Electrical appliance having a monitoring device, method for monitoring an electrical appliance, and monitoring device for an electrical appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical appliance (1), comprising: a drive unit (20), which can be coupled to the working tool (30) in order to drive the working tool (30); a monitoring device (40), which can be mounted on an appliance frame (12) and / or on an appliance housing (11) of the electrical appliance (1), wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises a control unit (45) for detecting at least one state parameter which is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit (20) and / or of the working tool (30): a standby operating state, an idle operating state and a load operating state; wherein the control unit (45) is configured to evaluate the at least one state parameter on the basis of a maintenance characteristic map having at least one maintenance parameter, and wherein the control unit (45) is configured to adjust the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) if at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met, so that preferably a maintenance action can be carried out on the drive unit (20) and / or on the working tool (30). The invention further relates to a method for monitoring an electrical appliance and to a monitoring device (40) for an electrical appliance (1).

Description

[0001] ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH A MONITORING DEVICE, METHOD FOR MONITORING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND MONITORING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention lies in the field of electrical engineering and relates to an electrical device with a preferably interchangeable (replaceable) working tool. The electrical device includes a monitoring device which serves for monitoring and maintenance of the electrical device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring an electrical device with a preferably interchangeable working tool, as well as a monitoring device for an electrical device with a preferably interchangeable working tool.

[0004] Power tools are configured differently depending on their intended use and application, and must meet a variety of requirements. Due to their use, these tools are subject to wear and tear, which can typically be caused by electrical, thermal, and / or mechanical factors. To ensure proper functionality and longevity, maintenance intervals must be observed and maintenance work performed. Users of such power tools usually have little or no knowledge of when maintenance is due or required. Maintenance intervals and / or the specific tasks performed can vary depending on the operating conditions of the power tool.

[0005] A lack of maintenance typically exposes an electrical device and its associated tools to increased stress, which can lead to, for example, more frequent failures and / or a decline in the quality of work results. This is evident, for instance, in tools used for the mechanical processing and / or cleaning of a workpiece, which become worn due to a lack of maintenance. Furthermore, the electrical drive unit of an electrical device can also be affected by failure to adhere to maintenance intervals and procedures, resulting in, for example, a reduction in performance.To counteract the aforementioned disadvantages, various approaches for electrical devices with working tools are known from the patent literature of the prior art, in which condition monitoring and only an optical display of the monitored condition are performed with regard to maintenance. For example, reference is made in this context to the German patent applications DE 102013016068 Al and DE 102022202681 Al.

[0006] Simply displaying maintenance-relevant or maintenance-related information can only indicate an upcoming or due maintenance action, but cannot, for example, force it.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical device, preferably a handheld electrical device with an interchangeable working tool, which is improved, in particular, for carrying out maintenance operations in order to, for example, prevent failure or damage of the electrical device. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for monitoring an electrical device. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring device for an electrical device.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of independent claims 1, 12 and 13. Further embodiments and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description with partial reference to the figures.

[0009] According to a first general point of view, the present invention relates to an electrical device, preferably a handheld electrical device with an interchangeable working tool, comprising: a drive unit which can be coupled to the working tool in order to drive the working tool; a monitoring device which can be mounted on a device frame and / or on a device housing of the electrical device, wherein the monitoring device comprises a control unit for detecting at least one state parameter which is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit and / or the working tool: a standby operating state, an idle operating state, a load operating state;wherein the control unit is configured to evaluate the at least one state parameter based on a maintenance map with at least one maintenance parameter, and wherein the control unit is configured to adjust, preferably control, the drive unit and / or the working tool when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met, so that preferably a maintenance action can be carried out on the drive unit and / or on the working tool.

[0010] The present invention provides an electrical device with a monitoring unit, in which, preferably with regard to maintenance operations, monitoring of the drive unit and, in particular, the working tool is implemented. The electrical device of the present invention is characterized, among other things, by the fact that it is adjusted, preferably controlled, and especially preferably automated, independently and / or initially independently of any input from a user of the electrical device, depending on the fulfillment of a maintenance condition in conjunction with a maintenance characteristic curve.

[0011] The present invention goes beyond simply displaying maintenance information, for example, by making a maintenance action possible in certain operating situations.

[0012] The electrical device can be handheld, hand-operated, hand-operated, hand-portable, and / or mobile. The working tool can be interchangeable. At least one state parameter can be electrical, thermal, and / or mechanical, representing a specific load on the drive unit and / or the working tool to which it was subjected.

[0013] The at least one state parameter can, for example, be a detected, preferably a measured, current supplied to the drive unit during an idle operating state and / or during a load operating state, or comprise one such parameter in each case. The maintenance map with the at least one maintenance parameter can be stored in a memory element of the monitoring device in the form of a maintenance information database and / or a maintenance information simulation model. The at least one maintenance parameter can be a maintenance-relevant reference current for an idle operating state and / or for a load operating state, or comprise one such parameter in each case. The at least one maintenance parameter can be assigned to maintenance action information from the maintenance map for setting, preferably controlling, the drive unit and / or the working tool.The maintenance procedure may vary depending on the training and / or configuration of the drive unit and / or the working tool.

[0014] The monitoring device can be a self-contained (independent, separate) unit. The monitoring device can be configured for interaction, preferably operation, with a user.

[0015] The electrical device can be designed, for example, as a support strip cleaner of a laser processing machine, as a nibbler for punching / cutting a sheet metal, or as a shear for cutting a sheet metal with a respective interchangeable working tool.

[0016] A standby operating state (standby mode) can be an operating state of the electrical device in which the device is switched on but not actively operating, meaning preferably the working tool is not driven. An idle operating state (idle mode) can be an operating state of the electrical device in which the device is switched on and the drive unit is activated, but no work is performed, preferably by the working tool. An active operating state (operating mode) can be an operating state of the electrical device in which the device is switched on, the drive unit is activated, and work is performed by the working tool as a result of the drive unit being driven.

[0017] The at least one maintenance condition may include at least one of the following: an electrical threshold condition relating to a supplied current and / or a change in a supplied current to the drive unit; a thermal threshold condition relating to a temperature and / or a change in the temperature of the drive unit and / or the working tool; a mechanical threshold condition relating to a structural load and / or a change in a structural load on the drive unit and / or the working tool; wherein the control unit may preferably be configured to control the drive unit and / or the working tool differently depending on the respective threshold condition.

[0018] For example, the electrical threshold condition can include an exceedance of at least one maintenance parameter in the form of a maintenance-relevant reference current by at least one state parameter in the form of a measured current supplied to the drive unit within a defined interval, from a defined time and / or for a defined period of time.

[0019] The control unit can be configured, depending on at least one maintenance condition and / or its fulfillment, to deactivate the drive unit and / or the working tool during each load operating condition and / or to adjust with respect to a supplied current, preferably in stages, in order to avoid overloading the drive unit and / or the working tool or at least to limit it for a defined period of time.

[0020] This can prevent damage, failure, or destruction of the drive unit and / or the working tool. Furthermore, it can also prevent damage to the workpiece being machined. The control unit of the monitoring device can be configured as a control unit to deactivate the drive unit and / or to adjust the supplied current to the drive unit, independently of and / or prioritizing a setting of the drive unit by a power control element of the drive unit. The defined time duration can, for example, depend on user interaction with the monitoring device.

[0021] The control unit can additionally or alternatively be configured to block or delay a restart of the drive unit and / or the drive tool, preferably after an interruption of the supply of power to the drive unit and / or after a standstill of the working tool, depending on at least one maintenance condition, for a defined period of time.

[0022] This may include, for example, a maintenance action, such as changing the work tool, being carried out and / or being forced by a user.

[0023] The monitoring device can include at least one switching element for actuation by a user, preferably by means of a control element. The control unit can be configured to reset the at least one state parameter as a result of actuation of the at least one switching element, preferably to an initial value (reset value). The control unit can be connected to the at least one switching element via a communication link.

[0024] The switching element can preferably be actuated after a maintenance operation has been carried out in order to reset at least one state parameter, so that work can then continue with the electrical device in a serviced state.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring device may include an interface unit and / or a transmit-receive unit, each for establishing a communication connection with at least one terminal device via a communication network, wherein the control unit may be configured to control the transmit-receive unit to query a reset of the at least one state parameter to an initial value (reset value) at the at least one terminal device.

[0026] The communication network can be wired and / or wireless. At least one end device can be, for example, a mobile field device with a user interface, such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0027] The interface unit can, for example, include a port for connecting at least one end device to the monitoring system via a cable. The port can be configured according to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, for example.

[0028] This allows, for example, the resetting of at least one status parameter outside the power tool. The interface unit and / or transceiver unit can also each be used to transmit maintenance-relevant and / or maintenance-related information from the power tool. Furthermore, an updated maintenance map can be transmitted via the interface unit and / or the transceiver unit to a storage element of the monitoring device.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it may be provided that the monitoring device for detecting the at least one state parameter comprises at least one monitoring sensor element which is assigned to the drive unit and / or the working tool; and / or that the control unit for detecting the at least one state parameter and / or for checking the plausibility of the at least one state parameter is configured to form a communication link with at least one of the following elements of the drive unit and / or the working tool: a power control element, a drive sensor element, a tool sensor element.

[0030] The at least one monitoring sensor element can be configured to detect a current, temperature or structural load, for example in the form of a force, torque, shock, vibration and / or acceleration.

[0031] In other words, the monitoring device can include its own monitoring sensor element for detecting at least one state parameter without having to rely on sensor elements of the drive unit and / or the working tool.

[0032] It is possible that the monitoring device (in terms of circuitry) is arranged between a power supply unit of the electrical device and a switching element of the electrical device for deactivating the drive unit, in order to supply the monitoring device with electrical energy independently of the drive unit.

[0033] In other words, the monitoring device can be electrically connected between a connector of an electrical line supplying an electric current and the drive unit in the form of an electric motor. This ensures that the monitoring device has an independent power supply from the rest of the electrical equipment, so that the drive unit and / or the working tool are not affected by the monitoring device, or at least only negligibly.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the monitoring device comprises at least one first output element, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one first output element depending on the at least one maintenance condition which is associated with the standby operating state, the idle operating state and / or the load operating state of the drive unit, wherein preferably the at least one first output element is an optical display element.

[0035] It is possible that the monitoring device includes at least a second output element, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one second output element depending on the at least one maintenance condition which is associated with the standby operating state, the idle operating state and / or the load operating state of the working tool, wherein preferably the at least one second output element is an optical display element.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the monitoring device comprises at least a third output element, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one third output element depending on a maintenance status of the drive unit and / or the working tool, wherein preferably the at least one third output element is an optical display element.

[0037] The monitoring device is not limited to the aforementioned output elements and may include further output elements in the form of acoustic and / or visual output elements. These output elements may, for example, be designed as LEDs with adjustable colors (e.g., red, yellow, green) to visually indicate a given status.

[0038] It is possible that at least one state parameter is a retrieved, a measured and / or a calculated state parameter and preferably includes at least one current supplied to the drive unit.

[0039] According to a second general aspect, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring an electrical device, preferably a handheld electrical device with an interchangeable working tool, comprising a drive unit which can be coupled to the working tool in order to drive the working tool; and comprising a monitoring device which includes a control unit and which can be mounted on a device frame and / or on a device housing of the electrical device; wherein the control unit detects at least one state parameter which is associated with at least one of the following states of the drive unit and / or the working tool: a standby operating state, an idle operating state,a load operating state; and wherein the control unit evaluates the at least one state parameter based on a maintenance characteristic map with at least one maintenance parameter, and wherein the control unit adjusts the drive unit and / or the working tool when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met, so that preferably a maintenance action can be carried out on the drive unit and / or on the working tool, wherein preferably the electrical device is configured as disclosed herein. According to a third general aspect, the present invention relates to a monitoring device for electrical connection with an electrical device and / or for mounting on a device frame and / or on a device housing of an electrical device, preferably a handheld electrical device with an interchangeable working tool, with a drive unit,which can be coupled to the working tool to drive the working tool, wherein the monitoring device comprises a control unit which, in an assembly state of the monitoring device, is configured to detect at least one state parameter, wherein the at least one state parameter is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit and / or the working tool: a standby operating state, an idle operating state, a load operating state; wherein, in the assembly state, the control unit is configured to evaluate the at least one state parameter using a maintenance map with at least one maintenance parameter, and wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the drive unit and / or the working tool when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met.so that preferably a maintenance action can be carried out on the drive unit and / or on the working tool, wherein the monitoring device for carrying out the method is preferably configured as disclosed herein.

[0040] The monitoring device can be configured, for example, for direct mounting on the device frame, the device housing, and / or inside the device housing of the electrical appliance. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring device can be configured for connection to an electrical line of the electrical appliance to provide power. In other words, the monitoring device can be configured for electrical coupling with the electrical appliance via an electrical line of the electrical appliance. The electrical appliance can be configured as disclosed herein.

[0041] According to a fourth general aspect, the present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a power tool as disclosed herein and a monitoring device as disclosed herein. The monitoring device can be mounted on the device frame, on the device housing, or within the device housing of the power tool. Alternatively, the monitoring device and the power tool of the arrangement can be spatially separated from one another but connected to each other via an electrical line to supply current to the power tool. To avoid repetition, features relating solely to the device of the power tool according to the invention and / or to the arrangement of the monitoring device according to the invention, and / or features disclosed in connection therewith, shall also be deemed to be disclosed according to the method and be claimable, and vice versa.

[0042] The embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined arbitrarily or expediently. Further details and advantageous effects of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0043] They show:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an electrical device according to the present invention with a first embodiment of a monitoring device according to the present invention;

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a section of the electrical device from Figure 1, where the working tool of the electrical device is visible;

[0046] Fig. 3 shows the monitoring device from Figure 1 in a first operating state;

[0047] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged section of the monitoring device from Figure 3 (section X);

[0048] Fig. 5 shows the monitoring device from Figure 3 in a second operating state;

[0049] Fig. 6 shows the monitoring device from Figure 5 with a control element for actuating a switching element of the monitoring device;

[0050] Fig. 7 shows the monitoring device from Figure 6 in a fourth operating state.

[0051] Identical or functionally equivalent devices, units, and / or elements are identified in the figures by the same reference numerals. To avoid repetition, reference is sometimes made to the descriptions of other embodiments and / or figures for their explanation. The following detailed description of the embodiments shown in the figures serves for further illustration or clarification and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0052] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the electrical device 1 according to the present invention, together with a first embodiment of the monitoring device 40 according to the present invention. In other words, Figure 1 shows an arrangement with an electrical device 1 and a monitoring device 40, wherein the monitoring device 40 is mounted on the electrical device 1. The monitoring device 40 is thus in a mounted state.

[0053] The electrical device 1 of the present invention is preferably a handheld, hand-operated, hand-held, hand-carryable and / or mobile electrical device 1 with an interchangeable working tool 30 (see also Figure 2). Hereinafter, the interchangeable working tool 30 will also be referred to as "working tool 30".

[0054] The electrical device 1 is configured for connection to a stationary power supply unit 2 via an electrical line 14, which provides the electrical device 2 with electrical energy, i.e., electrical current for its operation. The electrical device 1 can additionally or alternatively be configured as a self-contained electrical device 1 with its own replaceable power supply unit, for example, in the form of a lithium-ion battery.

[0055] The electrical device 1 comprises a drive unit 20, which is designed as an electric drive unit in the form of an electric motor. The electric motor 20 can, for example, be a brushless DC motor. The drive unit 20 is preferably arranged inside the device housing 11 to protect it from external environmental influences, such as dirt / dust and / or water. The drive unit 20 comprises a stator and a rotor, which are not visible and / or labeled in the figures for clarity. The rotor can be designed as a drive shaft for transmitting a drive torque to the working tool 30. The rotor can be coupled directly (immediately), via a coupling unit, and / or via at least one gear stage unit to drive the working tool 30 in an operating state.For the adjustment, preferably for regulation and / or control, of the drive unit 20, the drive unit 20 may include a power control element (“power electronics”) and / or at least one drive sensor element.

[0056] An operating state can, for example, include an idle operating state and / or a load operating state of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30.

[0057] The electrical device 1 can be designed for processing a workpiece, for example made of a metallic material. In the present first embodiment, the electrical device 1 is configured for cleaning a support rail of a laser processing machine (support rail cleaner).

[0058] The monitoring device 40 is (in terms of circuit technology) arranged between the power supply unit 2 of the electrical device 1 and a switching element 13 of the electrical device 1 for deactivating the drive unit 20 in order to supply the monitoring device 40 with electrical energy independently of the drive unit 20.

[0059] Figure 2 shows a section of the electrical device 1 from Figure 1 in a perspective view, in which the working tool 30 of the electrical device 1 is visible. The working tool 30 comprises tool elements in the form of scraping and / or roughing elements 31, 32, which are spaced apart from each other and / or arranged opposite each other and are each driven rotaryally by means of the drive unit 20.

[0060] Tool elements 31 and 32 essentially constitute the working tool 30 and serve to remove deposits, dirt, and / or residues from the support rails of a laser processing machine. Tool elements 31 and 32 are subject to thermal and, above all, mechanical stresses, which entails wear and, consequently, maintenance requirements.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, further designs and / or configurations of the electrical device 1 are possible. For example, the electrical device 1 can be designed as a nibbler with a working tool, wherein the working tool comprises at least one cutting blade element and / or at least one punch element. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, that the electrical device 1 is designed as scissors with a working tool, wherein the working tool comprises at least one cutting blade element. The monitoring device 40 is detachably mounted to a device frame 12 of the electrical device 1. In the present electrical device 1, the device frame 12 comprises a tubular element (handle) which extends in a longitudinal direction L of the electrical device 1.

[0062] The monitoring device 40 is mounted on and / or with the device frame 12 via at least one substantially positive-locking connection and / or at least one substantially force-locking connection, preferably detachably. For example, the monitoring device 40 can be detachably connected to the device frame 12 via at least one screw connection. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring device 40 can be detachably connected to the device frame 12 via at least one clamping element. Furthermore, the monitoring device 40 can additionally or alternatively be configured to be mountable on and / or within the device housing 11 of the electrical device 1.

[0063] Figure 3 shows in a perspective view the monitoring device 40 from Figure 1 in a first operating state.

[0064] The monitoring device 40 is preferably designed and / or configured as a self-contained unit in relation to the other devices, units, and / or elements of the electrical device 1. The monitoring device 40 can therefore be manufactured independently of the rest of the electrical device 1. The monitoring device 40 comprises its own monitoring device housing, which is shown in the figures but is not labeled for the sake of clarity.

[0065] The monitoring device 40 comprises a control unit 45. The control unit 45 can be implemented in hardware and / or software. The control unit 45 can be designed as an integrated circuit with a multitude of electronic elements, or at least comprise one such element. The multitude of electronic elements of the integrated circuit can include, for example, transistors, diodes, resistors, and / or capacitors.

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 45 can be configured as or comprise a microprocessor module with a plurality of electronic elements. The plurality of electronic elements of the microprocessor module can, for example, include at least one (independent) arithmetic element (processing core) and / or at least one memory element (RAM, ROM, Flash).

[0067] The control unit 45 can be configured to execute a computer program for processing information, preferably parameters, in the form of electrical / electronic signals in a runtime environment.

[0068] The control unit 45 can be configured to establish a communication link with other facilities, units and / or elements in order to transmit, preferably send and / or receive, information, preferably parameters, in the form of electrical / electronic signals.

[0069] The control unit 45 is preferably configured to establish a communication link with at least one of the following elements of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30, which are not shown and / or marked in detail in the figures for the sake of clarity: the power control element of the drive unit 20 for setting, in particular for controlling and / or regulating, the drive unit 20; the drive sensor element of the drive unit 20 for detecting an operating state, preferably a load state, of the drive unit 20; and / or a tool sensor element for detecting an operating state, preferably a load state, of the working tool 30.

[0070] The control unit 45 is connected to the drive unit 20 via a communication link and is also configured to adjust, preferably control, the drive unit 20. Depending on the configuration of the working tool 30, the control unit 45 can additionally be connected to the working tool 30 via a communication link and configured to adjust, preferably control, the working tool 30.

[0071] The control unit 45 is configured to acquire at least one state parameter. This state parameter is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30: a standby operating state, an idle operating state, or a loaded operating state. The state parameter can represent operationally relevant information of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 at a defined time and / or for a defined duration. The state parameter can be a retrieved (read) state parameter, which is stored, for example, in a memory element of the drive unit 20 and / or in a memory element of the working tool 30.

[0072] The at least one state parameter can additionally or alternatively be at least one measured state parameter, which is measured between the monitoring device 40 and the drive unit 20, between the monitoring device 40 and the working tool 30, between the drive unit 20 and the working tool 30, at the drive unit 20 and / or at the working tool 30.

[0073] The at least one state parameter can additionally or alternatively be at least one calculated state parameter, for example by means of an operating information simulation model for setting the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 in order to realize a defined operating state.

[0074] To detect at least one state parameter, the monitoring device 40 preferably comprises at least one (independent) monitoring sensor element 49, which is assigned to the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30. The at least one monitoring sensor element 49 is connected to the control unit 45 via a communication link. The at least one monitoring sensor element 49 and the control unit 45 can, for example, be arranged and / or formed on a circuit board of the monitoring device 40.

[0075] The at least one monitoring sensor element 49 can preferably be configured as a current measuring element for measuring a current supplied to the drive unit 20 in an idle operating state and / or in a load operating state. Furthermore, the at least one monitoring sensor element 49 can be configured to assign the measured supplied current to the at least one state parameter. For example, the at least one monitoring sensor element 49 can be configured as a Hall sensor element for measuring the current.

[0076] The monitoring device 40 can include at least one further monitoring sensor element 49, for example for determining at least one further state parameter in the form of a temperature and / or a structural load on the drive unit 20 and / or on the working tool 30. The structural load can, for example, include a force, a torque, a shock, a vibration and / or an acceleration during an operating condition.

[0077] To alert a user of the electrical device 1 to a maintenance situation requiring maintenance on the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 prior to any adjustment, preferably of a control, by the control unit 45, the monitoring device 40 preferably comprises three output elements (signal elements) 41, 42, and 43 in the form of optical display elements 41, 42, and 43. The optical display elements 41, 42, and 43 can, for example, be designed as LEDs with adjustable colors (e.g., red, yellow, green) to display maintenance-relevant and / or maintenance-related information. To clarify the meaning of each output element 41, 42, or 43, a functional information element 44 with a pictogram-like representation of the power supply of the electrical device 1, the working tool 30, and the drive unit 20 can be provided.

[0078] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible that the output elements 41, 42, 43 are designed as acoustic output elements and, for example, generate a signal tone or a signal noise depending on maintenance-relevant and / or maintenance-related information.

[0079] Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of the monitoring device 40 from Figure 3 (section X) in a front view (main view), in which the output elements 41, 42, 43 and the functional information element 44 are clearly visible.

[0080] The control unit 45 is configured to evaluate at least one condition parameter based on a maintenance map with at least one maintenance parameter.

[0081] The maintenance map can preferably be a predefined maintenance map. The maintenance map can be one-dimensional or multi-dimensional. The maintenance map, containing at least one maintenance parameter, can be stored in a memory element of the monitoring device in the form of a maintenance information database and / or a maintenance information simulation model.

[0082] At least one maintenance parameter can be assigned to a maintenance action information of the maintenance map for setting, preferably controlling, the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30, in order to make a maintenance action on the drive unit 20 and / or on the working tool 30 possible after the respective setting has been made.

[0083] The maintenance characteristic map can include at least one maintenance parameter or a plurality of maintenance parameters, which is / are assigned, for example, to a load collective relevant for a maintenance action of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30. For example, the at least one maintenance parameter can be a maintenance-relevant reference current for an idle operating state and / or for a load operating state, which is assigned to the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30.

[0084] The control unit 45 is configured to adjust, preferably to control, the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met, such that a maintenance action can preferably be performed on the drive unit 20 and / or on the working tool 30. A maintenance action can, for example, include replacing the working tool 30 with another working tool 30 of identical configuration, wherein the other working tool 30 is preferably new and therefore unused.

[0085] By means of the control unit 45 it is possible to adjust the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 directly (immediately) automatically, independently and / or autonomously depending on at least one fulfilled maintenance condition in order to make a maintenance action feasible.

[0086] As mentioned previously, at least one state parameter can be a measured supplied current during a load operating state. At least one maintenance parameter can be a maintenance-relevant reference current in the load operating state. At least one maintenance condition can include an electrical threshold condition between the measured supplied current and the maintenance-relevant reference current. For example, the electrical threshold condition can include the measured supplied current to the drive unit exceeding the maintenance-relevant reference current within a defined interval, from a defined time, and / or for a defined duration.

[0087] The control unit 45 is preferably configured, depending on at least one maintenance condition, for example, the electrical threshold condition, to deactivate the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 during a load operating condition in order to prevent overloading of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 or at least to limit it for a defined period of time. The deactivation resulting from the setting by the control unit 45 thus enables a maintenance action to be carried out. This can, for example, prevent damage to the drive unit 20, which is subject to additional stress, for instance, due to a worn working tool 30.

[0088] The control unit 45 can also be configured, depending on at least one maintenance condition, for example the electrical threshold condition, to adjust the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 with respect to a supplied current during a load operating condition in order to avoid overloading the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 or at least to limit it for a defined period of time.

[0089] It is also possible that the control unit 45 is configured, depending on at least one maintenance condition, for example the electrical threshold condition, to block or delay a restart of the (deactivated) drive unit 20 and / or the (deactivated) drive tool 30, preferably after an interruption of the supply of power to the drive unit 20 and / or after a standstill of the working tool 30, or to make it dependent on a user-defined action.

[0090] This allows, for example, a user to essentially force a maintenance action.

[0091] In a deactivated state of the drive unit 20, for example, it is possible to check, maintain and / or change the working tool 30, as well as to check and / or maintain the drive unit 20 itself.

[0092] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the monitoring device from Figure 3 in a second operating state. The monitoring device 40 is in an actuated state. To actuate the monitoring device 40, it comprises a switching element 46, which is arranged inside the monitoring device housing (see the dashed reference line of reference numeral 46 in Figure 5). The switching element 46 is accessible for actuation by means of an operating element 50 after a sliding cover of the monitoring device 40 has been removed. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the monitoring device 40 from Figure 5 with the operating element 50 for actuating the switching element 46 of the monitoring device 40.The actuating element 50 can, for example, be designed as an actuating key which is configured to be inserted into the monitoring device housing via respective recesses to actuate the switching element 46.

[0093] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the monitoring device 40 from Figure 6 in a fourth operating state, in which the actuating element 50 is plugged in and the switching element 46 is actuated.

[0094] The control unit 45 is configured to reset at least one state parameter as a result of actuation of the switching element 46, preferably to an initial value (reset value). This preferably allows the deactivation of the drive unit 20 and / or the blocking of a restart of the drive unit 20 to be lifted.

[0095] A reset can be performed especially after a maintenance operation in order to repeat the monitoring and adjustment of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 as disclosed herein, and preferably to continue working with the electrical device in a serviced condition.

[0096] An impending and / or completed setting of a deactivation state and / or a lock state for a restart can be indicated to a user by a respective output element 41, 42, 43 of the output elements 41, 42, 43 by means of different light colors depending on a defined escalation system.

[0097] The monitoring device 40 may further comprise an interface unit 47 and / or a transmit-receive unit 48. The interface unit 47 and / or the transmit-receive unit 48 may each be configured to establish a communication connection with at least one terminal device via a communication network in order to transmit, preferably send and / or receive, maintenance-relevant and / or maintenance-related information.

[0098] The interface unit 47 can, for example, include a port for connecting at least one terminal device to the monitoring device 40 by means of a cable. The port can, for example, be configured according to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. The transceiver unit 48 can be configured to establish a wireless communication link with a terminal device of a communication network. The transceiver unit 48 can, for example, be configured to transmit maintenance-relevant information, preferably parameters, of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 according to at least one of the following standards: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, NFC, 3G, 4G, and / or 5G.

[0099] The control unit 45 can be configured to control the interface unit 47 and / or the transmit-receive unit 48 to query a reset of at least one state parameter to an initial value (reset value) at at least one terminal device.

[0100] The present invention provides an electrical device 1, a method for monitoring an electrical device 1, and a monitoring device 40 for an electrical device 1, in which maintenance-relevant and / or maintenance-related information is used to adjust the electrical device 1 in order to perform a maintenance action. A user of the electrical device 1 thus no longer needs to worry about maintenance intervals or when a maintenance action is due. The present invention preferably automates the adjustment of the drive unit 20 and / or the working tool 30 to enable the maintenance action to be carried out appropriately for the situation.

[0101] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Preferably, the present invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims independently of the referenced claims. List of reference numerals

[0102] 1 electrical appliance

[0103] 2 Energy supply facility

[0104] 11 Device housings

[0105] 12 device frames

[0106] 13 Switch-off element

[0107] 14 Management

[0108] 20 drive unit

[0109] 30 work tools

[0110] 31 Tool element

[0111] 32 Tool element

[0112] 40 Monitoring device

[0113] 41 Output element

[0114] 42 Output element

[0115] 43 Output element

[0116] 44 Functional information element

[0117] 45 Control unit

[0118] 46 Switching element

[0119] 47 Interface unit

[0120] 48 Transceiver Unit

[0121] 49 Monitoring sensor element

[0122] 50 Control element

[0123] L Longitudinal direction

[0124] * * * *

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Electrical device (1), preferably handheld electrical device (1) with an interchangeable working tool (30), comprising: • a drive unit (20) which can be coupled to the working tool (30) in order to drive the working tool (30); • a monitoring device (40) which can be mounted on a device frame (12) and / or on a device housing (11) of the electrical device (1), wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises a control unit (45) for recording at least one state parameter which is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30): a standby operating state, an idle operating state, a load operating state; wherein the control unit (45) is configured to evaluate at least one condition parameter based on a maintenance map with at least one maintenance parameter, and wherein the control unit (45) is configured to adjust the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met, so that preferably a maintenance action can be performed on the drive unit (20) and / or on the working tool (30).

2. Electrical appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one maintenance condition includes at least one of the following: • an electrical threshold condition relating to a supplied current and / or to a change in a supplied current to the drive unit (20); • a thermal threshold condition for a temperature and / or a change in temperature of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30); • a mechanical threshold condition for a structural load and / or a change in a structural load on the drive unit (20) and / or on the working tool (30); wherein preferably the control unit (45) is configured to control the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) differently depending on the respective threshold condition.

3. Electrical appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (45) is configured, depending on at least one maintenance condition, to deactivate the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) during a load operating condition and / or to adjust with respect to a supplied current in order to avoid or at least limit an overload of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) for a defined period of time.

4. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (45) is configured, depending on at least one maintenance condition, to block or delay a restart of the drive unit (20) and / or the drive tool (30), preferably after an interruption of the supply of power to the drive unit (20) and / or after a standstill of the working tool (30).

5. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises at least one switching element (46) for actuation by a user, preferably by means of a control element (50), wherein the control unit (45) is configured to reset the at least one state parameter to an initial value as a result of actuation of the at least one switching element (46); and / or wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises an interface unit (47) and / or a transmit-receive unit (48) each for establishing a communication link with at least one terminal device via a communication network, wherein the control unit (45) is configured to control the transmit-receive unit (48) to query a reset of the at least one state parameter to an initial value at the at least one terminal device.

6. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (40) for detecting the at least one state parameter comprises at least one monitoring sensor element (49) which is assigned to the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30); and / or wherein the control unit (45) is configured to detect the at least one state parameter and / or to check the plausibility of the at least one state parameter, to establish a communication link with at least one of the following elements of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30): a power control element, a drive sensor element, a tool sensor element.

7. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (40) is arranged between a power supply device of the electrical device (1) and a switching element (13) of the electrical device (1) for deactivating the drive unit (20) in order to supply the monitoring device (40) with electrical energy independently of the drive unit (20).

8. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises at least a first output element (41), wherein the control unit (45) is configured to control at least one first output element (41) depending on at least one maintenance condition which is assigned to the standby operating state, the idle operating state and / or the load operating state of the drive unit (20), wherein preferably the at least one first output element (41) is an optical display element (41).

9. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises at least a second output element (42), wherein the control unit (45) is configured to control the at least one second output element (42) depending on the at least one maintenance condition which is associated with the standby operating state, the idle operating state and / or the load operating state of the working tool (30), wherein preferably the at least one second output element (42) is an optical display element (42).

10. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises at least a third output element (43), wherein the control unit (45) is configured to control at least one third output element (43) depending on a maintenance status of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30), wherein preferably the at least one third output element (43) is an optical display element (43).

11. Electrical appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one state parameter is a retrieved, a measured and / or a calculated state parameter and preferably includes at least one current supplied to the drive unit (20).

12. Method for monitoring an electrical device (1), preferably a handheld electrical device (1) with an interchangeable working tool (30), with a drive unit (20) which can be coupled to the working tool (30) in order to drive the working tool (30); and with a monitoring device (40) which includes a control unit (45) and which can be mounted on a device frame (12) and / or on a device housing (11) of the electrical device (1); wherein the control device (45) detects at least one state parameter which is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30): a standby operating state, an idle operating state, a load operating state; and wherein the control unit (45) evaluates the at least one state parameter on the basis of a maintenance map with at least one maintenance parameter and wherein the control unit (45) sets the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is fulfilled, such that preferably a maintenance action can be carried out on the drive unit (20) and / or on the working tool (30), wherein the electrical device (1) is preferably configured according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Monitoring device (40) for electrical connection with an electrical device (1) and / or for mounting on a device frame (12) and / or on a device housing (11) of an electrical device (1), preferably a handheld electrical device (1) with an interchangeable working tool (30), with a drive unit (20) which can be coupled to the working tool (30) to drive the working tool (30), wherein the monitoring device (40) comprises a control unit (45) which, in a mounting state of the monitoring device (40), is configured to detect at least one state parameter, wherein the at least one state parameter is assigned to at least one of the following states of the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30): a standby operating state, an idle operating state, a load operating state; wherein in the assembly state the control unit (45) is configured to evaluate at least one condition parameter on the basis of a maintenance characteristic map with at least one maintenance parameter, and wherein the control unit (45) is configured to adjust the drive unit (20) and / or the working tool (30) when at least one maintenance condition between the at least one state parameter and the at least one maintenance parameter is met, such that preferably a maintenance action can be performed on the drive unit (20) and / or on the working tool (30), wherein the monitoring device (40) is preferably configured to carry out the method according to claim 12. * * * *

Images