (10a, 10b, 10c) is positioned on a top surface (8c) of the circuit board (8) and the protective cover (14) is designed such that the switching element (10a, 10b, 10c) can be operated by applying a force to the protective cover (14).

2. Operating device (7) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the circuit board (8) contains at least one light source (11), wherein the at least one light source (11) is positioned on the circuit board (8) and the protective cover (14) is designed such that light from the at least one light source (11) can shine through the protective cover (14).

3. Operating device (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the circuit board (8) contains at least one light source (11) and at least one light guide element (16).

4. Operating device (7) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that at least one key element (15a, 15b, 15c) is positioned on a surface of the protective cover (14) with which the at least one switch element (10a, 10b, 10c) can be operated through the protective cover (14).

5. Operating device (7) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that a raised area (17) and / or a recessed area is positioned on at least one surface of the protective shell (14).

6. Operating device (7) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the protective cover (14) contains at least partially a thermoplastic polyamide.

7. Machine tool (1) with at least one operating device (7) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Machine tool (1) with at least one operating device (7) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that which at least one operating device (7) is positioned on a main handle (3) of the machine tool (1).

9. Machine tool (1) with at least one operating device (7) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the at least one operating device (7) is positioned within a housing (2) of the machine tool (1).

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