Machine Tool

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a machine tool, in particular a hand-held machine tool, comprising a housing and an electronics module, wherein the electronics module has a position-determining unit and a communications unit, wherein the electronics module can be supplied with energy via an at least partially independently formed energy unit. According to the disclosure, the electronics module is accommodated in an electronics housing, wherein the electronics housing is coupled to the housing of the machine tool.

Claims

1. A power tool, in particular a hand-held power tool, comprising: a housing; and an electronics module accommodated in an electronics housing coupled to the housing of the power tool, the electronics module including a position-determining unit and a communications unit, and configured to be supplied with energy via an at least partially independent energy unit.

2. The power tool as claimed in claim 1, the electronics module further comprising at least one of an acceleration sensor and a rotation-rate sensor.

3. The power tool as claimed in claim 1, the electronics module further comprising: a monitoring unit configured to monitor the power tool.

4. The power tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power tool is configured to be at least one of switched off and blocked via the electronics module.

5. The power tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronics housing is composed, at least partially, of a plastic.

6. The power tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronics housing is coupled to the housing of the power tool via a vibration damping unit.

7. The power tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronics housing includes a flexible receiver configured to receive the energy storage unit of the energy unit.

8. The power tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein the energy storage unit is accommodated in a non-positive manner in the flexible receiver.

9. The power tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein a force is applied to the receiver by means of a securing unit.

10. The power tool as claimed in claim 9, wherein the securing unit is configured such that the securing unit acts crosswise in relation to a work axis of the power tool.

11. The power tool as claimed in claim 10, wherein the securing unit is configured such that the securing unit acts substantially perpendicularly in relation to the work axis of the power tool.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0016] Further advantages are given by the following description of the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Persons skilled in the art will expediently also consider them individually and combine them to form appropriate further combinations.

[0017] There are shown:

[0018] FIG. 1 a longitudinal section of a power tool according to the invention, in a first embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 2 a partial section through an electronics housing according to FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 a transverse section through the electronics housing according to FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 a longitudinal section of the power tool according to the invention, in a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a power tool 10 according to the invention, realized as an impact hammer. The power tool 10 has a housing 12, in which a drive unit 14 and a transmission unit 16 are arranged. The housing 12 of the power tool 10 is made of metal. Preferably, the housing 12 of the power tool 10 is made entirely of metal. The drive unit 14 has an electric motor 18, which is arranged in such a manner that a motor axis of the electric motor 18 is parallel to a housing axis 20. The housing 12 of the power tool 10 has a first handle 22 and a second handle 24. The handles 22, 24 are arranged on the sides of the housing 12 of the power tool 10. The handles 22, 24 are each connected to the housing 12 via a vibration damping unit 26. In particular, the handles 22, 24 are connected to the housing 12 in such a manner that allows a relative movement, between the handles 22, 24 and the housing 12, that is damped by the respective vibration damping unit 26. The transmission unit 16 has an eccentric gearing 28, via which the piston 32, arranged in a hammer tube 30, can be driven in a linearly oscillating manner. The power tool 10 has a tool receiver 34 in which an insert tool 36, for example realized as a chisel, can be received. A work axis 38 of the power tool 10 is coaxial with the hammer tube 30. The work axis 38 is substantially perpendicular to the housing axis 20. The housing axis 20 intersects the handles 22, 24 at their end points, such that the distance between the points of intersection of the housing axis 20 with the end points of the handles 22, 24 corresponds to a housing width 40 of the power tool 10. The handles 22, 24 are arranged on mutually opposite sides of the power tool 10. The handles 22, 24 are arranged on the same level. In particular, the handles 22, 24 are coaxial with each other. The power tool 10 is realized, for example, as a mains-operated appliance. The power tool 10 has mains electric power cable 42, via which the power tool 10 can be connected to an electric power source such as, for example, a mains electric power system, for the purpose of energy supply. The mains electric power cable 42 is connected to the power tool 10 via the handle 22. The handle 22 additionally comprises an operating switch 23, via which the power tool 10 can be switched on and off.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a partial section of the power tool 10 in the region of the handle 22. The power tool 10 has an electronics module 44. The electronics module 44 comprises a monitoring unit 46, to which there is assigned a computing unit 48, a position-determining unit 50 and a communications unit 52. The electronics module 44 furthermore comprises an energy unit 54, via which the electronics module 44 can be at least partially independently supplied with energy. The electrical components such as, for example, a microprocessor, an acceleration sensor and a rotation-rate sensor of the electronics module 44 are arranged on a printed circuit board (not represented). The position-determining unit 50 is realized, for example, as a GPS receiver, and the communications unit 52 is designed, for example, to transmit data by means of a mobile telephony network such as, for example, GSM, UMTS and/or LTE. The energy unit 54 has an energy storage unit 55 realized as a battery cell.

[0024] The electronics module 44 is accommodated in an electronics housing 56 that is arranged on the handle 22. The electronics housing 56 is of a two-part design, the individual parts of the electronics housing 56 and of the handle 22 being screw-connected to each other. Advantageously, the electronics housing 56 is connected to the handle 22 in such a manner that the electronics housing 56, and thus the electronics module 44, is protected against vibrations of the power tool 10 by means of the vibration damping unit 26. The electronics housing 56 is preferably composed entirely of a plastic, thereby ensuring that the communications unit 52 can be operated without interference.

[0025] The electronics housing 56 has a mains electric power cable inlet 57, via which the mains electric power cable can enter the electronics housing 56. The mains electric power cable 42 is fixed in the electronics housing 56 by means of a clamping element 43 realized, for example, as a clamping strip. The electronics housing 56 extends transversely, in particular substantially perpendicularly, in relation to the handle 22. The electronics module 44 is arranged between the mains electric power cable inlet 57 and the handle 22. The mains electric power cable 42 terminates within the electronics housing 56 and is electrically connected to an on/off switch 58. The on/off switch 58, and a switching lever 60 that is pivotably fastened to the handle 22, are assigned to the operating switch 23. The on/off switch 58, and thus the power tool 10, is designed to be controllable via the switching lever 60.

[0026] The voltage-carrying on/off switch 58 is connected to the electronics module 44 via a contact interface 62, enabling the electronics module 44 to be supplied with energy. The electronics module 44 in turn is electrically connected to the energy storage unit 55 via a connection element realized, for example, as a cable coupler. Preferably, if the power tool 10 is connected to an external electric power source, the electronics module 44 is supplied with energy via the mains electric power cable 42, and the energy storage unit 55 is charged. The energy storage unit 55 in this case is preferably charged irrespective of an operating state of the power tool 10. In particular, if the power tool 10 is not connected to an external electric power source, the electronics module 44 is supplied with energy via the energy storage unit 55.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the electronics housing 56 in the region of the electronics module 44. The electronics module 44 has an electronics module housing 62 that is separate from the electronics module 44. The electronics module housing 62 is of a cup-type design and, when the electronics module 44 is being assembled, the printed circuit board of the electronics module 44, together with the electronic components, is pushed into the electronics module housing 62 and then encapsulated with a resin-like hardening potting compound in order to fix the printed circuit board in a vibration-resistant manner. The electronics module 44, in particular the electronics module housing 62, is connected in a non-positive and positive manner to the electronics housing 56. The connection is effected, in particular, via resilient latching arms 55, which are integral with at least one of the parts of the electronics housing 56. The latching arms 66 are connected in a non-positive and positive manner to corresponding connection elements 68 on the electronics module housing 62.

[0028] Arranged in the electronics housing 56 there is a receiver 70 that is designed to receive the energy storage unit 55, which is realized as a battery cell. The energy storage unit 55 is assigned to the electronics module 44 and, in particular, is integral with the electronics module housing 62. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the receiver 70 to be formed by the electronics housing 56. The receiver 70 is in the shape of a cylinder, and has a continuous slot 72 along its longitudinal extent. The receiver 70 spans a receiving region 74. Owing to the slot 72, the receiver 70 is of a flexible design, such that the receiving region 74 can be varied. In particular the receiver 70 is realized in such a manner that the receiving region 74 can be reduced in size as a result of an externally applied force, and the receiving region 74 can be enlarged as a result of an internally applied force. The electronics housing 56 comprises at least one support element 76, against which the energy storage unit 55 bears, or on which it is supported. In particular, the part of the electronics housing 56 that comprises the latching arms 66 has two pairs of support elements 76 realized as housing ribs. Arranged between the support elements 76 in each case there is a securing element 78, which is composed of an elastic material, for example a rubber. The receiver 70 and the securing elements 78 are shaped and/or arranged in such a manner that, when the electronics module 44 is being mounted in the electronics housing 56, a force is applied externally to the receiver 70 by the securing elements 78, so that the energy storage unit 55 arranged in the receiver 70 is mounted substantially without play and in a vibration-damped manner. The slot 72, the support elements 76 and the securing elements 78 are thus assigned to a securing unit 80 that additionally secures the energy storage unit 55.

[0029] The monitoring unit 46 is designed, in particular, to detect a connection, or an interruption of the connection, of the power tool 10 to an electric power source, in particular the connection, or an interruption of the connection, of the mains electric power cable 42 to a mains electric power supply system. The interruption of the connection in this case may be effected, for example, by disconnection of the mains electric power cable 42 from the electric power source, by damage to or severing of the mains electric power cable 42, or by actuation of a switch.

[0030] The monitoring unit 46 is designed, in particular, to transmit status information, based on the status variables acquired by the electronic components of the electronics module 44, to an external device 100 (see FIG. 1). The external device 100 is realized, for example, as a smartphone. The monitoring unit 46 transmits the status information to the external device 100 at flexible or fixed time intervals. It is conceivable for the time intervals of the transmitted status information that is transmitted to the external device 100 to differ in dependence on the status of connection of the power tool 10 to an electric power source. The status information includes, in particular, at least one geographical position of the power tool 10, or of the electronics module 44, detected by means of the position-determining unit 50. Advantageously, in the event of theft of the power tool 10, its location can thereby be determined with precision. Besides the geographical position, it is additionally conceivable for information relating to a work time, a work load and/or a work condition to be concomitantly transmitted in dependence on the status of connection of the power tool 10 to the electric power source. This advantageously allows optimal tracking of the operation of the power tool 10.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the power tool 10a according to the invention. The power tool 10a is likewise realized as an impact hammer. Identical features, or features that have substantially the same function, are denoted by the same references and by an additional letter.

[0032] The percussive power tool 10a has a housing 12a. The housing 12a comprises an outer housing 13a and an inner housing 15a, which are connected to each other via a vibration damping unit 26a. The drive unit 14a and the transmission unit 16a, together with the percussion mechanism, are arranged in the inner housing 15a. The inner housing 15a is preferably made of metal, in particular of aluminum. The outer housing 13a is preferably made of a plastic. The electric motor 18 has a motor axis that is parallel to a housing axis 20a of the power tool 10a and a work axis 38a. The inner housing 15a has an underside 82a that faces toward an insert tool 36a received in a tool receiver 34a, an upper side 84a that faces away from the insert tool 36a. The vibration damping unit 26a has a first vibration element 86a and a second vibration element 88a. The vibration elements 86a, 88a are arranged between the inner housing 15a and the outer housing 13a in such a manner that vibrations emanating from the inner housing 15a are transmitted, having been damped, to the outer housing 13a. The first vibration element 86a is arranged between the underside 82a of the inner housing 15a and the outer housing 13a. The first vibration element 86a is realized, for example, as a helical spring. The second vibration element 88a is arranged between the upper side 84a and the outer housing 13a. The second vibration element 88a is composed, for example, of a spring steel strip. The first and the second vibration element 86a, 88a are preferably arranged in such a manner that the effective direction of the vibration elements 86a, 88a corresponds substantially to the work axis 38a of the power tool 10a, and consequently the recoil generated by the percussive impulse is damped in an effective manner. Arranged within the housing 12a of the power tool 10a there is an electronics housing 56a. Arranged in the electronics housing 56a there is an electronics module 44a that corresponds substantially to the electronics module 44 according to FIG. 2. The electronics housing is advantageously integral with the outer housing 13a of the power tool 10a. As a result, advantageously, the electronics module 44a is accommodated so as to be substantially isolated in respect of vibration.

[0033] Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the electronics housing 56a to be connected to the outer housing 13a in a non-positive, positive and/or materially bonded manner. Rotatably arranged on the outer housing 13a of the power tool 10a there is a handle 22a, which is realized as a stirrup grip. The power tool 10a is realized as a mains-powered appliance, and has a mains electric power supply cable 42a. The operating switch 23a is arranged, at least partially, on the outer housing 13a. In particular, the switching lever 60a is arranged centrally on the upper side of the outer housing 13a.

[0034] It is likewise conceivable for the hand-held power tool 10, 10a to be realized, in an alternative embodiment, as a battery-operated hand-held power tool.