Removable Dust Collection Apparatus, in Particular Removable Dust Collection Container, for a Hand-Held Power Tool

Abstract

A removable dust collection apparatus, in particular a removable dust collection container, for a hand-held power tool, includes at least one basic structure, which has at least one frame for receiving a form-variable collection bag or itself delimits a collection volume at least in part. The basic structure has at least one connecting piece for connection to a blow-out connector of the hand-held power tool, the connecting piece configuring the basic structure to be removably arranged on the hand-held power tool. The dust collection apparatus further includes at least one communication unit, which is in particular wireless, for exchanging in particular electronic data with at least one external unit, in particular the hand-held power tool or a mobile communication device.

Claims

1. A removable dust collection device for a hand-held power tool, comprising: a basic structure including at least one frame (i) configured to receive a variable-shape collection bag or (ii) configured to at least partially delimit a collection volume the basic structure further including at least one connection nozzle configured to connect to an exhaust nozzle of the hand-held power tool such that the basic structure is arranged in a removable manner on the hand-held power tool; and at least one communication unit configured to exchange electronic data with at least one external unit.

2. The removable dust collection device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one sensing unit including at least one movement sensor configured to sense at least one movement characteristic of the basic structure, wherein the at least one communication unit is configured to transmit the at least one sensed movement characteristic to the at least one external unit.

3. The removable dust collection device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one sensing unit including at least one movement sensor configured to sense at least one movement characteristic of the basic structure, wherein the at least one communication unit and the at least one sensing unit are arranged at least in proximity to the at least one connection nozzle of the basic structure.

4. The removable dust collection device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one sensing unit including at least one fluid-stream sensor configured to sense at least one fluid characteristic based on, a stream of fluid flowing through the at least one connection nozzle, wherein the at least one fluid-stream sensor is arranged on the at least one connection nozzle of the basic structure, and wherein the at least one communication unit is configured to transmit the at least one sensed fluid characteristic to the at least one external unit.

5. The removable dust collection device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one module housing arranged in a removable manner on the basic structure; and at least one sensing unit, wherein the at least one sensing unit and the at least one communication unit are arranged in the at least one module housing arranged on the basic structure.

6. A system comprising: at least one hand-held power tool including an exhaust nozzle and at least one communication unit and at least one removable dust collection device operably connected to the at least one hand-held power tool, the at least one removable dust collection device including: a basic structure including at least one frame (i) configured to receive a variable-shape collection bag or (ii) configured to at least partially delimit a collection volume, the basic structure further including at least one connection nozzle configured to connect to the exhaust nozzle; and at least one further communication unit, wherein the at least one removable dust collection device is arranged in a removable manner on the at least one hand-held power tool device, wherein the at least one communication unit of the hand-held power tool is configured to exchange electronic data with the at least one further communication unit of the at least one removable dust collection device.

7. A method for operating a system, comprising: controlling an operational readiness of a hand-held power tool or an operation of the hand-held power tool by open-loop or closed-loop control, in dependence on an exchange of electronic data between a removable dust collection device operably connected to the hand-held power tool and the hand-held power tool, wherein the system includes: the hand-held power tool including an exhaust nozzle and at least one communication unit; and the removable dust collection device including: a basic structure including at least one frame (i) configured to receive a variable-shape collection bag or (ii) configured to at least partially delimit a collection volume, the basic structure further including at least one connection nozzle configured to connect to the exhaust nozzle; and at least one further communication unit, wherein the removable dust collection device is arranged in a removable manner on the hand-held power tool device, wherein at least one communication unit of the hand-held power tool is configured to exchange the electronic data with the at least one further communication unit of the at least one removable dust collection device.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: balancing at least one movement characteristic of the hand-held power tool with at least one movement characteristic of the removable dust collection device to enable the operational readiness of the hand-held power tool or to control the operation of the hand-held power tool by open-loop or closed-loop control.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising: evaluating at least one filter characteristic of a filter unit of the dust collection device to enable the operational readiness of the hand-held power tool or to control the operation of the hand-held power tool by open-loop or closed-loop control.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: evaluating a time characteristic to enable the operational readiness of the hand-held power tool or to control the operation of the hand-held power tool by open-loop or closed-loop control.

11. The removable dust collection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one external unit includes the hand-held power tool and/or a mobile communication device.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the at least one movement characteristic of the hand-held power tool is a vibration, and the at least one movement characteristic of the removable dust collection device is another vibration.

Description

[0028] There are shown:

[0029] FIG. 1 a removable dust collection device according to the invention, in a schematic representation,

[0030] FIG. 2 a sectional view of a module housing of the removable dust collection device according to the invention, in a schematic representation,

[0031] FIG. 3 a system according to the invention comprising the removable dust collection device according to the invention, in a schematic representation, and

[0032] FIG. 4 a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the invention for operation of the system according to the invention.

Description of the Exemplary Embodiment

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a removable dust collection device 10, in particular a removable dust collection container, for a hand-held power tool 12 (cf. FIG. 3), comprising at least one basic structure 14, which has at least one frame 16 for receiving a variable-shape collection bag 18 or itself at least partially delimits a collection volume (cf. basic structure 14′,14″ in FIG. 3), the basic structure 14 having at least one connection nozzle 22 (cf. connection nozzle 22′,22″ in FIG. 3) for connection to an exhaust connection (not represented in greater detail here) of the hand-held power tool 12, by means of which nozzles the basic structure 14 can be arranged in a removable manner on the hand-held power tool 12, in particular in a manner known to a skilled person. Preferably, in at least one design of the dust collection device 10, the dust collection device 10 comprises at least one filter unit 46 (cf. FIG. 3). The dust collection device 10 comprises at least one, in particular wireless, communication unit 24 (cf. also FIG. 2) for exchanging, in particular electronic, data with at least one external unit, in particular the hand-held power tool 12 or a mobile communication device 26 (cf. FIG. 3). For example, the mobile communication device 26 is a smartphone. It is also conceivable, however, for the mobile communication device 26 to be of another design, considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, such as, for example, as a tablet, a PDA or the like.

[0034] The dust collection device 10 comprises at least one sensing unit 28 (cf. FIG. 2), which has at least one movement sensor 30 for sensing at least one movement characteristic, in particular a vibration, of the basic structure 14, wherein the at least one sensed movement characteristic can be transmitted to the at least one external unit by means of the communication unit 24. The at least one sensing unit 28 preferably comprises the at least one movement sensor 30 for sensing at least one movement characteristic, in particular a vibration, of the basic structure 14, the communication unit 24 and the sensing unit 28 being arranged in proximity to the connection nozzle 22 of the basic structure 14. The at least one sensing unit 28 preferably comprises at least one fluid-stream sensor 32, for sensing at least one fluid characteristic, which, for the purpose of sensing a stream of fluid flowing through the connection nozzle 22, is arranged on the connection nozzle 22 of the basic structure 14, wherein the at least one sensed fluid characteristic can be transmitted to the at least one external unit by means of the communication unit 24.

[0035] The dust collection device 10 preferably comprises at least one module housing 34, in particular arranged in a removable manner on the basic structure 14 (cf. also FIG. 2), and at least the sensing unit 28, which is arranged together with the communication unit 24 in the module housing 34 arranged on the basic structure 14.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a section through the module housing 34. The dust collection device 10 preferably comprises an electronics unit 50 which forms an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit of the dust collection device 10.

[0037] The electronics unit 50 preferably comprises an output unit 52. The output unit 52 comprises in particular at least output elements 54, 56 realized as light-emitting diodes. It is also conceivable, however, that the output unit 52 alternatively or additionally has at least one output element that is realized as a display, a loudspeaker, a mini-display or the like. Light information from the output element 54 is preferably guided to a surface of the module housing 34 via a light guide 58 of the output unit 52.

[0038] The electronics unit 50 preferably comprises an input unit 60. Preferably, the sensing unit 28 is at least partially integrated into the electronics unit 50. The input unit 60 preferably comprises an operating element 62 realized as an operating button or switch. It is also conceivable, however, that the input unit 60 alternatively or additionally has at least one operating element realized as a touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive operating element, LED pushbutton, foils or the like.

[0039] The dust collection device 10 preferably comprises an energy storage unit 64 for supplying energy to electrical and/or electronic components of the dust collection device 10. The energy storage unit 64 is preferably arranged in the module housing 34. The energy storage unit 64 is preferably realized as a rechargeable battery. Preferably the, in particular wireless, communication unit 24 for wireless data exchange with an external unit, in particular with the hand-held power tool 12, is arranged in the module housing 34.

[0040] It is conceivable for the module housing 34 to comprise a receiving region 70 for receiving an expansion unit 66 of the dust collection device 10. The extension unit 66 preferably comprises a further electronics unit 68. It is also conceivable for the extension unit 66 to comprise an energy storage device. The expansion unit 66 is preferably designed to be coupled to the electronics unit 50. The expansion unit 66 is provided for a functional expansion of the electronics unit 50.

[0041] The module housing 34 is preferably detachably connected to the basic structure 14. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the module housing 34 to be realized integrally with the basic structure 14 and/or to be non-detachably connected to the basic structure 14.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a system 36 comprising at least the removable dust collection device 10, and comprising at least one hand-held power tool 12 on which the dust collection device 10 can be arranged in a removable manner, wherein the hand-held power tool 12 has at least one, in particular wireless, communication unit 38. FIG. 3 shows various embodiment of a hand-held power tool 12 on which the dust collection device 10 can be arranged in a removable manner. Also represented in FIG. 3 are dust collection devices 10 that are realized differently in respect of a design of the basic structure 14, 14′,14″. Also represented is the mobile communication device 26, realized as a smartphone. The module housing 34 may alternatively be arranged on additional modules 72 of the system 36 by means of a fixing unit considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. The additional modules 72 may be realized, for example, as protective hoods, as suction devices having their own drive unit or the like. Preferably, data that can be sensed by means of the sensing unit 28 of the dust collection device 10 can be processed by means of the hand-held power tool 12 and by means of the mobile communication device 26, in particular for the purpose of controlling an operation of the hand-held power tool 12 by open-loop or closed-loop control.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for operating the system 36. In at least one method step 40, an operational readiness of the hand-held power tool 12 or an operation of the hand-held power tool 12 is controlled, by open-loop or closed-loop control, in dependence on an exchange of data between the removable dust collection device 10 and the hand-held power tool 12.

[0044] In at least one method step 42, a balancing of at least one movement characteristic, in particular a vibration, of the hand-held power tool 12 with at least one movement characteristic, in particular a vibration, of the removable dust collection device 10 is performed, in particular for the purpose of enabling the operational readiness of the hand-held power tool 12 or for controlling the operation of the hand-held power tool 12 by open-loop or closed-loop control. In at least one method step 44, at least one filter characteristic of a filter unit 46 of the dust collection device 10, in particular an air stream through the filter unit 46, is evaluated, in particular for the purpose of enabling the operational readiness of the hand-held power tool 12 or for controlling the operation of the hand-held power tool 12 by open-loop or closed-loop control. In at least one method step 48, a time characteristic is evaluated for the purpose of enabling the operational readiness of the hand-held power tool 12 or for controlling the operation of the hand-held power tool 12 by open-loop or closed-loop control.

[0045] Preferably, a start-up of the hand-held power tool 12 may be identified by an actuation of a switch (not represented in greater detail) of the hand-held power tool 12, a flow of current, a rotation of an electric motor unit (not represented in greater detail) of the hand-held power tool 12, a sensing of vibrations of the hand-held power tool 12. In particular, the vibrations of the hand-held power tool 12 are transmitted to devices/units/elements connected to the hand-held power tool 12 such as, for example, the dust collection device connected to the hand-held power tool 12. In particular, the sensing unit 28 of the dust collection device 10 may sense these transmitted vibrations. Preferably, sensed vibrations may be transmitted to the external unit, in particular to the hand-held power tool 12 or the mobile communication device 26, in particular a smartphone, by means of the communication unit 24 of the dust collection device 10. It is conceivable that an electronics unit of the external unit, in particular of the hand-held power tool 12 and/or of the mobile communication device 26, evaluates the vibrations sensed by means of the sensing unit 28 of the dust collection device 10 in order to compare whether the dust collection device 10 vibrates in a similar manner to the hand-held power tool 12. Preferably, an open-loop control or closed-loop control of the electric motor unit of the hand-held power tool is dependent on a comparison of the vibrations of the hand-held power tool 12 and the vibrations of the dust collection device 10. If it is identified, for example, that the dust collection device 10 is subject to vibrations similar to those of the hand-held power tool 12, it may preferably be identified that the dust collection device 10 is arranged on the hand-held power tool 12. Preferably, operation of the hand-held power tool 12 may continue. If it is identified, for example, that the dust collection device 10 is not subject to any vibrations or is subject to vibrations that are different from those of the hand-held power tool 12, it may preferably be identified that the dust collection device 10 is decoupled from the hand-held power tool 12. Preferably, operation of the hand-held power tool 12 may be interrupted. For example, it is also conceivable that a start-up of the hand-held power tool 12 is prevented in dependence on a deviation from a limit value of compared data, or that a number of start-ups of the hand-held power tool 12 is limited if data from the dust collection device 10 are not available. For example, it is conceivable that a limitation of a number of start-ups of the hand-held power tool 12 is reset or cancelled following a timer expiry of twelve hours or the like. Preferably, the hand-held power tool 12 or the mobile communication device 26 comprises at least one optical, acoustic and/or haptic output unit (not represented in greater detail here) such as, for example, a display, a loudspeaker, a vibration unit or the like that is designed to output information to an operator in dependence on the transmitted, in particular electronic, data. For example, it is conceivable that an operator can be made aware, by means of the output unit, that the dust collection device 10 is not arranged on the hand-held power tool 12. Furthermore, the hand-held power tool 12 or the mobile communication device 26 preferably comprises at least one input unit (not represented in greater detail here) for inputting operator commands. The input unit may be realized integrally with the output unit, in particular if the input unit is realized as a touch-sensitive display or the like. By means of the input unit, for example, an operator may be given the option of operating the hand-held power tool 12 for a certain time via an over-write function in the event of an absence of data transmission or in the event of a discrepancy of a data comparison. In particular, the over-write function is stored or storable in a device memory (not represented in greater detail here) of the hand-held power tool 12 or in a database, and may be linked to and/or compared with further data such as, for example, an operator ID, a date, a time, a location, in which case enabling may be effected in dependence on a combination of the above-mentioned data. The over-write function may be linked to certain authorizations, such that only certain operators can call up this function.

[0046] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the sensing unit 28 of the dust collection device 10 can be used to sense a fill quantity or an emptying of the collection bag 18 or of the collection volume 20, such as, for example, by sensing a weight of the collection bag 18 or of the collection volume 20, by sensing an opening of a closure element (not represented in greater detail here) of the basic structure 14, 14′,14″ or the like. For sensing a fill quantity or an emptying, the sensing unit 28 preferably comprises further sensors (not represented in greater detail here) such as, for example, a magnetic sensor arranged on the lid, an NFC sensor or the like. Preferably, it is possible to estimate, in conjunction with a runtime measurement of the hand-held power tool 12 and a definition of a type of the hand-held power tool 12 as well as, in particular, operating information of the hand-held power tool 12, when a maximum fill quantity of the collection bag 18 or of the collection volume 20 has been attained, or when emptying of the collection bag 18 or of the collection volume 20 should be effected.

[0047] Preferably, an operator can be informed, by means of the output unit, about the imminent attainment of a maximum fill quantity of the collection bag 18 or the collection volume 20 or an imminent emptying.

[0048] It can preferably be checked, by means of an evaluation of data sensed by means of the sensing unit 28 of the dust collection device 10 and of data of the hand-held power tool 12, whether the hand-held power tool 12 and the dust collection device 10 are subject the same movements over a certain time range. It may be checked, for example, whether the hand-held power tool 12 and the dust collection device 10 are moved together, in particular are subject to the same movement forces, even upon the hand-held power tool being “grasped”, in particular before the hand-held power tool 12 is put into operation. If it can be identified, for example, that the hand-held power tool 12 and the dust collection device 10 are subject different movement forces, for example upon the hand-held power tool 12 being “grasped”, the hand-held power tool 12 can be prevented from being put into operation, in particular until the dust collection device 10 is correctly arranged on the hand-held power tool 12 and, in particular, the hand-held power tool 12 and the dust collection device 10 are moved together, preferably being subject to the same movement forces. It is conceivable that the hand-held power tool 12 should be shaken together with the dust collection device 10 after the dust collection device 10 has been arranged on the hand-held power tool 12, in order to demonstrate that the hand-held power tool 12 is moved together with the dust collection device 10, or a balancing of sensors of the hand-held power tool 12 and of the dust collection device 10 can be effected.