Woodworking equipment, in particular sliding table circular saws and / or edge banding machines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a woodworking machine (2, 102), in particular a sliding table circular saw (4) or edge banding machine (104). The woodworking machine comprises a processing tool (8, 108) capable of processing a workpiece (10) fed to the woodworking machine (2, 102). According to the present invention, a voice control device (12, 112) is proposed. The voice control device is configured to process voice commands (14, 114) of a user of the woodworking machine (2, 102) and to generate therefrom control signals (16, 116) for controlling the woodworking machine (2, 102). The woodworking machine (2, 102) is configured to be controlled based on the control signals (16, 116).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a woodworking machine, in particular a sliding table circular saw or edge banding machine, equipped with a processing tool, the function of which is to process a workpiece fed to the woodworking machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Woodworking machines of the sliding table circular saw type are well known in the prior art. Sliding table circular saws are used to cut workpieces, particularly paneling, profiles, etc., to precise dimensions using a circular saw blade. Edge banding machines are typically designed to glue edges, such as hardwood, veneer edges, or PVC edges, to paneling.

[0003] In the following, the invention is described with reference to woodworking equipment such as a circular saw, however, according to one aspect of the invention, the invention can be equally applied to work tools or machine equipment in general, rather than woodworking equipment, for example equipment used in metalworking, equipment used in the construction industry, or work equipment used in the food industry.

[0004] Modern woodworking machines are equipped with various setting devices, which allow the user to manually adjust the operating parameters. However, during the sawing or edging process, the user usually cannot change the setting parameters of the woodworking machine, since the workpiece often needs to be held or guided with both hands. Therefore, changing the setting parameters of the woodworking machine always needs to be done before or after the actual sawing or edging.

[0005] Woodworking devices well known from the prior art have been tried and tested for many years but still leave room for improvement in terms of ease of use and operating options.

[0006] From DE 10 2017103 866 A1 a method for operating a workpiece processing system is known in the art together with the associated workpiece processing system. In general, the publication proposes the provision of a voice recognition system. However, the latter is not designed to make specific settings in the workpiece processing system during the processing process.

[0007] DE 20108813 relates to a sawing material handling device, in which a handling robot can be controlled by a voice recognition system, which is however also not designed to make specific settings in the workpiece processing system during the processing process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Against this background, the basic object of the present invention is to further develop a woodworking machine of the above-mentioned type in such a way that the drawbacks faced by the prior art are overcome as far as possible, and in particular to specify a woodworking machine which offers the user improved ease of use and operating options, even when both hands are occupied during the processing of the workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the invention, the object is achieved in a woodworking machine of the above type by a voice control device designed to process voice commands from a user of the machine and to generate from said voice commands control signals for controlling the machine, the machine being designed to be controlled based on the control signals.

[0010] The invention is based on the realization that the introduction of a voice control device can significantly improve the ease of use and the operating options of woodworking machines compared to the devices known from the prior art. Contrary to a long-held prejudice, such a voice control device can be used in woodworking machines such as sliding table circular saws, edge banders, etc., to operate the functions and setting parameters of the woodworking machine which are not primarily related to safety. This increases the ease of use and the processing speed of the workpieces. In particular, the setting parameters can be adjusted during the actual sawing process, whereas in the case of woodworking machines known from the prior art, for example, the adjustment of the setting parameters requires an interruption of the sawing or processing process. The processing efficiency of the workpieces can therefore be increased.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the woodworking device is designed as a sliding table circular saw. The sliding table circular saw comprises a workpiece table, a saw unit and a workpiece stop. The workpiece table has a horizontal workpiece support surface and a saw groove. The saw unit has a circular saw blade arranged so as to be protrudable from the saw groove. The workpiece stop is arranged so as to be movable above the workpiece support surface so as to provide lateral guidance of the workpiece.

[0012] According to the invention, in contrast to the existing advantages, it is proposed for the first time to provide a sliding table circular saw with a sound control device as described above.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the voice control device comprises an output unit designed to issue instructions to a user, so in other words the voice control device allows not only the reception of voice commands and the corresponding processing of the latter, but also the output of instructions to the user, in this way an interactive means of voice control is realized, the user can be assisted by the output of instructions.

[0014] The voice control device preferably has a data interface designed to communicate wirelessly in a one-way and / or two-way manner with external devices, in particular external audio units. This allows, for example, work safety equipment in the form of a communication headset that the user uses anyway to be used to communicate with the voice control device via the data interface, preferably wirelessly. If such a wireless solution is used, the user can move freely around the woodworking device and is not distracted by possible cable connections. Furthermore, existing communication headsets can also be used to communicate with the woodworking device.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the data interface is designed to communicate via at least one of the following data transmission standards: Bluetooth, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Digital Enhanced Radio Telecommunications (DECT). The above-mentioned data transmission standards have proven to be particularly useful for making the two-way data transmission, in particular the transmission of voice data, to and from the voice control device more reliable.

[0016] The voice control device can be further improved by including a filter for filtering out background noise and / or by including a learning function that focuses on the voice commands of individual users, for example by recognizing the voice range, the speech pitch, the rhythm or the colouring, or a combination of these parameters. For this purpose, the voice control device can in particular carry out a speech evaluation using artificial intelligence, whereby the voice commands of one user can be distinguished from other received signals. This improves the safety of operation and makes it possible to avoid incorrect execution of voice commands, for example caused by loud voices from other people in the workplace.

[0017] According to a further preferred refinement, the voice control device is designed to recognize at least one of the voice commands of the user and to generate from these voice commands control signals for controlling the woodworking machine, such as the initial input and / or modification of setting parameters of the axes of the woodworking machine, in particular the initial input and / or modification of dimensional values ​​of the axes, the activation of a clamping tool of the woodworking machine, in particular the activation of an electric clamping tool, the activation of a compressed air supply unit, the activation of a suction unit and the release of the workpiece, in particular the release of the workpiece by releasing a parallel stop against which the workpiece rests.

[0018] Said voice commands for controlling said properties have proven to be particularly suitable for use with voice controlled devices: they do not usually affect parameters strongly related to safety, such as the blade motion, the blade speed, etc., and instead relieve the user of adjustments that would otherwise have to be made manually.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the woodworking device comprises a graphical user interface. The voice control device is designed to recognize voice commands of the user and to control the user interface on the basis of the voice commands. Said voice commands are the selection of and / or navigation within the operating menus displayed by the user interface or the voice control of a user assistance system, in particular a cutting optimization assistance system. In other words, the voice control device can be used to control the user interface together with a graphical user interface, for example in the form of menu commands, or by voice control of an assistance system, for example an assistance system serving for the optimization of cutting.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the voice control device is designed to automatically adjust at least one stop of the woodworking machine and / or one processing parameter of the woodworking machine after voice input of the material to be processed. Thus, it is no longer necessary for the user to memorize certain values ​​and set them manually in the woodworking machine. Instead, it is sufficient to only speak the material to be processed, by voice input specifying the workpiece or by step in the processing process, in order to set the processing parameters of the woodworking machine, for example the cutting speed (in the case of a circular saw, for example the speed of the saw blade) or to set the stops of the woodworking machine to the desired value based on the stored values. This relieves the user of the mental burden and also reduces the possibility of incorrect settings.

[0021] In addition to this option of setting the machining parameters or the position of the stops before machining the workpiece, it may also be advantageous to use voice control to set certain settings during the machining process. For example, it is often desirable to change the machining parameters or the position of the stops just before the end of the machining process in order to achieve a good machining result or to reduce the risk of injury to the operator. Thus, for example, the cutting speed or the cutting infeed (feed rate) can be increased or decreased by voice command just before the end of the machining process. Furthermore, stops such as the parallel stops of a circular saw can be released by voice command just before the end in order to reduce the risk of injury due to kickback in the workpiece caught between the tool and the stop.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the voice control device is designed to issue recommendations for actions to the user. Such recommended actions assist the user in processing the desired workpiece and reduce the training requirements for new personnel. According to a preferred embodiment, the recommended actions comprise at least one of the following: recommended actions regarding the workpiece to be processed, recommended actions regarding the operation of the woodworking device, training information, in particular regarding methods for increasing the safety of the operation, and / or information regarding the state of the workpiece. In other words, issuing recommended actions allows a less trained user to use the woodworking device to process the workpiece in a short time and with high efficiency, without the need for advanced training.

[0023] The voice control device is preferably designed to issue recommended actions depending on one or more user states. The user state is in particular correlated with the user's degree of training. In other words, the voice control device can selectively respond to users with different degrees of training. If a user state of, for example, an experienced and skilled worker is selected, then recommended actions are preferably issued only when, for example, rarely used workpieces or complex workpieces are processed. If a user state of, for example, an inexperienced user is selected, then the number of recommended actions is preferably significantly increased, and recommended actions are issued also for routine tasks, although they may be confusing for an experienced user. In this respect, the selection of the user state makes it possible to adjust the number of recommended actions depending on the user's degree of training, as required.

[0024] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the woodworking device is designed to detect fault conditions. The voice control device is designed to issue instructions to the user and / or process voice commands from the user depending on the fault condition. That is, a fault condition of the device can be communicated to the user via an acoustic output. This allows the user to be informed of the fault condition even if, for example, the user's gaze is not focused on the graphical user interface at the time. Furthermore, the voice control device can be used to request information from the user and to provide the user with information on how to deal with the fault condition.

[0025] More preferably, the voice control device is designed to receive a tool signal conveying a movement of the machining tool or a stopped state of the machining tool and to accept a voice command. If the tool signal conveys a stopped state of the machining tool, the voice control device is designed to compare the latter with a first predetermined list of voice commands. If the tool signal conveys a movement of the machining tool, the voice control device is designed to compare the voice command with a second predetermined list of voice commands. If a match between the received voice command and a predetermined voice command from the first list or the second list is detected, the voice control device is designed to execute the voice command. This further refinement allows a safe operation of the machining equipment which may cause injuries, since a distinction is made between settings by voice commands when the machining tool is not in motion and settings by voice commands when the machining tool is in motion. This prevents the user from triggering the execution of a voice command during the operation of a machining process which may lead to danger, since the voice command can only be executed when the machining tool is stationary. Typically, the second list includes fewer voice commands than the first list. In special cases, the second list may be emptied entirely so that the execution of any voice commands is prevented while processing is in progress.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the instructions include a check of the setting parameters, in particular a multi-stage check of the setting parameters in the form of a fault tree. In other words, the voice control device is designed to guide the user through the fault resolution logic in a fault tree manner, based on voice. This means that any faults that occur can often be rectified more quickly, since there is no need to consult a manual or the like.

[0027] According to a preferred further refinement, the voice control device is designed to establish contact with a service technician. In this way, even if, for example, a fault cannot be detected or rectified, direct contact with the service technician is established without, for example, having to specify a service telephone number and contact a technician using a mobile device or the like. In particular, the woodworking device is also designed to provide the technician with operating parameters of the woodworking device.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that the woodworking device is designed as an edge banding machine, the voice control device being designed to recognize at least one of the voice commands of the user and to generate from the voice commands control signals for controlling the edge banding machine, such as selection of an operating mode of the edge banding machine, in particular selection of the gluepot mode and / or the airtronic mode, in particular including selection of the temperature, setting the cutting joint thickness, setting the edge thickness, setting the workpiece height, switching on and / or off the individual cutting cutters of the edge banding machine individually and setting the cutting thickness of the edge banding machine.

[0029] The above-described configuration of the voice control device makes use of the recognition that voice commands are particularly useful for improving the operating comfort of the edge banding machine if the commands can be transmitted to the device in the form of voice commands, which reduces the user's effort compared to manual input and improves the overall processing efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended claims and the following description, in which example embodiments are explained in detail with the aid of schematic drawings.

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a woodworking machine designed as a sliding table saw with a voice control device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a graphical user interface of a woodworking device according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a recommended operation of a woodworking device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an embodiment of a woodworking device according to the invention designed as an edge banding machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a woodworking device 2 designed as a sliding table circular saw 4. The sliding table circular saw 4 comprises a processing tool 8, which is designed for processing a workpiece 10 fed to the sliding table circular saw 4. The sliding table circular saw 4 also comprises a voice control device 12, which is designed for processing voice commands 14 from a user of the sliding table circular saw 4 and for generating therefrom control signals 16 for controlling the sliding table circular saw 4. The sliding table circular saw 4 is also designed to be controlled on the basis of the control signals 16.

[0033] The sliding table circular saw 4 includes a workpiece table 58. The workpiece table 58 includes a horizontal support surface 60 and a saw groove 62. The sliding table circular saw 4 also includes a saw unit. The saw unit has a circular saw blade 64 arranged so as to be able to protrude from the saw groove 62. The workpiece stopper 44 is arranged so as to be able to move on the workpiece support surface 60. The workpiece stopper 44 has a function of guiding the workpiece 10 laterally.

[0034] The audio control device 12 comprises an output unit 18 designed to issue instructions 20 to a user. The audio control device 12 further comprises a data interface 22. The data interface 22 is suitable for wirelessly communicating one-way and / or two-way with an external device 24, in particular an external audio unit 24. The data interface 22 is designed to communicate by means of at least one of the following data transmission standards: Bluetooth, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Digital Enhanced Wireless Telecommunications (DECT).

[0035] Furthermore, the voice control device 12 is designed to recognize at least one of the voice commands 14 of the user and to generate therefrom a control signal 16 for controlling the sliding table circular saw 4, such as the initial input and / or modification of setting parameters 26 of the axes 28 of the sliding table circular saw 4, in particular the initial input and / or modification of dimensional values ​​of the axes 28, the activation of a clamping tool 30 of the sliding table circular saw 4, in particular the activation of an electric clamping tool 30, the activation of a compressed air supply unit 32, the activation of a suction unit 34 and / or the release of the workpiece 10.

[0036] The sliding table circular saw 4 also includes a graphical user interface 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the voice control 12 is designed to recognize voice commands 14 from a user and control the user interface 38 based on the voice commands 14.

[0037] The voice control device 12 is designed to automatically adjust at least one stop 44 of the sliding table circular saw 4 after voice input of the material to be processed. The woodworking device 2, in particular the sliding table circular saw 4, is designed to detect a fault condition 56. The voice control device 12 is designed to issue instructions 20 to the user and / or process voice commands 14 from the user as a function of the fault condition 56.

[0038] The instructions 20 include a multi-stage verification of the configuration parameters 26, in particular in the form of a fault tree. The voice control device 12 is also designed to establish contact with a service technician.

[0039] 2 is a schematic diagram of the user interface 38. The user interface 38 comprises an operation menu 40 and a user assistance system 42 in the form of a cutting optimization assistance system 42. The voice control device 12 is designed to recognize user voice commands 14 for selecting the operation menu 40 and / or navigating within the operation menu 40 and / or for performing voice control of the user assistance system 42.

[0040] 3 relates generally to a recommended action 46. The recommended action 46 comprises a recommended action 48 for the workpiece 10 to be processed, a recommended action 50 for the operation of the woodworking device 2, and / or training information 52, in particular on methods for increasing the safety of the operation, and / or the condition of the workpiece 10. The voice control device 12 is designed to issue the recommended action 46 in response to one or more user conditions 54. The user conditions 54 correlate in particular with the degree of training of the user.

[0041] 4 is a schematic diagram of a woodworking device 102 designated as an edge bander 104. The edge bander 104 comprises a processing tool 108 and a voice control device 112. The voice control device 112 is configured to recognize at least one of the user's voice commands 114 and generate therefrom a control signal 116 for controlling the edge bander 104. Said voice commands 114 are the selection of an operating mode 162 of the edge bander 104, in particular the selection of the gluepot mode and / or the Airtronic mode, the setting of the cutting joint thickness 164, the setting of the edge thickness 166, the setting of the workpiece height 168, the individual on and / or off of the individual cutting cutters 170 of the edge bander 104 and the setting of the cutting thickness 172 of the edge bander 104. In particular, the air mode includes the selection of the temperature. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 2 Woodworking equipment 4. Sliding table circular saw 8 Processing tools 10 Workpiece 12 Voice control device 14 Voice Commands 16 Control Signals 18 Output Unit 20 Instructions for users 22 Data Interface 24 External Device (Audio Unit) 26 Configuration parameters 28 Axis 30 Clamping tool 32 Compressed Air Supply Unit 34 Suction unit 36 Parallel Stopper 38 Graphical User Interface 40 Operation Menu 42 Cutting Optimization Support System 44 Workpiece stopper 46 Recommended Actions 48 Recommended actions for the workpiece to be machined 50 Recommended Operations for Operating Woodworking Equipment 52 Training information 54 User Status 56 Bad condition 58 Workpiece table 60 Workpiece support surface 62 Sawtooth 64 Circular saw blade 66 Workpiece stopper surface 102 Woodworking equipment 104 Edge pasting machine 108 Processing tools 112 Voice control device 114 Voice Commands 116 Control Signals 162 Edge banding machine operating modes 164 Thickness of cut joint 166 Edge thickness 168 Height of workpiece 170 Cutting cutter 172 Cutting thickness

Claims

1. A woodworking device (2, 102), in particular a sliding table circular saw (4) or an edge banding machine (104), comprising: a processing tool (8, 108) having a function of processing a workpiece (10) supplied to the woodworking device (2, 102); a voice control device (12, 112) designed to process voice commands (14, 114) from a user of the woodworking device (2, 102) and generate control signals (16, 116) from the voice commands (14, 114) for controlling the woodworking device (2, 102); Equipped with designed to be controlled based on said control signal (16, 116); The voice control device receives a tool signal that conveys a movement of a machining tool or a stop state of the machining tool, and accepts a voice command; If the tool signal indicates a stopped state of the machining tool, comparing the received voice command with a first predetermined list of voice commands; comparing the received voice command with a second predetermined list of voice commands if the tool signal conveys movement of the machining tool; and configured to execute the voice command when a match between the received voice command and a predetermined voice command from the first list or the second list is detected. woodworking equipment.

2. The woodworking device (2) is designed as a sliding table circular saw (4), The sliding table circular saw (4) is a workpiece table (58) having a horizontal workpiece support surface (60) and a saw groove (62); a saw unit having a circular saw blade (64) arranged so as to be able to protrude from the saw groove (62); a workpiece stop (44) movably disposed on said workpiece support surface (60) to provide lateral guidance for said workpiece (10); Equipped with 2. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1.

3. 3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio control device (12) comprises an output unit (18) designed to issue instructions (20) to the user.

4. 3. The woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio control device (12, 112) has a data interface (22) designed for one-way and / or two-way wireless communication with an external device (24), in particular an external audio unit (24).

5. The data interface (22) Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), and Digital Enhanced Radio Telecommunications (DECT), designed to communicate in accordance with at least one of the data transmission standards 3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the voice control device (12, 112) is designed to recognize the voice command (14) of a user and generate a control signal (16) from the voice command (14) for controlling the woodworking device (2); The voice command (14) initial input and / or modification of the setting parameters (26) of the shafts (28) of the woodworking device (2), in particular initial input and / or modification of the dimensional values ​​of the shafts (28); Activation of the clamping tool (30) of the woodworking device (2), in particular activation of the electric clamping tool (30); Activation of the compressed air supply unit (32), Activation of the suction unit (34), and releasing the workpiece (10), in particular by releasing the parallel stops against which the workpiece (10) rests. At least one of 3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The woodworking device (2) is provided with a graphical user interface (38); the voice control device (12) is designed to recognize the voice command (14) of a user and to control the user interface (38) based on the voice command (14); The voice command (14) selecting and / or navigating within an operational menu (40) displayed by said user interface (38); or voice control of a user assistance system (42), in particular a cutting optimization assistance system (42); That is, 3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

8. 3. The woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voice control device is designed to automatically adjust at least one stop of the woodworking device and / or one processing parameter of the woodworking device after voice input of an identifier for the workpiece or material to be processed.

9. 3. The woodworking device (2) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio control device (12) is designed to issue a recommendation (46) to the user.

10. The recommended action (46) is a recommended action (48) for the workpiece (10) to be processed; A recommended action (50) for operating the woodworking device (2); training information (52), in particular on methods for increasing operational safety; and / or information about the state of the workpiece (10), at least one of Woodworking device (2) according to claim 9.

11. The voice control device (12) is designed to issue recommended actions (46) in response to one or more user states (54); The condition (54) of the user is correlated in particular with the degree of training of the user.

3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The woodworking device (2) is designed to detect a fault condition (56), The voice control device (12) is designed to issue instructions (20) to the user and / or process voice commands (14) from the user in response to the fault condition (56).

3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

13. 3. Woodworking device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instructions (20) comprise a verification of the setting parameters (26), in particular a multi-stage verification of the setting parameters (26) in the form of a fault tree.

14. 3. Woodworking machine (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voice control device (12) is designed to establish contact with a service technician.

15. The woodworking device (102) is designed as an edge banding machine (104), the voice control device (112) is designed to recognize the voice commands (114) of a user and to generate control signals (116) from the voice commands (114) for controlling the edge banding machine (104); The voice command (114) selection of an operating mode (162) of said edge banding machine (104), in particular a gluepot mode and / or an airtronic mode, in particular including a temperature selection; Setting the thickness of the cut joint (164); Setting the edge thickness (166), Setting the workpiece height (168), Individual activation and / or deactivation of the individual cutting cutters (170) of said edge banding machine (104); and setting the cutting thickness (172) of the edge banding machine (104); At least one of 3. Woodworking device (102) according to claim 1 or 2.

16. 3. The woodworking machine (102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voice control device has a filter for filtering out background noise and / or a learning function for focusing on individual user voice commands, for example by recognizing the voice range, speech pitch, rhythm or tone of voice, or a combination of these parameters.

17. 3. The woodworking device (102) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio control device is designed to provide specific settings during the working process.

18. A woodworking method for processing a workpiece (10) sent to a woodworking device (2, 102) according to claim 1 or 2 using a processing tool (8, 108), comprising: characterized by at least one voice control step (12, 112), In the voice control step (12, 112), Voice commands (14, 114) from a user of the woodworking device (2, 102) are accepted and processed; a control signal (16, 116) for controlling the woodworking device (2, 102) is generated from the voice command (14, 114); The woodworking device (2, 102) is controlled based on the control signal (16, 116). Woodworking methods.

19. Use of voice control in a woodworking device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 for controlling the woodworking device, in particular for setting processing parameters or for controlling the position of a workpiece stop.

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