Hand-held power tool with a human-machine interface
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024709054
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-08
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing hand-held power tools with human machine interfaces (HMIs) are often static and not universally customizable, making them unsuitable for various tool sizes and requiring different operations, which limits user experience and safety.
A compact, cost-effective HMI design integrating a rechargeable battery with a push-button control element and multicolor LED optical display, allowing for intuitive speed adjustment and real-time feedback on battery charge and tool status, including overheating alerts.
Enables user-friendly, universal operation across different hand tools by providing clear, intuitive feedback on tool status and safety alerts, enhancing user interaction and safety through a simple, space-saving design.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024055568_12092024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description with a human machine interface
[0002] The invention relates to a hand-held power tool with a human-machine interface.
[0003] State of the art
[0004] Hand tools with state-of-the-art human machine interfaces (HMI) are already known.
[0005] The HMIs used in the prior art are often static, with a single-color LED lighting up. Some HMIs are very large and cannot be installed in all handheld power tools of different types and sizes. Universally adaptable HMIs would be advantageous for this. Furthermore, the operation should be identical for a user when using different handheld power tools. This is not yet demonstrated in the prior art.
[0006] Disclosure of the invention
[0007] The advantage of the present invention is a simple, space- and cost-saving HMI design that can be integrated in a variety of ways.
[0008] A handheld power tool with a human-machine interface and a rechargeable battery is proposed. The HMI is designed, on the one hand, as an operating element and, on the other hand, as a visual display device. Advantageously, the operating element is designed as a pushbutton and is used to adjust the settings on the handheld power tool, in particular to set the speed. However, it is also conceivable for the operating element to be designed as a sensor switch or the like. This advantageously allows the settings on the handheld power tool to be adjusted.
[0009] Preferably, the control element is designed in two parts in order to increase or decrease the speed with “+” or “-”.
[0010] Advantageously, the optical display device comprises at least one multicolor LED, but in particular several multicolor LEDs. This allows for simple and intuitive interaction with a user of the handheld power tool.
[0011] Advantageously, the LEDs are used to transmit information via a different color sequence, with the information being displayed one after the other via one and the same HMI.
[0012] This enables simple and intuitive interaction with a user of the handheld power tool.
[0013] For example, the charge level of the rechargeable battery can be indicated via green LEDs. After a set time, the LEDs change to white, indicating the speed setting. After another set time, the display returns to green, indicating the charge level again. This ensures a user-friendly display.
[0014] If a component of the hand tool begins to overheat, such as the motor, electronics, or rechargeable battery, the LEDs light up or flash orange. This increases safety by informing the user early about a malfunction. Furthermore, a device malfunction can be indicated early on. If the LEDs light up or flash red, the hand tool is shut down. Further advantages can be found in the drawings and the figure description.
[0015] Drawings:
[0016] It shows
[0017] Figure 1 : a hand tool with an HMI according to the invention,
[0018] Figure 2: an optical display device of the HMI,
[0019] Figure 3: a method for displaying the charge level of the rechargeable battery and the speed settings of the hand tool,
[0020] Figure 4: another method for displaying the charge level of the rechargeable battery and the speed settings of the hand tool,
[0021] Figure 5: a method for displaying the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 of the hand tool,
[0022] Figure 6: different hand tools in which the HMI can be integrated.
[0023] Description
[0024] The same reference numerals are used for the same components used in the different embodiments. Figure 1 shows a handheld power tool 10 configured as an angled straight grinder with a human machine interface (HMI) 12. The HMI 12 has an operating element 14 and a visual display device 16. A device switch 18 is arranged on the handheld power tool 10; actuation of the switch turns the handheld power tool 10 on and off. A rechargeable battery 20 serves as the power source for the handheld power tool 10.
[0025] The control element 14 is designed as a pushbutton. The control element 14 is primarily used to adjust the speed. However, it is also conceivable that other device settings, such as pairing, kickback control, or a work light, can be configured by pressing the control element 14. Alternatively, an acknowledgement can be performed using the control element 14.
[0026] The optical display device 16 has at least one, in the exemplary embodiment five, multicolor LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, as shown in Figure 2. The multicolor LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e can be used to create the primary colors red, yellow, green, and blue. By mixing the primary colors, the colors white, brown, violet, and orange can be generated. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e are arranged spaced apart from one another. However, it is also conceivable for the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e to be arranged in the form of a light bar on the handheld power tool 10. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e can also be arranged in a pattern. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e are arranged so that an operator of the handheld power tool 10 can see them while working with the handheld power tool 10. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e can be square, rectangular, round, oval, triangular, or polygonal.
[0027] With the help of the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, information is transmitted via a different color sequence. This means that the information about one and the same HM1 12 is displayed one after the other, with the information being transmitted via illuminated LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e that flash at a specific frequency. In the exemplary embodiment, the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 is displayed via five green LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, with LED 16e lighting up orange when the capacity of the rechargeable battery falls below 20%. If the capacity of the rechargeable battery continues to decrease, LED 16e lights up red. The speed setting of the handheld power tool 10 is displayed via a white display. Orange indicates the onset of overheating of a component of the handheld power tool 10.If the component of the handheld power tool 10 and / or the entire handheld power tool 10 is overheated and the handheld power tool 10 is switched off, this is indicated by a red display.
[0028] The display options are listed here again in detail, although this list is not exhaustive:
[0029] White LED: Display of speed setting
[0030] Green LED: Indication of the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 Orange LED: the beginning of overheating of a component of the hand tool 10 or an orange LED indicates that the capacity of the rechargeable battery falls below 20%, Red LED: Overheating of a component and shutdown of the hand tool 10 or a red LED indicates that the capacity of the rechargeable battery is close to zero.
[0031] Blue LED: Pairing
[0032] Figure 3 shows a method for displaying the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 during operation. Furthermore, the method serves to display the speed settings of the handheld power tool 10 when the operating element 14 of the handheld power tool 10 is actuated during operation of the handheld power tool 10. In a step 100, the device switch 18 of the handheld power tool 10 is actuated. The handheld power tool 10 then runs in normal operation at step 110. During operation of the handheld power tool 10, the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 is displayed by the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 illuminating green. If the capacity of the rechargeable battery decreases, fewer than five LEDs illuminate.
[0033] After a specified time, which in the exemplary embodiment is 20 seconds, the color of the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e changes to white, thus indicating the speed setting of the handheld power tool 10. After a time, which in the exemplary embodiment is 3 seconds, the color of the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e changes back to green, i.e., to the charge level indicator of the rechargeable battery 20. Steps 110 and 120 are repeated alternately until the handheld power tool is switched off in step 130. If the handheld power tool is switched off, the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 continue to illuminate for a further 5 seconds in step 140 until the display goes out.
[0034] The times are examples; other time sequences than 20s and 5s may also exist.
[0035] Figure 4 shows another method for displaying the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 and the speed settings of the handheld power tool 10. In a step 200, the handheld power tool 10 is switched off. The HMI has not been operated. In 210, the operating element 14 on the handheld power tool 10 is operated. The five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 then illuminate white and display the speed setting of the handheld power tool 10. Depending on the speed, all five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 or correspondingly fewer illuminate. The display of the optical display device 16 appears as long as the operating element 14 is pressed. In step 220, the operating element 14 is released. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e then light up white for another 3 seconds.After 3 seconds, the display of the optical display device 16 changes to green in step 230, thus indicating the charge level of the rechargeable battery 10. In step 240, the display of the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e goes out. In step 250, the device switch 18 of the handheld power tool is actuated, thus switching on the handheld power tool 10. The display of the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e is green and indicates the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20. The charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 is displayed for an indefinite period of time, namely until the control element 14 is actuated. If the operating element 14 is actuated in step 260, the speed settings of the handheld power tool 10 are displayed for as long as the operating element 14 is actuated. If the operating element 14 is released in step 270, the display of the optical display device 16 remains illuminated for a further 3 seconds.In step 280, the charge level of the rechargeable battery 10 is displayed by the color of the LEDs changing to green. In step 290, the device switch 18 of the handheld power tool 10 is pressed again, stopping the handheld power tool 10. In step 291, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e continue to illuminate for a further 5 seconds. If the device switch 18 of the handheld power tool 10 is a deadman's switch, the handheld power tool is stopped by releasing the switch 18.
[0036] Figure 5 shows a method for displaying the charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 of the handheld power tool 10. In a step 300, the handheld power tool 10 is started by actuating the device switch 18. The charge level of the rechargeable battery 20 is then displayed by the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 lighting up green. In a step 310, all five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 light up. If the capacity of the rechargeable battery 20 decreases by 20%, the display of the LED 16e goes out for 0.25 seconds in 320. After 0.25 seconds, LED 16e lights up for 0.25 seconds, then turns off for 0.25 seconds, then lights up for another 0.25 seconds before turning off. From the outside, this appears to be a one-second flashing of LED 16e. In 330, the four LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are illuminated.
[0037] If the capacity of the rechargeable battery 20 decreases by a further 20%, the LED 16d indicator goes out for 0.25 seconds at 340. After 0.25 seconds, the LED 16d lights up for 0.25 seconds, then goes out for 0.25 seconds, and then lights up for another 0.25 seconds before going out. From the outside, this appears to be a one-second flashing of the LED 16d. At 350, the three LEDs 16a, 16b, and 16c light up.
[0038] If the capacity of the rechargeable battery 20 decreases by a further 20%, the LED 16c indicator goes out for 0.25 seconds at 360. After 0.25 seconds, the LED 16c illuminates for 0.25 seconds, then the LED 16c goes out for 0.25 seconds, then illuminates for another 0.25 seconds before going out. Externally, this appears to be a one-second flashing of the LED 16c. At 370, the two LEDs 16a and 16b illuminate. If the capacity of the rechargeable battery 20 decreases by a further 20%, the LED 16b indicator goes out for 0.25 seconds at 380. After 0.25 seconds, LED 16b lights up for 0.25 seconds, then turns off for 0.25 seconds, then lights up for another 0.25 seconds before turning off. From the outside, this appears to be a one-second flashing of LED 16b. At 390, LED 16a lights up orange.
[0039] If the capacity of the rechargeable battery 20 decreases by a further 20%, the orange display of the LED 16a in 391 changes to red for 0.25s, then shines orange again for another 0.25s and then changes back to red. In 392, the LED 16a shines continuously red. Shortly before the capacity of the rechargeable battery 20 is reduced to zero, the red display of the LED 16a in 393 changes to red for 0.25s, goes out, then shines red again for another 0.25s and then goes out again. This makes it appear as if it is flashing. In 394, the LED 16a shines continuously red. Shortly before the hand tool 10 stops, the LED 16a flashes red in 395. After the hand tool 10 stops, the LED 16a flashes red for another 5s and then goes out.
[0040] If the rechargeable battery is unusable, the LED 16a flashes red after the hand tool is switched on as long as the device switch 18 is held down and continues to flash red for a further 5 seconds after the device switch 18 is released.
[0041] If the handheld power tool 10 is overheated and / or blocked and the device switch 18 is actuated, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 flash red as long as the device switch 18 is actuated. After the actuation switch 18 is released, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 flash red for another 3 seconds.
[0042] However, it is also conceivable that the hand-held power tool 10 starts up when the device switch 18 is operated and is only blocked during the course of operation. In this case, when the hand-held power tool 10 is started, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 light up green and thus show the charge level of the rechargeable battery 10. If the blocked case now occurs, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 flash red. The LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e flash and display red for 0.25 seconds, go out for 0.25 seconds, light up red for another 0.25 seconds and then go out when the device switch 18 is no longer operated.
[0043] It is also conceivable that the handheld power tool 10 begins to overheat after startup. In this case, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 illuminate green after the handheld power tool is started, thus indicating the charge level of the rechargeable battery 10. If a component of the handheld power tool 10 overheats, all five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 flash orange for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 illuminate green again. After 5 seconds, all five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 light up orange, and after another 5 seconds, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 light up green again. If the handheld power tool 10 or a component of the handheld power tool 10 overheats, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 flash red.After the hand tool 10 stops, the five LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 flash for a further 5 seconds and then go out.
[0044] If the operating element 14 is operated, the LEDs 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e of the optical display device 16 light up white corresponding to the speed setting. If the operating element 14 is operated continuously, e.g. 5s, the LES flash blue and the device searches for a pairing partner, e.g. via a Bluetooth connection. If the device is connected, the LEDs light up blue to indicate a successful connection. If the device is not started or a operating element is not operated, the blue LEDs go out after e.g. 10s. If the device is started, the green LEDs indicate the battery status, or if a operating element is operated, the white LEDs indicate the speed setting.
[0045] Figure 6 shows the different handheld power tools in which the HMI can be integrated.
Claims
Claims 1. Hand-held power tool (10) with a human-machine interface (12) and with a rechargeable battery (20) serving as an energy source for the hand-held power tool (10), characterized in that the HMI (12) has an operating element (14) and an optical display device (16).
2. Hand tool (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating element (14) is designed as a push button and is used for settings on the hand tool (10), in particular for setting the speed.
3. Hand tool (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the optical display device (16) has at least one multi-color LED (16a), but in particular a plurality of multi-color LEDs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e), wherein the LEDs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) are arranged next to one another at a distance from one another on the hand tool (10).
4. Hand tool (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that with the aid of the LEDs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) information is transmitted via a different color sequence, wherein the information is displayed one after the other via one and the same HMI (12), wherein via illuminated and / or at a certain frequency flashing LEDs (16a, 16,b, 16c, 16,d, 16e ) the information is transmitted.
5. Hand tool (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the charge level of the rechargeable battery (20) is displayed via green LEDs (16a, 16,b, 16c, 16,d, 16e) and after a specified time the color of the LEDs (16a, 16,b, 16c, 16,d, 16e) changes to white and thus indicates the speed setting, wherein after a further specified time the display changes back to green and thus again shows the charge level display.
6. Hand tool (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that when a component of the In the handheld power tool (10), the LEDs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) illuminate orange, and in the event of complete overheating, the LEDs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) illuminate red, in particular flash red.
7. The handheld power tool (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that settings, in particular speed settings and / or connection settings, can be made via the control element (14).