Suction Apparatus

Abstract

A suction apparatus includes a suction apparatus housing, a suction hose, at least one suction apparatus communication unit, and at least one sensor device which comprises at least one sensor unit designed to detect at least one operating signal of a machine tool, in particular of a handheld machine tool. The suction hose is assigned the at least one sensor device. The at least one sensor device has at least one signal processing unit and at least one sensor device communication unit. The signal processing unit is designed to receive the operating signal from the sensor unit and process said operating signal into at least one communication signal, and the sensor device communication unit is provided to establish at least one communication connection to the suction apparatus communication unit and to transmit the communication signal to the suction apparatus communication unit.

Claims

1. A suction apparatus comprising: a suction apparatus housing; a suction hose; at least one suction apparatus communication unit; and at least one sensor device assigned to the suction hose, the at least one sensor device comprising: at least one sensor unit configured to detect at least one operating signal of a machine tool; at least one signal processing unit configured to receive the at least one operating signal from the at least one sensor unit and to process the at least one operating signal into at least one communication signal; and at least one sensor device communication unit configured to provide at least one communication connection to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit and to communicate the at least one communication signal to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit.

2. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal processing unit further comprises at least one evaluation unit configured to convert the at least one operating signal into at least one evaluation signal and to forward the at least one evaluation signal to the at least one sensor device communication unit as the at least one communication signal.

3. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one signal processing unit further comprises at least one filter unit configured to convert the at least one operating signal into at least one filter signal and to forward the at least one filter signal to the at least one sensor device communication unit as the at least one communication signal.

4. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: at least one data processing unit, wherein: the at least one suction apparatus communication unit is configured to receive the at least one communication signal, the at least one data processing unit is configured to evaluate the at least one communication signal and to control the suction apparatus by open-loop and/or closed-loop control, and the at least one communication signal is the at least one evaluation signal.

5. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: at least one data processing unit, wherein: the at least one suction apparatus communication unit is configured to receive the at least one communication signal, the at least one data processing unit is configured to evaluate the at least one communication signal and to control the suction apparatus by open-loop and/or closed-loop control, and the at least one communication signal is the at least one filter signal.

6. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor device further comprises at least one operational control unit, which includes at least one operational control element and/or at least one display element.

7. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction apparatus housing comprises: at least one mechanical interface substantially connecting the suction hose to the suction apparatus housing; and at least one communication interface substantially connecting at least the at least one sensor device to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit.

8. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor device is configured to control the suction apparatus by open-loop and/or closed-loop control.

9. The suction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction apparatus is line-linked to the at least one sensor device.

10. A system comprising: a machine tool; and a suction apparatus comprising: a suction apparatus housing; a suction hose; at least one suction apparatus communication unit; and at least one sensor device assigned to the suction hose, the at least one sensor device comprising: at least one sensor unit configured to detect at least one operating signal of the machine tool; at least one signal processing unit configured to receive the at least one operating signal from the at least one sensor unit and to process the at least one operating signal into at least one communication signal; and at least one sensor device communication unit configured to provide at least one communication connection to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit and to communicate the at least one communication signal to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit.

11. A method for open-loop and/or closed-loop control of a suction apparatus, which includes a suction apparatus housing, a suction hose, at least one suction apparatus communication unit, and at least one sensor device assigned to the suction hose, the at least one sensor device including at least one sensor unit, at least one signal processing unit, and at least one sensor device communication unit, the method comprising: receiving, with the at least one signal processing unit, at least one operating signal of a machine tool from the at least one sensor unit; processing the at least one operating signal into at least one communication signal with the at least one signal processing unit; providing at least one communication connection to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit via the at least one sensor device communication unit; and communicating the at least one communication signal to the at least one suction apparatus communication unit via the at least one sensor device communication unit.

12. The suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machine tool is a handheld machine tool.

13. The suction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor device is configured to alter an operating mode of the suction apparatus if the at least one sensor device registers at least one predefined signal.

14. The suction apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one suction apparatus communication unit is line-linked to the at least one sensor device.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the machine tool is a handheld machine tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention is explained below on the basis of preferred embodiments. In the drawings below:

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a suction apparatus according to the invention having a suction hose and a sensor device in a perspective view,

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the suction apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the sensor device;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram for elucidating the sensor device and the autostart function.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a suction apparatus 10 according to the invention having a suction apparatus housing 12, having a suction hose 36 and having a suction apparatus communication unit 50 in a perspective view. In this configuration of the invention, the suction hose 36 is able to be fitted to the suction apparatus housing 12 in a releasable manner. In this embodiment, the suction apparatus communication unit 50 is arranged substantially in the suction apparatus housing 12. In addition, the suction apparatus 10 has a sensor device 70. The sensor device 70 is arranged on the suction hose 36. The sensor device 70 has a sensor unit 71. The sensor unit 71 detects an operating signal 110 of a machine tool 100, in particular of a handheld machine tool, see also FIGS. 2 and 3. In this configuration, the machine tool 100 is illustrated as an exemplary handheld circular saw. The sensor device 70 comprises a signal processing unit 72 and a sensor device communication unit 73, see also FIG. 3. The signal processing unit 72 receives the operating signal 110 from the sensor unit 71. In addition, the signal processing unit 72 processes the operating signal 110 into a communication signal 120, see also FIGS. 2 and 3. The sensor device communication unit 73 provides a communication connection 121 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50, see also FIGS. 2 and 3. In addition, the sensor device communication unit 73 communicates the communication signal 120 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50, see also FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 3. The suction apparatus 10 has a suction apparatus drive 80, a suction apparatus energy supply unit 81, a dust collecting device 14 and a dust collecting filter element 16. In this case, the suction apparatus housing 12 comprises the dust collecting device 14 and these are connectable to one another releasably by means of at least one locking element 31. The functioning and the cooperation of the suction apparatus drive 80, the suction apparatus energy supply unit 81 and the dust collecting device 14 are sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art. The suction apparatus additionally comprises a data processing unit 60 configured to process the communication signal 120 and to control the suction apparatus 10 by open-loop and/or closed-loop control. The suction apparatus housing 12 is additionally connected to a first accessory carrier 18 and a second accessory carrier 20 in a releasable manner. A suction apparatus holding means 25 has a suction apparatus gripping region 27 and is arranged on the suction apparatus housing 12, in particular on a side of the suction apparatus housing 12, especially particularly on a top side of the suction apparatus housing 12. The suction apparatus gripping region 27 is configured in particular to be enclosed by a hand of the user of the suction apparatus 10. The suction apparatus holding means 25 advantageously enables the suction apparatus 10 to be carried during use or for transport. In addition, the suction apparatus holding means 25 has two securing elements 29. In this embodiment, the securing elements 29 are configured as eyes. The securing elements 29 serve as a possibility for securing, for example for a shoulder strap with two carabiners. The suction apparatus holding means 25 is connected to the housing 12 so as to be immobile relative to the housing 12. It is also conceivable for the suction apparatus holding means 25 to be mounted movably relative to the housing 12, for example in a hinged manner. The suction apparatus housing 12 has a suction apparatus operational control unit 38, wherein the suction apparatus operational control unit 38 comprises a suction apparatus operational control element 39 and a suction apparatus display element 40. The suction apparatus operational control unit 38 is configured to be operated by a user. The user can switch on the suction apparatus 10, switch it off or activate an autostart function by means of the suction apparatus operational control element 39. The suction apparatus display element 40 in this case displays a set operating mode of the suction apparatus 10 to the user. The suction apparatus display element 40 is able to be switched on and/or off by means of the suction apparatus operational control element 39.

[0055] The dust collecting device 14 is configured substantially cylindrically, in particular substantially as a truncated cone. The dust collecting device 14 comprises a support element 28 provided for increasing the stability of the suction apparatus 10. A diameter of the contact surface of the suction apparatus 10 is increased by the support element 28. In particular, the contact points of the suction apparatus with a support surface 30 are increased. Furthermore, the support element 28 is designed to increase the ergonomics of the suction apparatus 10. Advantageously, the support element 28 comprises at least one gripping region, which can be configured as a recess, for example. Advantageously, the support element 28 is configured as shock-absorbing; in particular, it is formed from an elastic material for this purpose. Furthermore, it is possible for a suction apparatus movement unit comprising rollers, for example, to be arranged on the support element 28. In an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable for the support element 28 to have a substantially rectangular cross section which matches, in particular is compatible with, existing transport containers, in particular dust collecting devices.

[0056] The releasable connection of the suction apparatus housing 12 to the dust collecting device 14 is established via the at least one locking element 31. In this embodiment, the at least one locking element 31 is arranged on a suction apparatus housing exterior 32. The at least one locking element 31 is arranged movably on the suction apparatus housing 12, in particular is connected thereto. Moreover, the at least one locking element 31 establishes a force-locking and positively locking connection between the suction apparatus housing 12 and the dust collecting device 14. In this embodiment, the suction apparatus housing 12 comprises two locking elements 31 arranged opposite one another on the suction apparatus exterior 32 of the suction apparatus housing 12.

[0057] Advantageously, the first accessory carrier 18 is provided for mounting the suction hose 36. In particular, the first accessory carrier 18 is configured to mount the suction hose 36 securely, such that the suction hose 36 does not obstruct the user during transport of the suction apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the second accessory carrier 20 comprises three accommodating openings provided for accommodating at least three accessory elements 42. The accessory elements 42 can be configured so as to be able to be fitted into one another, such that more than three accessory elements 42 can be accommodated by the second accessory carrier 20. Preferably, tube elements 44 which are connectable to one another can be accommodated by the accessory carrier 20.

[0058] In this embodiment, the suction apparatus 10 is configured as a rechargeable battery-operated suction apparatus which is operated by means of at least one rechargeable battery 82, in particular by means of a handheld machine tool rechargeable battery pack. Consequently, the required energy for the suction apparatus 10 is provided by the at least one suction apparatus energy supply unit 81 by means of the at least one rechargeable battery 82. In addition, the suction apparatus display element 40 is configured as a state of charge display. The state of charge display is configured to display the state of charge of the rechargeable battery 82. Advantageously, the state of charge of the rechargeable battery 82 is able to be displayed by way of the suction apparatus display element 40 during the operation of the suction apparatus 10. In addition, it is conceivable for the suction apparatus display element 40 to display further information concerning the rechargeable battery 82, of the suction apparatus 10 or else the degree of filling of the dust collecting device 14.

[0059] The suction hose 36 comprises a suction opening 35 and is able to be fitted to the suction apparatus housing 12 in a releasable manner. The suction opening 35 is designed to take up particles, in particular dirt particles, obtained during the operation of the suction apparatus 10 and to pass them on to the dust collecting device 14 by means of the suction hose 36. The suction hose 36 is connectable to the machine tool 100, in particular the handheld machine tool, in a releasable manner. The suction hose 36 comprises the sensor device 70, wherein the sensor device 70 is arranged, in particular fitted, on an end region 75 of the suction hose 36 and is mechanically connected thereto. In this configuration of the invention, the sensor device 70 is connected to the suction hose 36 by means of a screw connection.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows the suction apparatus 10 according to the invention in a schematic side view. The suction apparatus 10, in particular the suction apparatus communication unit 50, is line-linked to the sensor device 70. For this purpose, the suction hose 36 has a line 130 for line linking between the suction apparatus 10 and the sensor device 70. In this embodiment, the line 130 comprises a communication line 131 and an energy supply line 132. The communication line 131 communicates the communication signal 120 between the sensor device 70 and the suction apparatus 10. The energy supply line 132 connects the sensor device 70 to the suction apparatus 10, in particular to the suction apparatus energy supply unit 81, such that the sensor device 70 is supplied with energy.

[0061] The suction apparatus housing 12 comprises a mechanical interface 140 and a communication interface 145. The mechanical interface is configured to connect the suction hose 36 to the suction apparatus housing 12, and in particular to the dust collecting device 14, in a releasable manner. This is done substantially by means of a force-locking and/or positively locking connection. The communication interface 145 is provided for connecting the sensor device 70 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50. The communication interface 145 connects the sensor device 70 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50 by means of the communication line 131. In this embodiment, the communication line 131 is releasably connected to the communication interface 145 via a plug connection. In addition, the communication interface 145 is an energy supply interface 146 for the energy supply line 132. The energy supply interface 146 connects the sensor device 70 to the suction apparatus energy supply unit 81 via the energy supply line 132. In an alternative configuration, it is possible for the communication interface 145 to comprise the energy supply interface 146 or to be provided without an energy supply interface 146.

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic illustration of the sensor device 70. In particular, an enlarged illustration of the sensor device 70 is shown. The sensor device 70 has a sensor device energy supply unit 74, which supplies the sensor device 70 with energy. For this purpose, the sensor device energy supply unit 74 is connected to the energy supply line 132 by means of a plug device 95. The sensor device energy supply unit 74 is connected to the plug device 95 via a line 134, wherein it is also conceivable for a connection between the sensor device energy supply unit 74 and the plug device 95 to be effected via at least one conductor track. In this embodiment, the energy supply line 132 is connectable to the plug device 95 in a releasable manner, wherein the energy supply line 132 has a suitable and compatible plug connection for connection to the plug device 95. As a result, the sensor device energy supply unit 74 supplies the sensor device 70 with energy via the suction apparatus energy supply unit 81. In another configuration, it is also conceivable for the energy supply line 132 to be connected directly and immediately to the sensor device energy supply unit 74, such that the plug device 95 can be dispensed with. Alternatively, it is also possible for the sensor device energy supply unit 74 to be supplied with electrical energy via at least one battery, in particular at least one button cell, via at least one rechargeable battery unit, or by means of energy harvesting.

[0063] In this embodiment of the invention, the at least one sensor device 70 has a sensor unit 71. The sensor unit 71 detects the operating signal 110 of the machine tool 100, in particular of the handheld machine tool. In this embodiment, the sensor unit 71 is configured as an acceleration sensor 76 which detects the operating signal 110 of the machine tool 100, in particular the vibrations thereof during operation. The acceleration sensor 76 detects substantially acceleration values of three spatial directions 150. However, further sensor units that appear to be expedient to the person skilled in the art are also conceivable. In this embodiment, the machine tool 100, in particular the handheld machine tool, generates the operating signal 110 during its operation. In this case, the operating signal 110 is the vibration, caused by a rotation of a machine tool motor and/or processing of a workpiece. On account of the connection of the machine tool 100 to the suction hose 36, the sensor unit 71 can detect the operating signal 110.

[0064] As described in the introduction, the sensor device 70 additionally has the signal processing unit 72 and also the sensor device communication unit 73. The sensor unit 71 communicates the detected operating signal 110 to the signal processing unit 72. The signal processing unit 72 then processes the operating signal 110 into the communication signal 120, for example by means of at least one microprocessor and/or at least one microcontroller. The communication signal 120 comprises information concerning an operating state of the machine tool 100, in particular of the handheld machine tool, such as, for example, switched on or switched off, or at least one prefiltered signal, or further operating parameters that appear to be expedient to the person skilled in the art. In addition, the signal processing unit 72 communicates the communication signal 120 to the sensor device communication unit 73, in particular in a line-linked manner.

[0065] The sensor device communication unit 50 is provided for receiving the communication signal 120 from the signal processing unit 72. The sensor device communication unit 73 provides the communication connection 121 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50. In addition, the sensor device communication unit 73 communicates the communication signal 120 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50, see also FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the communication connection 121 is established in a line-linked manner, in particular via the communication line 131. For this purpose, the sensor device communication unit 73 is connected to the plug device 95 by means of a line 133. In this embodiment, the communication line 131 is connectable to the plug device 95 in a releasable manner by means of a suitable and compatible plug connection. In another configuration, it is also possible for the communication line 131 to be directly and immediately connectable or connected to the sensor device communication unit 73. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the communication connection 121 to be configured in a wireless manner.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor device 70 comprises the sensor unit 71, the signal processing unit 72, the sensor device communication unit 73 and the sensor device energy supply unit 74; in particular, these elements are arranged inside a sensor device housing 79. The sensor unit 71 has a line link 161 to the signal processing unit 72, such that the operating signal 110 is communicated directly and immediately. The signal processing unit 72 processes the operating signal 110 into the communication signal 120. The signal processing unit 72 then transmits the communication signal 120 to the sensor device communication unit 73 by means of a line link 162. The sensor device 70 additionally comprises an operational control unit 170. In addition, the operational control unit 170 has an operational control element 171 and a display element 172. The operational control unit 170 enables the user to operationally control the sensor device 70, in particular to switch it on and off. The operational control unit 170 of the sensor device 70 is likewise provided for providing and displaying an operating state and/or an operating parameter and/or an item of operating information of the sensor device 70 and/or of the suction apparatus 10 for the user. In this case, it would be possible for the operational control unit 170 to indicate whether the sensor device 70 is switched on or off, whether the autostart function is activated, what is the state of charge of the rechargeable battery 82 of the suction apparatus 10, or further items of information that appear to be expedient to the person skilled in the art. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the operational control unit 170 of the sensor device 70 to display the operating state of the machine tool 100. Moreover, the operational control unit 170 of the sensor device 70 is configured to alter operating states and/or operating parameters of the sensor device 70 and/or of the suction apparatus 10 by way of the operational control element 171 and/or the display element 172, in particular to control the sensor device 70 and/or the suction apparatus 10 by open-loop and/or closed-loop control. The operating states and/or operating parameters of the sensor device 70 are for example as described in the introduction. In this embodiment, the operational control unit 170 of the sensor device 70 is arranged on the sensor device housing 79. In addition, the sensor device 70 can comprise an analog/digital converter unit 90 (A/D converter unit). The at least one A/D converter unit 90 converts an analog signal into a digital signal by means of a suitable evaluation algorithm, as described in the introduction.

[0067] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the invention and also a second embodiment of the invention. In the first embodiment of the invention, the signal processing unit 72 additionally has an evaluation unit 77. The evaluation unit 77 is provided for processing the operating signal 110 into an evaluation signal 122. Afterward, the evaluation unit 77 communicates the evaluation signal 122 as the communication signal 120 to the sensor device communication unit 73 by means of a line link 163. The sensor device communication unit 73 is configured to receive the evaluation signal 122 as communication signal 120 and to transmit the communication signal 120 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50 via the communication connection 121. The suction apparatus communication unit 50 receives the communication signal 120 and forwards it to the data processing unit 60 of the suction apparatus 10 in a line-linked manner. The data processing unit 60 receives the communication signal 120 and evaluates it, as a result of which the suction apparatus 10 is subsequently controlled by open-loop and/or closed-loop control. The data processing unit 60 is arranged substantially in the suction apparatus housing 12.

[0068] In the second embodiment of the invention, the signal processing unit 72 additionally comprises a filter unit 78 configured to convert the operating signal 110 into a filter signal 123. The filter unit 78 forwards the filter signal 123 as the communication signal 120 to the sensor device communication unit 73 by means of a line link 164. The sensor device communication unit 73 transmits the communication signal 120 to the suction apparatus communication unit 50 in a line-linked manner via the communication connection 121. The suction apparatus communication unit 50 receives the communication signal 120 and communicates it to the data processing unit 60 of the suction apparatus 10 in a line-linked manner. The data processing unit 60 evaluates the communication signal 120, in particular the filter signal 123, and controls the suction apparatus 10 by open-loop and/or closed-loop control.

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram for elucidating the sensor device 70 and the autostart function. The user activates the autostart function 200 by the user fitting the suction apparatus operational control element 39 at an autostart function position 210. As a result, the sensor unit 71 of the sensor device 70 is activated and the sensor unit 71 is in an activated state 220. The sensor unit 71 begins to monitor the machine tool 100, in particular the handheld machine tool, such that the operating signal 110 can be detected. In this case, the sensor unit 71 is then in a monitoring state 230. As soon as the machine tool is in operation 240, the sensor unit 71 detects the operating signal 110 and the suction apparatus 10 is started. In this case, the suction apparatus 10 is then in an activated state 250. During the activated state 250 of the suction apparatus 10, the sensor unit 71 remains in the monitoring state 230 and continues to detect the operation 240 of the machine tool 100. As soon as the machine tool 100 is no longer in operation 240, this change is detected by the sensor unit 71 and the suction apparatus 10 is deactivated 260. In this case, a message to the user about this change of state of the machine tool 100 is then transmitted to the suction apparatus display element 40 and also to the display element 172 of the sensor device 70.

[0070] For the case where the suction apparatus operational control element 39 is not at the autostart function position 210, information is likewise communicated to the suction apparatus display element 40 and the display element 172 of the sensor device 70. The user is thereby informed that the sensor device 70 has not yet been activated and the autostart function 200 is not available. In particular, the user is informed that the autostart function position 210 has not yet been set.